Wedding Columns: Creative Ways To Decorate For Your Reception

how to decorate columns for a wedding reception

Wedding pillars and columns can be decorated in a variety of ways to suit any theme or style. From traditional to modern, there are endless ways to style these decorations. For example, for an outdoor wedding, bamboo pillars with floral streams, ribbons, and bows can be used to tie into the surroundings. For a modern look, metal pillars intertwined with flowers, ribbons, or cloth accessories can be used. For a classic look, white pillars dressed in satin, silk, or self-patterned cloth in the wedding colours can be used. For a dramatic effect, LED-lit crystal pillars or carved columns with hollow stands for candles can be used. For a beach-themed wedding, navy organza, rope, and seashells can be used to decorate the pillars. For a winter wedding, pine sprigs, pine cones, and pebbles can be used.

Characteristics Values
Materials Heavy cardboard cylinders, PVC pipe, bamboo, marble, glass, metal, wood, rope, lights, tulle, twine, cloth, pearls, shells, diamonds, crystals, gems, flowers, candles, ice sculptures
Colours White, silver, gold, navy, satin, silk, self-patterned cloth in wedding colours
Cost Renting columns can be expensive; using homemade columns made from cardboard or other inexpensive materials can be a more affordable option
Function Decorative columns can be used to create an altar for the bride and groom, section off a large room, support fabric swags or arches, direct traffic flow, or hold vases, urns, bouquets, or light ornaments
Size and Style The size and style of the columns depend on the venue's height and space; columns can be square or round, fluted or plain, adjustable or non-adjustable, and should have a strong base to support decorations

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Cover columns with tulle, fairy lights, and artificial ivy garlands

Wedding pillars and columns are often overlooked, but they are just as vital as your tablescape and entryway decor. Covering columns with tulle, fairy lights, and artificial ivy garlands is a great way to decorate your wedding reception. Here are some tips and ideas to achieve this:

Tulle and Fairy Lights

Tulle is an affordable and effective way to decorate wedding columns. You can wrap the columns in tulle and then add fairy lights for a romantic and elegant look. The soft, flowing fabric of tulle creates a dreamy atmosphere, and the fairy lights will add a touch of sparkle and magic to the reception venue. Consider using blush pink and burgundy tulle, as these colours can add a romantic and elegant touch to the space.

Artificial Ivy Garlands

Artificial ivy garlands are a great way to bring greenery and nature into the wedding reception. By twirling the garlands along the length of the columns, you can create a festive and charming look, especially for an evening reception. Combine the ivy garlands with fairy lights to enhance the décor and create a warm and inviting atmosphere.

Additional Ideas

When covering the columns with tulle, fairy lights, and ivy garlands, you can also incorporate other elements to enhance the overall décor. Consider adding some fresh or artificial flowers, ribbons, or bows to the columns for a more whimsical and romantic touch. If you're looking for a more modern approach, intertwine metal pillars or silver/gold-coloured pillars with flowers, ribbons, or cloth accessories.

DIY Columns

If you're feeling creative and want to save some money, you can even make your own columns. Use heavy cardboard cylinders from building supply stores and decorate them with tulle, fairy lights, and ivy garlands. This option allows you to create columns that perfectly match your wedding theme and colours.

By combining tulle, fairy lights, and artificial ivy garlands, you can transform plain columns into beautiful focal points at your wedding reception. These decorations will create a memorable and enchanting atmosphere for you and your guests to enjoy.

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Drape satin, silk, or patterned cloth in your wedding colours

When it comes to decorating columns for a wedding reception, one elegant and eye-catching option is to drape them in satin, silk, or patterned cloth that complements your wedding colour palette. This simple yet effective approach can transform plain columns into stunning features that enhance the overall aesthetic of the room.

For a luxurious and classic look, consider using silk fabric to drape your wedding columns. Silk is renowned for its elegant sheen and soft, fluid drape, creating a sophisticated and timeless atmosphere. Opting for heavier-weight silks, such as silk Duchesse satin, can provide a more structured and dramatic effect, making it ideal for columns. This fabric's versatility allows for a range of styles, from sleek and modern to ethereal and whimsical. Additionally, silk's durability and wrinkle resistance make it a practical choice for your special day.

Satin, whether crafted from silk or polyester, offers a similar lustrous finish and is another excellent choice for draping wedding columns. The smooth, sleek appearance of satin will elevate your decor, creating a sense of opulence and glamour. Polyester satin, in particular, provides the added benefits of wrinkle resistance and lower maintenance, ensuring your decor remains flawless throughout the reception.

Patterned cloth can also be used to drape columns, adding visual interest and texture to the space. Consider choosing patterns that incorporate your wedding colours or complement your theme. From elegant florals to bold geometrics, the right pattern can make a statement and create a memorable visual impact. Whether you opt for the simplicity of satin or the richness of silk, or decide to incorporate patterns, these fabrics will undoubtedly elevate your wedding columns, providing a sophisticated and romantic atmosphere for you and your guests to enjoy.

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Use removable hooks to hang pictures of the happy couple

If you're looking to decorate columns for a wedding reception, removable hooks are a great option to hang pictures of the happy couple without causing any damage. Here are some tips to achieve this:

Firstly, choose the pictures you want to display. Opt for high-quality, edited images that showcase the couple and the venue. Include pictures with family members and the wedding party, as well as close-ups and fun shots. These pictures will become cherished memories, so select the ones you truly love.

Next, consider the number of pictures you want to hang. This will depend on the number of columns and their size. A single statement photo can be impactful, while a collage of multiple pictures can create a heart-warming story. Lay out your pictures on the floor in front of the columns to visualise the arrangement and play around with different configurations until you find the most aesthetically pleasing layout.

When it comes to framing, choose frames that complement each other and fit the wedding theme and colour scheme. Consider the size and material of the frames, and whether you want them to match the style of the photographs. You can opt for matching frames or a more eclectic mix, depending on the look you want to achieve.

Finally, install the removable hooks on the columns and hang your pictures. Ensure the hooks are secure and strong enough to hold the weight of the frames. Step back and admire your handiwork as the columns become a beautiful display of the happy couple's memories.

With these tips, you can easily incorporate pictures of the happy couple into your wedding reception column decorations, creating a personalised and elegant touch to the celebration.

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Decorate with flowers, candles, or LED lights

Flowers, candles, and LED lights are all great ways to decorate columns at a wedding reception.

If you're looking to decorate with flowers, you can use columns to create an altar for the happy couple to stand at during the ceremony. You can also use columns to section off a large room to make it appear smaller. Column vases can be used as centrepieces, with flowers enhancing their appeal and making them more stable. For outdoor weddings, try tall crystal flower stands, which add a sparkling glow to the occasion. Columns can also hold vases, urns, and bouquets.

Candles are a great way to increase the intimacy of the atmosphere and set a romantic mood. They can be used in combination with flowers or on their own. Large and small candelabras look luxurious, and candles arranged on stairs or tables are inexpensive yet exquisite. Line the sides of a staircase with pillar candles to add a lovely glow to the pathway and direct guests to where they need to go. For a magical theme, place floating tea light candles in vases filled with water. For a classic look, votive candles work beautifully, and you can dazzle guests with a plethora of hanging tea lights.

LED lights are a great way to add an inviting glow to your event space. Wrap fairy lights around columns to create a sophisticated yet laid-back atmosphere. For a low-key backyard wedding, hang simple bistro lights between rows of picnic tables. Wow your guests by decorating the venue entrance with a string light canopy or archway.

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Choose a column with a plain base for a pleasant look

If you're looking to decorate columns for a wedding reception, it's a good idea to start with a plain base. This creates a pleasant look and feel for the venue and allows for more flexibility in your decorative choices. Here are some ideas to get you started:

First, consider the type of column you want. You can rent or purchase decorative columns, but these can be expensive. Alternatively, you can make your own columns using heavy cardboard cylinders from building supply stores. These can be decorated with paint or covered with fabric to achieve the desired effect.

For a simple and elegant look, choose a fluted column with a plain base. This style of column has vertical grooves or narrow channels running lengthwise, giving it a streamlined and royal appearance. If you're working with existing structural columns, look for wrap-around options that can enhance the look without bearing any weight.

When it comes to decoration, the possibilities are endless. For an outdoor wedding, consider wrapping the columns with floral streams, ribbons, and bows. For an indoor wedding, soft, flowy fabric draped around the columns can create a romantic atmosphere. You can also use strings of pearls and shells hung on fishing wire for a delicate and dreamy effect.

Don't be afraid to get creative with your column decorations. If you're crafty, you can try marbleizing the columns with faux-painting techniques or adding texture with common spackle. You can even incorporate personal touches like hanging pictures of the happy couple or wrapping the columns with rope to fit a specific theme.

Remember, the key to a pleasant look is to keep the base plain and let the decorations enhance the overall atmosphere of the wedding reception. By choosing a column with a plain base, you have the freedom to be as creative or understated as you like.

Frequently asked questions

If you're looking to save money, you can make your own columns by using cardboard tubes from a carpet store, painting them white, and zip-tying three of them together. You can then decorate them with tulle and twinkle lights. Alternatively, you can use heavy cardboard cylinders from a building supply store and add texture with common spackle or marbleize them using faux-painting techniques.

Columns can be decorated to match your wedding theme. For example, if your wedding has a winter beach theme, you can decorate the columns with seashells, pine sprigs, and pebbles. You can also use navy organza, robe netting, strings of pearls, and shells to visually blend the columns into the room's mural. For a modern look, consider metal pillars intertwined with flowers, ribbons, or cloth accessories.

There are many ways to make your wedding columns stand out. You can string beads along the length of the column, add a floral crown, or use LED-lit crystal pillars. Carved columns with hollow stands for LED lights or candles can also add drama to your decor. For an outdoor wedding, bamboo pillars with floral streams, ribbons, and bows can tie into the surroundings.

When choosing decorative columns, consider the height of the venue and the weight the column can support. The base of the column should be strong enough to maintain its shape when decorated with flowers and other items. You can also choose between square or round columns and adjustable or non-adjustable columns to fit your preferences and the venue's layout.

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