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The Hottest Wedding Reception Decor Trends From Tara O'Grady And Bliss Events

The Hottest Wedding Reception Decor Trends

Tara O'Grady, Toronto's most sought-after wedding planners and founder of Bliss Events, discusses the hottest trends in wedding reception decor.

Mix-Matched Centerpieces: "One of the biggest trends we've seen is, as opposed to having one flower arrangement on a table, people are doing a variety of smaller bud vases featuring different, single-stemmed flowers," says O'Grady. She suggests using a variety of mismatched vases from thrift stores or "Grandma's basement" to create the eclectic look.

Unique Place Settings: Gone are the days of tables set with perfectly matching dinnerware and glassware. "I really love that eclectic look where you have a variety of drinking glasses that are different textures and color," says O'Grady. And the same things goes for place settings. But can this mismatched look work for a high-end wedding? "Absolutely!" she says. The result is an elegant wedding with an "eclectic, refined" feel to it.

Small, Elegant Weddings: "There was such a theme of opulence and over-the-top decor and indulgence and it's now shifted to the other side," says O'Grady. The current trend is "not minimalist, but it's very elegant and done in a tasteful way." So, rather than having 400 people at their wedding, couples are inviting 150 guests and they're serving "excellent food and spending a little bit more on the wine."

Vintage Themes: According to O'Grady, the vintage look is still going strong. It's "really hot" right now, she says of the theme, so we can expect to see many more mason jars filled with signature cocktails or simple wildflower arrangements incorporated in reception decor.

Alternative Head Tables: O'Grady says that most of her clients are still doing head tables, but they're not opting for the traditional one-sided table on a riser. Instead, couples are inviting the members of their wedding party and their dates to sit at a large, double-sided head table in the center of the room. "People are sort of getting over the fact that some people might have to see their backs," says O'Grady of the arrangement. "It's an evening to be sociable, so it's not like you're staring at someone's back all night. It's just during dinner, so that's acceptable."

Ditch The Crystal: If you've been to a wedding within the past couple of years, you've no doubt spotted your share of crystals. "They were dripping all over every centerpiece for years and that look is gone," says O'Grady. Reception decor these days is "a little bit more reasonable and comfortable for everyone."

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