Decorating an outdoor reception area is often easier than decorating an indoor reception area as you can use the greenery and flowers already present as natural decorations. To highlight the inherent beauty of the plants and flowers around the area, don't over-decorate the tables; instead, keep your decor simple to let Mother Nature work her charm.
Flowers
Many brides and grooms just have to have flowers on their guest tables, even if there are potted flowers or flower beds near the tables. If you wish to accent the tables with floral centerpieces, keep their designs simple; you don't want to have flower-overload. Use flowers in shapes and tones similar to those already outside to ensure that they don't clash with each other. As an especially simple and charming centerpiece, pot a small green flowering plant into a clay holder; wrap the pot in burlap or tulle and secure it with colorful ribbon. This simple arrangement will create a big impact.
Candles
Candles make romantic centerpieces, especially if the reception is held in the late afternoon or evening. To make your own, place a few mirrors on each table and set pillar candles on their tops; the mirrors will help to reflect the candlelight. Wrap the pillar candles in ribbon to coordinate them with the wedding colors. If you don't like the look of pillar candles, use tealight candles instead. Place the tiny twinkling candles into little glass holders and scatter them liberally around the center of the table.
Flower Petals
Sprinkle flower petals into the middle of the table. You can use petals of a single color, or mix and match colors for an eclectic look. If you have only a few tables, use a different color for each table; arrange the table with similarly colored candles and napkins. The reception will look like a garden of colorful tables. Fill a few tall vases with water and floating petals. If you are nervous about the water spilling, skip it and simply fill the vase with flowers or petals.
Seashells
Seashells make wonderful centerpieces for beach-side weddings and receptions. Place a low bowl filled with sand in the middle of the table and place a few large shells in its center. You can mix in a few flower petals for some color if you wish. If you don't like the idea of sand being on the table where guests will be eating, contain it inside a tall narrow vase. Intersperse the sand and small shells to fill the vase to the top. Arrange a few tealight candles around the vases for an especially romantic look.
Butterflies
No flower garden is complete without a few butterflies fluttering around. Bring your own butterflies to your outdoor wedding by adding them to the tables. Purchase silk or wired butterflies from your local craft store, and lay them in the middle of the table. Place a few white pillar candles in the middle of the table. Wrap a wire around the body of the butterfly and stick the ends of the wire into the candle. The wax will hold the wire firmly, making it look like the butterflies are fluttering around the candle. Be sure that the butterflies are not placed so close to the flame of the candle that they can be burned.
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