WEDDING BLOG

How to Style Your Outdoor Wedding Reception Dinner

August 8, 2017 | Junebug Weddings

Nothing makes us starry-eyed quite like an outdoor wedding reception dinner. From twinkle lights to long wooden tables, there’s something impossibly romantic about al fresco dining just as the sun begins to set. If you dream of dinner under the stars with your wedding guests, this post is for you! We’re taking a look back at our favorite outdoor wedding receptions to share the best styling tips to incorporate on your own!

Tall Centerpieces

The key to styling an outdoor reception is to fill the space as much as possible. Since tables generally take care of outward space, your attention can shift to decorating upward! Create visual levels and give your table some height with tall centerpieces such as vases or candlesticks.

photo by The Marions, event design by Katie Mullins Design, floral design by Doniphan Flowers & Gifts; see more from this wedding here!

photo by Wanderlust Creatives, floral design by Marie Floral and Event Stylist; see more from this wedding here!

photo by Sarah Libby Photography, event design by Affinity Affairs, floral design by Everything Beautiful OKC, rentals by Mariannes Rentals; see more from this wedding here!

photo by Lamb & Meadow, floral design by The Bamboo Orchid; see more from this wedding here!

photo by Hugo Coelho Fotografia, event design by My Fancy Wedding, floral design by Flor de Laranjeira; see more from this wedding here!

Natural Elements

Tree slices, antlers, and fruit – oh my! The types of natural elements you can use in your table decor are truly as expansive as nature itself, so consider the vibe of your wedding and the space you’re using to choose a selection of pieces to make guests go “ooh” and “ahh!”

photo by Artemis Photography and Ping Photography; see more from this wedding here!

photo by Allison Harp, floral design by Pink House Floral; see more from this wedding here!

photo by Jordan Voth Photography, floral design by A Florae; see more from this wedding here!

photo by Jonnie and Garrett, event design by Tremaine Ranch; see more from this wedding here!

photo by Yoris Photographe, event design by Jenny Morel Weddings and Wedays, floral design by Elizabeth Delsol; see more from this wedding here!

photo by Peyton Rainey Photography, event planning by Peyton Rainey Photography and Bella Rose Bridal, floral design by Tony Foss Flowers, rentals by Borrowed Charm; see more from this wedding here!

photo by Emily Delamater Photography, wedding design by Take Off Events; see more from this wedding here!

photo by Evynn LeValley, event design by A Big Sur Affair, floral design by Big Sur Flowers, agate slice place cards by Invite Alice; see more from this wedding here!

Luxe Details

It’s no secret that we love a good design juxtaposition, and nothing offsets an outdoor reception like luxe details! Gold flatware, elegant table runners and beautiful china and glassware provide the perfect dose of contrast to your natural setting.

photo by Xandra Photography, event design by Divine Weddings, floral design by The Floral Fixx; see more from this wedding here!

photo by Anna Kim Photography, wedding design by Patty Flax; see more from this wedding here!

photo by Olive Photography, event design by June Bloom Events, floral design by Quill & Oak, rentals by Fancy Fox, Cynthia Findlay, Chair-Man Mills, The Perfect Table; see more from this wedding here!

photo by Blest Studios, event design by Penzi Weddings; see more from this wedding here!

photo by Jonnie & Garrett, event & floral design by Glorious Floral Designs, rentals by Classic Party Rentals; see more from this wedding here!

Seasonal Color Palette

photo by Emily Delamater Photography; see more from this wedding here!

photo by Sugar + Soul Photography, event design by Divine Weddings, floral design by The Floral Fixx, rentals by C & T Rentals; see more from this wedding here!

photo by Hannah Costello, event design by To La Lune, floral design by The Dainty Lion, rentals by Abbey Rentals; see more from this wedding here!

photo by Kymberlie Dozois, wedding design by Sarah Alexandra Weddings, Events & Design; see more from this wedding here!

Overhead Lighting

If you’ve set your reception beneath the trees, there’s nothing more romantic than twinkling string lights or dangling lanterns. Set the mood with whimsical lighting strung from tree to tree!

photo by Jonas Peterson; see more from this wedding here!

photo by Olivia Strohm Photography, event design by Kualoa Ranch, floral design by Ocean Dreamer, rentals by Pacific Party Rentals; see more from this wedding here!

photo by Nhiya Kaye Photography, wedding design by Wildflower Weddings and Events; see more from this wedding here!

photo by Emily Delamater Photography; see more from this wedding here!

photo by Abby Floyd Photography, floral design by Oberer’s Flowers; see more from this wedding here!

photo by Diktat Photography, event design by Call Me Madame, floral design by Bloomz Fine Flowers, rentals by Bali Event Hire and Supply & Demand; see more from this wedding here!

Hanging Decor

One of the most significant ways to make your outdoor space feel filled is by hanging things from above! Hanging decor creates a sense of ceiling in the openness above. From chandeliers to floral installations, the options for hanging decor are really endless!

photo by Xandra Photography, event design by Divine Weddings, floral design by The Floral Fixx; see more from this wedding here!

photo by Coley & Co Photography; see more from this wedding here!

photo by Blest Studios, event design by Penzi Weddings; see more from this wedding here!

photo by Paula McManus Photography, event design by Betty Williamson, floral design by FloralEarth; see more from this wedding here!

photo by Amber Phinisee, event design by Alexandra’s Formals, floral design by Roy Lamb, rentals by Southern Vintage and Lake Oconee Rental; see more from this wedding here!

Looking for more outdoor wedding reception decor ideas? Get inspired by these posts!

Incorporate These Plants to Create a Tropical Wedding Anywhere in the World

6 Ways to Style Your Campground Wedding Venue

Get Inspired by These Cozy Wedding Reception Lounge Areas

65 Times Greenery Wedding Decor Proved Less Is More

This Stress-Free Cliffs of Moher Wedding was Full of Surprises

August 8, 2017 | Junebug Weddings

Shortly before Candice and James planned to get married, they saw their friends stressing out over their own big wedding – which led to Candice and James vow to have the exact opposite experience at their destination wedding! The couple planned out their gorgeous outfits, invited their closest family and friends to visit Ireland with them, and chose their Cliffs of Moher ceremony location on the spot once they arrived. We can’t get enough of this wedding’s vibrant color palette and incredibly epic vibes that were perfectly documented by Magic Wedding Photographer.

The Couple:

Candice and James

The Wedding:

Cliffs of Moher & McDermott’s Pub, Ireland

My husband and I went to the most beautiful wedding in the world last year… the problem was that the bride was so stressed out and could not wait for it to be over. The wedding was also one of the most expensive weddings I have ever seen and they couldn’t afford a honeymoon after! After experiencing this through my friend, James and I decided we wanted a small and stress free wedding. We had planned on going to Europe the next May and just decided in that very moment we wanted to do it in Ireland and on the cliffs we had seen photos of.

The most memorable part of the day was having my little brother walk me down to the edge of the cliff where my husband was looking at me like I have never seen him look at me before.

The Cliffs of Moher ceremony was a spur of the moment decision that we just went with. We did not want a traditional sit down wedding. We drove into the town and then scoped out a spot and just did it! It was fantastic!

I found a very simple and non religious ceremony I liked and then I added an Irish blessing. We didn’t want to read our own vows so we both wrote 10 promises to each other that were mostly hysterical ones which made it so much fun!

Our advice: Don’t stress. Seriously… a chunk of my hair BURNT off 2 minutes before we left for my ceremony and I had to laugh it off and just go with it! My best friend and I went into glee over this… of course.. on my wedding day my hair burns off! Every step of the way I forced myself to just be calm. I have been a bridesmaid in 9 weddings in 5 years so I have seen every problem you can imagine! My husband was annoyed at how calm I was!

Sarah Seven has always been my favorite designer. I love how romantic and beautiful her gowns are. I went to her store in Los Angeles (She ended up being my stylist there! I had no idea it was going to be her!). I tried on 5 dresses and chose the second one and never questioned it again. I love bright colors so I chose yellow and pink as my colors! I even ended up wearing my bright pink rain boots to climb down the cliffs for photos!

The biggest surprise to us was how much Ireland exceeded our expectations. It was so beautiful… every single place looks like a painting. It was so incredible I can’t even describe it. I had no idea what to expect in Ireland and absolutely had no idea what to expect for our wedding and it exceeded our expectations beyond belief! My wedding was so perfect in every single way. We were so happy and that was the biggest surprise for me! I did not expect it to go so wonderfully!

We had no music at our ceremony… just the sound of the wind on the cliffs! Our first dance was a really fun Irish song the band at the pub played for us!

The Wedding Team:

Photography – Magic Wedding Photographer
Ceremony Venue – Cliffs of Moher
Reception Venue – McDermott’s Pub
Officiant – Cary Weiland
Wedding Dress – Sarah Seven
Groom’s Apparel – Paul Smith

A very heartfelt congratulations to Candice and James, and a special thanks to our very own Junebug member Magic Wedding Photographer for sharing their day with us. Want more Ireland wedding inspo? Check out this earthy Irish wedding at Ballintaggart House, also shot by Magic Wedding Photographer!

Impossibly Cool Palm Springs Honeymoon Photo Shoot

August 7, 2017 | Junebug Weddings

Between the infinitely awesome outfits and gorgeous desert backdrops of this photo shoot, we think you’ll be pretty convinced to book your own Palm Springs honeymoon! With the help of Vanity Affair Events‘ shoot planning and styling expertise, Olivia Strohm Photography captured Sarah and Austin among the beautiful sun-drenched goodness that is Palm Springs, California, and we are so in love with every second of their badass beachy honeymoon celebration. Every outfit that Sarah wore was gorgeous, but we especially love her custom hand-lettered leather jacket, effortlessly retro bathing suit styling, and shuffleboard-ready monstera leaf frock!

A very special congrats to Sarah and Austin on your recent nuptials, and a huge thanks to Olivia Strohm Photography for sharing their celebration with us! Love this photographer’s style? Then you’ve got to see this Union/Pine wedding where the bride designed her own gorgeous dress, also shot by Olivia Strohm!

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