Whether you have selected black and white polka dots, an ornate black and white damask or a black and white ultra-sleek and modern wedding theme, moderation is a must when it comes to using the color black at your wedding. When you look back at your wedding pictures in twenty years, or share them with the grand kids, you will not want to explain your choice of black lipstick, veils or other trendy morbid attire.
Wedding Reception Do’s
Do use black as an accent-trim color for bows, as polka dots or delicate filigree and woven damask designs to accent white table linens, dinnerware, chair backs or centerpiece decor.
Do display framed black and white photos and/or silhouettes of bride and groom in colorful floral (or black and white) polka-dot or plaid photo frames. Arrange photos on a lace doily to create unique retro-Victorian parlor-style wedding reception table centerpieces.
Do add another color somewhere in your wedding palette such as red, yellow, lavender or damask pink, whether in flowers, vase, tablecloth topper or centerpiece arrangement. The addition of a few drops of color can be beautifully spotlighted against a background of black and white without stealing the show.
Do use black prints on white fabrics, mixed together such as a polka dot table topper over a black and white plaid table cloth and napkins. Add black-stemmed champagne glasses and a black flower vase filled with white roses or carnations to create a simple yet elegant table centerpiece.
Do use white vanilla-scented candles on black (or black and white) candle holders surrounded by white flowers and baby’s breath woven into heart-shaped grape-vine wreath centerpieces. Find easy grape-vine wreath instructions in the article “Springtime Wreaths Made Simple” on my news page at AssociatedContent.com/cmajors.
Wedding Reception Don’ts
Do not use too much black anywhere on any one item. This is a wedding not a funeral, wake or black-out in zombie-land, I hope. Remember your guests have brought presents or cash to help out, as you start your life as a married couple.
Do not wear black make-up or nail polish, and do NOT decorate with black flowers or candles. If you are trying to film your own version of “Twilight” (the movie) you will make many of your guests (family and friends on both sides) feel uncomfortable and may leave early. Unfortunately it won’t be the people you want to leave early either (there are always a few).
Do not serve black or burned food and black beverages; opt instead for black-handled utensils to compliment any of the above reception table linens and place settings.
Finally, do not use black napkins for your wedding reception table but tie a bow around white rolled napkins, using thin black satin ribbon. Place napkins bow-side up into empty champagne wedding glasses. More do’s than don’ts provide you with tasteful solutions for a black and white dream-theme wedding reception.
