It is important to plan your decorations at the reception to enhance the occasion by creating a lasting impact on your guests.

Party favors are little gift items given to guests to retain as mementos of your wedding. Popular party favors include white boxes engraved with the bride and grooms names and the wedding date; cocktail napkins similarly engraved and individually wrapped and marked chocolates, almonds, or candy. Wine or champagne bottles marked with on a personalized label are another option worth considering. These are available in large or small bottles depending on your budget.

If expense is not a priority, you may also consider porcelain or ceramic party favors. These can be custom made your name and the wedding details on them.

A recent idea which is becoming popular among environmentally conscientious couples is to present guests with small trees or shrubs that can be planted in honor of the occasion.

The flowers are obviously an important part of the decorations at the reception. A small flower arrangement should be placed on each table. The arrangements should complement the table linen and be kept to a minimum height so as not to inhibit the guests eye contact during conversations . Avoid highly fragrant flowers on tables as their fragrance may overpower the food aroma. To reduce costs, potted, silk or dried flowers can be utilised.

For a classical yet simple wedding centerpiece, flowers are the top choice, although I have seen attractive centerpieces in garden weddings which use nature as centerpieces with features such as tiny birdhouses and flower baskets. When choosing flowers, consider the color, style, and of course their availability at the time of the wedding.

There are numerous varieties of flowers from which you can choose. Just remember that they must complement both the setting and decor of the reception venue.

Many weddings that I have attended recently have had disposable cameras available on all tables at the reception.. These provide a perfect vehicle for guests to simply snap whatever shots take their fancy and always seem to be a big hit. The cameras are pre loaded with film, and easy to operate. Guests leave the cameras which you should arrange to be collected, and after developing, are sure to reveal some memorable and candid shots.

Remember to obtain disposable cameras with flash units if your reception is to be held indoors. If you have a large guest list, cameras with twelve exposures should be sufficient.

When you have decided on your wedding decorations, it is always a good idea to consult one of your closest friends to get that second opinion on what is likely to be one of the most memorable days of your life.

Author Antony Wilton maintains a site that is a "must see" for anyone arranging a wedding. All you need is online at Wedding Planning Online.