“The process of working with Crate and Barrel on designing our reception space was an absolute dream come true. I have been a massive fan of the brand for as long as I can remember. My entire home is full of their pieces and being able to have that reflected at our wedding was so special.”
Joslyn and husband Chris hosted their surprise wedding at his parent’s Paradise Valley home—a dreamy outdoor space in Arizona—and needed the decor to match. Use Joslyn’s wedding reception design ideas to inspire your own.
1. Invest in stylish furniture to use at your wedding reception and then later in your home
“Instead of investing in pricey rentals that you'll only use once and that (let's be real) aren't necessarily the most chic pieces on the planet, I love the idea of investing in things you actually love and want to use in your home, especially from a brand with the pedigree level and aesthetic of Crate and Barrel. Now, when we look at Yukas Geometric Dining Table in our dining room, we'll always have special memories from our wedding reception. I just love that element and am beyond grateful to Crate and Barrel for helping make our reception absolutely perfect!”
Pro-tip: Add home furnishings to your Wedding Gift Registry that you can use both at your wedding reception and in your home.
2. Want to set the mood to party? Balance the wedding reception dance floor space with ample seating using a mix of outdoor/indoor furniture collections with trendsetting frames.
“We wanted a black and white desert boho vibe that incorporated different natural textures and materials, where people could feel at home, but we also wanted the reception to feel polished and beautiful. Thanks to the Barra Teak Lounge furniture, the Yukas Geometric Dining Table and the Origin Backless Barstools, we really achieved that goal. Fun fact: the Barra Teak Lounge furniture was definitely the most sought after seating location for our guests! They loved it!”
3. Two words: Snack station
“We wanted it to feel more like a party and less like a super formal sit-down affair.”
Don’t wait to bring your charcuterie dreams to life! A wedding is a perfect place to build the ultimate snack board. Plus, you won’t leave your guests hungry. (The quicker they’re fed, the quicker they’ll join you on the dance floor.)
4. Use existing elements of the reception space to your advantage when designing the space
Joslyn and Chris decided to utilize the natural beauty of his parent’s swimming pool and floated their names, the perfect background for any photo op. Even cooler? The Arizona sun created a drop shadow of their names at the bottom of the pool.
5. Design-forward floral arrangements add ambiance to your wedding reception
Chic and warm florals arrangements made sense to match Joslyn’s boho wedding. Placed throughout, they provided a natural texture that complemented the desert location.
