Décor & Setup
Decoration ideas by theme, 6 specific centerpiece concepts, DIY ideas under $50, photo display setups, and complete budget breakdowns for 50-person and 150-person reunions.
Pick a theme before you buy anything — it prevents the "random assortment of supplies that don't go together" problem. A theme also makes decisions easier: when you're not sure about an item, ask if it fits the theme.
Colors: Forest green, cream, gold, sepia
Colors: Match the decade — avocado green and harvest gold for '70s; neon pink and blue for '80s
Colors: Choose two or three family-specific colors and carry them everywhere
Colors: Sage green, white, terracotta, soft yellow
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Centerpieces define the look of your tables. Choose something that matches your theme, won't blow over outdoors, and ideally can be prepped a day before the event.
Cost: $8–15 per table
Print 4–6 family photos in 4x6 size (about $0.15 each at a photo center). Display in mismatched thrift-store frames painted the same color. Surround with a handful of fresh flowers in a small vase. Every table tells a different era of the family story.
Cost: $5–10 per table
Large mason jars filled with wildflowers or grocery store flowers cut short. Tie a strip of burlap or ribbon around the jar. Add a small chalkboard tag with the table number or family branch name. Stable in wind, easy to make in bulk, and guests often take them home.
Cost: $12–20 per table
Battery-powered lanterns (order from Amazon in bulk) surrounded by a wreath of fresh or faux eucalyptus. Add a few small candles around the base. Works beautifully for evening events and requires zero floral knowledge to assemble.
Cost: $6–12 per table
Small potted plants in terracotta pots serve as both centerpiece and party favor. Label each with 'Thanks for being part of our family — take me home!' Herbs, succulents, and small flowering plants all work well. Order in bulk from a wholesale nursery.
Cost: $10–18 per table
Helium balloons in family colors weighted by a decorative sand-filled jar. Attach small printed photos to balloon strings. Balloons add height and movement to the table while photos give them meaning. Avoid this option if it's very windy.
Cost: $3–8 per table
Print family recipes on decorative card stock and display in acrylic stands. Guests can flip through the recipes during the meal. Include a note that they'll receive the full family cookbook after the reunion. Doubles as a meaningful conversation starter.
These ideas each stay under $50 for a complete setup. You don't need all of them — pick two or three that fit your theme and your time.
Photo displays are the single most emotionally impactful decoration at a family reunion. They don't require artistic talent — just gathering, printing, and a little organization.
These are realistic DIY decoration budgets. If you hire a party decorator, multiply by 3–5x. Prices assume you're shopping at party supply wholesalers, Amazon, and dollar stores rather than a retail craft store.
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Let Reunly handle the logistics while you focus on the fun
Budget tracking, vendor notes, RSVPs, and your full timeline — organized in one place.
Start with a color palette — two or three colors that match your family's theme or reunion year. Pick a focal point decoration (a welcome banner or family name display) and build outward from there. Centerpieces anchor each table. Photo displays and memory boards add emotional connection. Balloons and signage help guests navigate the space. You don't need to decorate every inch — concentrate your effort on three zones: the entrance, the main dining area, and the activity area.
The most popular family reunion centerpieces are: (1) Photo frames of old family photos mixed with fresh flowers, (2) Mason jar arrangements with wildflowers and a family name label, (3) Potted herbs guests can take home, (4) Lanterns with battery-powered candles surrounded by greenery, (5) A printed family tree in a frame with coordinating flowers. For outdoor reunions, low-profile centerpieces that won't blow over in wind are essential — jars weighted with sand or river rocks work well.
For a 50-person reunion, a well-decorated event typically costs $150–$300 in supplies if you DIY most of it. For 150 people, budget $400–$600 to cover additional tables, more centerpieces, and larger signage. You can dramatically cut costs by making centerpieces from photos and items you already own, ordering balloons wholesale rather than from a florist, and using a color-matched tablecloth as the primary visual anchor instead of expensive floral arrangements.
From decorations to RSVPs to budget tracking — Reunly keeps your whole reunion organized so nothing falls through the cracks.