Have you forgotten to style this area of your wedding?

Ceremony

Images by Brandon Kidd Photography and Justin DeMutiis Photography (thumbnail image by Molly Yeh)

1/ Signage

signage has a few practical uses at the wedding: to clarify directions, welcome guests, or share a seating policy or schedule. You can also use them as pure decoration, perhaps by including a quote about love or marriage. Whether DIY, commissioned or bought ready made, signs can easily be elevated into something beautiful in line with your theme. A calligraphed wooden sign on a stand is a simple but modern option!

2/ Programme or Accessory Table

Some couples put items like programmes, fans/parasols and toss items on seats, but if you’d rather have them available on an as-needed basis, you may want to supply (and decorate!) a small table near where guests will enter the ceremony area. This doesn’t have to be too elaborate. Adding a tablecloth and a small vase of flowers can look really effective!

Image by Anna Routh Photography

3/ Seating

You might like to add something extra to your chosen chairs, whether for pure decoration (ribbon or fabric), comfort (some simple cushions) or something for guests to use (fans or confetti).

 

Image by Michael + Anna Costa Photography

4/ Aisle Runner or other décor

Make the path to married life extra special by transforming the very ground you’ll walk on! A length of fabric, a series of rugs or a smattering of petals are all lovely approaches. You can also decorate the edges of the aisle with small posies of flowers/greenery, candles or lanterns.

Front of the ceremony/wedding arch – as the main focal point for the ceremony, the place where you’ll stand is a prime opportunity for decoration! Florals, greenery and fabric are the mainstays for a wedding arch, but you could also create something beautiful with macramé or even plain wood.

Cocktail hour 

Images by Justin DeMutiis Photography and Jose Villa Photography

5/ Tables

Even if the cocktail hour is mostly standing, you’ll usually have tables for setting drinks down. These can be simply elevated with something pretty (candles or flowers in vases being a great choice) or more personal (perhaps framed photos or quotes). The same goes for a lounge area, if you’re having one!

Image by The Edges Wedding Photography

6/ Bar + Buffet

If you have room to play with on the top of the bar or buffet table, floral displays and framed menus look very chic. Otherwise, stick to draping or hanging décor like fabric, bunting and lettering, or some larger potted plants on the floor in front of the setup. 

Image by Kay English Photography

7/Seating chart/escort cards

The seating chart has tonnes of options for creativity, from displaying it on an unusual material (like fabric, a mirror or the glass door above) to accentuating it with a garland or bunting. If you’re having escort cards, you could make a similar effort towards their presentation, perhaps by hanging them on twine or ribbon, or setting them out neatly on trays to designate individual tables.

 Reception

Image by Eric Keley Photography

8/ Dining tables

As the cornerstone of the reception, we’re sure you won’t forget to beautify your reception tables! Usually the table décor consists of an anchoring centrepiece, plus a beautiful table setting.

Image by Joel Maus and Lorely Meza for Studio EMP

10/ Dance floor

for the dance floor, the main decorative concerns are the floor surface and the lighting. You’ll have the most control over these elements if you’re establishing your own dance floor, perhaps in a marquee or outdoor setting. If you’re using a venue with their own dance floor, you could consider adding some extra touches, perhaps bunting or café lights overhead or a vinyl decal or gobo projection of a monogram, stars or another pattern.   

Image by Amy Arrington Photography

11/ Lighting

Nothing gives a wedding romantic ambience quite like magical lighting! During the day, natural light can sometimes be enough, but if in doubt (or if some or all of the ceremony and reception will take place after sunset) visit your venue(s) at the same time of day as the wedding to better understand lighting requirements. Chat with your venue before making decisions on lighting - there may be other restrictions to consider, extra charges for power, or a site technician you’ll need to work with.