Beautiful decorations can add drama, style and fun to your wedding. There’s no doubt that weddings and receptions can be held anywhere, including on boats, in mansions and backyards. They also take place at parks, gardens, zoos and barns.
Decorate your location to set the mood and enhance the atmosphere. There are many options, from the elegantly simple up to the extravagantly elaborate!
We are frequently asked “What makes a classy wedding?” Or, “How do I make my wedding on a budget look elegant and expensive?” These questions are subjective, as everyone has a different idea of what class and elegance is.
There are some things that all classic and elegant weddings have in common. It can be summarized as “less is more”. There should be less fussy décor, less overall decor and no more than three colors. Simple is beautiful.
You can achieve a beautiful and memorable atmosphere by strategically placing the right decorations throughout your venue.
You’ll be surprised at how affordable and easy it is to create an unforgettable day for you and your guests. We’ll show you how to pick your wedding decorations like a professional.
7 Steps To Choose Your Wedding Decorations
STEP 1: Decide on the style and mood you want for your wedding. Are you more casual, modern or romantic? Bohemian or classic? You may decide you want a traditional evening wedding ceremony with lots of candles, crystals and flowers or you may decide on a more contemporary black-tie affair in a modern museum. What theme that has special meaning to you and your partner.
STEP 2: Next, choose a color scheme that suits your style and vibe. Visit our Pinterest board to get tons of inspiration. Visit our article ” Selecting Your Wedding Color Scheme to learn about basic color theory. You can use a picture to create your color palette.
Create a free pinterest account and pin what you find interesting. You can then look at the photos you have pinned to see what trends or styles are recurring. You may find that you prefer a rustic, natural look to a lot of glitter or vibrant colors. Or you might be drawn to winter nuptials instead of a autumn vibe.
STEP 3: It’s important to understand your budget. You can then get an idea of the number of decorations that you could reasonably include in your wedding, without going over budget. To avoid costly mistakes or returns, careful planning is essential. If you are on a budget, pick only two or three decorating ideas or wedding decorations that will add a visual impact to your venue.
It could be an altar backdrop, a dramatic ceiling decoration, a stunning wedding cake or a grand entrance. Add something metallic to catch the eye. You can elevate your designs with a little sparkle or glitter, or even a brooch or ribbon.
STEP 4: Select your venue keeping in mind Steps 1-3 so that the location does not compete with what you are looking for and can afford. Some locations can be quite stunning and don’t need much work (saving you a lot of money), while others are a blank canvas with little personality. Think about community centers and catering halls.
Take photos of your venue’s exterior, the entrance, the ceremony area, the reception space and even ceiling heights. You can use these pictures to reference when you are looking at your decorating ideas. Measure entry areas, aisles and reception area dimensions with a 100ft measuring tape and a notebook.
STEP 5: Imagine where you can use your favorite decorating ideas that you came up with in step 1. Then, you will know which decorations are suitable for your venue and which are not. Where will you put a dessert table, a band, or a dance floor? There is room for them?
The venue manager may have pictures of past weddings that can be used to help determine foot traffic so that everything runs smoothly. Ask for photos or a link to a website with dozens of pictures!
STEP 6: If you enter a venue without a focal point, create one. They create a positive and lasting first impression. They draw your attention to the space and give it a sense of grounding. A stunning backdrop, floral arrangement, or light installation can be used as examples. The focal decoration should be high and strong.
STEP 7: Trust in the process! You might be wondering, “How can I guarantee that the final result will be perfect?” There is very little room for error if you follow these guidelines. It is important to gather all your ideas for decorating in one place. You can use Pinterest, or create a real-life mood board with fabric and color samples.
Before you spend money, try to find out why something doesn’t look right. Delay decorating purchases for 4-6 months prior to your wedding. Over a long period of engagement, tastes, budgets and trends can change.
Important Considerations
As we have already mentioned, some locations are already decorated or festive and may not require any wedding decorations. You can choose to use elaborate backdrops and decorations to create a wedding theme or simply add a few candles and flowers to your reception tables and ceremony site. It’s all up to you, and your budget.
Below is a list of important things to consider before you begin decorating:
- Your wedding date ( season and time of day)
- Get measurements for your wedding location/setting
- Decorating Budget
- Available Venue Space (Ceremony & Reception)
- Number of Guests
- Your Wedding Theme & Mood
- Your Favorite Color Scheme
- Lighting requirements (especially for evenings – It is important to get the lighting right. Lighting is important, especially at night.
- Your family traditions that you would like to include
- Day-Of Installation Time Requirements
- What you can make yourself (see DIY tips below) & What to rent
Consider decorating the following areas:
- Altar/Pews/Aisle
- Table linens and Centerpieces. (Guests must be able see each other at the table to avoid talking.)
- Gift & cake tables (including any cake top decorations)
- Entryway (Guestbook/Penn)
- Tabletops/Wedding Favors/Confetti
- Buffet Table
- Head Table
- The bar/cocktail setting
- Chairs/Chair Backs
- Patios/Decks
- Walls/Doors
- Banisters/Mantles
- Ceilings (Lights, Floral Installations, etc.)
- Floors (Dancefloor, Projected Monograms, etc.)
- Dessert/Candy Buffets
- Restroom Counter
The Best Wedding Decorations to DIY
Making your own wedding decor can be a lot of fun if you enjoy crafting. Here’s what you need to know. DIY projects can add your own flair and personality to the day. You can save a lot of money if you do them yourself, but only if you use them at your wedding.
You will definitely want to read the #4 of if you are looking for DIY wedding ideas. The DIY cost of your wedding will depend on the size and number of decorations that you choose.
Be sure to check with your venue first before you use glitter or confetti. Many venues prohibit the use of confetti because it tends to spread everywhere. Seal surfaces that include glitter with polyurethane spray.
Most popular DIY wedding items include:
- Table Centerpieces
- Table Numbers
- Place Cards
- Welcome Signs
- Invitations
- Wedding Favors
- Photo/Storyboards
- Aisle Markers
- Chair Back Decor
- Backdrops
- Candy Buffet No desserts
- The Wedding Cake (advanced).
The Best Wedding Decorations to Recycle & Thrift
You can incorporate unique decor into your wedding by using items from friends or family. You can save money by thrift shopping and upcycling old items. It’s also good for the environment.
Plan ahead and visit several thrift shops to find what you are looking for. Metallic paint is a great way to turn cheap plastics into beautiful pieces. Upcycle and thrift popular wedding items:
- Frames
- Vases
- Candle Holders
- Wooden Crates
- Vintage Furniture
- Baskets
- Plates/Flatware/Glassware
- Plates
- Bowls
- Linens/Lace
- Book
- Craft Supplies
Day-Of Wedding Decorating Tips
Ceremonies– In most cases, decorations must be put up immediately before the ceremony. They should also be taken down as soon after. Check the contract with your venue. Check your venue contract.
Reception– The reception tables are not usually decorated until an hour before the dinner. Usually, the wedding party does not have enough time to decorate. If you want to do your own decorating then choose decorations that are easy to prepare ahead of time. You can also select a person who will arrange the decorations according to your preferences.
Hiring A Professional Wedding Decorator
You should also ask if they will set up the decorations and arrangements after the wedding. A professional decorator will handle these tasks and create the decorations as part of their job.
Rental items can be tailored to your vision or theme by professional decorators and florists. Renting table centerpieces, vases and mirrors as well as silk and dried floral arrangements, pedestals and archways, plants and pedestals that will only be used for a single day is advisable. You can rent similar items from wedding or party specialty shops. Combine these items to create beautiful wedding decorations. Use ribbons or tulle fabrics.