Wedding decorations encompass a large set of possibilities. Here are some possible locations for decorations besides the obvious church pews and reception tables. Use this list to spark your own creativity:
- Stair cases and railings
- Balcony railings
- Cake and gift tables
- Arches, gazebos, footbridges
- Entryways
- Walkways
- Ceilings
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Think about your wedding and reception locations. What is the natural setting of your ceremony? If the towering trees of Olympic National Forest encircle your ceremony site, play off the natural beauty and use pine cones and fir branches interlaced with ribbon for pew bows. If the sea gently laps behind the altar, maybe sand dollars and Buffalo Grass sprays tied up with tulle will compliment the setting. Big bowels of roses match any decor, but it is not your only option. Find a way to use the natural beauty which drew you to your location for your decorations.
What type of couple are you ? If you are a born crafter and love flower arranging, then by all means go all out. Tie up flowers for each chair back and every door handle. But if you are the more relaxed type, think about the simplicity of a single flower in a glass vase for each reception table. Wooden bowels filled with matching candies in your wedding colors can add grace and simplicity to the reception tables. Use mirrored tiles and gold flake glitter to add glitz to a more glamorous reception. Candles, alone in fluted holders or massed among sea shells or Christmas balls, add depth and character to dinner tables. Streamers, glitter, wooden cut outs, marbles, stones and ribbons can all be used in creative ways to dress up a location. One trip through the local craft store will get the bride and groom brainstorming. With the new types of balloons and ribbons on the market, you can find any color you chose. Also, just about any item you imagine can be personalized with the couple's name and wedding date.
Places to look for ideas are wedding magazines, bridal fairs, internet sites, decorating magazines and rental locations. Ask your other vendors for ideas. People who attend receptions for a living, such as photographers or videographers, will have lots of suggestions. Take some basic pictures of your wedding location and reception site to help you see all the possibilities. As you go through your day, notice how restaurants, conference rooms and lobbies are decorated. Check out the landscaping and decorations in the mall, the dentist or the gym. If you like what you see, snap a quick picture or get a good mental idea. Being able to show a professional what you like will help them help you. Large displays can be made table size and small bouquets can be made massive. All you need is the basic idea.
Wedding decorations, whether simple grasses tied up in ribbons or thousands of lights strung through the rose bushes, give any location a feeling of celebration. This is one aspect of your wedding where you can be as creative as you dare.