Wedding decorations and the basics to staging the perfect event!
Wedding decorations average over $1200 on flowers alone!
What should I consider when thinking about my decorations?First things first. Let’s talk numbers. The first decision you should make is around budget (yes, I know I sound like a broken record at this point!). The budget will determine how much you can do with your wedding decorations and how far to stretch things.
The second decision should be the kind of “mood” or “vibe” you want to create. Is it important to you that your 90 year old grand parents are breaking down the dance floor like it’s their job? Or do you want a more reverent, serious tone to your event? Making this decision upfront helps to set the stage for the kind of decorations will help to achieve this effect.
Next, consider whether your wedding has a particular theme or unifying concept. All great special events – not just weddings – have some sort of theme. Whether it’s centered around the first country you visited together, a hobby you both enjoy, or something you both just consider to be fun and romantic, it often makes decorating easier to have a theme. Themes also bring out a new level of creativity with wedding decorations since it will help keep your brainstorming focused on a central idea.
And as a final consideration, think about your colors. Now that you have a few of the big decisions made, you should consider what colors you want to incorporate. There’s far too much to discuss as it relates to wedding color ideas for your wedding decorations, so we suggest you take a look at this article for some tips.
How much do people spend?The budget can vary more than almost any of the other budget items on your wedding budget checklist. The reason is because it depends so much on the venue where you’ll be having the ceremony and reception. Many couples, in fact, choose their reception site based on how little they’ll need to add in order to create a fantastic vibe.
Where’s the best place to start?Get inspired for unique decorating ideas by flipping through all kinds of trendy magazines. Don’t just focus on weddings, but also consider interior design magazines like Dwell. These magazines feature well-known interior designers who are great at finding amazing decorating ideas perfect for any space and intended to create a specific mood.
What will the ceremony site allow?As you think through your ideas, one key point is what will your ceremony site allow. Many religious venues, such as a church, synagogue, or temple, will limit what you can do as far as decorations go. In most cases, however, you can’t go wrong with elegant candles and fresh flowers. If you have plans beyond these basics, be sure to check with your ceremony site BEFORE ordering your decorations.
What will the reception site allow?Similar to the ceremony sites, reception sites often have guidelines they must follow as it relates to what can or cannot be displayed. Some are restricted to certain fire codes while others could be older, historical sites that require special handling. In every case, it’s always best to check with the reception site BEFOREHAND if you have decorations that go beyond the traditional.
What are some pitfalls I should be aware of when planning?In our opinion, we’ve seen the biggest mistakes related to wedding decorations made with proportion and practicality. If the space is small or your guest list is close to the capacity of the venue, the proportion of the decorations should be small and simple. You must visualize the space with your guests IN IT and decorate accordingly. This will prevent the decorations from creating a cloistered, claustrophobic feel, which no one will want. The second mistake we’ve seen with decorating is in practicality. It becomes more of an annoyance or distraction to many to have a centerpiece of flowers so large that your guests are hidden from across the table from each other. Or candles that can’t stay lit and need to be continuously re-lit by the servers who are then neglectful about bringing hot food to the guests. While wedding decorations are ultra important, it’s also key to remember that entertaining is the goal that your wedding decorations support. Not the other way around.
What wedding decorations have the largest effect?Lighting. That’s right. Ever been to a club or bar during the day time? It’s a mess, right? But at night they’re transformed into completely new worlds that feel glamorous, romantic, or any other mood you’d want. The main difference is lighting. We don’t pay much attention to lighting in the normal course of our lives. We mostly just take it for granted. But in considering your wedding decorations – especially if you’re on a budget – you’ll get a lot of mileage out of your wedding dollar if you forego elaborate centerpieces and intricate table displays for a stunning lighting effect. Wedding decorations also include centerpieces. Check out this article for some DIY tips.
