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Photo: Bella Bridesmaids Houston | Keira Elkins
There are so many fun aspects of wedding planning, and one of them is choosing the wedding décor for the big day!
While every wedding is different and unique in its own way, there are some decorative elements that you’ll find at almost every type of celebration.
It doesn’t matter if you’re having a small, casual outdoor wedding on a beach or a huge indoor event with hundreds of guests.
This is our ultimate wedding décor checklist to help you create the wedding of your dreams!
Wedding Ceremony Decorations
The moment you walk down the aisle will be a moment you’ll never forget, and there are a few decorative elements you can add to make it even more stunning.
These are some key ceremony decorations to consider for your wedding day:
1. Welcome Sign
Photo: Bella Bridesmaids | Oliver Fly
A welcome sign at your ceremony entrance instantly creates an ambiance and sets the tone for the entire event.
A welcome sign can be simple or ornate. It can be a tabletop sign, a tall floor sign, or a chalkboard with a handwritten message.
It’s easy to find signs to suit every style and theme, but if you’re feeling creative, you can DIY your own.
2. Aisle Runner
Photo: Bella Bridesmaids | AXIOO & PPF
It’s traditional to decorate your ceremony aisle with a white runner, but that’s only one of many options.
You can add color to your aisle by covering it with rose petals. Or you can use a patterned piece of fabric or rug, or a solid runner personalized with a colorful monogram.
3. Wedding Arch
Photo: Bella Bridesmaids | Stephania Campos
Rounded, square, or in an unexpected geometric shape, a ceremony arch to say your vows beneath makes for great ceremony photos.
Cover it in flowers for a romantic look, drape it with fabric for a bit of whimsy, or opt for solid wood if you’re embracing a more rustic style. If you’re planning to say “I do” in a church or religious institution, aim for altar decorations like floral arrangements, decorative pillars, or candles.
4. End of Aisle Decorations
Photo: Bella Bridesmaids | Hunter Ryan
Mark the end of each aisle (or every other aisle) with wedding flowers, lanterns, faux candles, or swags of greenery. You can also use any other decorative accent that speaks to your personal style.
While it’s best to mark prime seats in the front rows for VIP guests like parents and grandparents, you can also decorate the end of the first one or two rows with reserved seating signs as well.
Wedding Cocktail Hour Decorations
Everyone loves a cocktail hour with drinks flowing and yummy hors d’oeuvres.
Here are some ways to decorate yours:
5. Bar Signage
Photo: Bella Bridesmaids | Claire Ryser
A custom chalkboard sign, a customized acrylic sign, or a printed menu sign on your bar is the perfect way to describe your signature cocktail.
6. Cocktail Napkins
Photo: Drinkware Company
Custom cocktail napkins printed with your names, the date, or a cute saying are another great way to make your cocktail hour uniquely yours.
Place them on the bar for guests to grab with drinks, and they’ll do double duty as bar décor. Or have your wait staff hand them out when they pass hors d’oeuvres.
7. Seating Chart/Escort Cards
Photo: Bella Bridesmaids | Terri Graves
You’ll want to set up a display of escort cards or create a sign board that lets guests know which table to sit at during dinner.
Are you planning a formal event where you’re assigning specific tables and specific seats? Match your escort cards or signage to your place cards!
You can also skip the traditional cocktail hour and reception and turn it into a cocktail reception. Here’s how to make it memorable!
Wedding Reception Decorations
Ready to make your reception venue look incredible?
Let’s talk about everything you’ll need to make it fabulous:
8. Table Numbers
Photo: Wedding Spot
If you’ve assigned guests to specific tables, put a table number on each so they can easily find their seats.
9. Guest Book
Photo: Moment in Time Wedding & Event Planning
Set up a table with a guest book and pens so that wedding guests can sign in.
Consider adding other decorative accents if it’s a large guest book table. You could add a tablecloth, vases, lanterns, or other décor that complements your theme.
10. Centerpieces
Photo: Bella Bridesmaids | Morgane Ball
Every reception table needs a centerpiece. Centerpieces can be small and understated or huge and ornate — depending on your wedding style.
Floral arrangements are the most traditional and, arguably, the most beautiful, but decorative objects and pillar candles can make for eye-catching centerpieces too.
11. Table Décor
Photo: Bella Bridesmaids | Adrienne Gunde
Along with centerpieces, decorate your tables with a tablecloth or table runner, chargers, pretty place settings, beautiful napkins and table linens, champagne flutes, water glasses, wine glasses, and other essential drinkware, and silverware that meets the level of formality of the event.
Depending on your venue, dinnerware, glassware, and linens may be available. If they’re not, you can have some added fun choosing your own.
You can also decorate high-top tables at your cocktail hour and accent tables in a lounge area with flowers, candles, and interesting objects.
12. Favor Wall or Favor Table
Photo: Bella Bridesmaids | Megan Robinson
Turn your wedding favors into décor by creating a playful favor wall.
Whether your wedding favors are keepsakes or edible treats, a wall of guest gifts is a fun alternative to a traditional favor table.
13. Chair Décor
Photo: Bella Bridesmaids | Kailee DiMeglio
Consider adding slipcovers or throw pillows, depending on the type of chairs in your venue. Or add something to the back, such as a floral swag or mini sign, to make your chairs more unique.
If you don’t want to decorate every guest chair, add chair décor to the wedding party, parents, and bride and groom seats.
14. Flowers
Photo: Bella Bridesmaids | Blayke Zimdars
Floral arrangements of all shapes and sizes make for gorgeous decorations.
In addition to floral bouquet centerpieces, think about adding:
- • Tall flower arrangements in floor vases
- • Flower arrangements that hang from the ceiling
- • Flower arches or flowers climbing up a wall
- • Flower vases on bars and accent tables
15. Gift Station
Photo: Emily Barkheimer
Your lovely guests will need a place to put all their generous gifts. Set up a gift table for presents and create a designated place for envelopes.
Vintage suitcases, birdcages, personalized boxes, and rustic wooden totes are all great catchalls for cards and envelopes.
16. Cake Topper
Photo: The Flower House
It doesn’t really matter how simple or extravagant your wedding cake may be. With the right cake topper, you can make it an even more unique representation of you and your new spouse.
17. Cake Stand
Photo: Bella Bridesmaids | Tetiana Photography
A cake stand might be unnecessary if you have a huge tiered cake. But if you have a shorter cake, a cake stand is a great way to make it look taller and even more special.
18. Dessert Table Signage
Photo: Unmeasured Event
Let your guests know all the deliciousness in store by marking each item on your dessert table with its own little sign. Cake stands come in handy here, too, allowing you to create different levels of decadent treats.
More Decorative Elements to Make Your Day More Gorgeous!
There are sooo many décor items you can incorporate into your wedding day.
Below are a few more to make your celebration even more memorable:
19. Lighting
Photo: Bella Bridesmaids Oklahoma City | Anna Grace Savage
Lighting makes a bold statement!
Consider installing chandeliers. Or, think about overhead lighting options, such as fairy lights, Edison bulbs, or string lights.
20. Ceiling Décor
Photo: Bella Bridesmaids | Meghan Baskin
If your wedding venue allows it, consider hanging décor from the ceiling. In addition to hanging lights, you can add unique flower garlands, playful paper accents, or fabric drapes.
21. Backdrop for Photos
Photo: Bella Bridesmaids Madison | Source
With people of all ages so active on social media, you could add an Instagram-worthy photo backdrop.
Get creative and install a flower wall, a one-of-a-kind balloon display, or a greenery wall with custom neon signage.
If you love interactive elements, consider renting a classic photo booth, a playful GIF/boomerang booth, or a 360-degree video booth so your guests can enjoy a red carpet-inspired moment.
22. Dance Floor
Photo: My Inspo
If you’re getting married outside on natural terrain, be sure to install a dance floor. You’ll definitely want your guests to dance the night away, and that’s tricky to do on sand or grass.
23. Tent
Photo: Bella Bridesmaids | Alicia Mink
A tent is a must for an outdoor wedding. Even if you have an indoor space reserved as a backup plan for bad weather, a tent will help keep your guests out of the blaring sun.
No matter your wedding theme or style, it’s easy to find all sorts of decorations to suit your aesthetic.
From the flowers to the table settings to the topper on your cake, every decoration is another opportunity to show your style, create some ambiance, and have the wedding day of your dreams!
Follow Bella Bridesmaids on TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest for even more wedding ideas!
