A wedding floor runner is a long piece of fabric placed on the ground, leading from the entrance of the venue to the altar. It's used to add to the aesthetic of the wedding and to protect the bride's dress from dirt and damage. Runners can be made from a variety of materials, including polyester, burlap, turf, PVC, lace, and glitter. They can also be customised with monograms, quotes, and photos.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Purpose | To protect the wedding dress from dirt and damage, add to the aesthetic of the venue, and provide a smooth surface for walking |
Typical Fabric | Polyester, nylon, canvas, burlap, turf, PVC, rayon, lace, jute, artificial grass, or sequin |
Width | 3-4 feet |
Length | Varies, but typically starts at the entrance of the venue and ends at the altar |
Colour | White, red, gold, silver, blue, green, ivory, purple, pink, black, or natural |
Pattern | Monogrammed initials, floral, striped, glitter, or blank |
Securing Method | Double-sided tape, pins, nails, grommets, or weights |
What You'll Learn
Choosing the right material
Durability and Slip Resistance
Polyester is a popular choice for wedding floor runners as it is durable and non-slip, reducing the risk of slips and falls. Nylon is another option, but it can be slippery depending on the surface underneath. For outdoor weddings, consider a material that is weather-resistant and fade-resistant to withstand the elements.
Aesthetic Value
The material you choose should align with your wedding theme and colour scheme. For a rustic chic wedding, consider burlap as your runner, or opt for plain burlap with embellishments for a touch of elegance. If you want to add some sparkle to your ceremony, choose a sequin material for a glamorous look, perfect for a New Year's Eve or nighttime wedding.
Width and Length
The standard width of an aisle runner is typically three to four feet, but you should leave some space between the runner and the ceremony seating. The length of the runner should match the length of your aisle, ending just before the altar. If you have a small indoor venue, a three-foot-wide runner is ideal, while a four-foot-wide runner is better suited for larger venues or if you want your wedding party to walk side by side.
Installation and Security
Consider how easy the material is to install and secure to the ground. For outdoor weddings, opt for materials that can be staked, pinned, or taped down, such as polyester, turf, or polyolefin. For indoor weddings, strong double-sided tape along the sides of the runner will prevent it from shifting.
Reuse and Keepsake
If you plan to reuse the floor runner for future events or keep it as a wedding keepsake, choose a material that is easy to clean and maintain. High-quality materials such as polyester, canvas, or polyolefin are more durable and less likely to stain or sustain damage.
Remember, there are no rules when it comes to wedding floor runners, so get creative and choose a material that reflects your personality and style while also considering the practical aspects to ensure a safe and beautiful ceremony.
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The length and width
The length of your wedding aisle runner depends on the length of your walkway, starting from the last row of ceremony seats to the front row. The runner should end right before the altar, and it's not common for it to be shorter than the walkway. The final measurement is up to you.
The width of an aisle runner is usually three or four feet. There should be some space left between the runner and the ceremony seating. If you have a smaller indoor venue where space is limited, a three-foot-wide aisle runner is recommended. Four-foot-wide aisle runners are ideal for couples with large wedding venues where the aisle is more spread out and for couples who want their wedding party to walk down the aisle side by side.
You can typically cut a nonslip runner to fit your specific aisle dimensions. These one-time-use wedding decorations are often made of materials that allow for easy trimming to the desired length. When cutting, be sure to use sharp scissors or a utility knife to achieve clean edges. Check the manufacturer's instructions or guidelines for cutting to ensure you do so correctly without damaging the wedding floor runner.
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Adding a personal touch
A floor runner is a great way to add a personal touch to your wedding. Here are some ideas to make it your own:
Fabric, Colour and Pattern
The fabric, colour and pattern of your floor runner can be chosen to match your wedding theme and colour scheme. For instance, if you are having a rustic wedding, you could use burlap or jute fabric. For a glamorous wedding, a bold red carpet would be a stylish choice. A white aisle runner is the most common choice, but you could opt for a colour that complements the venue's greenery. You could also use antique rugs for a boho theme or a plastic aisle runner over fresh grass for an outdoor wedding.
Personalised Details
Add a unique touch by personalising your floor runner with meaningful details. You could include your wedding date, your names or monogram, or a meaningful quote. For example, you could have a custom runner made with your names and wedding date printed or embroidered on it. This would also make a great keepsake after the wedding.
Photos
Another way to personalise your floor runner is to incorporate photos. You could create a collage of photos of you and your spouse-to-be, from childhood to adulthood, and have it printed on the runner. This would be a wonderful way to share your journey and story with your guests.
Petals and Flowers
Instead of a traditional fabric runner, you could create a romantic and unique aisle runner using rose petals or fresh flowers. This would be perfect for an outdoor wedding, especially in a garden setting. You could also use flower petals to decorate your runner, adding a pop of colour and a sweet scent to the aisle.
Calligraphy
Elegant calligraphy can be used to add a special touch to your floor runner. You could write a meaningful poem or passage, your wedding vows, or even just decorative swirls and flourishes. If you're feeling creative, you can practice your calligraphy skills beforehand and write directly on the runner. Otherwise, you can have a custom runner made with your chosen calligraphy design.
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Installation and safety
A wedding floor runner is a great way to enhance the décor of your ceremony and provide a clear path for the wedding party and guests to walk on. Here are some important tips for installing and ensuring the safety of your floor runner:
- Securing the Runner: It is crucial to properly secure the floor runner to the ground to prevent accidents. For indoor weddings on carpeted floors, use strong double-sided tape along the sides of the runner to prevent shifting. For outdoor weddings, use pins, nails, or stakes to secure the runner, especially if it is lightweight. If you're using an artificial turf runner, look for one with reinforced grommet corners to make it easier to stake down.
- Installation Timing: Install the floor runner well in advance of the ceremony to avoid last-minute delays. This will ensure that the runner is properly secured and reduce the risk of tripping over any unsecured sections. Most venues will take care of this before the couple arrives.
- Smoothening and Straightening: After installation, check the runner for any wrinkles or folds, and ensure it is smooth and straight.
- Practice Walk: Allow the bridal party to walk on the aisle runner before the ceremony to get a feel for the material. This is especially important if they will be wearing heels. It will help them gain confidence and reduce the risk of tripping.
- Guest Seating: To keep your aisle runner in pristine condition, it is recommended to have guests enter their seats from the outer end of each row and rope off the aisle. This will minimise guest traffic on the runner and reduce the chances of it being damaged or moved before the ceremony.
- Runner Removal: After the ceremony, ensure that someone carefully removes the runner, cleaning it of any flower petals or other decorations. This will help preserve it and prevent permanent stains. If you intend to reuse the runner, store it in a safe place.
- Surface Considerations: When choosing a floor runner, consider the surface it will be placed on. For outdoor weddings on fresh grass, use a solid backing like plywood to prevent heels from sinking into the ground. For concrete floors, refer to specific guidelines for attaching runners.
- Width and Length: The standard width of an aisle runner is typically three to four feet, with some space left between the runner and the ceremony seating. The length should be measured from the last row of ceremony seats to the front, usually ending just before the altar. Ensure the runner is not too long or wide to avoid creating a tripping hazard.
- Material Choice: The most common materials for aisle runners are polyester, burlap, and turf. Polyester is long-lasting and non-slip, reducing the risk of falling. Burlap is a classic, durable option. Turf is UV-protected, fade-resistant, and lightweight. Choose a material that suits your venue and provides traction to prevent slipping.
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The colour and design
A traditional white aisle runner is the most common choice, but you could also opt for a more neutral shade, or go bold with a red carpet for a glamorous look. You might want to match the colour to the venue's greenery or choose a shade that complements your flowers and decorations.
If you're having an outdoor wedding, you could choose a green carpet runner to match the grass, or a natural jute or burlap runner for a rustic chic look. For a boho theme, line the aisle with antique rugs, or for a romantic garden ceremony, make a wildflower aisle runner using cedar boxes, floral foam, and fresh flowers and greenery.
For a preppy and nautical wedding, a blue-and-white striped runner is a fun choice, especially for a ceremony by the water. You could also add a pop of colour with hot pink rose petals lining the aisle.
If you want to add some sparkle to your ceremony, a sequin aisle runner is a glamorous choice, perfect for a New Year's Eve or nighttime wedding.
You can also personalise your floor runner with monogrammed initials, meaningful quotes, or photo prints.
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Frequently asked questions
The width of a floor runner is usually three or four feet, with space left between the runner and the ceremony seating. The length of the runner depends on the length of the walkway and typically ends right before the altar.
Polyester, nylon, canvas, burlap, turf, and polyolefin are all suitable materials for a wedding floor runner. Polyester is long-lasting and non-slip, while nylon can be slippery depending on the surface. Canvas and turf are good options for both indoor and outdoor weddings.
For indoor weddings, use strong double-sided tape along the sides of the runner. For outdoor weddings, use pins or nails to secure the runner, and level the surface underneath. Some runners have grommet holes to prevent tearing.
Instead of a traditional fabric runner, you can use mulch, rose petals, antique rugs, wildflower boxes, potted plants, or ribbons. You can also personalise your runner with monogrammed initials, glitter, or lace.