Creative Ways To Decorate Your Wedding Aisle

Wedding aisle decorations are an important part of the ceremony, setting the tone for the wedding and providing a beautiful backdrop for photos. There are many ways to decorate a wedding aisle, from simple to extravagant, depending on the couple's preferences and budget. Aisle markers are a popular way to enhance the ceremony space, and can be made from flowers, candles, ribbons, or other creative elements. Here are some ideas to inspire your own wedding aisle decorations:

- Lanterns and candles: Use glass hurricane lanterns or antique-style lanterns with candles to create a chic and romantic ambiance.

- Tree stumps: For a rustic theme, use tree stumps to display flowers or fresh greenery, such as eucalyptus.

- Ribbons and sashes: Tie ribbons or fabric sashes in the wedding colour palette to the backs of chairs for a simple yet effective decoration.

- Vintage rugs: Layer vintage rugs along the aisle for a unique and boho-chic look, especially suitable for outdoor weddings.

- Eucalyptus bundles: Tie fragrant eucalyptus bundles to the sides of chairs with colourful ribbons for a quick and easy decoration.

- Custom aisle runners: Wow your guests with a custom-painted aisle runner featuring a monogram or other designs.

- Potted plants: Bring the outdoors in by using potted plants or trees as aisle markers, which can be returned to the florist or planted after the wedding.

- Reserved seating signs: Designate special seats for elderly guests and loved ones with reserved signs and small bouquets of flowers or ribbons.

- Beach wedding banners: For a simple beach wedding decoration, stretch a playful banner across the aisle.

- Seasonal decorations: Incorporate the season into your aisle markers, such as pumpkins for a fall wedding or colourful flowers for a summer wedding.

Using candles

Candles are a simple yet impactful way to decorate your wedding aisle. The warm glow of candlelight creates a romantic atmosphere and enhances the overall aesthetic of your wedding. Here are some ideas for using candles to decorate your wedding aisle:

DIY Statement Candlesticks

Add a magical touch to your wedding aisle with DIY statement candlesticks. Prepare a base using floral foam and a decorative candlestick. Then, add greenery and flowers to create a "bushy" effect. You can use designer flower boxes or supplement with foundational flowers like roses or peonies to match your wedding colours. Display these candlesticks beside your wedding arch or line them up along the aisle for a luminous effect.

Metal Screen Backdrop

Create a chic and whimsical backdrop for your wedding vows or reception by combining votive candles with a metal screen, greenery, and blush roses. This unique backdrop will add an unexpected flair to your wedding décor.

Floating Candles

For a modern and magical touch, try floating candles in geometric vessels with Ultra Violet flowers. This idea embodies some of the latest wedding décor trends. To avoid wax dripping onto your tabletops, consider using realistic-looking flameless candles.

Staircase with Candles

Guide your guests towards the ceremony with a stunning staircase lined with glowing candles. Combine candles with greenery or flower petals for an elegant and romantic look.

Lanterns

Candlelit lanterns are a sweet and vintage-inspired option for aisle markers, especially for a garden or outdoor wedding. Choose wooden lanterns or luminaries, mercury glass vases, or metal hurricane lamps to match your wedding style.

Whether you choose simple tapers or dramatic candelabras, candles will add a touch of romance and ambiance to your wedding aisle. Experiment with different colours, sizes, and styles to create a unique and memorable display.

Creating a tropical theme

Choose the Right Flowers and Leaves

Flowers and leaves are essential to creating a tropical vibe. Opt for bold, colourful flowers such as orchids, lilies, roses, and delphiniums. White orchids and lilies can also add a touch of elegance. Don't forget to include tropical leaves like banana, palm, and monstera leaves. They can be attached to chairs or placed on the floor, creating a cool and modern look.

Fruits and Other Tropical Elements

Pineapples are a popular choice for tropical weddings and can be used to line the aisle, paired with flower petals or palm leaves. Citrus fruits are another option, and you can place them on the floor with candles or flowers for a unique look. Tropical fruits add a fun and fresh touch to your decor. You can even decorate them with glitter to make them more festive.

Use of Candles and Lanterns

Candles and lanterns can enhance the tropical atmosphere. White candles paired with greenery and citrus fruits create a unique and intimate setting. Lanterns, especially hanging lanterns with small lights or candles inside, add a cozy and dreamy touch to the ceremony, especially for a night wedding.

Beach and Ocean-Themed Decor

If your wedding is on a beach, incorporate elements like seashells, starfish, sand dollars, and sea glass. These can be used as aisle markers or scattered along the aisle to create a tropical island vibe. For a pop of colour, consider using purple or blue in your decor, such as blue archways or hydrangeas.

Keep it Simple and Natural

Sometimes, less is more. If you're getting married in a scenic, outdoor location, you may not need much decor. Let the natural beauty of the surroundings speak for itself. A simple petal-lined aisle or a few flower arrangements can be enough to create a romantic and elegant atmosphere.

Using flowers and greenery

Flowers and greenery are a classic choice for wedding aisle decorations. Here are some ideas for how to use them:

Aisle Markers

Aisle markers are small flower arrangements that line the aisle, usually placed at the inner end of each chair row. You can also suspend them from shepherd's hooks or place them on the floor. If you're looking for something simpler, you can limit your decorations to just two aisle markers at the entrance of the aisle. For a rustic touch, display flowers or greenery on tree stumps. For a beach wedding, you could use shells as aisle markers.

Floral Arrangements

Flowers are a great way to add freshness to your wedding decor. You can use them to create a romantic, whimsical, or elegant atmosphere. Consider using flowers that are in season or local to your wedding venue, such as larkspur for a mountain wedding in Colorado. If you're having an outdoor wedding, you could create arrangements that look like they're growing straight from the ground. For a unique twist on traditional floral designs, try using dried flowers in neutral tones.

Garlands and Arches

Garlands of greenery or flowers draped along the aisle or altar can create a secret garden vibe. You can also combine flowers with geometric structures for a modern look. For a more natural look, use subtle florals in nudes, peaches, and greens. If you're getting married outside, a floral arch can complement the surrounding landscape.

Ribbons and Fabrics

Ribbons are a great way to add colour and personality to your floral arrangements. You can tie ribbons around the backs of chairs or use them to suspend aisle markers. For a bohemian theme, layer vintage rugs along the aisle. Fabric draping can also be used to mark the aisle, especially if you have a wedding venue with eye-catching architecture that you want to showcase.

Potted Plants

Using potted plants for your aisle decorations means you can easily move them from the ceremony to the reception, saving on your flower budget. They can also add dimension and visual interest, especially if you choose pots and plants of varying sizes.

Other Ideas

If you're looking for something a little different, you could try using paper cones filled with flower petals, signage, or even fresh fruit as aisle markers. For a beach wedding, consider using palm leaves or ferns to decorate the aisle.

Adding fabric and ribbons

Choosing the Right Fabric and Ribbon

The type of fabric and ribbon you choose will depend on the look you want to achieve. For a rustic feel, consider using burlap and adding some flowers. If you want something more elegant, go for chiffon or organza ribbons. Satin and cotton ribbons will give a smoother and more delicate appearance, while faux leather can add an interesting texture.

Tying Ribbons on Chairs

An easy way to decorate your wedding aisle is to tie ribbons on the chairs' backs. You can use a single color or mix and match different shades to create a cohesive look. Tie them in knots, bows, or even vintage brooches for a touch of glamour. Ensure the ribbons are long enough to go around the chair backs and contrast the chairs' colour and the surrounding environment.

Creating Fabric Poufs

Fabric poufs can be used as accent pieces, adding colour, pattern, and texture to your wedding aisle. They can be purchased or made yourself using fabric and ribbons. These can be placed on top of the chairs with ties at the end to create an ottoman effect for extra seating.

Making Chair Banners

Chair banners can be made from fabric or ribbon strips and attached to the chair backs for a creative and unique detail. You can add decorative ribbon at the top of the banner for easier tying and include stencils or other designs on the front for added appeal.

Hanging Wreaths

Wreaths can be hung on the back of the chairs or placed nearby on a wall to add colour, texture, and dimension. They can be made from various materials such as flowers, leaves, ribbons, or even paper.

Draping Fabric Along the Aisle

For a more elegant and romantic touch, consider draping fabric along the aisle instead of using flowers. This is especially effective if your wedding venue has eye-catching architecture that you want to showcase. Fabric draping can make the space feel more elegant and romantic, enhancing the overall atmosphere of your wedding ceremony.

Using lanterns

Choose the Right Lanterns

First, select lanterns that fit your wedding theme and colour scheme. Consider the size and style of the lanterns, and whether you want to use different sizes and styles to add variety and interest. You can find lanterns in a variety of materials, such as wood, metal, glass, and paper, and in various shapes, including rectangular, spherical, and hanging lanterns.

Light Source

For a soft, warm, and romantic glow, fill the lanterns with light sources such as candles or fairy lights. You can use real candles or opt for battery-operated or LED candles for a safer option.

Hanging Lanterns

Create a canopy of light over the aisle by hanging lanterns from tree branches or poles. You can also hang lanterns at varying heights along the aisle using ribbons or twine. If you're having an indoor wedding, consider hanging paper lanterns from the roof of your venue in colours that match your wedding theme.

Placement

Place lanterns at regular intervals down the aisle to create a cohesive look. You can place them on the ground, on chairs or pews, or hang them from tree branches or archways. For an outdoor wedding, place lanterns on either side of the aisle to guide guests to their seats. For an indoor wedding, place lanterns at the end of each row of chairs or pews.

Decorations

Decorate the base of the lanterns with flowers, greenery, or other decorative elements to add colour and texture. Consider adding small details such as bows, ribbons, or lace that match your wedding theme. You can also incorporate other hanging decorations, such as flowers or garlands, to enhance the overall look.

Repurpose

Keep in mind that lanterns can be repurposed for your wedding reception. They can be used as centrepieces, on food stations and bars, or to decorate the dessert display.

Frequently asked questions