Planning Wedding Decor: A Guide To Styling Your Big Day

Planning a wedding can be stressful, but deciding on the decor can be one of the most enjoyable parts of the process. Wedding decor is a great way to express your personality and style as a couple. Before you start, it's important to have a clear vision of your wedding style and venue. This will help you to avoid collecting random items that may not fit your theme. It's also a good idea to create a detailed inventory of your decor and separate items by area to make setup easier. You can also consider hiring a wedding planner or stylist to help with the setup and take the stress out of your big day.

Choosing a wedding style: Classic, glamorous, bohemian, or minimalist?

When it comes to wedding decor, it's important to choose a style that reflects your tastes and personalities as a couple. There are many ways to approach this, and you may want to consider a classic, glamorous, bohemian, or minimalist theme.

A classic wedding style is timeless and elegant. It often features traditional elements such as a white colour palette, elegant centrepieces, and sophisticated details. This style is all about creating a refined and graceful atmosphere.

For a glamorous wedding, the motto is "go big or go home". This luxurious style features jaw-dropping details, such as extravagant floral arches, tall centrepieces, and cascading bouquets. A glamorous wedding is all about making a statement and creating an unforgettable experience for your guests. Think about putting a unique spin on classic cocktails, like martinis or old fashioneds, and consider an interactive experience, such as a champagne wall or a prosecco cart.

If you're considering a bohemian wedding, also known as a "boho" wedding, think macrame, pampas grass, and soft, natural colours. Boho weddings often feature rustic elements, such as wooden signs, and natural, leafy greenery. This style is perfect for couples who want a relaxed, yet romantic, atmosphere.

Minimalist weddings are simple and elegant, and less is definitely more. You might choose a single paper lantern to adorn a bar area, or a pop of colour on your ceremony chairs. You can also incorporate family photos into your decor, adding a personal touch. Minimalist weddings are often about practicality with a playful twist, and you may be able to use existing features of your venue to your advantage, such as a view or landscaped gardens.

Remember, your wedding style doesn't have to be limited to one specific theme, and it's okay to combine elements that you like from different styles. Focus on the feeling you want your wedding to evoke, whether it's relaxed, romantic, modern, or edgy, and use that as your guide.

Venue considerations: Scenery, existing features, and decor placement

When planning your wedding decor, it's essential to consider the venue and its existing features. The scenery and decorative elements of the venue can enhance your wedding decor and overall theme. Here are some things to keep in mind:

Scenery:

If you've chosen an outdoor venue with a breathtaking view, such as a beach or lakefront, you may not need extensive decorations. In these cases, less is more, and too much decor could detract from the natural beauty of your venue. Consider the existing scenery and how you can complement it rather than overwhelm it.

Existing features:

Your venue might already have decorative features like built-in accent walls, landscaped gardens, fountains, stained glass windows, lighting fixtures, or ceiling beams. Think about how you can highlight these features with your decor choices. For example, use lighting to accentuate a stunning wall or incorporate flowers and greenery to enhance a venue's gardens.

Decor placement:

Consider the flow and placement of your decor to create a cohesive look. Separate your decor by area to understand what you need and where it will go. For example, create different piles for outdoor ceremony decor, cocktail hour decor, and reception decor. This will ensure a smooth setup and help you identify any missing items.

Additionally, consider the following:

• Create a detailed plan for decor setup, including a step-by-step guide and photos of how you want each area to look. This will be helpful for you and your vendors.
• Discuss with your venue about what will happen to your decor after the wedding, where items will be stored, and how long you have to collect them.
• Make a packing plan for after the wedding to simplify the process. For example, group glassware together and assign a specific car for these items.
• Keep your decor well-organised and labelled during the planning process. This will make setup and takedown much easier and help you stay stress-free.

Remember, the venue's existing features and scenery can be enhanced with thoughtful decor placement and careful planning.

Planning and organising decor: Lists, categories, and storage

Planning and organising decor can be stressful, but there are ways to make the process smoother. Here are some tips to help you stay organised and ensure nothing is forgotten or left behind:

Lists, Categories, and Storage:

Firstly, create a comprehensive inventory list of all your wedding decor items. This list will help you keep track of what you have and prevent overstocking or understocking. It is also helpful to categorise items by their intended location, such as outdoor ceremony decor, cocktail hour pavilion decor, or reception barn decor. This way, you won't waste time searching for items on the day.

Packing and Labelling:

Store your decor items in clear, waterproof storage bins. This makes it easier to identify the contents and protects them from potential damage. Label each bin with a list of its contents, quantity, and purpose. This will be incredibly helpful when setting up and packing up, ensuring that your wedding planner or coordinator can find things quickly.

Dry Run and Photos:

Before the big day, do a dry run by setting up a sample table with centrepieces, runners, and place settings. Take photos of how everything should look, including the decor for each table and area. These photos will serve as a reference for you and your helpers, ensuring that the setup is efficient and stress-free.

Plan for Take-Down:

Don't forget to plan for the take-down of your wedding decor. Discuss with your venue coordinator about what will happen to the decor after the wedding, where it will be stored, and how long you have to collect any remaining items. Create a simple packing plan for after the event, specifying which items should be stored together and which car they should go in.

Big Items:

For items that are too big to fit into a bin, add them to a separate list with a note indicating their location and that they are "not in bin". This ensures that your planner or coordinator knows where to find them and how to return them to you after the event.

Hiring professionals: Wedding stylists, day-of planners, and florists

Wedding stylists, day-of planners, and florists can all help bring your wedding vision to life.

Wedding stylists

Wedding stylists or coordinators can help you create mock-ups of your venue with various decor options. They can also help you set up your decor and personal items, as well as break down your reception area after you and your guests leave. It is recommended that you hire a wedding coordinator at least six months before your wedding day so that they can help you anticipate and smooth over any problems.

Day-of planners

Day-of planners can oversee your vendors, manage your timeline, and deal with any last-minute challenges that arise. They can also help set up your decor and run errands.

Florists

Florists are often in high demand and can only book so many weddings per weekend, so it is recommended that you book your florist early. Some sources suggest booking around six months in advance, while others recommend starting to look around a year before your wedding.

Florists can provide bouquets, boutonnieres, and centerpieces, as well as set up floral decorations at your venue.

The day-of: Setup, execution, and breakdown

The day of your wedding is when all your planning comes to life. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you execute your vision:

Setup

First, ensure you have a clear inventory of your decor items. Separate the decor by area, packing like items together and labelling the bins. This will make the setup process much smoother. When you arrive at the venue, consider the existing features and how your decor can highlight these details. For example, if you are getting married outdoors, you may not need much decor to begin with.

Execution

Now, it's time to set up your decor. Refer to your wedding decor checklist to ensure you have everything you need. From welcome signs to table decorations, flowers to an aisle runner, and even accessories for your flower girls and ring bearers, each item should reflect your personality and the mood of the event.

Breakdown

After the celebration, it's time to pack everything away. A simple packing plan can be helpful here. Provide your wedding coordinator with instructions on what should be stored together and which car it should go in. For example, all the glassware should be put together in one bin and placed in a designated car.

Frequently asked questions