Essential Wedding Decor Supplies For Your Big Day

what decorating supplies do you take to wedding venue

Wedding decor is an essential part of wedding planning, as it sets the tone and atmosphere for the big day. It is a visual representation of the couple's love story and personal style, and the right decor can bring their vision to life. When it comes to deciding what decorating supplies to take to the wedding venue, it is important to first determine the wedding style, theme, and venue aesthetic. The decor should reflect the couple's personal taste and the overall vibe they want to create. Budget is also a crucial factor to consider when planning wedding decor. Larger venues may require more decorations to create an intimate atmosphere, while smaller venues may benefit from fewer, more impactful decor elements.

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Tabletop décor

The first thing to consider is your table linens, which include tablecloths, table runners, and napkins. These provide the base for the rest of your tabletop décor and can be classic or bold and unique. For example, you could opt for a rustic farmhouse-style with bare wood tables and runners or go for something more modern and elegant with an all-white palette.

The centrepiece is another key element of tabletop décor. Fresh or dried florals, greenery, and candles are popular choices for centrepieces. You can also add height and interest to your tables with different levels of candles in vases and votives, or by incorporating metallics and foliage. If you're on a budget, you can swap large centrepieces for smaller bud vases with flowers that look amazing on their own, such as orchids, anemones, and lilies.

Other tabletop décor ideas include place settings, glassware, and favours. Place settings can be elevated with unique linens, custom stationery, and rentals. Glassware and cutlery can also be dressed up with ribbons or personalised with your wedding colours or theme.

Finally, don't forget the lighting! Whether it's crystal chandeliers, Edison bulbs, twinkle lights, or candles, lighting can help create a romantic and intimate atmosphere for your wedding reception.

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Lighting

If you're going for a classic wedding style, crystal chandeliers and wall sconces can add a touch of elegance to your venue. Silver candelabras on dining tables provide a soft glow and a modern twist on this theme. For a rustic wedding, market lights are a whimsical choice for outdoor spaces.

Uplighting is a popular choice for indoor or covered evening receptions, adding drama and elegance. It involves placing individual light sources at the base of architectural features or points of interest, drawing attention to those details. Pin spots, which emit a concentrated beam of light, can complement uplighting by highlighting specific locations such as the cake or floral arrangements.

For a modern wedding, colour-wash lighting can add a party vibe to an unfinished space. Opt for hues like pinks and purples that flatter skin tones and gradually intensify throughout the evening. LED lights in floral arrangements can also serve as mood lighting and decor.

If you're planning a wedding on a budget, you can buy candles and lights in bulk and repurpose them for pre-wedding events and at home after the big day.

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Flowers

Next, you can start thinking about the types of flowers and arrangements you want. The most popular flower arrangement is, of course, the wedding bouquet, which the bride carries throughout the day. You may also want to consider bouquets for the bridesmaids, and matching boutonnieres, corsages, or nosegays for other members of the wedding party, the officiant, or important guests.

Ceremony flowers are used to decorate the ceremony space, including flower arches, garlands, flowers at the ends of aisles, and petals for guests to toss. You can also decorate the entryway and welcome table with flowers, as well as any signs, photos, and easels.

Reception flowers include centerpieces, flowers decorating a seating chart or escort table, and arrangements on top of the bar or cake. You can also add flowers to cocktail tables, and even incorporate edible flowers into your drinks. If you want to save costs, you can repurpose the bridal and bridesmaids' bouquets as centerpieces or decor on the cake or sweetheart table.

When it comes to choosing the types of flowers, consider the season and your wedding theme or colour palette. For example, cherry blossoms are perfect for a pink spring wedding, while carnations are affordable and versatile, and baby's breath can be used to create dramatic installations. If you're looking for something unique, hypericum berries add texture to flower arrangements, and lunaria is a plant with dried seed pod branches that can be included in wedding foliage.

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Signage

Welcome Sign

A welcome sign is usually the first thing your guests will see when they arrive at your wedding. It sets the tone and vibe for the entire day. It can be a simple greeting, a funny message, or an advance thank-you note to your guests. You can display your welcome sign on a easel, in a decorative picture frame, or by hanging it on a wall hook or from a tree branch or arch using ribbon or twine.

Directional Signs

Directional signs will help guide your guests from one area to another, such as from the ceremony to the cocktail hour to the reception. These signs are especially useful if your ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception spaces are spread out across your venue.

Ceremony Decor Signs

Ceremony decor signs can be used throughout your wedding to add personality and boost your wedding theme. They can also be used as carry signs, such as the ring bearer or flower girl walking down the aisle with a sign saying, "Here Comes the Bride."

Schedule of Events

This sign is a great way to let your guests know the schedule for the day and eliminate the need for printing out paper schedules. It keeps your guests informed about the timing of different activities and helps create a seamless flow to your wedding.

Guestbook

A guestbook sign encourages guests to sign and leave their well wishes for the newlywed couple. It is more than just a sign-in sheet but a chance for your guests to send their wishes for a lifetime of happiness and success.

When creating your wedding signage, consider your colour scheme, venue, theme, and personal style. Explore different font options, layouts, and display stands to find something that reflects your theme and personalities. Don't forget to check with your venue to see if they provide any signage or rental options.

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Backdrops

There are many options to choose from when it comes to backdrops, and you can opt for something simple or more elaborate, depending on your preferences and resources. If you're looking for a natural backdrop, consider using the venue's natural scenery, such as a view of the ocean or mountains. You can also bring nature indoors with a floral backdrop, which can be customised to match any colour palette. For a unique twist, create a ceiling of asymmetrical flowers or a floral arch, or trade the traditional wooden arch for a modern colour-blocking wood installation.

For a more rustic feel, consider using a vintage room divider, a rustic wooden arch, or even exchanging your vows in front of vintage doors. If you're looking for something more contemporary, a custom neon sign backdrop with a catchy saying or your last name can be a fun option. You can also get creative and DIY your own backdrop with a canvas and some paint, or use wallpaper or printed textiles supplemented with flowers and plants to create a layered look.

To draw attention to a signature feature of your venue, consider using a grand staircase, fireplace, or archway as your backdrop. If you're looking for something more intimate and romantic, filling the space with candles can add a glamorous glow to your ceremony.

Frequently asked questions

Here are some essential supplies to decorate your wedding venue:

- A guest book and a sign-in table

- Table numbers

- Centrepieces

- Tablecloths, table runners, chargers, napkins, glasses, and silverware

- Lighting, such as fairy lights, Edison bulbs, or string lights

- Flowers, flower garlands, or dried flowers

- A backdrop, such as a flower wall or a balloon display

Here are some creative ideas to decorate your wedding venue:

- A photo booth

- Neon signage

- Personalised cheese plates, or personalised napkins

- A signature drink with a custom sign

- Dramatic draping

Here are some budget-friendly ideas to decorate your wedding venue:

- Dried leaves and flowers

- Beer instead of cocktails

- A limited selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages

- Personal touches, such as handwritten notes or DIY decorations

Here are some decorations for the wedding ceremony:

- A wedding arch or backdrop

- Flowers or flower petals for the aisle

- A welcome sign

- A gift station

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