As you start to plan one of the most important days of your life, it’s important to make sure that every detail is perfect (or at least close to perfect!), including the wedding decorations! With so many different types of wedding decorations to choose from, we’ve put together some ideas and inspiration to help you get started.
Here are some ideas for different types of wedding decorations you’ll need for each event, as well as some extra tips and advice to make your big day special & unique!
Engagement Party Decorations
The engagement party is the perfect opportunity to kick off the wedding festivities and celebrate with family and friends. Here are some must-have decorations for your engagement party:
- Personalized Banners & Signs: Create a personalized banner or sign with your names and engagement date to hang up at the party.
- Themed Decorations: If you have a specific theme or look for your engagement party, add some matching balloons, streamers, and confetti
- Table Decor: In addition to the decorations, set the table with custom cocktail napkins and paper cups (personalize your napkins to have a photo or the names of the couple!)
- Photo Ops: Create a photo backdrop (with props!) to allow your guests to capture some happy memories at your engagement party
- Centerpieces: This can be a bouquet of flowers or a simple display featuring photos of the newly engaged couple
- Guest Book: Set up a table with a guest book and pens for guests to leave messages.
Bridal Shower Decorations
Celebrate the bride-to-be with a totally unique bridal shower! This is such an important part of the wedding planning journey that will help the bride relax and enjoy being around friends and family. When thinking about bridal shower decor, these are some popular items for personalizing your celebration:
- For the Drinks: Design your own personalized glassware or sparkling wine flutes.
- Balloons: Use balloons in the bride’s favorite colors to decorate the space.
- Table Centerpieces: Create centerpieces with fresh flowers or succulents
- Table Decorations: Set up personalized place cards, napkins, and coasters, to add a personal touch to the table settings.
- Bride-to-Be Banner: Create a personalized banner or backdrop with the bride-to-be’s name and wedding date.
- Photo Ops: Everyone loves a good photo booth or selfie station with fun props!
Bachelorette Party Decorations
The bachelorette party is the perfect event for celebrating the bride with all her closest friends and family! Here are some fun decorations to set up at your bachelorette party:
- Matching Outfits: Create matching custom t-shirts or tank tops for the entire bridal party.
- Bachelorette Balloons: Use balloons in fun shapes, such as diamond rings or sparkling wine bottles, to add to the party vibe.
- Personalized Banners / Backdrops: Set up a bachelorette backdrop or various different signs featuring the bachelorette’s new married name.
- For the Drinks: Keep your drinks cool with customized bachelorette themed can coolers.
- Unique Items: Get some decorated sashes or tiaras for the bride and bridesmaids!
- Party Favors: Personalized wine glasses, sunglasses, and tote bags, to thank your friends for celebrating with you.
- Photo Booth Props: You’ll want to take as many fun photos as you can with the rest of your bachelorette squad.
Rehearsal Dinner Decorations
The rehearsal dinner is a pre-wedding celebration where the bride and groom can relax and enjoy the company of their family and wedding party. Browse through these decoration ideas to see what you might need for your rehearsal dinner:
- Table Decorations: Keep it simple, yet special with elegant table runners and linens.
- Seating Arrangements: Help guide your guests with customized place cards or seating chart signs.
- Stationery: Incorporate some unique stationery items such as personalized menus or programs
- Lighting: You might want to look into string lights or lanterns for outdoor events.
- Personalized signage: Use personalized signs to direct guests to the rehearsal dinner location.
- Themed decorations: These can be floral centerpieces, candles, and table runners.
- Personalized tableware: Create your own custom plates, cups, and napkins.
Wedding Ceremony Decorations
The moment you’ve been planning for! The wedding ceremony is the event where decorations will play an important role, for both you & your S.O. but also your guests. Here are some must-have decorations for your wedding ceremony:
- Flowers: Set up some beautiful floral arrangements for the altar or archway.
- Aisle Makers: These can be unique lanterns or flower petals.
- Seating Arrangements: Add that special touch with decorated chairs or benches for guests.
- Ceremony Signage: Use personalized wedding signs to guide guests through the ceremony and reception.
- Ceremony Props: If you’re incorporating props into your ceremony, candles or sand ceremony kits are traditionally popular.
- Wedding Backdrop: Create a personalized wedding backdrop to add a beautiful touch to your ceremony.
Wedding Reception Decorations
The wedding reception is the most festive and celebratory part of a wedding. The reception is where the newlyweds and their guests get to eat, drink, and dance the night away. Here are some wedding reception decoration ideas:
- Table Decor: Dress up the tables with personalized table runners, custom placemats, and unique centerpieces. Zazzle offers a variety of customizable table decor products that will add a special touch to your reception.
- Welcome Sign: Greet your guests in style with a personalized welcome sign. Zazzle offers custom wedding signs that can be designed to match your wedding theme.
- Guest Book: Set up a table with a guest book and pens for guests to leave messages.
- Photo Display: Set up a photo display of you and your partner, showcasing your journey together.
- Dance Floor Decals: Create personalized decals to add to the dance floor and make it a special place for you and your partner.
- Photo Booth: Put together a fun photo booth where guests can take pictures and make memories. Zazzle offers custom wedding backdrops and posters that can be used as the backdrop for the photo booth.
- Favors: Give your guests a token of your appreciation with personalized wedding favors. From custom wine bottle labels to personalized candy tins, Zazzle has a range of customizable wedding favors that will make your guests feel extra special.
Popular FAQs – Wedding Decorations
The traditional etiquette is that the couple pays for their own wedding decorations. However, in some cases, parents or other family members may offer to contribute to the cost of the decorations as part of their overall contribution to the wedding expenses. It’s important to have a frank discussion with all parties involved to determine who will pay for what.
There are many ways to make your wedding ceremony unique and personal. Here are some ideas:
1. Write your own vows
2. Incorporate cultural or religious traditions that are important to you and your partner
3. Choose non-traditional music for the ceremony
4. Have a close friend or family member officiate the ceremony
5. Incorporate personal mementos or sentimental items into the decor
6. Choose a unique venue or location
Small details can make a big impact on the overall feel of your wedding ceremony. Here are some nice touches to consider:
– Hand out programs or welcome bags to guests
– Provide blankets or fans for outdoor ceremonies, depending on the weather
– Incorporate special readings or poems into the ceremony
– Use personalized aisle runners or signage
– Have a unity ceremony, such as lighting a unity candle or planting a tree together
– Offer a signature cocktail or refreshment to guests as they arrive
Ultimately, the key to creating a beautiful and memorable wedding ceremony is to stay true to yourself and your partner’s vision for the day. With careful planning and attention to detail, you can create a ceremony that reflects your love and commitment to each other.
Nicole is our Content Strategist. She enjoys long walks to Taco Bell, rollerblading into the sunset, and eating Reese’s Cups for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Find her writing about iPhone cases, holiday card messaging and even music festival tips!
