Decorating wedding reception venues is usually a given, but investing in wedding ceremony decorations is an entirely different matter. Before making the final decision, there are a number of factors that should be considered, some a little less obvious than others, and this article takes a closer look at each one in turn.
Venue Rules
When it comes to wedding ceremony decorations, each venue will have various rules and regulations which need to be abided by. The one that will be most publicised to couples in advance of the day concerns the throwing of confetti, although other rules surrounding what and where decorations can be placed are normally not far behind. Venues will need to conform to strict Health and Safety regulations, which will mean no large floral arrangements to hide unsightly fire hydrants nor mass balloon structures blocking fire escapes will be allowed.
Couples should always ask about the rules for the throwing of confetti (and make sure that these rules are relayed to their guests!) and take this opportunity to also discuss any restrictions on wedding ceremony decorations. Remember, to ask doesn’t mean that you have to go ahead and decorate the place from head to toe, it simply gives an indication as to what scope there is should you decide to do it.
Venue Events
Venues will hold more than one ‘event’ each week, and sometimes more than one per day. The events can range from business AGM’s to other couple’s wedding ceremonies. Each event could mean that the room will either already be decorated, or will need to be free from decor for the activity that will be taking place in the room as soon as you have left.
In the majority of cases, venues will not be cramming the diary full each day and require such a quick turnaround that you are not allowed to add your own wedding ceremony decorations, but sadly, in some odd few cases, this will happen so it is well worth double-checking.
Before making the decision to decorate the venue, first of all check out if you are able to on the day you are marrying, and secondly ask if you can benefit from decorations that will already be displayed.
Venue Natural Look & Feel
Many of the venues that are used for wedding ceremonies up and down the country are already naturally beautiful and if you choose to tie the knot in any building that has been around for a number of years, the stunning architecture that normally adorns such buildings will provide sufficient decoration on their own.
Even modern buildings can look stunning with sumptuous window and wall dressings, hand crafted artefacts and ornate ceilings, walls and floors. A trip to see the venue when it is set up for a wedding is well advised as you will be able to judge for yourselves just how impressive, or unimpressive, the venue's natural beauty is and whether there is any real need for bespoke wedding ceremony decorations.
Cost
As with everything for the big day, money comes into play. Your budget will be undoubtedly tight and only you will know whether or not you will be able to shell out on some wedding ceremony decorations. In some cases, you will simply need to find the money, but in other cases it is merely a matter of choice.
For those couples getting married in a venue which will also host the reception, to help cut costs you may be able to use the same decor for the whole day – you should probably look to choose decorations that can easily be moved if you want to go down this path. With regards cost, you could be looking at anything from a few pounds to well into four figures depending upon how elaborate you want to be with the decor, although the average cost is likely to be a couple of hundred pounds.
The cost is important especially with so many other things to buy. If you are undecided as to whether or not to push ahead with wedding ceremony decorations, you should spend some time thinking about whether the money could be better spent elsewhere.
Wedding Ceremony Decoration Options
If you have done your research and have decided to go ahead and invest in some wedding ceremony decorations, then the next thing is to determine what to opt for. There are a couple of points to remember when approaching the subject:
Be sympathetic to your surroundings: A few bits of decor here and there can look far more effective than a room swimming in balloons and decorations.
Be stylish: Even if money is tight, don’t just plump for what is cheap. Your wedding will have a colour scheme and perhaps even a theme, so decorate in accordance with that.
Be creative: You don’t just have to go for the obvious – organza bows on chairs, a balloon arch at the entrance and a pair of candles in ornate stands at the top of the aisle are just some novel forms of wedding ceremony decorations. For a wedding outdoors, why not invest in some topiary trees or garden sculptures?
Be subtle: Remember that the focus is on the Bride and Groom, not a huge floral display in the corner of the room so don't overdo it.
Recommended Reading
For those of you wanting to find out more, we've a whole host of other articles on wedding ceremonies on our site packed full of expert information and helpful advice, not to mention our online wedding directory that's filled with venue decorators, approved wedding premises, musicians, photographers and more.
For friendly tips and helpful advice take a look at our wedding ceremonies forum, or why not check out the 'related articles' and 'pages & websites you may like' below.
