Today decorating for a wedding and reception offers a variety of options. Crepe paper and honeycomb bells have been joined by balloons, bows, tulle, candles, mini-lights and flowers, to create any style of décor a couple may desire. Whether the couple wants to do-it-themselves or hire a professional there are many decisions to be made and like all other details of the wedding, careful planning will help to alleviate any last minute rushing and worry.

The following décor ideas may be a helpful way to start.

Ceremony Décor

The Entrance: More and more couples are choosing to utilize balloons as decor at the wedding ceremony. Nowadays balloon-decorating professionals are using the aid of other materials along with balloons to add a much more elegant feel to the traditional festive balloon decorating of years past. Pillars of balloons wrapped with tulle and ribbon outside of the ceremony location add a special touch to mark the entrance and welcome the guests. For theme weddings the use of props, balloons and other decorations can be used to create nearly any desired atmosphere or idea a couple may have! And if they haven’t seen it before, it doesn’t mean it can’t be done, decoration professionals are in the business of creating unique and wonderful ideas!

Ceremony Seating: Tulle, flowers and custom bows in the wedding colors make an elegant way of denoting reserved seating at the ceremony. These lovely accents can be custom made by a florist or decorating specialist.

The Entrance: The first impression of the reception starts at the front door. Decorations at the entrance set the tone, it says, “the party is here!” For a fun loving celebration clusters of balloons bring cheer to your greeting. A more elegant reception may welcome the guests with beautiful floral topiaries accented with soft white miniature lights.

Dance Floor: The dance floor is the place to let loose and celebrate, so loose balloons with glittering streamers are a very appropriate choice here! For large spaces with high ceilings, consider a canopy to create some intimacy – balloons, tulle, holiday lighting or a combination of all three can create a stunning look. Another idea is to use large balloons filled with smaller heart-shaped ones for a balloon burst that will shower the bride and groom with love at the appropriate time.

Tables: Table décor also adds to the ambience of the room. Event artists can provide elegant place settings, unique centerpieces, and chair covers to dress-up any table. Special attention is given to the head table; often a backdrop of an arch or other creation is made to frame the area where the bride and groom will be seated. Likewise, the gift table and cake table are also decorated for prominence in the room.

Through the creativity and know-how of an event artist/designer, a truly magical transformation can be made to any location. Balloons, fabrics, lighting, flowers, fountains, arches and props can be used in any combination to provide a one-of-a-kind look sure to fit any couple’s style.

Flowers are, of course, the obvious choice for creating a festive and celebratory mood. The reception site should be considered as a complete environment, with every aspect relating to and enhancing the overall mood. Among the most important ideas in decorating for a wedding reception is to establish a specific theme and stick with it throughout the venue. This may be based on a particular color or color harmony, or a certain motif, such as a heart or a fleur-de-lis, which is repeated in all the decorations. Very often, the color scheme is related to the color of the bridesmaids’ dresses; when the attendants enter the room, they complement the environment with their colorful presence.

The wedding guests' entry experience will greatly influence their mood at the reception. This is an area which should be emphasized for maximum impact. Decorating ideas include hanging garlands of fragrant blossoms over the doorway, flanking the entrance with grand floral arrangements or masses of foliage plants, hanging heart-shaped wreaths of flowers on the doors, swaging fabric overhead, or strewing the floor with rose petals. Miniature twinkle lights can certainly add to the festive atmosphere, and may be incorporated into trees or garlands.

Free-standing floral arrangements, strategically positioned around the room, can contribute greatly to the wedding reception decorating plan. One idea is to stuff the canopy of a rented focus tree with flowers, creating a large-scale floral topiary. Or place extravagant, cascading flower arrangements atop tall columns, which may be situated among the tables or around the dance floor. These large scale designs can do a lot to dramatize the room, and create a sense of intimacy among the guests..

To add a charming and sentimental personal touch to the wedding reception decor, place framed photographs of the bride's and groom's parents from their own wedding days on the cake table or the guest book podium. It's a loving expression of heritage and gratitude.

The individual guest tables provide unlimited opportunities to personalize the reception decorations. Consider clustering several small vases of fresh flowers into a larger composite centerpiece. Guests can then take the individual bouquets home as a memento of the happy event. Placing the vases atop mirrors, and interspersing votive candles and glass gems, adds a dimension of sparkling light to the completed tablescape.

Nupital Chamber: The bridal rooms should be welcoming, but not so that every picture is so artfully arranged so that it feels like an art gallery or it's ready for a magazine shoot. It's also about self confidence.

The bed is the focus of the room and the most romantic rooms make it as cozy as possible. Luxurious sheets and plush pillows are wonderful, but the real key is a comfortable mattress, so make sure to have one that feels heavenly and caresses both you and your partner.

Lighting should be soft and filtered; bright lights can detract from the ambience. Use lower wattage light bulbs or those with a soft pink hue. Nothing adds romance like the warm glow of candles.

Gently wiping your light bulbs with a thin coat of perfumed oil can send calming or sensual scents throughout the bedroom. In addition, sprinkling dusting powder on your sheets can make them fragrant and silky. Scented sachets of lavender also add to the air of romance.

Wedding Car

Wedding car decorations - Car Decorating Kit includes Window marker, Just Married vinyl clings, white balloons, red heart balloons, wedding bells, streamers, pom-poms and confetti. Have all the items at your fingertips to decorate the Just Married getaway car!

Don't wait until the last moment, run to the store during the wedding reception for decorations for the Brides and Grooms car. Get the wedding car decorating kit in advance! It's fun, easy and nothing will harm your love machine

Car Decorating Kit Includes:

1 - Just Married vinyl cling sign 5.5x17 (clear with white lettering),
1 - glass marker,
10 - 9" white balloons,
2 - 10" red heart balloons,
1 - 81' white crepe streamers,
6 - white pom-poms,
2 - 5" white wedding bells,silver/gold wedding confetti.

Interior for wedding
By Farizaa Sabreen