Wedding Decoration Ideas: 30 Ways To Elevate Your Day
From floral wedding decorations to quirky finishing touches, here are our top tips for decorating your wedding venue
Whether your wedding venue is a blank canvas or already comes with some decoration, there are so many amazing wedding décor ideas you can use to make the space personal to you.
We’ve picked 24 amazing wedding decorations ideas that’ll transform your space, with lots of DIY ideas to keep the cost down too. From rustic suitcases to Moroccan-style lounge areas, bunting to vintage bikes, lanterns to neon signs, the hardest thing you’ll have to do is pick between all these incredible wedding venue decoration ideas.
Don’t miss our décor ideas for wedding tables too – there’s so much you can do there that we’ve kept this focused on just the decorations that are going to bring your venue to life!
- Wedding Ceremony Decoration Ideas
- Wedding Table Decoration Ideas
- Wedding Reception Decoration Ideas
- Your Wedding Décor Questions Answered
Wedding Ceremony Decoration ideas
Whether you're tying the knot in a rustic barn wedding venue or a glamorous hotel wedding venue, here are plenty of fun marriage decoration ideas to jazz up your ceremony.
1. Floral Hoops
Floral hoops have an almost fairy-tale, ethereal charm to them. They’re playful, whimsical and truly breath-taking when done right, just like this gorgeous hoop from The Old Dr Bells Baths. The colours of the green foliage and gold hoop complement each other perfectly, making this a gorgeous backdrop for exchanging your vows.
You can also go for a wedding cake hoop to nail this trend on a smaller scale too!
2. Fairy Lights
From bedrooms to grand hotels, fairy lights are one of the best decorating for a wedding ideas to add atmosphere and ambiance to any space! These little lights can come in all shapes and colours, and are the ideal thing to add when decorating your wedding venue. We love the idea of wrapping them around wooden beams, just like The Gardens have done!
3. Wedding Flags
Whether you opt for indoor flags, outdoor flags, customised designs or colourful bunting, flags are a great addition to your marriage decoration ideas, especially if you're having a festival style wedding! And the best news is, The Event Flag Hire Company LTD offers them all.
Nearlyweds can choose from a number of packages or else create their own. There are flags of all shapes, sizes and colours on offer here!
4. Paper Lanterns
We're in love with this paper lantern display at The Old Dr Bells Baths in Leith. Using paper lanterns as one of your ideas for wedding decorations is a great way to make your ceremony stand out, especially when the lanterns appear to be floating in mid-air like the picture above! It's an effective, cheap wedding decoration idea.
5. Ceremony Backdrop
Designing your own personalised ceremony backdrop is a great way to get creative with your wedding decorations ideas. There are plenty of ways you can go about this to match your wedding theme, from using fresh flowers to dried plants to anything you want!
This backdrop from The Hackney combines plants, macramé and gold structures for an striking effect that is easy to style when decorating for weddings.
6. Rugs
If you're throwing a boho wedding, then you *have* to check out these vintage rugs from Marauders! These gorgeous designs are the perfect finishing touch to any wedding ceremony set up - just imagine how amazing they'll look with a boho wedding dress when you walk down the aisle!
Marauders offer a range of preloved vintage-style furniture for hire, ideal for customising your wedding ceremony and reception.
7. Bicycle Welcome Sign
Want to introduce guests to your wedding in a rustic and quirky way? Then you can't go wrong with a vintage bike, perfect for setting the tone of your ceremony.
Just look at how perfect this bike looks at South Causey Inn! The vintage vibes pair perfect with the stone exterior of the venue, and decorating the bike with hanging plants is the perfect finishing touch.
8. Fairy Light Trees
For a glamourous wedding, try dotting fairy light trees around your venue, just like these gorgeous white ones from Twilight Trees.
This wedding venue decoration idea is also the perfect addition to a winter wedding - not only do the white leaves create a gorgeous and wintery atmosphere, the lights can guide your guests during those early sunsets!
9. Floral Canopy
If you want to bring the outdoors indoors, then a floral canopy is one of the top wedding décor ideas for you! The floral canopy at South Causey Inn is a perfect example - the combination of leaves, hanging plants and orange and yellow colours just scream rustic.
If your venue doesn't come with a canopy, take things into your own hands and get creative. You can match your display to your wedding theme and colour palette.
10. Chair Sashes
Elegance, style, visual appeal - these are just some of the advantages you'll get from using chair sashes. They're also a great way to tie any visual elements together, as well as complementing your wedding theme, colour scheme and desired ambience.
Just look at how cute these pink sashes from Ambience Venue Styling Surrey are - we love the green leaves tying them at the back!
11. Floral Arch
A floral arch is an absolute must for any fairy-tale wedding ceremony. Can you think of anything more romantic than exchanging vows surrounded by your favourite plants and flowers?
This flower arch at Gileston Manor is an unmissable wedding décor idea, with its blush pink roses turning romance levels all the way up. We love it!
Wedding Table Decoration Ideas
Looking for ways to elevate your wedding tables? Here are some of our favourite wedding table decoration ideas.
12. Candelabras
Candelabras are one of the best decorating ideas for a wedding for adding a little Beauty and the Beast vibe to your wedding table decorations. Check out these ornate tall candelabras in the table set up at The Gardens which provide that perfect elements of fairy tale and old school glamour.
13. Tapered Candles
Decorating tables for a wedding is no easy job, but we've got some tips that you'll love, and candles are a brilliant way to instantly create atmosphere.
Using tapered candles as part of your wedding table decoration ideas is a great way to add character. These gorgeous candles at TheHackney.co tie in so well with the floral table display, and are elevated even further by being displayed in long gold candlestick holders.
Be sure to check that your venue is okay with candles being displayed on your wedding tables before decorating your wedding venue!
14. Lamps
These cordless lamps from TDC Cordless Lighting are a great alternative to a floral wedding centrepiece table. Not only do the lamps look beautiful, but they also provide soft mood lighting perfect for creating an intimate atmosphere at your wedding breakfast. Use these at a winter wedding for some seriously cosy vibes.
15. Floral Table Runner
Florals aren't the only wedding centrepiece ideas out there - there are so many other ways to be inspired by flowers in your ideas for table decorations for weddings!
We *love* this floral table décor at Kindred. The burlap table runner and candles give a rustic feel to the table, while the green leaves and pink flowers give a pop of colour to the gorgeous white room.
15. Grazing Table
Not only are grazing tables absolutely delicious and a great way to include many different types of foods in your reception meal, they also create wonderful wedding party decoration ideas.
This savoury grazing table by Worcestershire-based Little Grazing Company is an eye-catching display thanks to its variety of different colours and rustic bread boxes. They also provide brunch grazing tables, meaning that your guests and wedding party will be catered to at all times of the day!
16. Coloured Glasses
Glasses in mismatched jewel tones instantly brighten up a table and work so well with flower centrepieces. If you’re going for a very whimsical, relaxed vibe, these breathe a breath of fresh air into your ideas for table decorations for a wedding - take a look at how elegant these glasses from The Boho Shack look in the table display!
Wedding Reception Decoration Ideas
Want to dress up your wedding reception? These wedding reception decoration ideas are sure to inspire you.
17. Doughnut Wall
Who doesn't love doughnuts? Not only are doughnut walls a great alternative wedding dessert idea, but displaying them on an Insta-worthy wall is guaranteed to grab your guests' attention.
Sweet-toothed nearlyweds should check out the doughnut walls on offer at Kalm Kitchen - these fun wedding design ideas will definitely satisfy your craving!
18. Table Plan
Just because something is informative, doesn't mean that it can't also be gorgeous! Ideal to place as a wedding hall decoration for guests to see upon entering, you can really let your creativity run wild when it comes to your table plan. Check out this playful and creative bespoke table plan from Finishing Touch Sussex for some inspiration.
19. Giant Letters
Giant letters are one of the most popular ideas for wedding decorations with couples tying the knot. Companies like Light Up Love offer a range of different letter combinations - choose between classic signs like "LOVE" or "MR/S AND MR/S", or go for a more personalised approach and get your own initials.
20. Outdoor Wedding Games
If you're looking for something that's fun for all the guests and also creates a vintage funfair feel, then outdoor wedding games are the wedding addition for you. Perfect for some fun in the sun at an outdoor wedding reception, you can choose from a range of games.
Classic garden games hire company Girl Friday Games offers everything from corn hole to croquet to giant Jenga and more!
21. Neon Sign
One thing's for sure; if you see a neon sign, you know you're heading to a good party. Décor company The Suffolk Wedding Dresser offer a wide variety of neon signs - choose between some pre-made signs with snappy slogans, or invest in a personalised one and keep it as a memento of the big day!
Neon signs instantly create a party atmosphere - no wonder this is such a popular wedding décor idea!
22. Balloons
Balloon installations are amazing when decorating your wedding venue. Balloon companies like Bubblegum Balloons allow you to incorporate balloons into centrepieces or top table decoration, or have balloon arches and displays perfect for livening up your wedding photos.
23. Soft Play Area
If you're planning on having children at your wedding, it's important to find ways to keep them entertained throughout the day. This play area from The Little Bear Soft Play Company is the perfect way to make sure the little ones are still having fun, and its neutral colour palette and cute teddies make it a great aesthetic addition to your wedding reception.
24. Mismatched Chairs
There are plenty of ways to break with tradition when it comes to your wedding venue decoration ideas. Using colourful and mismatched chairs will instantly give your ceremony a quirky, relaxed and boho atmosphere, just like this wedding table display from the venue As You Like It!
25. Personalised Cocktails
Not every couple shares the same favourite tipple, so why not inject some of the nearlyweds' personalities into the big day by having a cocktail named after each partner, based on their favourite drink. It's a great way to make something as simple as cocktail hour a lot more personal!
Add a little card next to the drinks explaining the flavour of both cocktails, and why each partner chose their drink. We love this example from Hampton Court Castle!
26. Polaroid Wall
Take your guests on a trip through time with a sweet and sentimental polaroid wall of the happy couple. From childhood photographs to pictures from their holidays, this is one of our best do it yourself wedding decoration ideas. Just order the polaroids online and hang them in the venue using miniature pegs and wire. We love this one from a wedding at Odo's Barn for inspiration!
27. Custom Monograms
Cast a spotlight on the happy couple like no other with a bespoke monogram light feature! We love this one from SGDJ & SG Discos, as it's a subtle way of announcing the newly married couple to the rest of the party, whilst welcoming the newlyweds to the dancefloor.
28. Personalised Place Names
A thoughtful touch to make members of the wedding party feel special on the big day is to add personalised place names for people like the bridesmaids, the parents of the happy couple, and anyone with a special role. We love this one from VM Bespoke, a vendor that specialises in stunning wedding decoration ideas, as it blends seamlessly in with the rest of the table design.
29. Fruit and Vegetable Wedding Favours
Whether you're opting for fresh fruit for a tropical themed wedding or dried fruit for something more autumnal like in this wedding table from Woodmancote Place, fruit can double as a quirky alternative to flowers for your centrepieces. It's colourful, vibrant, and blends perfectly with leafy green foliage.
30. Wedding Day Maps
Finally, if you're searching for beautiful wedding decoration ideas for your big day that are both personal and gorgeous to look at, we adore the bespoke wedding maps from Olympia Olympitis Stationery. Hand-drawn and printed to showcase your wedding venue, these maps aren't helpful to your guests - they're also stunning keepsakes that you'll treasure for a lifetime.
What Decorations To Use For a Wedding?
When it comes to wedding décor ideas, there’s no one better to ask than the industry experts.
Abi Shobowale, leading wedding and event planner and designer at Perfectevent4u, says: “Florals are the most common type of decoration for a wedding. They can either be fresh or silk in beautiful vases and stands. Florals on the ceiling are also another way of elevating your wedding décor.
“Candles are becoming more and more popular these days and they honestly make your wedding look gorgeous, romantic and expensive. I would recommend tall multiple arm candelabras. Lanterns, ornaments, and super size balloons are also a great choice.”
Sommy Echezona, founder and director of boutique wedding and events planning company M.Fiore Events, also offers her advice: “Items that you can reuse! Silk florals for the aisle - reusing this for your tables is a cost effective way to keep to budget. Candles can be bought in bulk and create a romantic atmosphere when used for the ceremony and dinner.”
At the end of the day, how you decide to decorate your wedding venue is entirely up to you. As Abi wisely says, “Remember, it's your wedding and it has to be your way.”
How Can I Make My Cheap Wedding Look Expensive?
When it comes to planning your wedding on a budget, there are lots of different ways you can get creative cutting costs without compromising on style, especially when it comes to your ideas for wedding decorations.
Abi feels strongly that little details can make a big difference in your wedding décor. She says, "Luxury and expensive wedding is all about the details in your wedding style and the experience created for you and your guests. My suggestion is to spend more on little details such as the accessories on the tables.
"Candles create great ambience on the head table as well as the guests tables. Candelabras can make your wedding look expensive. Items like napkin rings, printed menus or thank you cards and budget favours make weddings look expensive. Writing thoughtful little notes on card, cardboard, wood and glass looks expensive. Hanging elements from the ceiling create an expensive look and feel."
Sommy also shares some ideas for table decorations for weddings, saying, "You can also think about the tablescape and adding texture to the table to add more depth. Adding a gauze table runner and napkins is a good cost effective way to add colour, texture and bring more vibrancy to the wedding."
How Can I Decorate My Wedding DIY?
There are so many great do it yourself wedding decoration ideas out there, from rustic wedding ideas to fun touches for a winter wedding. Whether you're a DIY aficionado or you just want to add some more personal elements to your day, getting hands-on and creative with your wedding venue décor ideas is a great way to make your wedding stand out from the crowd.
Abi has a range of ideas for couples seeking to DIY their wedding venue décor: "Fold your napkins stylishly, spray paints old glass bottles to use as bud and flower vases. Spray paint old vases, stack books as centrepieces, use floating candles in cylinder vases and you can immerse a stem of fresh or artificial flower in the water."
She also suggests some great ideas for personalising wedding flowers: "Add some flowers to traditional or modern lanterns, adding just foliage across the length of trestle tables, making your own bouquet and pew ends flowers."
Sommy also offers some advice for DIY couples: "Make sure you have looked at the methods on how to make the items and whether you have time to make it. Make sure you have the time and you have your wedding party help you so that you don’t feel rushed!"
Is It Cheaper to DIY Wedding Décor?
If you're planning your wedding on a budget, it can be tempting to go for do it yourself wedding decoration ideas as a cheaper option. However, Sommy points out a couple of things that couples need to take into consideration before busting out their paintbrushes: "Have you looked at the step by step method to make the items? Are you able to resell if you do not want to keep it?
"Who is going to set up the items for you on the day? Sometimes it can be cheaper if you are looking for smaller items and minimalistic décor."
Abi also offers up advice for creative couples thinking about DIY decorating ideas for a wedding: "Personally, I believe that it is not cheaper to DIY your wedding. You tend to spend more buying items that are not really needed. You might underbuy and then it's not enough to achieve what you want and end up not happy. You may overbuy and therefore spend more than you should."
If you want to decorate your venue in a way that's sustainable, check out our eco-friendly wedding ideas, packed full of ideas from the experts.
