Of all the planning you do for your wedding, planning your decorations can be one of the most fun parts and when it comes to decorations, the possibilities are endless. Whether you are to be married in a church, other place of worship, or at your reception venue, the wedding ceremony will create the all important first impression for your special day, for you and your guests. With this in mind it is important to give decorations careful consideration to ensure they reflect the vision you have for your wedding. When planning your decorations for your ceremony you are free to let your personalities shine through and you can be as creative or traditional as you choose to be. Decorations are no longer limited to flowers and there are a whole range of things that can be incorporated into your designs from natural materials, to photos, candles and fabrics. Decorations are a matter of personal taste and as this is your day, they should reflect your taste, however before you let your imagination run wild there are some guidelines you may wish to consider when planning your decorations. • Set the scene by choosing your theme and colour scheme. Your decorations should fit in with the vision/theme you and your partner have chosen for the wedding. Make this decision as early as possible as it will be a point of reference for all of the decisions you go on to make for your wedding. • Visit the site of the ceremony very early on in your planning. Consider the style of the venue. Is it traditional, relaxed and informal or contemporary? Make sure you visit the venue when it is in its most basic state, as opposed to when someone else is hosting an event there. This way you see the venue for what it is, rather than what someone else has interpreted it to be. Is it a blank canvass or has it, its own decorative style that you need to take into consideration when planning your decorations? Your decorations should complement, not take over the venue. • Determine if there are any restrictions that you must be aware of in terms of decorations. Some churches and reception venues do have rules regarding what can be decorated and what materials can be used and you will need to respect these. You should consider things like lighting and if you are holding your ceremony outside, the elements will be a factor. For example, would gusts of wind play havoc with the decorations you have in mind? Would candles be wasted during the day if the venue is flooded with natural light? Many venues also prefer that you use their own decorator as this person understands the expectations and limitations of the venue. Churches for example often have their own florist and you may be required to use them for any arrangements you wish to display. • Other factors to consider are your budget and if you will be able to do the decorating yourself or will you need to hire a professional. Religious Ceremonies If your ceremony will be held in a Church the style will be more traditional for example than a beach wedding. However, depending on the restrictions of the venue, you can still be creative. Pedestals of flowers positioned where the ceremony will take place are a classic and they work well because they draw the eye towards you and your ceremony. If the venue will allow you to do so, try hanging a wreath at the entry or drape swags of flowers or greenery from the pulpit. You could also decorate the foyer or pulpit with topiary trees or candles to suit your theme. Depending on the time of the day of your wedding, candles can also be used to great effect but remember there are safety issues to consider with candles and this is something you should consult with the venue about. For the pews, ribbons are an obvious, generally acceptable, yet elegant choice, but there are other creative ways to decorate the pews. Remember also that you do not have to decorate all of the pews in the church. You could choose to decorate only those towards the front or every second pew. Here are some suggestions to inspire you; • Have a monogram of yours and your partners initials designed and printed, choose a favourite photo of the two of you or select a baby photo of each of you, then simply frame and hang from the pews with ribbon or raffia • For an elegant touch, tie an elaborate tassel around the pew or for a more relaxed approach gather together some flowers from your garden, tie them with some raffia and attach • Oversized tulle bows are an inexpensive way to add some style, or try velvet for a dramatic effect • Hang a small wreath from each pew. These are easily made and can be constructed of materials to suit your theme. Anything from beads, crystals and feathers to cottage flowers or simple greenery would be perfect • Make pouches from a fabric of your choice and fill with dried lavender or rose petals, attach a ribbon and hang from the pews. They will create a lovely fragrance throughout the church and can be given to loved ones as a memento of your day Civil/Non-Religious Ceremonies If you are having a civil ceremony your only limitations are the structures around you and any restrictions the venue may have regarding decorations. However, whilst you have more freedom here keep in mind that what you choose should enhance, not take over your ceremony. Areas that you may consider decorating for your civil ceremony are walls, ceilings, floors, tables and chairs and the garden. Look for materials that work with the vision you have such as balloons, flowers, candles, crystals, fabrics and carpets. For a relaxed country wedding set out hay bales for your guests to sit on or you could create a Moroccan feel with scattered over-sized cushions and brightly coloured rugs and fabrics or go simple and elegant with floral displays and chairs draped in silk and tied off with ribbon. Balloons are lots of fun and can be used to great effect, including being shaped into an archway for the bride to make her entrance through or why not lay a red carpet and line it with potted trees lit with fairy lights for something romantic, yet elegant. Whatever you choose always remember, the aim of decorating the venue for the ceremony is to set the scene for your wedding. What you choose should not only reflect your personality and work with your theme, but should also complement the venue.