The date has been set, the invitations mailed out. The bridesmaids and groomsmen have been chosen, and colors decided upon. All of these things provide you a general idea of what your day is going to look like, but when your guests walk into that ceremony, what do you want them to see?
Over the years I've gone to my fair share of family weddings, and as I'm getting older, I've started getting more invites to dear friends of mines special days. And the one thing that remains consistent throughout is the ceremony decorations.
When people typically get married in churches, the decorations tend to be simple in order to emphasize the grand decorations that are typically seen in churches. The pews may be lined with bows and organza, in order to emphasize the center aisle for the bride, as well as the alter being decorated with the flowers that the bridesmaids may be carrying; there typically is no decoration other then that. However, if you've ever seen the opening scenes of my favorite movie, The Wedding Planner, or if you've seen pictures from the Royal wedding, you would have seen live trees being placed within the church. Although this tends to be expensive, it gives a lovely earthy feel to an otherwise sometimes stuffy place.
However, when you get married outside of a church, it gives people a little bit more freedom. Last year I went to an outdoor backyard ceremony. The bride had chosen to line the aisle she would be walking down in mason jars with white candles on the inside, to light her way, as well as white twinkle lights in the trees surrounding the guests. At the alter, she was surrounded in flowers and more white candles. A dear friend is getting married next year in the mountains and has decided on tartan decorations (because of her husbands heritage) to be tied on all the chairs.
My biggest thing when it comes to decorations at ceremonies though is too keep it simple. You're there to focus on the love being solidified by you friends or family, not to notice all the million decorations within the setting. Save the wow factor for the reception, and make the ceremony about you and your future partner. Just keep it simple.
