The Best Wedding Decorations

Buying Guide

A wedding is many things: A celebration of love, a legally binding ceremony, a chance for new relatives and old friends to mingle. But most of all, it’s a party that’s all about two people — and as such, the decor should say something about them. There’s a lot about the big day that can be stressful, but choosing wedding decorations can be fun if you keep that simple fact in mind.

The first thing you’ll want to do is focus on an overall theme. That means the soon-to-be-newlyweds should sit down and agree on some basic color schemes and how formal or rustic they want the ceremony to be.

Another major step — maybe the most important one — is talking to the venue owners. Remember that the wedding venue is your special place for one day, but only for that day. There are certain limits on what you can do outdoors as opposed to indoors, and certain places may impose restrictions on what fixtures you can decorate, what you can hang from the ceiling, etc. If you’re planning an outdoor wedding, you’ll definitely need to have a backup plan. Pick decorations that will work both indoors and out. Those candle centerpieces may look great, but they might not look as great inside a banquet hall as they would under the stars — if the hall even allows you to have open flames.

Once you know the boundaries, you can start to focus on the specifics. Table centerpieces are a fun way to set the tone at the reception, and they don’t have to be expensive to be eye-catching. If you’ve got larger tables to work with, you can cut loose with sprawling floral arrangements or multiple vases full of twinkling lights. For cozier arrangements, you can go with something small but striking like a bowl filled with floating tea candles.

You can also have a lot of fun with the reception entrance. To help guests find their seats, you lay out a table of tchotchkes printed with names and table numbers. (These can also double as parting gifts if you’re clever.) If space is at a premium, there’s a lot you can do with a simple chalkboard and a little imagination.

Weddings usually mean flowers, and this is where things can get surprisingly expensive. It’s one thing to arrange a bridal bouquet; it’s another to spring for centerpieces, floral arrangements and bunting that all match that same floral theme. Fake flowers can be your saving grace here, especially when you’re talking about trellises and other decor that won’t be interacted with up close.

Remember that a wedding is all about photos, and not just the ones the official photographer will be taking. Provide a few props for guests to create their own hashtag-ready mementos, and you’ll have a whole photo album to collect from on social media. Old picture frames can be great for this, and loved ones can make their own statement with mini-chalkboards or hand-held “word balloons.”

This is far from an exhaustive checklist, but imaginative couples don’t have to spend a ton to make things memorable. Keep it personal and you can create a big day that your friends and family will remember just as fondly as you.

Photos: They’re not just for snapping on the day of your wedding. When you’re planning out your table settings, seating arrangements and other decor ideas, do a mock-up first. It’s always best if you can do this at the actual venue, but even a dry run on your own tables will help. Lay out all the candles, flowers and other decorations exactly as you want them to appear at your wedding and reception. Then take a photo and have copies to hand out to all your helpers on the big day. It’ll make things go much faster and ensure that everything is just how you envision.