Wedding Décor Checklist
Planning a wedding brings so much excitement, but between the magical moments lie many details to manage. What colors suit your theme? How many centerpieces should you order? We know you have so many questions when decorating your big day. To ease your stress, we’ve put together this handy wedding décor checklist in which we will discuss everything you need to prepare for your dream wedding. We’ll also provide you with some tips on choosing your color scheme, flowers, lighting, table settings, and more for each function of your wedding!
Setting the Theme
A wedding theme helps set the tone and style for your special day. More than just a decorative detail, your theme is fundamental – it is the heartbeat bringing your wedding vision to life.
When thoughtfully chosen, your wedding theme will capture what you and your partner want to convey through this milestone event. The colors, styling, and little decorative touches all tie back to and reinforce your chosen theme.
Tips for Choosing a Meaningful Theme
With so many wedding theme options out there, how do you select one that represents you as a couple? Here are some helpful tips:
- Reflect on special memories: Did you meet in Paris and want to bring out hints of French style? Or maybe beach trips are your happy place, and you’d like touches of tropical style. Your theme can highlight these meaningful places and activities.
- Consider your personalities: Are you laid-back, outdoorsy types who envision an enchanted forest vibe? Or perhaps a classy art deco style suits your sophisticated taste. Let your true personalities inspire your wedding vision.
- Think about activities you enjoy: If you bond over books, a literary theme with table names of favorite novels could be sweet. For oenophiles, a wine theme may suit perfectly.
- Use cultural details: Blend customs from your backgrounds into the theme, such as traditional garb, food, or music, to embrace and honor your heritage.
Ceremony Décor
Your ceremony space sets the scene for the magical moments when you say your vows. The décor should complement your theme and make the space welcoming for when guests arrive to share in witnessing your union.
Focus decor on the ceremony backdrop and aisle runner to frame the place you’ll stand to exchange rings and pronounce your marriage. Carefully selected accents throughout the rest of the space can reinforce your theme while allowing the altar decor to take focus as the main event.
Ceremony Décor Checklist
- Backdrop – Choose decor that meaningfully represents you as a couple like a floral arch, string lights, balloons, paper flowers, or mix and match details.
- Aisle runner – Opt for a runner that matches your theme, like a flowing ivory ribbon aisle for a vintage romance or eucalyptus and pampas grass for a boho vibe.
- Altar/arch – Weave greenery, blooms, candles for a classic ceremonial altar to exchange vows.
- Seating signs – Designate reserved rows with signs tied to chairs.
- Petal toss baskets – For the flower girl to gracefully scatter petals to set the scene.
- Lanterns – Line pathways with lanterns.
- Welcome sign – Feature a chalkboard, floral, or custom marquee welcome sign.
- Guest book stand – Display for early guest signatures before the ceremony begins.
- Tissue box caddies – Set out decorated tissue box covers for happy tears.
- Flower boxes on pews – Decorate pew/chair ends with flower box arrangements.
- Candles/votive holders – Dot aisles and altar with ambient candlelight.
- Shepherd’s hooks – Create rows with romantic hanging glass and floral displays.
- Program fans – Cool guests while sharing your love story.
Cocktail Hour Décor
After the “I do’s”, invite your guests to kick off celebrations with stylish cocktail hour décor. Between the ceremony and reception, this special hour sets the tone for the celebration to come. Choose details that whet appetites, encourage mingling, and reflect your wedding vision.
Cocktail Hour Décor Checklist:
- Bar Décor – Designate the bar with eye-catching elements like a floral garland canopy, twinkling curtain lights, pub sign with couples’ names and wedding date.
- Menu cards/table tents – Display appetizer menus around the cocktail stations and bars.
- High cocktail tables – Spruce up basic cocktail tables with linens, floral arrangements, and table numbers so guests can find their group.
- Low cocktail tables – Arrange lower tables perfectly for setting drinks and small plates in cozy lounge spaces.
- Ottomans and couches – Give guests comfy seating options for relaxing and connecting during cocktail hour.
- Food station signs – Name each appetizing station and describe the foods to come, like “Amuse-Bouche” and “Antipasti Board”.
- Greenery garlands – Decorate food stations with leafy garland accents and garden blooms.
- Photo booth props table – Offer silly and sweet props for capturing lasting cocktail hour memories.
- Escort card display – Mount your escort cards guiding guests to their reception seats in a creative way.
- Signature drinks – Name custom cocktails after you as a couple.
- Place cards holders – Place unique card holders like chalkboard names, frames, or wine cork holders at each table setting.
- Centerpiece teaser – Show off the reception centerpiece style with a sample featured during cocktail hour.
Reception Décor
The reception décor turns your wedding celebration into a dazzling party space filled with romance and wonder. Bring your theme to life while welcoming guests to relax over delicious food alongside loving tributes to your relationship.
Reception Décor Checklist:
- Centerpieces – Craft statement flower arrangements or decor collections for tables as the focal reception décor.
- Signage – Welcome guests with dance floor directionals, bar menus, style inspiration quotes, and signature wedding hashtag signs.
- Dance Floor – Set the stage for a memorable day with a dance floor.
- Cake table Décor – Enhance sweet appeal with embellished cake stands, a cake backsplash, and luminary candles.
- Cake topper – Select meaningful toppers like customized figures of your wedding outfits, scene of where you met, or even beloved pets.
- Gift/card mailbox – Collect gifts and cards in a pretty vessel.
- Place cards – Lead seated guests to their assigned tables with creative place cards.
- Table numbers – Pair table numbers with photos from your relationship milestones and inside jokes.
- Dessert/late-night snack bar – Set up a secondary dessert bar for late-night chocolate and caffeine.
- Overlay/runners – Layer luxe table linens with runners to enrich tables.
Dinner Table Décor
Though the reception tables anchor the event, the dinner table also deserves your attention so guests feel pampered while celebrating with you. Use textures, layers, colors, and thoughtful details to enhance the mood.
Decorate your table with touches that nod to your personalities or love story. Display meaningful mementos among creative floral table pieces to convey the feelings surrounding your happy marriage.
Dinner Table Décor Checklist:
- Statement centerpiece – Craft a gorgeous focal point floral design or an alternative eye-catching display.
- Centerpiece cohesion – Repeat centerpiece elements like color, vases, and flowers at different tables.
- Candles – For mood lighting, include candles in centerpieces.
- Charger plates – Place metallic or patterned charger plates beneath dinner plates for an elevated presentation.
- Table runners – Ground spaces with runners using natural materials like jute and linen.
- Place cards – Display escort cards creatively at each place setting to direct seated dining.
- Menu cards – Use decorative menus for meal options and wine pairings.
- Themed dinnerware – Use plates, cups, and cutlery that fit your theme.
- Coordinating napkins – Bring napkins into the palette mix by choosing ones to match your theme hues.
- Scented elements – Incorporate botanical scents into centerpieces like eucalyptus or lavender sprigs for multi-sensory delight.
- Table number displays – Show numbers within centerpieces or standalone glittering displays.
- Seating chart artwork – Print your unique seating chart design for display at a focal wall to help guide guests.
Conclusion
When planning your wedding, use this checklist to beautifully decorate all your important spaces. These carefully chosen details create an ideal backdrop to say your vows and celebrate with loved ones. From the ceremony aisle to reception uplighting, purposeful accents display your theme and delight guests.
Wedding décor is not just about looks – it sets the scene for creating meaningful memories. Let purposeful planning and meaningful details tell your love story. This allows you to focus on each other when you tie the knot, while wowing guests with wonderful style.
