Maybe your ceremony will be held in an ornate synagogue with stained glass windows, in a cavernous arch-filled mission or a simple Shaker meeting house. Or maybe you'll be celebrating on the beach, in an apple orchard, in your parents' backyard or even your Uncle Joe's bowling alley. Ceremony sites can run the gamut -- but wherever and whatever the site may be, it can always use a little savvy decorating to embellish it. The most simple or most spectacular ceremony site can be tastefully enhanced to echo the sentiments of the day.
With a little ceremony site décor you can make a very personal statement. You can also impart a feeling of spirituality. You can add oomph to an almost perfect space or create atmosphere in a place where there is hardly any at all. Ceremony site décor can make a momentous moment all of the more momentous by lending a certain feel and atmosphere to the occasion. Here are some tips to help you make your ceremony site a real sight to behold.
The Natural. One good rule of ceremony site décor is to let nature speak for itself. So if your ceremony will be held on a bluff above the crashing surf with the sunset behind you, you won't need many swags of tulle and ribbons to embellish the locale. One couple was married outdoors in Maine in view of a stately lighthouse, and that in itself was enough for ceremony ambience. Still, a little décor in an outdoor setting can go a long way. In one apple orchard ceremony, the bride and groom wanted to impart an informal feel to their big day. Guests gathered round the couple as they recited their vows, a bed of scattered dried leaves and wildflowers were underfoot. The informal, natural atmosphere was felt by all. In another ceremony on the beach in the Bahamas, the bride and groom stood under a canopy made of curly willow and lace moss with seashells and starfish scattered throughout. It was just the right touch to embellish the windswept, beachy-feel of the moment.
Places of Worship. If your ceremony will be held in a house of worship, a church or a synagogue, find out if there are any rules regarding ceremony decorations. Many places of worship do have rules governing what can and cannot be used to decorate, when decorating can be done and when it should be taken away. Most houses of worship have a staff member who can brief you.
House Beautiful. After you've checked the rules, get ready to decorate your church/temple/ceremony site. First, consider the site itself. If you'll be getting married in a church with carved ceilings, stained glass and murals rivaling the Sistine Chapel, you don't need to pull out the stops on décor. Let the beauty of the place shine. A cloth aisle runner, bows to mark the pews and simple floral arrangements at the altar are all you need. If the church is simple, don't overpower the spare feel there, which can be quite poignant. One couple who was married in a medieval abbey in the French countryside thought the simplicity of the site gave an intimate feel to their ceremony. They added a few laurel trees to flank the altar, and that was it.
Row, Row, Row. Bows are a wonderful way to mark the rows or pews at your ceremony site. Ribbons of all types can be used. Try using French wired ribbons which make excellent bows, or go with satin ribbons. Although white or ivory colored bows are traditional, almost any color can be used. Use colors to complement your bridesmaids' dresses, bouquets and floral arrangements. Or think of the season in which your ceremony will be held. Pastels are great for spring or summer décor; red velvet bows work well for a winter or holiday-themed wedding. Rows can also be marked with garlands, small floral arrangements or rose topiaries. At a wedding in a backyard full of ivy, rows were linked with ivy vines. Try marking rows with slender candles in hurricane lamps, especially if the room will be dim or the ceremony is outdoors in the evening. Swags of fabric can be used between the rows to add impact. Tulle is a popular choice, but other fabrics work well, too. An airy organza-like fabric looks beautiful.
Flower Power. Flowers add color, beauty and subtle fragrance to a ceremony site. Floral arrangements typically adorn the altar, or in Jewish weddings, the bimah (the front of the synagogue where the ceremony takes place). Choose flowers in a palette that works with your floral scheme. Big flowers work well at the altar or bimah because they show up. If your church or synagogue is dim, make sure the colors you choose for flowers show up as well. Keep the arrangements simple. You want all eyes on you, not just on the flowers.
The Match Game. When choosing ceremony site décor, try to complement the other colors you'll be using in your wedding. Flowers and bows don't necessarily need to be the same color as your bridesmaids' dresses, but they should be in harmony with them.
Plant It. Instead of flowers at your ceremony site, opt for trees or large plants. You can rent plants and trees from a local nursery to save money. One couple was married at Christmastime in front of three large pine trees. Another couple brought in two 14-foot oak trees for the altar of their large church. Ficus trees or other potted trees can be used to fill-in empty space, let's say at the back of a hotel ballroom that's doubling as a ceremony site. The trees can double as reception décor.
Bright Light. The right lighting can create a certain mood at your ceremony. Check out your site at the time of day you will be married and assess the light. Consider hiring a lighting specialist to come up with a lighting scheme that gives the room the ambience you want to convey. Make sure that the lighting you choose complies with any rules or building codes your ceremony site may have. Try using diffused lighting for a softly-lit feel in the room. Pin spots can light up the area where you will be married, such as the huppah (wedding canopy) in a Jewish wedding. But make sure the lights aren't too hot, or you might find yourself with woozy rabbi. Have a licensed electrician install your lights so you don't have any unforeseen power outages.
That Certain Glow. Candles can indeed add a touch of romance to your ceremony. Candles serve to personalize a space and give it a spiritual feel. A hotel ballroom can become a more intimate space with lit candelabras in front, where the ceremony will take place. Candles are also affordable lighting sources and will save you a big electrician's bill. The only concern about candles is safety, so make sure they are enclosed in vases or lanterns if they will be scattered about at your ceremony site.
Down the Aisle. Aisle runners can be made of fabric, but make sure the fabric is sturdy enough to withstand your wedding party's gait. White or ivory canvas works well. You can also opt for a red carpet runner, which gives a regal feel to your ceremony. Aisle runners made of multi-colored rose petals are lovely, especially at an outdoor ceremony. They are costly, but an aisle scattered with petals gives a floral feeling to the entire ceremony site and eliminates the need for many other flowers. To save money, mix the petals with tissue paper confetti.
Under the Huppah. A huppah, or canopy under which a Jewish wedding ceremony is performed, is often the focal point of the ceremony. Huppahs usually consist of four poles topped by cloth. I loved my own huppah -- which was made of garlanded white birch poles in gold-tarnished terracotta pots full of flowers. On top was a white linen and lace cloth. The whole thing was fresh and airy. Huppahs can range from the simple -- a tallit (prayer shawl) on poles -- to the very dramatic with elaborate hand-painted fabric. Huppahs can evoke a sophisticated feel or a country garden feel, depending on the type of fabric and flowers used. One bride, who wanted to wear her mother's wedding gown but opted not to, used the dress as fabric for her huppah. The effect had great emotional impact. Some huppahs are entirely composed of flowers and greenery. Although Jewish law says that Jewish couples must be married under a huppah, there are no guidelines about what it has to look like.
Blending Traditions. Ceremony site décor can be a great way to blend the traditions of the bride and groom. At one wedding, the bride was Jewish and the groom was of Scottish heritage. The huppah was decorated with tulle and Scottish plaid ribbons, which were also used to decorate the rows of chairs.
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