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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