Once you have decided to get Married you will need to find a place to hold Ceremony and perhaps another for the Reception. Then again, you may have both Events at the same location. Both events can exist one without the other. But it is most unusual to have one without the other at some point. In our cross cultural world many
couples can have one Wedding and two Receptions. These couples may get married in a foreign country or out of state, maybe have a Reception there for family and friends. Then return to their home and have another Reception for other friends and family.
Our recent World pandemic of 2020 has put many Ceremonies and Receptions on hold, but the Wedding Couples and their Families have brought new ways to celebrate like the Zoom Wedding and plan for a more in person party at a later date.
These sections will be concerned with Decorations and Ideas related to Ceremony only.
couples can have one Wedding and two Receptions. These couples may get married in a foreign country or out of state, maybe have a Reception there for family and friends. Then return to their home and have another Reception for other friends and family.
Our recent World pandemic of 2020 has put many Ceremonies and Receptions on hold, but the Wedding Couples and their Families have brought new ways to celebrate like the Zoom Wedding and plan for a more in person party at a later date.
These sections will be concerned with Decorations and Ideas related to Ceremony only.
There are innumerable considerations when decorating for the Wedding Ceremony. Location and time of year can influence the decisions on the floral arrangements and decorations as much as the color of the Bridesmaids dresses. Various parts of the country have different flower availability to consider. You also have your own ethnic and/or religious backgrounds which will influence your decisions. Hopefully, your Wedding Theme will help you to combine all these influences along with your own personal tastes to create your New Beginning.
In Todayʼs Wedding environment many Couples chose not to use a church for religious, financial or logistical reasons. Halls, restaurants, outdoor parks, hotels, personal homes, country clubs, to name a few, have become Ceremony sites. Even at these unorthodox settings a Wedding Ceremony can retain itʼs ceremonial feel by your use of props and ornamentation.
In Todayʼs Wedding environment many Couples chose not to use a church for religious, financial or logistical reasons. Halls, restaurants, outdoor parks, hotels, personal homes, country clubs, to name a few, have become Ceremony sites. Even at these unorthodox settings a Wedding Ceremony can retain itʼs ceremonial feel by your use of props and ornamentation.
When considering a Ceremony location, also look for a place which stands out for use as an Altar Area. A clump of trees at a park, an alcove at a lodge, a deck with a beautiful view, a long walkway. Also, consider where you will seat Your Guests. Then let your Wedding Theme decorate it.
The Altar Area is a main focal point for decorating attention. Always check with church or establishment for rules and restrictions. Try to work into your decorating plan those items which can not be moved or removed from their original position. An example would be candelabras, bible stands, lace cloths. Take into consideration the colors of Altar cloths, banners, or flags used for other religious ceremonies which may be displayed during your Ceremony date. Look to make use of back or side Altars, if present, for decoration.
The Altar Area is a main focal point for decorating attention. Always check with church or establishment for rules and restrictions. Try to work into your decorating plan those items which can not be moved or removed from their original position. An example would be candelabras, bible stands, lace cloths. Take into consideration the colors of Altar cloths, banners, or flags used for other religious ceremonies which may be displayed during your Ceremony date. Look to make use of back or side Altars, if present, for decoration.
Altar Arrangements, by name, are arrangements which sit directly on the Altar. However, the name many times refers to the Standing Spray/Basket arrangements which stand along the sides of the Altar. The actual size of the arrangement will depend on altar size, the space allotted, itʼs use in the Ceremony, reuse at Reception, your budget and Wedding Theme.
The following are a few Altar Arrangements by name and with use;
Long and Narrow or Oval
Length is 20” -36”, width is 8” - 12”(up to 15”); used mostly as centerpiece but can be used for Altar by addition of tall flowers or candles in center-up to 25”. Itʼs narrow size leaves plenty of room for other things like Bibles, candelabras or Motherʼs Roses on altar. Also, good for narrow ledges and stairs. Can be easily adapted for candle and reused at Head Table for Bouquets.
The following are a few Altar Arrangements by name and with use;
Long and Narrow or Oval
Length is 20” -36”, width is 8” - 12”(up to 15”); used mostly as centerpiece but can be used for Altar by addition of tall flowers or candles in center-up to 25”. Itʼs narrow size leaves plenty of room for other things like Bibles, candelabras or Motherʼs Roses on altar. Also, good for narrow ledges and stairs. Can be easily adapted for candle and reused at Head Table for Bouquets.
Fan Shape
This design is similar in size to the long and narrow, but itʼs shape is fuller and contains taller flowers. Itʼs overall height can reach 25” -30” at itʼs peak. Used mostly for back altar because of itʼs large size can be scaled down for main altar use. Other uses include mantles, ledges, or tables. These arrangements are one sided, flowers all face in one direction.
This design is similar in size to the long and narrow, but itʼs shape is fuller and contains taller flowers. Itʼs overall height can reach 25” -30” at itʼs peak. Used mostly for back altar because of itʼs large size can be scaled down for main altar use. Other uses include mantles, ledges, or tables. These arrangements are one sided, flowers all face in one direction.
Cascade
Length is 20”- 36”; width 15” - 20”; height 10ʼ-12”; cascade from table 15” - 36” in length. Most useful as a showy piece and can easily be adapted for candle use or reuse of Brideʼs Bouquet. This arrangement sits along the edge of Altar or table, unlike the long and narrow which sits further back from the edge.
Length is 20”- 36”; width 15” - 20”; height 10ʼ-12”; cascade from table 15” - 36” in length. Most useful as a showy piece and can easily be adapted for candle use or reuse of Brideʼs Bouquet. This arrangement sits along the edge of Altar or table, unlike the long and narrow which sits further back from the edge.
Mirror Images
These arrangements are not just copies of each other but opposite designs as with a reflection in a mirror. Shapes vary from tall and full to tall and narrow, actual dimensions depend on Altar size and space available. Any container can be used; ceramic or plastic pots, baskets, clay pots, candelabras, vases, ect. Containers
can be hidden or exposed depending on Wedding Theme. Made as a pair to sit on each side of Alter.
These arrangements are not just copies of each other but opposite designs as with a reflection in a mirror. Shapes vary from tall and full to tall and narrow, actual dimensions depend on Altar size and space available. Any container can be used; ceramic or plastic pots, baskets, clay pots, candelabras, vases, ect. Containers
can be hidden or exposed depending on Wedding Theme. Made as a pair to sit on each side of Alter.
Cone Shape
The shape of this arrangement resembles that of a Christmas tree, broad at the bottom tapering to a narrow point. Unlike the mirror images these arrangements are exactly the same. Normally found in pairs, their use on the Altar is the same as with mirror images.
The shape of this arrangement resembles that of a Christmas tree, broad at the bottom tapering to a narrow point. Unlike the mirror images these arrangements are exactly the same. Normally found in pairs, their use on the Altar is the same as with mirror images.
Special Touches at the Altar can reaffirm your Wedding Theme. Table runners, lacy tablecloths and dollies, ribbons, tulle or perhaps material form Bridesmaids dresses can enhance the floral arrangements. Always check with church before removing or adding such items.
Here a hand made banner was made with Lemon Leaf back and a stylized R made from Stock blossoms for the Wedding couple. Reuse on Sweetheart Head Table at Reception.
Candles
There are several ways to incorporate candles in to the decorations on the Altar. Be sure to check with establishment for rules and restrictions concerning candle use. Decide on an open flame candle, oil lamp or battery operated. Long & narrow and cascade Altar arrangements can be modified to accept a pillar candle or oil lamp, then reused at Reception on Head Table to receive Brideʼs Bouquet.
Scattered Flowers
Are loose cut flowers arranged on the spot to accent a candle, holder or other items at Alter. When choosing this type of flower presentation for Unity Candle, or other style Ceremony use, always place a piece of heavy plastic such as a place matt or plastic table cloth, under candle and arrangement to protect Altar and cloth. Have a glass tray to accept used tapers after candle lighting to protect surfaces from wax. The candle, holder and used tapers can be reused at Head table, Guest Table or as an accent anywhere at Reception.
Decorated candles, if you do decide to use a candle as part of the Ceremony. A special touch is to use decorated pillar candle, an oil lamp (that could be engraved) and/or decorated tapers. These can be purchased or handmade by decorating them with ribbons derived from the Wedding favors and/or Wedding flowers. These can also be reused at Reception, reserved as special keepsake or given as a remembrance gift to someone special.
UNITY CEREMONY
Along with the Unity Candle there are many new and traditional styles to choose from. The Sand Ceremony, where the Bride and Groom pour colored sands from separate containers into a single container. This symbolizes the joining of two lives in to one. The single container can be a vase, a shadow box, an hour glass, only limit is Your imagination. You can find some of these in prepackaged sets or create your own.
The Unity Ceremony can be impossibly romantic, religious-cultural in view like Handfasting or Jumping the Broom, organic like planting a tree together, nailing a wine box shut to reopen in an Anniversary. It can involve just the Bride and Groom or have others involved.
Your Wedding Theme and time allotted at the Ceremony site will shape this part of the Ceremony. Display the parts used in Unity Ceremony at Reception on Guest Book Table or another part of Reception site.
Are loose cut flowers arranged on the spot to accent a candle, holder or other items at Alter. When choosing this type of flower presentation for Unity Candle, or other style Ceremony use, always place a piece of heavy plastic such as a place matt or plastic table cloth, under candle and arrangement to protect Altar and cloth. Have a glass tray to accept used tapers after candle lighting to protect surfaces from wax. The candle, holder and used tapers can be reused at Head table, Guest Table or as an accent anywhere at Reception.
Decorated candles, if you do decide to use a candle as part of the Ceremony. A special touch is to use decorated pillar candle, an oil lamp (that could be engraved) and/or decorated tapers. These can be purchased or handmade by decorating them with ribbons derived from the Wedding favors and/or Wedding flowers. These can also be reused at Reception, reserved as special keepsake or given as a remembrance gift to someone special.
UNITY CEREMONY
Along with the Unity Candle there are many new and traditional styles to choose from. The Sand Ceremony, where the Bride and Groom pour colored sands from separate containers into a single container. This symbolizes the joining of two lives in to one. The single container can be a vase, a shadow box, an hour glass, only limit is Your imagination. You can find some of these in prepackaged sets or create your own.
The Unity Ceremony can be impossibly romantic, religious-cultural in view like Handfasting or Jumping the Broom, organic like planting a tree together, nailing a wine box shut to reopen in an Anniversary. It can involve just the Bride and Groom or have others involved.
Your Wedding Theme and time allotted at the Ceremony site will shape this part of the Ceremony. Display the parts used in Unity Ceremony at Reception on Guest Book Table or another part of Reception site.