Without a doubt, your wedding ceremony is the most significant part of your wedding day.

To ensure you create an atmosphere as beautiful and heartfelt as the commitment being made, we have assembled eight key styling tips for your wedding ceremony.

Stylist @__elope__ | Florist @nikau.flora | Photographer @luna.films

Stylist @__elope__ | Florist @nikau.flora | Photographer @luna.films

Tip 1: Carefully Consider your Seating

As your guests gather to celebrate your love, having the right amount of comfortable and stylish seating available is essential. When selecting seating, take into consideration your ceremony space as well as the atmosphere you aim to cultivate and the demographics and requirements of your guests.

If you have an incredible view, arbour or backdrop as the piece de resistance of your ceremony you might want to select Ghost Chairs or some simple bench seats so your chairs don’t distract from this element. If you have a simple backdrop like a manicured hedge or the wall of a building, really consider your overall theme for the day and use your chairs to help tell this story. If your theme is Black Tie, or Old Money Garden Party for example, perhaps the White Bentwood Chairs would work beautifully and help to create that feel.

Photographer Lucie Blake Photography | Florist: The French Petal

Florist: The French Petal | Photographer: Lauren Young Weddings

Choosing the right number of chairs is also essential. Having all of your guests seated can be a great option to ensure your guests are all comfortable and you have their full attention for the duration of the ceremony. It can also make for fabulous photos as there are no guests standing at the back of the ceremony, blocking the photographer’s clear shot. Having half your guests seated and half standing also has its benefits. You can save on cost with fewer chairs and it can provide a more relaxed and casual atmosphere and take a little bit of pressure out of the otherwise quite formal ceremony. When making this choice, you may also want to consider your venue and the space you have to work within (sometimes you cannot fit enough seats for all of your guests).

Florist & Styling: The Romance | Photographer: Lover of Mine

Lastly, be sure to consider the arrangement of the chairs. Would you like them in 5 rows of 4 chairs on each side, in a semi-circle or a full circle with the two of you in the middle, a wavy aisle or in another non-traditional way? Be sure to again consider the space you are working within, the number of chairs you would like to include & the best viewing experience for your loved ones.

Experimenting with your chair choice, colour and texture, the number of chairs you might require and the arrangement of your aisle can completely transform a space and really make or break your wedding ceremony.

Tip 2: Utilise Arbours, Urns, or Stands to Frame Your Ceremony

The humble arbour has taken many different forms throughout the years, beginning as a beautiful religious and cultural tradition it has now grown into an essential part of any modern wedding ceremony. As the arbour has changed shape over the years and more options have been added it has quickly become the pièce de resistance of most modern wedding ceremonies.

The word arbour, now encompasses all of the arches, urns, stands, plinths & backdrops that we can use to create a focal point and a backdrop for your vows. When deciding on which option might be best for you, we suggest considering your venue, the view behind you, and where you would like to pull your guests' focus. If you have an incredible view behind you that you would like to enhance, not block, we suggest stands, plinths or urns might be the way to go. These provide framing for the two of you, whilst allowing the view to shine. You may even consider adding an archway or an arbour to the entrance of your ceremony, behind the chairs, as a fun way to separate the space and mark the entrance to the ceremony.

Alternatively, if you don’t have a great view behind you and you want to create something special for the two of you to stand in front of, an arbour, arch, or circular arbour would be the way to go with lots of florals, foliage or draping to help fill in this space.

Florals also play a huge role here and need to be considered before making your decision. If you are deciding on a simple frame that requires a lot of foliage and florals to cover it, you will need to budget a lot more for your florals. If you are going with plinths or urns that work beautifully on their own, you can save keep your florals really simple or go all out! You may even want to consider adding some draping as another option.

Keep in mind, after your ceremony, depending on the structure you have chosen, you could move and utilise this elsewhere. There may be a certain spot you could place this for cocktail hour so your guests can use it for photos, you could place it behind or on either side of your bridal table during dinner or where your speeches, cake cutting or first dance will take place, to frame you. The options are only limited by your imagination!

Tip 3: Incorporate Rugs & Runners

Much like an arbour, rugs and runners add dimension to the surface of your ceremony space and work wonders for framing you as you exchange vows. Whilst also stylish, placing a rug at the alter or a runner down the aisle is a good functional idea for an outdoor ceremony.

Aisle runners provide a non-slip and comfortable path for you and your guests, they protect your gown, hem and shoes, and prevent your heels from sticking in the grass or sinking in sand. If you have a ring bearer or flower girl, the aisle runner also provides a clear path for the little ones and makes giving them directions so much easier!

Adding an altar rug not only helps create an aesthetic focal point but it can be a lifesaver in outdoor ceremonies where loose pebbles and damp grass can be a pesky problem, especially in heels. There is nothing worse than feeling yourself slowly sinking into the earth and having to pull yourself out constantly! An Altar Rug provides you with a stable base to stand on for the duration of the ceremony so you are not constantly distracted by that sinking feeling!

Tip 4: Plan for your Signing

Once you have shared your vows and said I do, you'll need to make things official by signing the register and your marriage certificates. These documents must be signed by the marrying couple, then by their two official witnesses, and last by the Celebrant.

As your celebrant walks you and your witnesses through each step of this process you will need to sit down, read the documents, listen to your celebrant's instructions and sign in the necessary places. Your witnesses will then need to do the same. We, therefore, suggest having a specific location, off to the side, where you can place your signing table to complete this important part of the ceremony in comfort and style.

You can create a more relaxed feel with a low coffee table and occasional chairs or you can opt for the more traditional, taller signing table and two chairs. You can also add candles, draping, or florals to your signing table to help incorporate the overall aesthetics of your wedding day into this space and make those signing photos even more beautiful.

Tip 5: Usher in the Celebration with a Champagne Tower

There's something quintessentially celebratory about champagne, making it a must-have at any wedding. Incorporating a champagne tower into your wedding décor not only serves as an impressive visual centerpiece but also acts as a natural gathering spot post-ceremony. It helps avoid any awkward lingering by guests and gives a clear direction for the proceedings immediately following the ceremony.

What's more, a champagne tower presents an excellent opportunity for interactive guest engagement. Inviting guests to participate in filling the tower or taking a glass from the tower can create memorable moments and foster a sense of communal celebration.

And let's not forget the photo opportunities! A champagne tower provides a striking backdrop for wedding photos, capturing the joyous spirit of your new status as a married couple. The joy and exuberance that radiate from these moments, when immortalised through photographs, will be felt and cherished for years to come.

Tip 6: Ensure you are Covered, Rain, Hail or Shine  

To ensure comfort and practicality throughout your ceremony, consider additional features such as parasols and umbrellas. Parasols & large Garden Umbrellas provide your guests with shade during sunny outdoor ceremonies and can add a classic charm to your wedding photos.

Umbrellas can act as a reliable contingency plan for unforeseen weather changes. They ensure that your outdoor ceremony can proceed as planned, irrespective of a sudden downpour. This practical addition allows you to enjoy your special day without worrying about the whims of the weather, keeping your guests comfortable and the ceremony uninterrupted come rain or shine.

Tip 7: Make a Memorable First Impression with a Stunning Welcome Sign

As guests arrive at your wedding venue, the welcome sign serves as their very first point of interaction with your ceremony. This initial greeting sets the tone for the entire event, making it a wonderful opportunity to create a lasting impression.

Don't be afraid to get creative with the design of the welcome sign itself. Customize the fonts, colors, and style to align with your wedding theme and overall decor. A well-designed welcome sign not only provides essential information to your guests but also acts as an exquisite decor piece, adding to the overall ambiance of your special day. Be sure to choose a stand or easel that not only highlights and frames your welcome sign but also suits the orientation and dimensions you have chosen. 

For an added "wow" factor, consider embellishing the stand or easel with carefully chosen floral arrangements or draping that match your wedding theme. These delicate touches create a seamless connection between the welcome sign and the surrounding decor, elevating the visual impact and leaving your guests in awe from the very beginning.

Tip 8: Signature Drinks and Sophisticated Glassware

The refreshments you offer upon guests' arrival play a crucial role in setting the tone for your wedding ceremony. A beautifully curated drink menu not only helps to make your guests feel welcome but also offers a subtle glimpse into the theme and sophistication of your wedding.

Whether you opt for sparkling champagne to kickstart the celebrations or choose custom cocktails that reflect your personal tastes, it's essential to align your beverage selection with the overall ambiance of the wedding.

Moreover, don't overlook the importance of the glassware in which the drinks are served. The right glassware can elevate the presentation of your welcome drinks and contribute to the visual appeal of your ceremony. From classic champagne flutes to stylish cocktail glasses, ensure your chosen glassware complements your drink selection and aligns with your wedding aesthetic.

The design of your ceremony space is a key aspect of your wedding day. This setting not only sets the day's mood but also acts as the backdrop for your cherished photographs, marks the beginning of your married life together, and importantly, hosts your heartfelt vow exchange.

Considering its central role in your day, it's crucial to approach the styling of your ceremony with thoughtful attention. Now armed with these eight essential styling strategies, alongside your personal flair and creativity, you're more than equipped to orchestrate a ceremony that will truly be a celebration for the ages.