Church Decoration Ideas for a Wedding

by S.E. Olson

Overview

One of the benefits of a church wedding is that most sanctuary spaces have built-in decorations---whether that be stained glass windows in a traditional space, or greenery on the stage in a more modern venue. Instead of trying to cover up the space, work with the natural beauty and add subtle, personal touches.
Planning

Most churches will have guidelines about the types of decorations you can use. Some will allow candles of any variety, some churches only allow the use of dripless tapers, others won't allow flames of any kind. If the latter is the case, but you're heart is set on flickering flames, purchase battery-operated candles. The flames actually flicker and they'll stay illuminated for days before the battery needs replacing. When it comes to decorating the pews and other church surfaces, many churches will have guidelines about the types of adhesive you use. Make sure to check with the pastor or the church's designated wedding coordinator before making or settling on decorations.

Decorating Ideas

As long as the church coordinator gives you the okay, you can use almost any material as decorations---from paper flowers to balloons. Popular materials include tulle, petals, flowers (either silk or real), ribbon, and candlelight. Look through photo albums at the church to see how past brides have decorated the space, and ask the church's wedding coordinator if there are leftover decorations from previous weddings or events. If you're using an aisle runner and would like guests to enter pews from the outside aisles, string colorful ribbon or lengths of tulle across the entrances to the pews along the center aisle. Use pew clips to attach hanging baskets of flowers to the sides the pews on the inside aisle. Skip every other pew to avoid a crowded look. To add some height to your decorations, use a shepherd hook and hang a round floral arrangement or a basket filled with flowers or petals. Or, decorate candle pew markers---candelabras specifically made to attach to pews---with climbing vines or simple bouquets tied with silk ribbon.
Holiday Decorations

If you're having a wedding near a major church holiday, you may be able to use decorations already in place. Many churches deck out the sanctuary in fir trees and twinkle lights for Christmas, lilies for Easter and fall foliage for Thanksgiving. Using the decorations they have already put up can also save you a great deal of time and money.