Weddings > Ideas & Advice > Do's and Don'ts of Wedding Decorations

Do's and Don'ts of Wedding Decorations

Once you've settled on the venue, you can really start to concentrate on the decorations. Here's a list of tips that will help you get started on the right path and avoid some potential disasters.

Do's

1. Do keep it simple. Decorations, whether on the aisles or at the guest sign-in table, shouldn't steal the show away from the couple. They should be eye-catching, but not overpowering.
2. Do let your guests converse. It's hard to interact with other guests if your centerpieces are so big the guest can't see across the table! The rule is to keep your centerpieces under 14 inches in height.
3. Do get creative. Decorations should reflect your wedding theme and style, so don't be afraid to experiment with things other than fresh flowers, such as paper, fruits, ribbons and dried flowers.
4. Do add details. If your centerpiece is simple, you can add more flair to the table with place cards, favors, flower petals or confetti. Just be sure to not overdo it with too many details.
5. Do use sweets. Chocolate favors or colorful jars of candy placed around the room are great ways to pep up guests and have them mingling before the reception gets underway.
6. Do make sign-in fun. You want guests to sign in, so why not make the process inviting? Have an attendant take a Polaroid of guests who come in, and have them sign the Polaroid. Or have guests sign mini cards and drop them into a slotted hat box.
7. Do use place card holders. Make guests feel special with personalized place cards on the table. It shows you've gone that extra mile to add the finishing touches.
8. Do shop around. You never know what will inspire you and what's available unless you shop around, and online is the best place to start! Many online retailers will also offer bigger discounts.

Don'ts

1. Don't stray from the theme. Though it's okay to stray a bit, you don't want to have an outdoor beach-themed wedding in the middle of December, or you'll have the guests shaking their heads in confusion.
2. Don't try to have it all. You want centerpieces, table runners, confetti, place cards, favors, menus, printed napkins and tulle on your chairs. Sometimes, less is more so don't try to overdo it with the decorations. Stick with a few that are the most important to you.
3. Don't crowd the aisles. You want the aisles to look pretty, but don't use over-sized arrangements and too much ribbon or tulle. This makes the aisles look busy and will make the wedding walk seem too crowded.
4. Don't compromise safety. Make sure your decorations don't conflict with each other. For instance, paper lanterns and candles set close to each other is probably not a good idea for safety reasons.
5. Don't mess with the cake! Make sure your cake is in an area that's visible, but not in a high-traffic area. You don't want children getting into it or guests accidentally damaging the cake as they walk by.
6. Don't save the DIY for last. If you're planning on making your own decorations, don't save it until the last minute. You want to have plenty of time to mend any mistakes.
7. Don't go crazy with color. Color livens up a celebration, but too many bold colors will have your wedding looking like a circus. Stick to two colors or use shades of one color for a fool-proof wedding look.
8. Don't feel obligated to follow rules or traditions. This is your day, so feel free to throw caution to the wind and follow your heart.