Finding the right décor to complement the venue’s grandeur can be exciting and daunting when planning a church wedding. Churches often possess stunning architecture and a serene atmosphere that requires just the right amount of embellishment.
Whether you’re aiming for a minimalistic vibe or a floral wonderland, there are countless ways to create a beautiful, personal setting for your big day. Below are some inspiring church wedding décor ideas tailored for Australian couples that will help make your special day unforgettable.
Let’s get straight to the point.
For a church wedding, less is often more when it comes to décor, as the venue’s natural beauty should be highlighted. Minimalistic elements like benches, simple floral arrangements, or dried flowers complement the church’s architecture.
Decorate railings or aisles with greenery like eucalyptus, pampas grass, or magnolia leaves for a more natural vibe. Lanterns add rustic charm, while personalised pew flowers or flower-adorned entrance signs offer warmth.
Proper lighting is key to great photos, so recure aisle runners. The goal is to enhance, not overwhelm, the venue’s elegance.
The Less, The Better
Highlight The Church’s Architecture
One of the most important things to remember when decorating a church is that less is often more. Churches are usually beautiful, with stained glass windows, high ceilings, and intricate details. Over-decorating can diminish the building’s natural beauty.
Opting for a minimalist approach will highlight the church’s stunning architecture and provide a clean and elegant backdrop for your ceremony.
A Simple Bench Can Make A Big Impact
Adding a nice bench at the front of the church is a simple yet effective way to enhance the setting. It’s a low-effort addition that adds a rustic charm to the space.
Pairing it with a small floral arrangement or greenery can create a significant visual impact without overwhelming the area.
Use Flowers To Decorate The Front Door
Make A Statement Entrance
The entrance to your wedding venue sets the tone for the ceremony. Creating a flower-adorned church entrance can help make a lasting impression.
Consider a combination of large and small flowers to frame the doors and create a breathtaking welcome for your guests. This is the perfect opportunity to blend natural beauty with architecture.
Add Colour With Dried Flowers
Dried flowers are perfect for those wanting to add colour while maintaining a more simplistic aesthetic.
Small bouquets of dried flowers can complement the wooden doors and pews, adding texture and charm. The subtle colours of dried flowers help create a more natural and rustic look.
Create A Meadow Centre Walkway
Tall Plant Arrangements
You can bring the outdoors inside by lining the aisle with tall plant arrangements, giving the space a more natural and ethereal feel.
These tall plants create the illusion of walking through a serene forest. It’s an enchanting and unexpected way to add dimension and lushness to the ceremony.
Exercise Your Imagination With Pampas Grass
Pampas Grass For Natural Elegance
Pampas grass is a favourite wedding décor item because of its soft texture and natural elegance. While some may feel it can be overused, it blends beautifully with the church’s interior.
Try combining it with white flowers for a stunning neutral palette that enhances the venue’s beauty without overpowering it.
Cover The Railings With Plants
Magnolia Leaves For Striking Greenery
Cover the church’s railings with plants like magnolia leaves for a natural yet sophisticated look. Magnolia’s lush greenery provides a striking yet refined touch.
Wrapping the railings in foliage can add timeless beauty, perfect for a classic wedding in a historical church setting.
Set Up Lanterns Along The Aisle
Lanterns For A Rustic Touch
If you’re going for a rustic or country feel, lanterns are a fantastic alternative to flowers. Placing elaborate lanterns along the aisle adds warmth and a romantic glow.
Lanterns are versatile and can work well for daytime and evening ceremonies, bringing a sense of coziness to the church.
Display Floral Arrangements
Simple Yet Stunning Floral Displays
Sometimes, it takes a couple of modest floral arrangements to make an impact. Consider hanging flower displays from the ceiling or positioning two larger arrangements at the entrance. This simple touch can draw attention to the venue’s architecture while adding a touch of elegance.
Attach Tiny Flower Arrangements To The Pews
Personalised Pew Flowers
Adding small flower arrangements to the pews is a simple and effective way to bring life to the church interior.
For example, you can create little bouquets of white flowers and eucalyptus, which will smell fantastic and enhance the church’s natural beauty.
Let There Be A Greeting Sign
Flower-Decorated Signs
Welcoming your guests with a greeting sign is a warm and inviting touch. A flower sign adds a personal element to the day and ties together the wedding theme.
Choose flowers that complement your colour palette and the church’s architecture for a cohesive look.
Beautify The Main Entrance
Anthurium-Decorated Gates
If you want to make a bold statement, consider decorating the church gates with Anthuriums. This is a great way to introduce your wedding’s colour palette to guests right from the entrance, setting the tone for what’s to come inside.
Take In Lots Of Eucalyptus
Eucalyptus For A Natural, Budget-Friendly Option
Eucalyptus is popular for those who want a more natural, minimalist look. It’s also budget-friendly and versatile, making it a great option for church décor.
You can use lots of eucalyptus to line the pews, altar, or doorways, adding a refreshing and fragrant touch.
Stairway And Aisle Lining
Decorating The Steps
Churches often have beautiful but worn stone staircases that can be spruced up for your wedding day.
A combination of greenery, flowers, and candles lining the stairs can turn the ordinary into something extraordinary. Candles add a romantic glow, especially for evening weddings, while flowers brighten the space for daytime ceremonies.
Proper Lighting For Photos
Plan The Lighting In Advance
Lighting is an often overlooked detail in church weddings. Planning is essential to ensure that your photos turn out perfectly.
Tour the venue with your photographer to assess natural lighting and where to place additional lighting, such as candles or fairy lights, to ensure every moment is beautifully captured.
Use Flower Arrangements With Long Stems
Long-Stemmed Flowers For A Striking Look
Long-stemmed flowers like white gladiolus can add drama and height to your décor. When placed around the altar or along the aisle, these elegant flowers create a focal point that highlights the ceremony without overwhelming the venue’s natural beauty.
Wedding Aisle Runners
Secure Your Aisle Runner
Securing your aisle runner is essential for a smooth walk down the aisle. Use double-sided tape or weights to prevent it from slipping and causing accidents.
A well-placed aisle runner adds sophistication to the ceremony while keeping your bridal party safe.
Conclusion
The key to decorating for a church wedding is to embrace the venue’s natural beauty while adding personal touches that reflect your style and personality.
Whether using flowers, plants, or lanterns, the goal is to enhance the church’s features without overshadowing them. These décor ideas can help create a memorable, elegant, and meaningful atmosphere for your special day.
FAQs About Church Weddings
Should I Decorate The Church For A Wedding?
If you’re holding your wedding ceremony in a church, you’ll automatically benefit from its architectural beauty. But that doesn’t mean you should skip the church’s wedding decorations. When decorating for your ceremony, start with the church’s existing decor and build from there.
Can You Decorate Your Wedding?
Weddings are so personal, and your decoration, style, and theme allow you to make them your own. Put your style and taste into the day to make it all about you. Your wedding day can reflect your relaxed, formal, quirky, fun, rustic, and natural style.
How Are Churches Decorated?
Place a larger cross above the altar at the front of the church to make the cross the main focus for your congregation. Smaller crosses can be used as accents in other areas of the church, such as on the walls, pews, or banners. Hang banners around the church, such as near the front, around the sides, or back.
How Does A Church Wedding Ceremony Go?
The processional begins with the bride’s mother and follows the groom, best man, paired-up wedding party, flower girl, and ring bearer. It ends with the bride making her entrance escorted by her father, who “gives her away” to the groom.
Is A DIY Wedding Cheaper?
It depends. It depends on which aspects of your wedding you want to do yourself, the cost of materials, and the time it takes to do them. Sometimes, it can cost more, so allocating part of your wedding budget to paying for vendors you can’t replicate for less is important.
