Whether you hire a professional or choose to decorate yourself, here are a few tips to help you create a breathtaking and festive atmosphere. Decorations should be as unique as you are. Use your imagination and have fun.

• Choose decorations that fit the space, your budget and your personality.


• Take photos at other events and parties you attend or pull examples you like from magazines.


• When working with a professional decorator, it’s useful to have photos of the space you’re decorating. Be clear about what you like (and also what you don’t like).


• At the church, focus on the entrance, the aisle and the altar. Keep in mind that often, less is more. You don’t want any decorations to detract from you walking down the aisle!


• Floral garlands or topiaries are nice for the church entrance. Use silk or fresh flowers, fabric or ribbon bows to mark pews and consider flower arrangements and candles for the altar.


• When booking your reception facility, note the existing colours before choosing your decorations. What colours in the carpet, walls, drapes and chairs will you have to work with? Ask if the facility has any restrictions around decorating, and how much time you’ll have before and after the wedding to decorate and dismantle.