How to Decorate a Picnic Pavilion

The open post construction of most pavilions provides opportunities to decorate.

Picnic pavilions are rustic spaces that provide a semi-sheltered environment for a wedding reception, graduation party or family reunion. No matter if you rent the space for morning or dusk, when you use lights and bright and airy drapery you turn the average wood structure into a magical space away from the rest of the park. Enhance the natural environment by using organic decorative elements and softened architecture to impress guests and make the space feel more private.

Things You'll Need

• Brooms
• Tulle, 50-yard bolt
• Scissor
• Staple gun
• Silk ribbon, 4 inches wide by 12 yards
• White decorative wire
• Potted plants
• White holiday lights
• Extension cords
• Table linens
• Table clamps
• Safety pins
• Fresh flowers
• Vases
• Water

Instructions

1. Start with a clean palette. Sweep out all the debris and dirt from the pavilion including the overhead areas before you begin to decorate.

2. Camouflage the standard wood posts that surround your pavilion with fabric. For an elegant gathering like a wedding reception use white netting or tulle; for a more casual picnic or reunion use a blue sheer.

3. Attach the tulle to the top of the wood posts using a staple gun. Gather the tulle at the top to create a bit of a ruffle then allow to hang to the ground. Cut and complete all posts in this way.

4. Add billows to the tulle posts by using 4-inch ribbon around the middle of the post and pulling the tulle up so that it hangs in a puff.

5. Use a piece of white wire to twist the two ends of the ribbon together and loop the ends of the ribbon to create a bow. Secure the loops with wire and snip the wire to complete.

6. Anchor the decorated posts with large potted flowering plants. This will bring color and help define the corners of the room.

7. Hang white Christmas lights from the rafters of the pavilion using a staple gun to secure the cord. Begin by laying the plug section on the ground, then bringing the lights up along a wall corner to the ceiling.

8. Dress picnic tables with white or blue linen table clothes depending on the occasion. Use tablecloth clips to secure the linens to the tables.

9. Add elegance by covering the picnic table benches in linen as well. Drape tablecloth line over the bench and then pull tight in the back by folding up the ends towards the middle of the seat. Use a safety pin to secure then pin a colorful ribbon bow to match the bows on the tulle posts.

10. Set aside a dressed table to hold food, gifts or photos. Decorate the table with layers of fresh flowers in vases. Use three vases with very tall leaves, branches and grasses, then place shorter vases in front with a variety of mixed flowers to mimic the table decorations.

11. Top the table linens with loose flowers laying down the middle of the table. When you use tulips or lilies you give the room color and a festive feel.

Tips & Warnings

• Twist fake vines or tree branches and leaves into the white tulle for a fairy tale look in your pavilion.

• Cover posts with white holiday lights in pavilions where you cannot reach the ceiling. Wrap the posts in lights before adding the tulle.

• Use battery-operated fake candles on tables and around the pavilion if your pavilion has no electricity.

• Use large staples in your staple gun so that you don't pierce light strands when hanging.

• Do not leave a mess in your pavilion. Remove staples with a screwdriver and pack away all garbage and decorations at the end of your event.

• Check the park rules for decorating your pavilion. Some of your decorating ideas may be against the rules.

References

• Wedding Flowers and Receptions: Decorating with Tulle