How to Make Church Decorations for Weddings

Vist the church at the same time of day as your wedding is scheduled to check the lighting.

Consult with church officials before making church decorations for weddings. Some churches have strict guidelines regarding decorations and décor. Remember, a church is a house of worship, and décor should reflect the location's sanctity. Visit the church at the same time as your ceremony to discover how lighting affects church decorations. Consider renting or, better yet, borrowing church decorations instead of making them all yourself. This helps when budgets are tight since many churches have items you can use.

Things You'll Need

• Altar flowers or ferns
• Pew bows
• Satin ribbon
• Tulle
• Pew clips
• Aisle runner
• Rose petals
• Corsage pins
• Greenery
• Candles
• Potted plants or ferns
• Free-standing candle holders
• Pedestals
• Door wreath

Instructions

1. Select altar flowers. The focus for a church ceremony is the altar, so flower arrangements must be large. Save money by selecting flowers for their color and size rather than the type of flower. Seated guests are far away and won't notice expensive flowers. Use those in the bride's bouquet. Try cheaper flowers such as mums, snapdragons, daisies, carnations and lots of greenery. Place ferns on the main altar and throughout the church for simple decorations. Put altar arrangements on pedestals so they look grander and are visible to guests. Transport these arrangements to the reception after the ceremony and use them again.

2. Create a decoration for the pews. Make pew bows. Use satin ribbon or tulle to construct bows. Decide if these bows will indicate the rows reserved for family, be placed on every pew or placed every few pews. Place small flower arrangements with pew clips on the pew ends. Soak the water cage prior to placing on the pew. Save some money by using greenery and leather leaf ferns instead of flowers. Think about draping tulle from pew to pew. This can send a dramatic statement for an inexpensive cost.

3. Decorate the church doors. Check with the church officials as to what items are permitted and how they are hung. Consider a door wreath, wedding bows or flower arrangements. Remember to keep door decorations light since the door opens several times. You don't want decorations falling on anyone's head.

4. Put down an aisle runner. Think about waiting until guests are seated, then laying the aisle runner. Consider a disposable aisle runner, cloth aisle runner or monogrammed aisle runner. Save a few dollars and create your own monogrammed aisle runner with an iron-on monogram. Use corsage pins to secure the aisle runner if there is carpet. Try sticky tack if the church has marble or hardwood floors. These ensure the aisle runner stays in place. Line the aisle with rose petals so no one trips on the material.

5. Add extra touches. Use tulle to fill in large areas with an inexpensive material. Drape around candelabras, pews and railings. Enhance the look of tulle with greenery. Place candles along railings and give the church a warm, romantic glow. Rent free-standing candle holders to place along the aisle. Don't forget the outside. Line the walkway or front steps with potted plants or ferns. Rent these or take them home after the wedding.

Tips & Warnings

• Ask the church director if they have any decorations already available in the church. This will save you time and money.

• Never make permanent markings on the pews or other sections of the church.