How to Trim the Bridal Path

Decorate the bridal path to create a dramatic runway to the alter.

Decorations along the center aisle of the church or other seating options allow the bride to express her sense of style and extend the use of her wedding colors beyond her bridesmaid dresses and bouquet. Trimming the bridal path gives a sense of drama to the bride's entrance and creates a visually appealing environment. Ideas for trimming the bridal path include draping the whole aisle and decorating individual pews or chairs.

Things You'll Need

• Tulle or fabric
• Clear tape
• Wire hangers
• Mini lights
• Bows
• Flowers
• Floral wire

Instructions

1. Drape the bridal path in tulle or fabric matching the colors of your wedding. Attach the tulle at the top of each pew or chair and allow it to hang loosely between seats. Use clear tape or a wire hanger to secure the fabric. Add mini lights inside of the tulle to add sparkle. This option adds softness to highly decorative churches or ornate pews.

2. Decorate the outside of each pew or chair along the bridal path with a bow. Make the bows out of ribbon, tulle or fabric. Allow the bows to stand alone or decorate the center of the bow with flowers or pictures of the bride and groom. Decorate bows on the bride's side with her initial and bows on the groom's side with his initial.

3. Create a pomander to hang from the pews or chairs. Purchase spherical foam balls in either Styrofoam or floral foam for fresh flowers. Wrap the ball in floral wire, dividing the ball into quarters and leaving a 1-inch loop at the top. Cut fresh or silk flower stems to 1 1/2 to 2 inches and insert them into the foam. Create a striped pattern or use a solid color. When using fresh flowers, soak the floral foam in water for at least an hour before decorating. Attach ribbon to the wire loop, and hang the pomander from the pew or chair.

4. Add whimsy to a candlelit or nighttime ceremony by lining the bridal path with a paper bag lights. This works well for indoor or outdoor weddings. Purchase battery-operated tea lights and set them inside the paper bag. Place the bags at the foot of pews or chairs to light the bride's way to the altar. For outdoor weddings, weight the bags with gravel.

5. Lay a carpet of rose petals down the main aisle. Use this in lieu of other decoration on the chairs or pews. Ushers should escort guest to their seats using the outer aisles. While this creates a dramatic effect, do not use this option if the bride's wedding dress has a train. The price of rose petals is higher than intact roses, so expect this to be an expensive option.

References

• Martha Stewart Weddings: Good Things: Wedding Decorations
• Martha Stewart Weddings: Alter and Aisle Decorations