Different Ideas for Ceremony Pew Bows

Regardless of religious denomination or location, wedding ceremonies are usually beautifully decorated with flowers, bows and even arches. Ceremony pew bows are most common in Catholic ceremonies, but are also seen in other church ceremonies. They are called "aisle decor" when decorating a ceremony that is not in a church. Ceremony pew bows can range from simple to fancy, homemade to purchased, inexpensive to luxurious.

Choosing the Material

Ceremony pew bows can be made from a variety of materials. Decide if you would like satin bows, fresh flowers, silk flowers, any other materials or a combination. If you are having the bows professionally made, speak directly with the designer. Bring photographs of ceremony pew bows that you like. If you are creating them yourself, basing the idea on magazine photos is a great way to accomplish your desired look. Think outside the box to make a statement at your wedding. While ceremony pew bows are traditionally white, add a splash of color from your palette to tie everything in. A fun idea is to put a photograph of the bride and/or groom in the center of each bow. The possibilities are endless.

Spacing the Bows

When it comes to placing and spacing ceremony pew bows, there are a variety of options. If the bride and groom desire a simpler look for the ceremony, two large bows can be placed on either side of the aisle closest to the altar. Some couples choose to decorate every other pew, every two or three aisles. Others decide to place a ceremony pew bow on every single pew in the church. There is no rule as to where and how many pew bows must be placed. However, ceremony pew bows are traditionally placed on the inside aisle, lining the aisle that the bride walks down.

Attaching the Bows

In order to avoid damaging the pew itself, ceremony pew bows are usually attached to the pew with a strap or a thin wrap-around wire. Many pews have hooks or loops at the end of the pew for this very reason. Before ordering or constructing the ceremony pew bows, visit the church to inspect the pews. That will give you a better idea as to how to create the bows and successfully attach them to the pew for the desired appearance.

What To Do With Ceremony Pew Bows When the Ceremony is Over

Depending on the number and size of ceremony pew bows used for the ceremony, they can take up a lot of space. If fresh flowers are used, give a bow to friends or family members that are not in the wedding party to take home. (This is something that is commonly done with centerpieces.) Bows made from artificial flowers and/or ribbons can be reused for other events, or even sold to other brides. Keep a bow with a personal touch for your hope chest, or cut a piece of it for your wedding scrapbook.

References

• The Knot

Resources

• Bride Magazine