The Ultimate Wedding Decor Checklist
Weddings have come a long way in recent years! What once was a standard wedding template – where colors and style had little variation – has evolved into the amazing celebrations you see today. Your wedding is a unique and personal reflection of your love story, from colors and textures to foods and experience, no two weddings look alike. One of our favorite ways to see your personality shine on the wedding day is through the decor you choose to incorporate.
Designing the style and vision for your wedding may seem overwhelming, but don’t fret! We’ve pulled together the ultimate wedding decor checklist to bring your unique voice to life on wedding day. We’ve listed everything from the ceremony to the getaway that we see commonly used, so feel free to use this list as a starting point for your own wedding.
While this is the ultimate wedding decor checklist, it doesn’t mean you have to incorporate every single item on this list. We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again, your wedding is a unique reflection of your love story. Whether you choose one item off this list or all, we know your wedding is going to be completely personal and totally insta-worthy!
Ceremony
To quote a favorite movie of ours, “Marriage is what brings us together today!”
Your wedding ceremony, while such a small segment of your entire wedding day timeline, is that moment you’ll remember forever. When planning the decor for your wedding ceremony, remember that the rules are your own! When planning your wedding ceremony, we recommend including:
- Welcome Display + Sign
- Wedding Day Order of Events Sign
- Unplugged Ceremony Sign
- Ceremony Instructions Sign – we love to see couples encouraging their guests to pick a seat and not a side, symbolizing the commitment to unity y’all are making to each other
- Ceremony Backdrop – this can be as minimal or luxe as you’d like! Some of our favorite ceremony backdrops are an asymmetrical floral arrangement, a triangle arbor with florals, or if you’re getting married in a house of worship, two lush floral arrangements on tall stands.
- Aisle Arrangements – maximize your budget by repurposing these to reception tables during cocktail hour!
- Ceremony Programs
- Vow Books
- Unity Ceremony – candles, sand, etc
- Guest Book Table + Floral Arrangement
- Guest Book + Pens
- Guest Book Sign
- Gifts Table + Decor
- Card Holder + Sign
- Cards + Gifts Sign
- Memory Table
Ceremony Decor Budget Estimate: $2,000+
Cocktail Hour:
Keep your wedding experience flowing through every moment of the day! The cocktail hour is a time that can often get overlooked, don’t doubt the impact this hour can make! Set the tone for your wedding reception by creating a relaxed atmosphere, focusing on spaces to allow your guests the chance to meet and mingle. Maximize this space by adding:
- Directional Signage – if cocktail hour is in a separate space
- Bar Menu + Signature Drink Sign
- Bar Floral Arrangements and/or Votive Candles
- Appetizer Menu Signage – make sure to include any allergen information your guests should be aware of!
- Photobooth + Backdrop
- Yard Games
- Cocktail Tables + Tablecloths
- Cocktail Table Arrangements and/or Votive Candles
- Seating Chart Display
- Personalized Cocktail Napkins
Cocktail Hour Decor Budget Estimate: $1,500+
Wedding Reception:
Now we’re getting to the good stuff! The reception makes up the largest section of your wedding day. You’ll spend the most quality time with your guests at the reception – dinner, dancing, and fun – so focus on making the most of those moments by not forgetting:
- Directional Signage – if reception is in a separate space
- Welcome Sign – maximize your budget by transitioning the Welcome Display from your ceremony
- Escort Card Display
- Dessert Table + Decor
- Cake Stand + Topper
- Cake Serving Set
- Toasting Flutes
- Dessert Displays
- Dessert Table Backdrop
- Specialty Signage – think neon, acrylic or wood signs with your new last name!
- Bar Menu + Signature Drink Sign
- Bar Floral Arrangements and/or Votive Candles
- Personalized Cocktail Napkins
- Reception String or Specialty Lighting
- Draping
- Hanging Arrangements – floral or chandeliers
- Wedding Favors Display + Sign
- Lounge Area
- Dance Floor
- Candles – add candlelight to any additional spaces like the dessert table, lounge areas, etc
Reception Decor Budget Estimate: $3,000+
Wedding Reception Table Decor:
Guest tables are where we highly recommend focusing your decor to make the most impact! The reception tables are not only the first thing your guests will see at the reception, they’re also what you will see every time you look at photos from your wedding. These tables will be in all of your First Dance, cake cutting, and dance party photos so don’t leave them off your decor list! Create stunning reception tables to remember by adding:
- Tablecloth
- Charger or Place Mat
- Dinner Plate
- Salad Plate
- Flatware: Salad Fork, Dinner Fork, Dinner Knife, Teaspoon
- Linen Napkin
- Menu
- Place Card
- Glassware: Water, Wine, Champagne
- Centerpiece Style #1 – tall arrangement, above head level
- Centerpiece Style #2 – lush, low arrangement below eye level
- Centerpiece Style #3 – candles
- Table Garland
- Table Numbers
- Chair Back Decor for the newlyweds
- Votive Candles
Let your personality and voice shine through your wedding reception tables by breaking away from traditional white tablecloths, white dinnerware, and stainless steel flatware. Add pops of fun patterns to your linens, bring in non-traditional gold or black flatware, and level up your wedding flowers with tons of color.
Table Decor Budget Estimate: $400 (table of 8)
Getaway:
Oh, the send off! There is no wrong way to send you off after the most amazing wedding, so have fun with it! Our top tip, though, is keep it simple and let the real focus be on the two of you. Some ideas for send off decor we love are:
- Sparklers – make sure to check your venue’s policy on this!
- Cold Sparklers – no heat, no fire makes these a perfect venue friendly option
- Torch Lighters
- Sand Bucket
- Champagne Bottles
- Ribbon Wand Streamers
- Bubbles + Bubble Guns
- Fiber Optic Wands
- Lavender, Leaves, Rice, or other compostable toss material
- Balloon Toss – have your guests toss balloons over the two of you! We recommend this as a safer alternative to releasing balloons to the sky, and it makes for much more epic photos
- Paper Airplanes
- Fireworks
Send Off Budget Estimate: $300
While this is the ultimate wedding decor checklist, it doesn’t mean you have to incorporate every single item on this list. We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again, your wedding is a unique reflection of y’all and your love story. Whether you choose one item off this list or all, we know your wedding is going to be completely personal and totally insta-worthy!
View more from Megan + Alex’s epic Kansas City rooftop wedding! 👇
VENDOR TEAM:
Venue: The Otten on Main
Planning + Coordination: Whatever Is Lovely Events
Photography: Hallie Sigwing
Florals: Lily Floral Designs
Entertainment: DJ Jared for Fernando Productions
Catering + Dessert: Olive Events
Cake: Kate Smith Soiree
Bartending + Bar Service: Tom’s Travelers + Brookside Wine & Spirits
Rentals: Ultrapom
Specialty Linens: Citrus Table
Stationery: Minted
Transportation: Showtime Transportation
Beauty: Katelyn Dotson + Caro Benitez Studios
