The Ultimate Wedding Decor Checklist: Complete Guide to Plan the Perfect Wedding
Wedding decor is a very important (and fun!) part of planning your event. You’ve probably already thought of some of the obvious things that you’ll need for your special day - plates, linens, glassware, centerpieces… But the details don’t have to end there.
“Your wedding decor is a manifestation of your love, and visual proof you’re at a celebration. It communicates the joy of being together.” Sugar Taylor, Event Planner
Planning a wedding is a lot of work, no matter how organized you are. And remembering or thinking of everything that you need to decorate your wedding can feel overwhelming, especially when you feel like you’ve got 10 million other things to remember!
It’s no wonder that sometimes certain decor elements can be forgotten or overlooked. Although you don’t need to include every single option for decor in your wedding styling, having a wedding checklist can help you to determine what you would like to include and help you to plan these when organising your big day.
Making your life easier altogether! That’s what I’m all about here at The Patterned Desk, helping happy couples to create their perfect day without feeling stressed, helping them to make the wedding planning as simple as it can be.
This is why I’ve created a detailed checklist listing every single wedding decorative element you can possibly think of, all organized into categories to make it as easy as possible for you.
Quick tip:
When planning and styling your decor using this checklist, I would suggest that you print out two lists! One to check off an item when you have sourced it, and another for when you’re setting up at the venue.
Wedding Ceremony
Although your wedding ceremony is definitely one of the most important aspects of your wedding, it’s also one of the shortest. So this means that your guests won’t really be spending a lot of time here, so whilst you obviously want it to look beautiful you don’t need to blow your budget on ceremony decor. Here are the top things that you need to remember, and can make as pretty as you’d like!
Altar decor
Aisle decor
Ceremony seating
An aisle runner
Additional signage (unplugged ceremony, etc.)
Welcome sign
Seating
Programs (these can be individual handouts for guests or one overall sign)
Order of events sign
Aisle markers
Aisle runner
Ceremony backdrop
Vow books
Ceremony table
Card and gift station (this can also be included in other locations)
Bouquets for bridesmaids and bride
Flower basket for flower girl
Ring pillow for ring bearer
Wedding Table
Centrepieces, floral arrangements or garlands
Other table accessories or decoration
Tablecloth
Fabric table runner
Candles (dinner, lanterns, tealights, jam jar or tapered)
Table numbers/names
Table number holders/frames
Named placecards
Menus (per person or per table)
Glasses (wine, water, bubbles)
Plates (charger, side, starter, main, dessert)
Cutlery
Napkins or Linens (and napkin decoration)
Wedding favours (can be personalized)
Table games
Polaroid/Disposable cameras
Reception Decor
Signage
Personal touches (quotes, memories, photographs)
Table plan
Seating chart
Decorative candles / lanterns / floral arrangements
Lounge seating, side tables
Hanging decor (floral arrangements, light bulbs, fairy lights, lanterns, balloons, bunting)
Guestbook station
Photobooth station
Cards and Gift table
Bathroom necessities and basket
Games or kids’ activities
Photo displays
Wedding Signage and Printables
Direction markers for the street
Parking signage
Direction markers for within venue
Welcome sign
Guestbook sign
Order of Events Sign
Wedding Program
Banners and/or Bunting
Vow Books
Reserved seating signs
Bar menu
Table numbers
Placecards
Dinner menus
Seating chart
Bar/Drinks signage
Gift table sign
Planning a wedding can be very overwhelming. I hope that this wedding decor checklist is beneficial to you and helps to relieve some of the stress! Remember: this is supposed to be fun! There will never be a time more personal and focused on you than the day you get married. So, enjoy the process.
If you are looking for some inspiration on wedding decor and souviners, check out my custom wedding table setting decorations. Feel free to get in touch if you’d like to enquire about creating bespoke favors for your special day.