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.

Vanessa x

Previous
Previous

Beautiful Wedding Welcome Sign Ideas That Your Guests Will Love

Next
Next

Unique and Creative Ways to Display Your Wedding Table Numbers