Written by Rebecca Stewart, Visionary weddings

Your guests will arrive at your Ceremony with time to wait for your grand entrance, they will have time to take in the surroundings and the decorations that you have chosen.  There are a number of elements that are involved in creating a magical and personalised ceremony; we have compiled a list of ideas to assist with your planning.

Seating

This should generally be provided, if not for all guests, for those who may not be able to stand for extended periods of time, as a courtesy. With so many options available in seating and the decorating of such, this can be added into your decorating, rather than as an extra cost.

Timber or white chairs are perfect for an outdoor ceremony and for that extra extravagance can be accented with organza chair sashes in your theme colour. Chair Covers can be used for indoor ceremonies to create the same image, when the chairs become a uniform colour like white or black rather than undecorated function space chairs, they create a focus on you – and after all, that’s what it’s all about isn’t it?

The Entrance

Everybody has been to a Wedding, think about the moment when the music begins; the guests, along with the groom, turn toward the entrance to see the Bride at her most perfect. A vision moving lightly toward the front of the room in a dress that you have selected personally to accentuate your body and show off your unique personality and style. You have spent time and money on hair and makeup and had countless discussions on the exact shade and style of dress that your Bridesmaids would wear.

Close your eyes and imagine this – see what your groom and guests will see. Now imagine how your aisle accentuates this image. A row of lawn chairs hardly creates the grand entrance that you deserve. Now imagine a red carpet beneath your feet as you progress, or an aisle scattered with rose petals. Lined with delicate bows, flower arrangements or softly lit lanterns for a beautiful dusk ceremony; the aisle should be used to draw the focus to the entrance, and then as you pass will shift to the ceremony area.

The Ceremony Area

The ceremony is one of the most photographed parts of your Wedding Day, the surrounds and layout become the backdrop to your new lives together. Often the majority of expense, time and effort are put into creating an elaborate reception – think of your ceremony as the prelude to this and a great way to ensure that the themes and concepts that you and your stylist have worked so hard on are captured to their fullest potential.

Your ceremony area is the stage upon which your lives together will be united, your guests are your audience. Play on this by creating a well defined area through framing or backdrops, popular options are garden arches draped in ivy and roses, a Balinese wedding arch or elaborately decorated Gazebo if available at the venue. The decorating options need not be limited to this, however, create your own ‘stage’ and in every photo, your guests will be reminded of the uniqueness that is you and your groom.

Signing

Take time to ensure that the Signing Table is significant. Again, many photos will be taken of this prestigious moment. This is the exact location that you will sign a document with your new signature and name – the official recognition of you being united as man and wife. This should be in close proximity to the area in which the official ceremony takes place so that guests won’t have to shift focus or move from one space to another and can utilise the decorating that has been created for your ‘backdrop’ the table should be decorated to compliment both this and your reception décor to continue the theme throughout. Decorating should be kept low, or an area designated to the signing register raised to take opportunity of the fabulous photos that your friends and family will inevitably take. Ideas could include a low flower arrangement, table runner or mirror base with tea-lights to create romance. A range of beautiful signing pens are available for hire to suit your theme, adding that extra element of elegance.

Visionary weddings understand the significance of your ceremony, contact us today to discuss styling your ceremony.