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Your Wedding, Your Style

Decorating your wedding can be one of the most creative (and fun!) parts of the entire planning process. It’s where your vision finally comes to life. Whether you’re hosting a grand celebration or a small gathering in your cultural hall, the decorations you choose will help set the mood and reflect your unique style as a couple.

Let’s walk through how to create a beautiful, budget-friendly, and meaningful wedding atmosphere that reflects both your personality and your faith.

Start With a Clear Theme or Mood

Before you pick up a single spool of ribbon or centerpiece vase, ask yourself:
What feeling do I want our wedding guests to experience?
Do you want your celebration to be elegant and formal? Light and whimsical? Rustic and cozy?

Having a clear idea of your theme or mood will help every decorating decision fall into place. This doesn’t mean everything has to match perfectly, but your decorations should feel like they all belong to the same story.

Decorating the Cultural Hall

If your reception will be held in a Church cultural hall, you’re not alone—and you’re in luck! Cultural halls can be beautiful with the right approach. Start by thinking vertically:

• Use backdrops to soften the gym walls

• Drape fabric or lights to create a more intimate space

• Divide the room into zones (dining area, dance floor, cake table) using pipe and drape, lattice, or even floral arches

Don’t be afraid to transform the space! Many brides are amazed at how unrecognizable the cultural hall becomes with the right lighting and fabric.

Wedding Reception Decorating Ideas

Here are some ideas to bring your reception space to life:

• Fabric and Draping: Tulle, organza, and chiffon are lightweight and elegant. Use them on ceilings, walls, and tables.

• Lighting: Twinkle lights, fairy lights, and even lanterns create an enchanting glow. Use soft white bulbs to warm up the room.

• Table Linens and Napkins: Your tables don’t have to be fancy to look amazing. Matching tablecloths and folded napkins in your wedding colors can elevate the space instantly.

• Chair Covers or Sashes: Even simple folding chairs can look beautiful with a sash tied in a bow.

Remember, small touches make a big impact!

Add Personalized Details

Some of the most memorable decorations are the ones that tell your story. Think about including:

• A photo display of you and your fiancé growing up or dating

• A framed copy of your favorite scripture or temple photo

• A special guestbook area or “well wishes” jar

• Custom signage that reflects your wedding theme or colors

Decorating doesn’t have to be expensive to be meaningful.

Keep Things Coordinated (Not Complicated)

Choose two to three main colors and carry them through your decorations—flowers, table settings, napkins, signage, and more. Repetition creates a polished look, even if the actual pieces are simple.

And remember, you don’t have to do it all. Focus your energy (and budget) on the high-impact areas guests will notice most: entryways, the cake table, and the area where most photos will be taken.

Planning Tips to Keep You Sane

• Plan ahead: Create a checklist for everything that needs to be set up, and who’s in charge of it.

• Keep it simple: Sometimes less is more! Don’t overdecorate or clutter the space.

• Label boxes clearly: If someone else is helping you set up, make it easy for them to know where everything goes.

• Test it first: Do a practice run of how the tables or backdrop will look a week or two before the big day.

Want More Ideas?

If you’re feeling overwhelmed (or just want to see tons of decorating examples to spark your imagination), you’ll love our detailed guide:
Wedding Decorating Ideas

It’s packed with real ideas, planning tips, LDS-specific suggestions, and ways to make your wedding decorations gorgeous without blowing your budget.

Your Wedding, Your Style

Whether your wedding is formal or casual, indoors or outdoors, DIY or professionally styled—decorating should feel joyful, not stressful. You don’t have to be a professional to create a beautiful space filled with love and meaning.