While it may be traditional, deciding to get married in a church is a deeply personal choice. Churches hold both religious and cultural significance, and can act as a welcome home to the biggest event of your life… your wedding day!

Photo by @nikaylaandco

While churches are famously known for their gorgeous interiors and ornate details, it’s not uncommon to add some of your own decorations before a wedding ceremony. Read on to learn more about how to decorate a church for your wedding, discover church wedding decoration ideas, and find decor inspiration from other Ling’s brides.

Decorating a Church Wedding

Once you’ve chosen the church or chapel where you’ll be getting married, it’s time to plan your decor! While you’ll be joining a long line of other couples who have chosen to say their vows at the same altar, there are ways to make your big day feel distinctly your own.

Things To Consider Before Choosing Decor for Church Wedding

But before you start planning the specifics of your ceremony decorations, it’s important to take a step back and consider the space and your style.

Decide on a Color Palette

When it comes to wedding planning, choosing a color scheme early is one of the best ways to ensure a cohesive, elevated feel. From the decor to the paper goods, sticking within one color palette will set the tone for your dreamy wedding day.

And while your color scheme doesn’t have to be chosen to specifically match your church, considering the vibe of your chosen chapel can help you narrow down this decision. For example, a traditional, ornate church may work well with bold colors like maroon or  emerald. Alternatively, a modern, breezy church may invite softer, more boho style decor. There are no rules, but working with what you have can make your wedding planning easier!

Consider Existing Features

Once you’ve chosen your color palette, it’s time to choose the types of decorations you’ll be bringing into the church. It may feel overwhelming starting from scratch, but considering the existing features of the church will help guide your decor decisions.

For example, if there is already an ornate altar, you may only need a few small supporting faux flowers to lift the space. Alternatively, simple pews are a great base for more interesting arrangements. Follow your instincts, and don’t be afraid to express your unique style!

The Size of Your Church

Every church is different, so matching your decor to the space will help to make it feel elevated and coherent. If you’re getting married in a tiny chapel, too many arrangements may start to feel crowded. On the other hand, a cathedral likely has a lot of space to hold grand decorations!

4 Wedding Decoration Ideas for Church Ceremonies

Once you’ve considered the basics for your church wedding ceremony decorations, it’s time to start choosing your specific pieces. Here are some ideas of how to add the beauty of faux florals to your special ceremony.

Entrance Decorations

As your guests arrive at the church for your ceremony, gorgeous flowers will help set the scene for love. Free-standing flowers can be added on either side of the door or entrance stairs to add a pop of color and festivity. They can even be placed on top of existing columns to work with the local features!

And, as seen at Olivia and Dominic’s gorgeous Sunset Terracotta church ceremony, a floral welcome sign is a sweet touch. It will let your guests know they’re in the right place, and will introduce your wedding theme from the first moment.

Photo by @michellegodfreyphoto

And to up the wow factor, you could even install a wedding arch at the front door for your guests to walk through!

Altar Centerpiece

The wedding tradition of walking down the aisle to the altar is inspired by church weddings, so it’s only fair to adorn the end of your aisle in a way that reflects your love and your style. Whether you're opting for free-standing florals or a simple wedding garland, all eyes will be towards the altar during your wedding ceremony.

For Ellana and Paolo’s elegant catholic wedding, free-standing arrangements stood on either side of the couple as they were bonded together with a wedding lasso.

Photo by @eunicechanphoto

Alternatively, a head table garland could be draped across the front of the church. These usually have more volume than a traditional garland, and will be the perfect simple altar centerpiece for any chic church wedding.

Aisle and Pew Decor

You’ll be walking down the aisle to your forever, so your church wedding aisle decorations are an important decision! For a simply gorgeous look, consider draping sheer aisle swags between the pews to add movement, texture and color to your wedding aisle. Or if sweet florals are more your style, adding small arrangements to some (or all!) of the aisle pews will create a sophisticated, elegant look.

And to really make it your own, consider using our Designer Flower Boxes, greenery garlands and linens to create your own bespoke aisle decor.

Bridal Party Flowers

While your bridal party flowers may not technically be part of the church decorations, they play a huge part in creating the vibe of your wedding ceremony. This is also why choosing a coherent color palette early on is so important; your bridal party bouquets will act as an extra pop of decoration at the end of the aisle!

At Hannah and Ryan’s stunning wedding, the Sunset Terracotta bridal bouquet, bridesmaid posies, and bridesmaid dresses all worked together to enhance and elevate their wedding theme. Plus, faux floral bouquets can even be repurposed as reception decor later in the evening!

Photo by @DelightStoryPhoto

FAQs About Decorating a Church Wedding

While the good news is that churches are usually stunning enough on their own, don’t worry if you still have questions on wedding decoration for church.

How to decorate a minimalist wedding?

If you know that your style is minimalist, don’t fight it! Simple greenery garlands, muted color palettes, and sweet bouquets are all great options for your understated style. Your joy will shine through, and your church wedding ceremony will be one to remember.

Can I do my own wedding ceremony decor for church?

Of course! While some churches may provide basic decorations, many couples choose to add their own touch. Talk to your church in advance about the best way to organize decor, and choose faux flowers for hassle-free decor installation.

Photo by @the.archers.photography

How to pick the wedding theme decor for church wedding?

There are no rules when it comes to picking a wedding theme, but it can help to consider the context of your church. Consider the architectural features, existing colors, and even the season to help narrow down your choice. You can ask your church for photos of previous ceremonies, or look to Ling’s Moment real brides for decor inspiration!

Photo by @ZakJokelaWeddingPhoto

How much do church wedding decorations cost?

It’s normal to have budget questions around planning a church wedding, including how much you should budget for ceremony decorations. While there’s no magic number, consider the size and scope of your decor and make a rough list of flowers. Then, you can look at Ling’s Moment and create an estimate. And the best part? You can order your wedding decor in advance (and maybe even on sale, if you’re lucky!)

What are some simple church decorations for a wedding?

If you’re planning a simple church ceremony, look for aisle drapes, free-standing arrangements for the altar, and a floral welcome sign. This is enough to add some style and flair, without feeling overwhelming to plan or install.

Church Wedding Decorations from Ling’s Moment

However you choose to decorate your church wedding ceremony, it will be gorgeous. And to help you bring your vision together, Ling’s Moment carries a huge range of faux flowers and decor in a range of color palettes, styles and vibes. Ling’s Moment has something for everyone!

And if you’re planning your own church wedding ceremony, make sure you share your decor with us! We’d love to see how you decorate your special day, so tag us in any photos on Instagram at @lingsmoment. Happy planning, and congratulations!