A church already does a lot of the decorating for you: the architecture, the windows and the altar are the focus. Your job is to add a few well-placed touches, and to learn the church's own rules before you buy anything.
Start with the church's rules
Every church and denomination handles weddings a little differently. Before you order flowers, ask the wedding coordinator or office:
If another wedding or a service is scheduled before yours, ask whether the flowers could be shared. Splitting the cost with another couple is something some churches allow.
Where to put the decor
- The altar area: Two matching arrangements or a single larger one on the side keep the focus on the ceremony without blocking the view of the couple. Tall pieces can hide people, so keep them clear of the center.
- The aisle: Pew markers are the classic choice: a small bouquet, a bow, a sprig of greenery or a ribbon on the aisle end of every second or third row. Every row is rarely necessary.
- The entrance: A wreath, a pair of potted plants or a welcome sign tells guests they are in the right place.
- Ends and corners: Greenery along windowsills or a single garland can soften stone and wood without covering it.
Check the wedding flower guide by season for what is easy to find and affordable in your month, and test your palette against the church's wood, carpet and stained glass with the color palette builder. Warm, wood-toned churches suit creamy whites and greens; cool stone sometimes suits color.
Make the flowers do double duty
Ask your florist to design the altar arrangements so they can be moved to the reception, usually to the sweetheart table, the cake table or the entrance. Plan who moves them and when. A friend or a member of the venue team can be assigned, which you can add to your wedding day timeline. For flowers in the church that cannot move, such as pew markers, consider letting the florist reuse them as small bouquets on tables.
Keep the cost down
You can find more savings ideas in how to save money on a wedding and in our decoration ideas encyclopedia entry.
Common mistakes
Setup day: a simple plan
Share a one-page sheet with your florist and the church coordinator: the arrival time, a list of the pieces and where each goes, who is moving what to the reception, and a phone number for the day. Keep it with your ceremony plans so everyone is working from the same version.
General information, not legal, medical or financial advice. Confirm details with your vendors, venue, officiant and local authorities.
Questions people ask
What are the rules for decorating a church for a wedding?
They vary by church. Many have rules about open flames, tape, nails, petals and rice, and some have approved vendor lists. Ask the church office or wedding coordinator before you order anything.
How do you decorate church pews for a wedding?
Attach a small bouquet, a sprig of greenery or a ribbon bow to the aisle end of each pew, often every second or third row. Use clips, ribbon or hooks that the church approves, never tape or nails.
Can you reuse church wedding flowers at the reception?
Often yes. Ask your florist to design altar arrangements that can be moved to the sweetheart table, cake table or entrance, and assign someone to move them after the ceremony.
