01
Color palettes
A neutral, a main color and an accent in roughly 60-30-10 proportions, including the venue’s own colors.
- Three colors with roles
- Include the venue’s colors
- Test samples together
- Seasonal palettes feel natural
Style & the look · 6 subtopics: Décor, colors & design
Color palettes, tablescapes, centerpieces, lighting, signage, favors and decorations that make a room feel like yours.
02
Tablescapes and centerpieces
Keep centerpieces under about 14 inches or above about 24 so guests can see each other.
- Low or tall, never in between
- Runners for long tables
- Candles in mixed heights
- Linens and napkins add color
03
Lighting
Warm light changes a room more than almost anything: candles, string lights, uplighting and a pin spot on the cake.
- Warm bulbs only
- Candles where allowed
- String or café lights
- Uplighting for big rooms
04
Decoration ideas
Welcome signs, photo displays, lounge areas, ceiling installations and decorated cars — choose a few that fit your style.
- A welcome sign
- A family photo display
- A lounge corner
- Decorated getaway car
05
Wedding favors
Optional — edible favors, plants, donations or something local are thoughtful; many couples skip them.
- Edible favors get eaten
- Something local to the venue
- A donation note
- Skip them if budget is tight
06
DIY décor
DIY saves money only if you have time, helpers and a plan for setup and breakdown.
- Start months ahead
- Make one sample first
- Assign setup helpers
- Plan breakdown and storage
Articles on décor.
Reception, food & music2 min read
Wedding favors guests actually want (and when to skip them)
Edible, useful and meaningful favor ideas, what they typically cost per guest, how to display them — and why skipping them is fine.
Flowers, color & décor2 min read
Centerpieces and lighting that transform a room
Low and tall centerpieces, sightlines, candle rules, string lights, uplighting and decor that works for round and long tables.
Flowers, color & décor3 min read
From a hundred saved pins to one beautiful wedding palette
Edit your inspiration, let the venue join the palette, give each color a role and test it on real things.
Flowers, color & décor3 min read
Wedding decoration ideas for every budget: venue, arch, tables, car and home
Where décor makes the biggest difference, ideas for ceremony arches, tables, lighting and signs, decorating a car or a home, and what to skip.
Planning & timeline5 min read
8 Conversations to Have Before Getting Married
Money, kids, work, family and chores: the talks that matter more than the centerpieces, with ways to start each one without it turning into an argument.
Free tools for décor
