The Specifics of Church Ornamentation

Altar and aisle decorations are one of the finishing touches to your beautiful and elegant church ceremony. They can be extreme, with extensive flowers draped along the church and orchids hanging at the altar, or simple: a few candles, a simple arch. Although the tradition dates back to the Christian Mass, nowadays, adding decorations to your house of worship is considered a wonderful way to bring joy to your day.

Your altar and aisle decorations can vary, depending on the style and formality of your wedding, your budget, and any restrictions from your house of worship. “You can get as creative as you want,” says Danielle Bobish of Curtain Up Events in New York City. “Branches and trees are very popular these days.”

Once you’ve decided on a budget (some people get decorations for as little as a hundred dollars; others spend upwards of $1,000), talk to a representative at your venue about restrictions. Although some couples love to spread petals on the floor, the practice is often forbidden—because the church doesn’t want to worry about a leftover mess.

Both the altar and aisle decorations fall under the category of “flowers” (unless you have hired a designer), which means, traditionally, the groom’s family is required to pay. Times have changed, and nowadays many couples purchase the altar and aisle ornaments themselves.

The florist or designer you hire is responsible for creating the decorations and setting them up on the day of the ceremony. Depending on the location of your wedding, he may only have an hour to get them ready; make sure you hire someone who’s skilled at the quick fix. He’s also the one who takes everything down after the ceremony ends.

-David Toussaint

Check Out Hiring Your Wedding Florist
Check Out Planning Your Church Rehearsal
Check Out Corsages and Boutonnieres for Your Wedding Party