How to wow with your venue styling

When faced with the initial blank canvas that is your venue you may view it in one of two ways: with total panic or giddy excitement. In which case, you'll either be in need of inspiration or focus so we chatted to Annabel from Butterflies & Bows (www.butterfliesandbows.co.uk) who was kind enough to share her expertise on the matter particularly when it comes to making the most of your wedding flowers. Check out her top tips for creating a veritable wedding wonderland with wow factor.

Wedding ceremony area with fairylight backdrop, pink palette, floral pedestral arrangements an blush chair covers.

A luxurious floral, romantic look is on trend at the moment and that's looking set to continue for 2022. Think plenty of soft, romantic floral arrangements and decorations but with a luxurious twist. Soft pinks, pale mint green and ivory whites are popular, but this style can work with any colour palette.

THE CEREMONY SPACE

For the ceremony, floral pew ends rather than bows are the way forward. Gypsophilia and smaller, delicate flowers are perfect, paired with a lace or satin bow. These work equally well whether they're tied to each pew end or alternate.

Large pedestal arrangements with a voluminous ceremony table display at the front of the room really creates the wow factor – a real focal point! With lots of flowers and greenery trails from the stands, these can also be used for the reception room after the "I dos." I'd use the same flowers in the pedestals as in the ceremony and top table flower arrangements with lots of blooms and greenery tumbling down the front of the table.

To add some extra flair, have an arch at the entrance of the aisle. These really decorate the room and add interest to spaces that maybe have less character. The arch could then be used behind the top table during the reception or placed as a photo backdrop allowing your guests to snap some selfies in front of it.

Soft luminous drapes with flowers on the front work beautifully at al fresco gazebo weddings, with blossom trees and pedestal flowers.

Wedding reception with plum palette, balloons, chair sashes and balloon crescent arch

THE RECEPTION ROOM

Tall centrepieces add a touch of drama to any room as they have height they immediately decorate the whole room as well as the tables. Martini vases are still very popular for table centres or tall wider vases with a ball style display. I'd recommend blooms such as roses, hydrangeas and gypsophilia mixed in with varying degrees of greenery. To add a more luxurious feel, set on a mirror plate with crystals and lights, and pearl or diamonte strings delicately hanging from the vases or around the stem of the vase.

Decorate any features in the venue. Think garlands or luxurious material swags for arches, fireplaces, bannisters, railings, poles. Use fresh greenery or greenery with flowers, alternatively, high quality artificial garlands are an option to keep that budget in check! And don’t forget the power of balloons! Modern sculpted styles will work in any venue or large round single helium balloons always make a real impact.

Sparkling fairylight backdrops, ceiling drapes, window drapes, and column drapes with greenery or lights transform simple spaces into opulent venues. Strings of LED lights wound around railings, bannisters, fireplaces, columns and outside trees and shrubs are VERY popular for next year and are ideal for illuminating darker areas and enhance all areas after nightfall. Also for the darker months, uplighters also cast a wonderful hue of light up walls and room features, or illuminate the outside of the buildings at night.

Chair décor, such as lace vertical drapes are beautiful and immediately transform Chivali chairs into something very special.  If your venue has older conference chairs, covers with a sash will immediately transform the room.

gazebo ceremony area decorated in a blush pink theme with drapes and flowers
wedding reception with martini glass centrepieces

THE LAST WORD
 
So think about every aspect of the day: ceremony, reception and evening dance and all the areas within your venue. Reuse items from the ceremony in the reception to keep an eye on that budget and think larger displays, with added details such as drapes, lights, hints of pearls, diamontes and lace to really wow your guests.

You can find out more about Butterflies and Bows and get in touch at www.butterfliesandbows.co.uk

You may also be interested in

Stress-Free Wedding Plan: Affording Your Big Day Without Breaking the Bank

Stress-Free Wedding Plan: Affording Your Big Day Without Breaking the Bank

Chris Henderson, Save and Pay Director at Tesco Bank, said: "Money plays a really important role in our lives, helping us prepare for major life moments such as weddings or other special occasions. While it enables us to create meaningful experiences, it can also become a source of stress when facing the costs that come with them. Taking the time to understand what things may cost is the first step when saving for your big day. This awareness can help you make informed decisions, whether that's setting a realistic wedding budget, building a dedicated savings plan, or seeking support to bring your dream day to life."

READ ARTICLE

Women want a personal engagement ring not an expensive one

Women want a personal engagement ring not an expensive one

New research suggests a shift in how women approach one of the most traditional luxury jewellery purchases, with 75% saying they want an engagement ring to prioritise personal meaning over size or value. A study of 1,353 UK women carried out by 77 Diamonds* found that 75% say they would prioritise a personalised engagement ring over a larger or more expensive diamond. What seems to stand out is not a complete rejection of convention, but rather a rebalancing and reassessment of value. 59% of women say their preference still leans towards traditional ready-made ring designs, and only 11% want an entirely custom-made piece But the emotional drive behind preferences and purchasing decisions does appear to be changing with 30% expressing a desire for rings that carry additional meaning through small modifications, engravings or design adjustments.

READ ARTICLE

Perfect Wedding or Perfect Post? Gen Z Couples Feeling the Pressure

Perfect Wedding or Perfect Post? Gen Z Couples Feeling the Pressure

Wedding planning has always come with its pressures, but for Gen Z couples in 2026, the landscape has changed. Social media has transformed what should be a joyful, shared experience into a high-stakes performance. Scrolling Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest can turn inspiration into comparison, pushing couples to measure their plans against celebrity weddings, curated feeds, and friends' picture-perfect posts. Grace Loves Lace, the Australian bridal brand known for effortless, movement-friendly dresses, has partnered with relationship therapist Amanda Lambros, who has over 25 years' experience, to explore how couples can navigate these pressures and enjoy the planning journey without burning out.

READ ARTICLE

One in seven couples choose sleep over sex on their wedding night

One in seven couples choose sleep over sex on their wedding night

As the UK's spring and summer wedding season begins, new research by Mattress Online suggests the traditional idea of a passion-filled wedding night doesn't always match reality, with one in six couples (15%) saying they did not have sex after their big day. To understand why, the bed experts also asked survey respondents what their reasoning was behind this. They also provided additional insight on the idea of the "wedding night" from Relationship Expert, Jenni Trent Hughes. The findings show that exhaustion was by far the most common factor, with more than two in five (44%) of couples saying they were simply too tired after the celebrations. As weddings often involve early starts, long days, emotional highs, and late nights, rest is a more realistic priority than romance once newlyweds are in bed.

READ ARTICLE

Subscribe to Your Sussex Wedding Magazine for free

VISIT SITE

Follow Your Sussex Wedding Magazine on YouTube

VISIT SITE

Follow Your Sussex Wedding Magazine on Facebook

VISIT SITE

Submit your wedding to be featured in Your Sussex Wedding Magazine

VISIT SITE