While choosing your wedding aesthetic is about looking at overall theming, selecting the styling and decor is all about the details - things like furniture, decorations, lighting, table settings, all of the finer points that are going to come together to convey the aesthetic you've chosen and make your wedding as beautiful as possible.

Many decor pieces are optional, depending on which aesthetic you're going for, or things like budget and venue inclusions, but they can have a big impact on how the space feels.

why wedding decor matters

Once you've selected your overarching wedding aesthetic, the styling and decor you choose will transform your venue to match, setting the mood through visual details. You can think of it as the tangible execution of your aesthetic, bringing your vision to life through details such as flowers, table settings, lighting, linens, signage, and even the layout of the ceremony and reception spaces.

As we mentioned in the last article on choosing an aesthetic, the styling details that you choose can communicate the formality and vibe of your event right from the moment your guests receive their save-the-dates, helping them understand the tone that you're trying to set. Thoughtfully chosen decor can greatly enhance your guests' experience, as things like centrepieces and floral displays will impress them, while practical decor such as informative signage, comfortable seats, and carefully placed lighting shows that you've considered their perspective and comfort when planning your day.

Cohesive styling ties every element of the day together, which makes everything more visually pleasing. This cohesion elevates the entire event, as everything seems deliberately chosen and purposefully placed. Carefully selected furniture and decor can also create a sense of story, reflecting your personalities and preferences, and having all of those details for your photographer and videographer to catch on film can help them to show the narrative of the day in ways that make visual sense. 

And speaking of showing your personalities and preferences - styling and decor provide plenty of chances for you to weave the story of your relationship up until your wedding day into the celebration. Just as with choosing an aesthetic, it can be helpful to think about what's meaningful to you as a couple when selecting decor pieces. You can incorporate heirlooms, cultural pieces, and nods to shared hobbies or special locations in your designs. By including elements that are unique to you, you'll make your styling appear even more purposeful and personalised, and the day feel even more special.

what wedding decor to include

You don't have to go overboard on the amount of decor pieces that you include, though. Prioritising a few key, high-impact areas can have a huge effect on the overall look and feel. Some areas to consider splurging on are ones that are going to be viewed by everyone and in the background of a lot of photos, like your ceremony backdrop, reception lighting and entrance decor. All of these things will create a great first impression and can help draw people's attention to exactly where you want them to be looking.

Considering which aspects and moments of the night are the most important to you can also help you think strategically when it comes to allocating your budget for styling and decor. If the first dance is a huge, vital moment for you, then maybe you want to splash out on some custom lighting just for that; Or, if the moment you step onto the aisle, everyone watching, is the one you've been dreaming of, then making sure that entrance is nicely decorated will really add to the moment.

If you're looking for some extra guidance and assistance with coordinating all of the bookings and actual set up, hiring a wedding stylist might be the right option for you. They can work alongside wedding planners and florists to bring cohesion to all visual elements, ensuring that every detail, from the stationery suite to the cake table, reflects your chosen aesthetic. They can also liaise with wedding coordinators and venues to ensure that everything is able to be set up on time and exactly as you'd like it to be at the ceremony and reception, which can save a lot of the stress that can come from you not being able to oversee the set up on the day.

You can read more about wedding stylists here, if you'd like some more info before making the decision to hire one.

Here are some examples of different wedding styling and decor pieces to consider including in your big day. Obviously you don't have to include each and every piece listed here; they can be mixed, matched, and customised to fit your aesthetic, budget, and vision for your day. 

Wedding styling and decor are more than just extras, they’re an expression of your individual personalities and your journey as a couple. Great wedding decor doesn’t have to be over-the-top, it just needs to be intentional, cohesive, and meaningful to you. When thoughtfully chosen, styling and decor can turn an event into an experience - one that’s memorable, photogenic, and deeply personal.  So take your time, get inspired, and let your creativity shape a day that’s as beautiful as your love story.