Follow this guide to learn how to decorate a gazebo for a wedding ceremony. You have lots of options available to you, so whether you’re working with a small budget or have exacting tastes, you’ll find a wonderful mix of decorations to bring your vision to life.
How to Decorate a Gazebo for a Wedding Ceremony?
Gazebos offer a small, defined space that’s perfect for wedding ceremonies. These structures are sometimes rather simple and plain, so they’re the perfect base for decorations. Keep reading to learn how to decorate a gazebo for a wedding ceremony using candles, flowers, fabric, and more.
Candles and Luminaries
If you’re having a wedding ceremony in the evening, proper lighting is a must. Spotlights are much too bright for such an intimate affair, but you’ll find that candles and lumarnies (sometimes combined with other lighting sources as we’ll discuss below), offer just the right glow to create a magical ambience.
You have lots of candle choices from which to choose, so choose colors that complement your design scheme. Don’t feel as if you have to limit yourself to a single size. Choose large, medium, and small candles to vary the pinpoints of light during your ceremony.
If you don’t feel comfortable having open flames, turn to luminaries. You can purchase ready-made pieces or make your own. Ready-made luminaries may be powered by candles or batteries, so you can choose between the dancing movement of a real flame or the soft glow of a bulb. You can even choose bulbs that mimic the look of fire. In both cases, open flames are not an issue.
String Lighting
String lighting has always been a popular choice for gazebo decoration, both for weddings and everyday use. There are many options available these days, ranging from string lights with gorgeous drop bulbs to tiny fairy lights that are soft and delicate.
In addition to clear bulbs, which create a warm, off-white glow, you can choose from bulbs in any color you can imagine. Even the string of the lights are available in different colors, so they can easily blend in with the gazebo.
If you’re looking for something even more unique, consider string lights in different shapes. Curtain string lights hung from the rafters of your gazebo will make it look as if tiny drops of light are raining upon your shoulders, while lights in the shapes of stars and hearts can add a playful touch.
Fabric
Decorating with fabric is an easy way to make quite a statement. It’s one of the easiest ways to color coordinate, and you can use both bold, solid fabrics and soft, delicate ones to create dimension and add a whimsical touch.
Popular ways to use fabric include wrapping the posts or legs of the gazebo to obscure these supports and draping it from the roof line. If you need to tie your fabric to the gazebo, you can hide your tie-offs by adding flowers, using colored ribbon, or attaching other small decorations.
Flowers
Weddings and flowers go together like bread and butter. There are just so many different ways that you can incorporate florals into your wedding decor.
If you have space for vases, you can fill them with flowers that complement your wedding theme. If you don’t have much room, consider creating a wreath using the same flowers as your bouquet and hang it above the gazebo’s entryway.
Looking for something unique? You can design a mesmerizing entrance for the bride by using flower petals to create a trail to the gazebo.
Hanging Baskets
Hanging baskets are a great way to bring a breath of fresh air to your wedding ceremony. Fill them with real or faux flowers, in colors that complement your design or the surrounding area.
Garland
Garland is another easy and affordable way to decorate a gazebo for a wedding. While you may be most familiar with the cheery garland that comes out around Christmas time, there are many different types of floral garlands from which you can choose.
Wrap floral garland around posts and railings, or drape it as you would fabrics. You can even wrap fabrics and florals around the same pieces; the fabric serves as the background, and the floral garland as the finishing touch.
Garland is also a good option for decoration tables and podiums. Attach it with small nails or twine, or simply position it on a tabletop or wind it around a pillar.
Arches and Pillars
Create an even more spectacular entrance to the gazebo by using an arch or pillars. You can use fabric, garland, and flowers to decorate these props. Best yet, the grand entrance will be an excellent place for guests to take photos after the ceremony.
FAQs
Are gazebos a good place to hold a wedding?
Gazebos are wonderful spots to hold weddings. Even small ones offer an intimate area for the exchanging of vows, and they can be decorated in so many different ways. No matter your budget or tastes, you can find decorating ideas that will bring the wedding of your dreams to life.
Is it hard to decorate a gazebo for a wedding?
Decorating a gazebo for a wedding can be extremely easy. Like all things in life, it depends on the amount of time and effort you want to put in. However, that’s not to say that you can’t create an incredible space with minimal effort. Even just draping fabric and adding some flowers can turn a plain gazebo into a soft, inviting space that’s perfect for couples that are ready to say “I do”.
How long does it take to decorate a gazebo for a wedding?
Decorating a gazebo for a wedding can honestly take as much or as little time as you wish. Because wedding decorations are temporary, there isn’t a lot of work that goes into putting them up. Garland, flowers, and string lighting can be attached via twine or small nails, while candles and other small decor can be positioned on flat surfaces, like railing and stairs.