Today we are looking at one type of ceremony you can choose, to say your vows in church and how you might style your flowers.
Church weddings are still popular with many brides, either living away and coming home to wed in their local home church or to keep the wedding local and homely if in a village setting.
We have decorated many churches around Lincolnshire and have many photos of different colours and set ups previously created for our gorgeous couples, these are just a few of them.
To start with we have the altar. Most couples don't decorate this as many ceremonies are now not at this part of the church, or the lovely church ladies will add a few blooms on a regular basis. But if you have the space, like this, then a floor display will work wonders.
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| St Josephs Retford |
The main area to concentrate on, especially if the budget is tight is where you will say "I do". Now churches range in sizes and space here is usually at a premium. There will be the two of you, the vicar, dad giving away the bride and the best man so do bear this in mind when thinking of displays.
Here at All Saints Church Branston this isn't a problem, a lovely light area with loads of space to work with.
These are our full size pedestals created with flowers from the bridal bouquet, filler flowers and lots of lovely foliage.
Or you can go smaller, half size, like this one at St Mary's church Riseholme.
This lovely sunny pedestal was from a country styled wedding with sunflowers as the main flower used in abundance as the only pedestal for this ceremony.
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| St Mary's Broughton |
Another large (of two) pedestals at St John's Church Washingborough.
There are also different types of churches, this is at Kingdom Hall in Lincoln. An autumn wedding with lots of reds, yellows and creams as the focus.
Some churches are more open, like this one at St Michael's and All Saints Church at RAF Cranwell, this is a lighter airer feel to the design bringing lots of blues and purples from the wedding colours which wouldn't work in a darker church.
Another pedestal with white flowers at RAF Cranwell.
Pedestals are not just for the front, they can also be added as a display at the church entrances this at St Andrew's Church Kirton in Lindsey, or if an awkward corner in the aisle.
Our pedestals are, for church, made on a telescopic stand with the display made in it's own container. This way they can easily be moved to your reception venue or given away as gifts at the end of the day.
The aisle is another important place to decorate. This gives your guests a taste of what is to come and everyone will walk down part of the aisle so full impact is guaranteed. These displays needn't cost the earth and can be interspersed with ribbons and bows to spread the cost.
This is probably one of the fullest displays I would advise on a pew, bear in mind you and your dad will be arm in arm walking down and you and your new husband walking back up the aisle so leave room for two especially if you have a large skirt on your dress. The last thing you want is for someone to be picking up the displays after you.
Think of scent too when choosing displays, churches can have that faint but distinct smell about them especially if not well used. Add in scented blooms to turn the air into an oasis of scent you will remember for years to come.
Gyp is definitely in at the moment, and it makes gorgeous, budget friendly displays. Add in a touch of another flower from your bouquet, here we have added lavender for colour and scent.
An all gyp pew end with a colourful light blue bow at Our Lady and St Peter at Woodall Spa.
Or add in foliage, eucalyptus, and a red bow for an autumn wedding.
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| All Saints Ingham |
Love hearts? Flowers can be added to props and hung around the pews too.
Remember all these displays can be easily transferred to your venue as chair back displays for the top table or added to door handles and bar tables.
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| All Saints Branston |
An alternative in some churches are these high placed holders. Standing proud of the pews you can add colour above the aisle.
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| St Andrew's Church Irnham |
Some churches have modernised and to make more use of the space have replaced pews with chairs. If this has happened at your church don't despair we can still add pew ends by tying flowers to chair backs. It does depend on the type of chair but we haven't been beaten to attach any as yet!
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| St Andrew's Church Kirton In Lindsey |
Some people would say keep arrangements big and bold to create impact but we love decorating aisles. This is where your guests walk to find their seats, you walk down here to your groom, you both walk back up as husband and wife. The aisle is in so many photos, why would you not decorate it in some way?
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| Our Lady and St Peter at Woodall Spa |
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| All Saints Branston |
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| St Mary's Broughton |
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| St Joseph's Church Retford |
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| St Chad's Church Dunholme |
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| St Andrew's Church Irnham |
All these photos show a splash of colour or white against dark pews brings the wedding party together. Your groom waiting at the front, your guests eagerly anticipating you and your entrance
Depending on the church you could also decorate the font, some are on show some not so much. Use these instead of an extra pedestal.
This one at Ingham Church is right in the entrance, perfect for a floral display.
At Irnham church it is placed at the bottom or foot of the aisle
and at Dunholme church it is behind a pillar within the seats, but this brightens up that darker space.
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| St Chad's Dunholme |
Also if the budget allows there are the windows too. You can go to town on these, really creating lots of impact but do bear in mind, the light from behind, go careful with colours, the height, will they be noticed. Some windows are quite high and all eyes will be front wards during the service so if you do decorate these you probably don't need to fill all the widows at the back of the church.
We hope that this has given you some ideas for your own church ceremony flowers. Tomorrow we are focusing on civil ceremony set ups.
If you would like to discuss your church flowers please get in touch and book a free, no obligation consultation.
On booking we will ask for contact details for the warden so we can organise entrance on the day. We sort all this out for you, one less thing for you to plan. Now some churches are more relaxed than others about letting florists in. If yours is a little nervous please do explain that we will not deface anything within the church with staples, nails or glue. All our decorations are hung with ribbon or string where possible and water is kept to a minimum. We are happy to chat to them direct and talk through their concerns way before we need to set up.
We look forward to hearing from you soon
Sandra x
