Sharing your ceremony venue? Fast track to gorgeous decorations.

by Natalie Lawy

Planning your ceremony decorations can be really tough, especially if it's a busy location and several other couples are getting married that day. But by choosing carefully, you can have your own decorations up in a flash, get married just the way you want, and move everything out of the way for the next couple in a blink.

Ask your venue if they can give you contact info for the other brides, because you might be able to coordinate on the decoration basics. For example, white aisle runner and ivy garlands can be used with any colour scheme, and if you create a backdrop to share you'll only have to move the portable extras in and out between ceremonies.

Try to avoid heavy, live flower arrangements. They're delicate, which makes it hard to rush them around or stash them in a car or closet, and the sloshing water is awkward for people dressed to the nines. Instead, opt for silk arrangements or live plants, which are much sturdier than cut flowers.

Many florists will prepare silk arrangements in your colours and rent them to you, which is cost effective as well as convenient. Oftentimes they'll deliver at a specific time, so they can meet your decorating crew at the perfect moment.

Silk flowers don't do it for you? Live plants are a wonderful choice, too. First choose your pots or baskets, and then visit the nursery. Ask the staff to help you prepare arrangements in shallow plastic dishes slightly smaller in diameter than your containers. (Naturally, to be sure your plants are healthy and flowering on your wedding day, you should do this no more than a few weeks beforehand.) Take the lightweight planting and sit it in your container; if you need to, use packing chips to raise the plastic dish. It will look like a beautifully potted arrangement, but weigh next to nothing. Afterwards, you can pot them properly or plant them in your garden!

Whether you choose silk or live flowers, grouping several smaller arrangements together will create a full, lush look. If you want height, place them on decorative pillars or small tables. These groupings look more impressive than one, large, lonely arrangement. Plus, they'll be made up of several small, light components that can be easily whisked away, even if you're wearing heels and have a fresh manicure.

When it comes to pew decorations, keep ease in mind. Look for attachment methods that are simple, and if you have the chance, try them out on your pews or chairs before hand. By doing a trial run, you can work out any snags ahead of time.

Putting one person in charge of decorating will make the whole job easier. Go over your plans with them as early as you can, and if it's possible, take them to see your venue. Also ask your venue about storage - they should have somewhere you can leave boxes and bags for carrying everything out. Letting one person organize all that will really simplify and speed up the process.

Sticking to these basics - some flowers and your pew bows, plus all-day items like greenery and aisle runner - will make set up and take down really easy. And since everything is lightweight, you can use as much as you want! It'll look gorgeous, and the simplicity of it will be your little secret.