Can Wedding Decorations Be Overdone?

In my opinion, the answer is Yes for the wedding ceremony but No for reception!  I love a big wedding floral budget to work with as much as the next designer....BUT, the decor for the ceremony should never eclipse the couple. It's like a female guest wearing a super sexy white or red dress to the wedding and 'upstaging the bride' - it's a no-no. So how will you know if the decor is too much? I suggest that you do some mental transporting practice. When you see a picture of a setting you think you want for your wedding ceremony, try to visualize yourselves standing there. Yes, all the flowers surrounding you are gorgeous, but is it too much? Does it detract from the ceremony, dwarf and overpower you? Will you shrink or will you shine in that setting? I think a lot of people can't imagine themselves in the picture and that's where they need to rely on their floral designer to offer the best backdrop and decor ideas that suits them, enhancing the surroundings but also showcasing the couple in a sophisticated way. 

Photo credit: Wildflower Linens

There's quite a few photos of weddings with over the top decor for the ceremony where I thought 'ee gads it's too much',  but I chose the photo above as an example of a setting that, although beautiful, might eclipse a couple due to it's size and overall impact.  It reminds me of the Coco Chanel quote about wearing too many accessories...'always take off the last one you put on'. Sometimes... less is more.  

One question many brides have is how to decide the amount to spend on the ceremony decor as opposed to the reception decor, especially with a more limited budget. Depending on the type of ceremony, I like to remind brides that the ceremony is where many of the most memorable photos will be taken and some ceremonies last a lone time so giving the guests something to look (other than the two of you) during the ceremony is nice.  And it's not just about what you want to see when you walk down the aisle. So the lesson is, don't try to go too cheap on the ceremony decor, but don't go overboard either.

I don't believe that the decor for a reception can be overdone though! The reception is all about making as much of a WOW impact as you can with the remaining budget you have. The reception is all about the party and about giving the guests (and you) something to remember. Transforming a room into as much of a magical setting as your budget allows may be a challenge but I love challenges.
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