30 Church Wedding Decorations Ideas

bride and groom at a church altar — Photo by Atmosphere Fotografia

Selecting your ceremony venue may just be one of the most important parts of your wedding. After all, that’s the location of where you and your partner will finally say “I do.” And while the options are plentiful, ranging from dreamy seaside destinations to trendy, modern venues, there will always be the tradition of tying the knot in a church.

Once you’ve determined the perfect church or chapel for your ceremony, there’s one more step to take—planning decorations. While many churches are stunning on their own, there are plenty of simple additions that can take your ceremony space to the next level, from floral adornments to lanterns and signs.

Read on for 30 of our favorite church wedding décor ideas to inspire your own nuptials.

01 of 30

Pay Homage to Religion

a white cathedral altar area with a floral-filled lucite cross — Photo by Ninety Three Creative

Emma and Ryan chose to let the beauty of their Catholic cathedral speak for itself. To keep décor to a minimum, they opted for a floral-filled lucite cross to exchange vows in front of.

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Make a Seasonal Statement

cascading autumnal floral arrangement outside of St. Patrick's Cathedral — Photo by Phillip Van Nostrand

This couple's autumn nuptials was evident by the cascading floral installation outside of St. Patrick's Cathedral.

03 of 30

Use Oversized Planters

oversized statement planters with greenery in church — Photo by IvÃ¡n & Lucrecia

If you're keeping your florals simple to greenery and white flowers, opt for oversized planters to make a statement. Four larger than life planters frame the couple and are balanced out by several smaller boxed arrangements on the ground, creating a timeless look.

04 of 30

Try for Single Strand of Garland

a simple strand of floral garland and tall candles with flowers — Photo by Thanasis Kaiafas

Christina and Leo's summer wedding in Greece overlooked the sea. To let the view be the star, they opted for simple decorations: a simple strand of floral garland draped across the church door, and two tall candles decked in the blooms that framed the altar.

05 of 30

Add Bold and Whimsical Trees

alice in wonderland themed floral arrangement — Photo by Sara Beth Turner

Lily and Charlie's Alice in Wonderland-themed wedding was designed to be as whimsical as the classic tale, with a few bold touches of color. Their church's white altar area was brought to life with colorful trees and draped flowers made of

06 of 30

Keep It Minimal

church with couple sitting on bench — PHOTO BY MELISSA MARSHALL

There's certainly no shame in keeping church décor to a minimum and letting the jaw-dropping architectural details do the talking. We love the idea of incorporating a beautiful bench into the mix for a simple, yet stunning addition.

07 of 30

Frame the Entry With Florals

Church entrance with florals — Photo by Luis Holden Photography

Magnificent, historic architecture may not need much to dress it up. But that doesn't mean you can't add bold blooms if you want to. If you've always dreamt of a statement entry, now's the time. Incorporate big flowers paired with wispy blooms for the most stunning church entryway.

08 of 30

Create an Aisle of Greenery

Is there anything more romantic than full, lush greenery? We love the idea of creating a grounded installation. Add tall arrangements of greenery to your church's aisle to lead the way.

09 of 30

Play With Pampas Grass

church with all white florals — PHOTO BY CINZIA BRUSCHINI; PLANNING BY EXCLUSIVE ITALY WEDDINGS; FLORAL DESIGN BY LA ROSA CANINA

We know it's easy to go overboard with pampas grass, but this isn't one of those cases. This couple opted for stunning large arrangements of white blooms, with a few sprigs of pampas grass, to tie together the most beautiful natural palette that perfectly complemented the interior of the church.

10 of 30

Wrap the Railings With Greenery

Church steps with greenery — PHOTO BY CAROLINE LIMA PHOTOGRAPHY

There's just something so striking about magnolia leaves, and if you're looking for a way to incorporate greenery into a church wedding, this is it. Consider wrapping the railings of the church with this incredible foliage for a lovely, natural look.

11 of 30

Add Color With Dried Flowers

church pews with dried flowers — PHOTO BY MORGANE LAY AND JONNY COCHERANE

Keeping things simple doesn't mean you can't add color. Consider incorporating dried florals, tied in little bundles, into your look. We love the way these dried blooms perfectly match the natural look of the pews.

12 of 30

Line the Aisle With Lanterns

church aisles with lanterns — PHOTO BY CHRIS ISHAM

Want to add something unique to the aisles of your church? Especially for those incorporating a countryside or rustic vibe, floral installations may not be the right fit. Consider ornate lanterns for a uniquely charming addition.

13 of 30

Hang Floral Installations

Church with hanging greenery — PHOTO BY HOLLY CLARK

A gorgeous church with big, bold doors may not need much to make a statement while welcoming guests. Incorporating two simple hanging floral installations is such a beautiful way to command attention for the celebration.

14 of 30

Decorate the Doors With Wreaths

church doors with wreaths — PHOTO BY KATE HEADLEY

A charming church deserves décor to match, and one couple pulled it off flawlessly at the historic church they chose to say their vows. We love the quaint look of two wreaths on the doors, made up of eucalyptus, boxwood, and larkspur, with a few peonies and ranunculus for a pop of color.

15 of 30

Install an Entryway Arrangement

Church with greenery and white flowers — PHOTO BY IMOGEN XIANA

If you want to create an entryway to welcome your guests without going over-the-top, a simple arrangement will do the trick. This arrangement, made up of plenty of greenery and garden roses, was installed to make it look like it was naturally growing up the church steps.

16 of 30

Tie Mini Bouquets to the Pews

church pews with greenery — PHOTO BY CAROLINE LIMA PHOTOGRAPHY

Church pews may seem a bit dull sometimes, but not when you add a few blooms. This couple pulled together little bouquets made up of seeded eucalyptus and white roses for the sweetest touch.

17 of 30

Welcome With a Sign

bride outside church doors with her parents and a wedding sign — PHOTO BY KAYLEE CHELSEA PHOTOGRAPHY

Don't forget to welcome your guests to your ceremony! Incorporating a gorgeous sign adorned with a few blooms is sure to do the trick. We love the way this rose gold sign perfectly matched the exterior of the church to create a gorgeous display.

18 of 30

Adorn the Front Gate

iron church gate with florals — PHOTO BY OLIVIA RAE JAMES

There are plenty of simple ways to add your own touch to a church ceremony. Guests were welcomed with the church gates adorned with anthuriums, introducing them to the wedding's color palette in the sweetest way.

19 of 30

Embrace Plenty of Eucalyptus

wood-toned church with greenery — PHOTO BY MELISSA OHOLENDT PHOTOGRAPHY

Love a natural look? Especially if the interior of your church is heavy on wood tones, you may want to add a bit more life. Don't be afraid to lean into plenty of eucalyptus for your décor. And as an added bonus? It'll help save you money on your budget, as opposed to plenty of florals!

20 of 30

Create a Masterpiece on the Floor

church with colorful floor — PHOTO BY PASCAL CHEVALLIER

Not a fan of large floral installations? Play with petals instead! One couple chose to create an artistic masterpiece on the floor of the church where they said "I do." And can you believe it was put together entirely with flower petals?

21 of 30

Display a Floral Arch

church with floral arch entryway — PHOTO BY PATRICIA LYONS PHOTOGRAPHY

Ready to make an entrance? Of course, you and your partner will look stunning in your attire, but why not up the wow factor just a bit more. Installing a lush floral arch is the perfect way to frame the entryway to a church to make a beautiful statement.

22 of 30

Decorate With Displays of Baby's Breath

Church wedding with baby's breath — Photo by Branco Prata

Baby's breath doesn't get the attention it deserves, especially when it comes to weddings. But truly, it's perfect for when you need a simple pop of white. We love the look of these darling installations marking the pews for a lovely church ceremony.

23 of 30

Install a Wall of Greenery

church with wall of greenery — PHOTO BY PHIL CHESTER

Especially if you're getting married in a historic church, chances are you don't want to add too much that will take away from the details of the chapel. This real wedding incorporated an incredible wall of greenery to enhance the décor while keeping the historical significance of the church's details on display.

24 of 30

Make a Statement With Palm Leaves

church with palm leaves — PHOTO BY REBECCA WOOD

There's no shame in bringing the outside in! If you're planning a tropical or beachside reception, accent your ceremony space with giant palm leaves ahead of time to tie it all together.

25 of 30

Fill the Altar With Candles

bride and groom praying in church with candles — PHOTO BY Sara Lobla

Few things are as romantic as candlelight. And it makes for the perfect addition to your wedding! This couple exchanged their Roman Catholic vows at the altar surrounded by candlelight, which made for the most beautiful moment.

26 of 30

Create a Floral Backdrop

church with wall of flowers — PHOTO BY YESSICA CRUZ

Just like the Templo de San Cayetano, many churches are known for their remarkable architecture and gold adornments. If you're tying the knot in a show-stopping church, don't be afraid to still put your own spin on it. A floral backdrop with greenery and simple white blooms will do just the trick!

27 of 30

Decorate the Floor With Greenery

church with aisle of greenery — PHOTO BY PHIL CHESTER

If you're not able to bring much into the church, especially if it means hanging, tying, or taping, there's still an option for you! We love the idea of scattering simple greenery down the aisle to add a pop of color and a bit of life.

28 of 30

Frame a Window View

church with greenery on large window — PHOTO BY CHRIS ISHAM

If you're saying "I do" in a gorgeous church or chapel with incredible window views, consider letting them do all the talking. Frame and enhance the view with two simple installments of greenery, or incorporate just a few simple blooms into the mix.

29 of 30

Add Statement Arrangements

Wedding with white floral arrangements — PHOTO BY KRISTIN LA VOIE

With plenty of marble stone as your backdrop, sometimes you don't need much more. Consider adding just two arrangements on either side of the altar to really make a statement.

30 of 30

Incorporate Long-Stemmed Blooms

Church wedding with long-stemmed flowers — Photo by Jamie English

There's nothing more eye-catching than long-stemmed blooms. We love the way this couple incorporated arrangements of white gladiolus and eucalyptus to enhance the stunning décor of Saint Catherine’s Church in France.

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