Today's brides usually want to carry out the color and floral themes they have chosen for their wedding by decorating their ceremony and reception sites. You may choose to create an entire theme using elaborate decorations and backdrops. Or, you may simply want a few flowers and candles to enhance your ceremony site and dinner tables.

In many cases decorations need to be set up just prior to the arrival of the wedding party at the church and taken down almost immediately after the ceremony. Likewise, reception tables are often not ready for decorating until an hour or two before the dinner. So, often there isn't time for members of the wedding party to take on the decorating task, as well as to be relaxed and ready for the wedding. If you prefer to have a hand in your own decorating, look for decorations that can be prepared ahead and a very responsible person to arrange them according to your wishes.

If you choose to have your florist prepare arrangements and decorations, be sure to discuss whether she/he will also set-up, decorate, and remove the items after the wedding. If you choose a professional decorator, they will take care of these tasks as a part of their duties, as well as to create the decorations themselves.

Professional decorators and florists generally have an inventory of rental items that can be customized to carry out your wedding theme. It's a wise investment to rent table centerpieces, vases, mirrors, silk and dried flower arrangements, pedestals, archways, and plants that you will only use for one day. Similar items with ribbons, tulle, or lace swags, candles or wreaths make beautiful customized wedding decorations.

Another money-saving idea: consider using ceremony decorations at the reception site as well - but again, be sure that "someone who will truly be responsible" will transport them quickly and set them up artistically at the reception before your guests arrive.