A Thorough Guide: How to Decorate a Gazebo for a Wedding
Gazebos and weddings together are a story as old as time. For decades upon decades, engaged couples have selected gazebos to serve as their scenic ceremony location (and it’s not hard to see why).
Outdoor weddings are iconic during the Spring and Summer. A gazebo is the perfect mix of fresh air and shade for these sunny and warm events.
Although they are highly sought after, many may not know the various elements of planning that go into the looks of decorating a gazebo wedding. First, you must take in the space and sizing. Then you must select various types of gazebo wedding decoration options.
Once all the deciding has been done, you must place the decorations in suitable spaces. To tie it all together, you must add personal touches to the area.
This can feel overwhelming for a bride or couple-to-be, and rightfully so. Which begs the question, “How should I decorate a gazebo for my wedding?” We’re here to cover this exact topic in-depth, along with gazebo wedding decoration ideas and more. So let’s get to it.
The Appeal of Gazebo Weddings
Gazebo weddings are picturesque. The greenery and the elegance create a beautiful atmosphere fit for most ceremony types.
Typically, gazebos are displayed in gardens or parks, offering a scenic, natural backdrop of flowers, gardens, ponds, or waterfalls. This creates a beautiful atmosphere without having to add elaborate background decorations or settings.
A gazebo also offers the perfect intimate and romantic environment for your wedding. With their open structure and detailed designs, they naturally create a romantic setting with a personal feel - an ideal location to say “I do.”
These beautiful structures are also extremely versatile. Gazebos can be decorated to fit nearly any wedding theme, from rustic chic to elegant modern themes. Their open-designed structure also allows for creative decorations and placements.
Gazebos are also often very cost-effective. Instead of renting a large indoor space with electricity and staff costs, you can turn to a simple yet elegant outdoor garden scene that will save you money.
Additionally, the unique design of a gazebo offers unique photos and backgrounds. Instead of taking photos in a typical indoor space, you can take the opportunity to have a photographer or family member shoot some aerial or close-up photos of you, highlighting the space and design of the gazebo.
Finally, there is nothing like being inside a gazebo at night. If your ceremony or wedding runs into the evening, these pillar structures offer a beautiful chance to create a magical evening vibe with fairy lights, lanterns, and string lights under the moon.
How to Decorate a Gazebo for a Wedding
1. Measure and Understand Your Gazebo
Your first step to learning how to decorate a gazebo for a wedding should be to measure the space and get familiar with its rules and guidelines. Understanding what kind of space your venue can offer and consulting with the venue owner about guidelines for decorations or space usage upfront is essential. It’s better to know what space you have to work with and what you’re allowed to do before ever planning or purchasing anything.
Measuring your gazebo will give you an educated idea of how big the space is and what decorations and furniture you can fit in there. This will also guide your decoration process.
Begin by taking basic measurements of the space. This includes measuring the length (front to back), the width (the left to the right side), the height of the pillars (floor to top of pillar), and the height (floor to ceiling).
Next, calculate the overall square footage of the space (multiplying the width by the length).
Now that you have your measurements, it’s time to consult with your venue owner on decoration guidelines. Before beginning to select any furniture or decorations, it’s important to have a conversation with your venue owner on what you’re allowed to do with the space. This way, you won’t be wasting any money or time purchasing items that cannot be used during the wedding.
Additionally, it saves you the hassle of having to plan another theme or think of other types of decorations if you get close to your wedding date and discover you cannot use some of the items you have.
Ask your venue owner any questions you feel are important, such as:
Am I allowed to attach decorations to the structure?
Am I able to have open flames in or around the gazebo, such as torches and candles?
Are there any decoration items I cannot use, such as fake snow, confetti, or flower petals?
Are there any forbidden items inside or near the gazebo?
This step is really about getting to know your space. Ask any questions you feel may be relevant to your wedding upfront so there are no surprises. If you come across a questionable decoration item or process later on that you didn’t ask about initially, call your venue owner and ask them directly before making a decision.
2. Starting with the Basics: Draping and Fabrics
Draping and fabrics create a dreamy and elegant element on a gazebo. Fabric drapery also creates a romantic atmosphere for the couple-to-be and guests alike. But not only can fabrics be hung or arranged in various different ways, there are so many fabric types and colors you can choose.
1. Choose the fabric type you want to use. When using fabric outside, you want to choose something that won’t fall apart in the outdoor elements and holds its shape well. Linen and Velvet are two great choices to start with.
Velvet is thick and bright, so it will hold its shape well and create beautiful coloring variations. Linen is light but magical. Linen holds its shape well, creates a lighter, airy element, and has just enough give for wind or rain.
If you’re unsure of a fabric type, take a sample piece home and hang it up outdoors. Inspect it for shape holding, weather resistance, color bleeding, or wear and tear.
2. You’ll need to select your fabric color. Select a color that matches your wedding theme or a neutral color, such as white, gray, or wheat colors. It’s best to choose a color that compliments or positively contrasts the color of the gazebo for the best effect.
3. Purchase the appropriate amount of fabric. Based on the measurements you took from the first step, you should have a pretty good idea of how tall your pillars and ceilings are. Based on how many pillars the gazebo has or how high the ceilings are, purchase the appropriate amount of fabric it would take to cover them. It’s always best to purchase 10% more than you need, just in case.
4. Select a decoration style. You can create dramatic, whimsical, or elegant atmospheres based on the styling of your fabrics. There are many decoration styles to choose from, such as:
Curtain Backdrops - Hanging your curtains from the top of the entrance all along the back side of the gazebo will create a curtain backdrop look. Think of a photo backdrop but with curtains or fabric. This design gives the space an intimate and elegant feel.
Pillar Draping - Like the image above, this style entails hanging your drapery from the ceiling of each pillar in the gazebo. Once you hang them from their respective positions, you will want to add a curtain clamp around the midsection of each piece of drapery and fan the tops out to be wider than the bottom. This is a classic design that gives the space an airy garden feel.
Ceiling Draping - This design is created by hanging one piece of fabric horizontally across the ceiling and attaching it to another side of the gazebo. Repeat this step until the desired amount of ceiling is covered. Think of a rope bridge; they are positioned horizontally to reach the other side of the land, but they have a sinking center in the middle. This is how your fabric should look. Draped and not completely flat across. This style is classic for any party and serves well for a couple who wants to use fabric but doesn’t want it to be the main decoration element.
Space Filling - If you have a gazebo with multiple open sides, adding space-filling curtains can help close up the space and bring the focus of guests to you. Simply hang the fabric from the entrance of each opening you want to close up by running it across the entire desired entrance. If you choose this design, it is recommended to leave one space open for guests to get in and out of and one space behind you open for scenic pictures and a beautiful backdrop for your guests to enjoy.
Fencing Draping - If you rent a gazebo with fencing or “guardrails” around the structure, you can weave your fabric through the slats. Simply take your fabric and create a braiding effect, weaving it into every other slat. This design is perfect for giving the outside of the gazebo some design without taking away from the atmosphere of the outdoors.
3. Floral Magic Adding Blooms to Your Gazebo
After you lock in your fabric choices and designs, it’s time for color and greenery! Flowers are an important decision for any wedding, but in the case of a gazebo wedding, they are essential. Gazebos are lovely outdoor spaces, and flowers add the extra touch the structure needs to be magical. When deciding how to decorate the gazebo for your wedding, you must select your flower types and placements. There are a few considerations that go into that, such as:
Real Vs. Fake Flowers - The first step is to decide if you want to utilize real or fake flowers for your ceremony. Fake flowers allow you more decoration freedom, and they are a more cost-effective choice. Real flowers provide sweet smells and textures fake flowers cannot, but they are more expensive.
Choose Your Flower Types - Real and fake flowers can be found in abundance across almost all flower types. When you’re deciding on the flower types you want to use, think of your space. Do you have large, blank sections you can use large flowers in? Is your gazebo more detailed and intricate, requiring small flowers? Gazebos are most often paired with these flowers:
Hydrangeas
Roses
Carnations
Lilies
Chrysanthemums
3. Additional Greenery Options - If you’re looking to get creative and unique, consider adding some non-traditional greenery options. Hanging planters are a beautiful option if your gazebo has high ceilings. Floral garlands can be incorporated in so many places, like isle runners, on the outside of the gazebo ceiling, or hanging from entrances. Potted plants are a cute, affordable addition to table centerpieces or on the ledges of the gazebo walls.
4. Consider Greenery Decoration Options - Once you have your flowers and greenery selected, begin to think about how you want to arrange them. Do you want floral garlands at the end of each guest seating aisle? Do you want flowers hanging down from the ceiling to create a whimsical feel? Should they be anchored to each pillar of the gazebo? Will you have flowers along the entire ledge of the gazebo?
4. Lighting the Scene: Luminous Evening Lighting Additions
There’s nothing quite as magical as being inside a romantic, perfectly lit gazebo at night. Your lighting choices will play a major role in the atmosphere of your evening ceremony or reception. Since most gazebos are not equipped with electricity, it will be up to you to decide on lighting after the sun goes down.
Since this structure exists outdoors, you have a variety of options for lighting.
Fairy Lights - Fairy lights are battery-powered strings of lights with many tiny lights on them. They typically have dimming and twinkling settings to create a dreamy evening.
Lanterns - Lanterns offer a rustic or boho wedding feel. Whether you choose to hang them throughout the gazebo or situate them on tables, they are a romantic and classic lighting addition.
Torches - If you have ample space around the outside of the gazebo, consider placing some tall torches. They offer good lighting and provide that classic outdoor celebration feel. It is not recommended to put them inside the gazebo, as they are a fire hazard if someone bumps into them.
Candles - Candles can offer the perfect, moody evening you’re searching for. They’re affordable and can make a great addition to table centerpieces. If you plan on utilizing candles, be sure there is a tray or a glass dish to catch the wax and prevent a fire if someone accidentally knocks one over.
String Lights - String lights come in battery-operated or regular plugin versions. If there are no nearby outlets available, consider the battery-operated version. They offer ample light and come in a variety of shapes, designs, and colors. String lights are a classic, modern choice for outdoor celebrations alike.
Once you’ve decided on lighting choices, think about placement. You want your lighting decorations to provide enough brightness for the space so guests can dance, eat, and enjoy the party without running into each other or having to squint their eyes too hard.
Hanging string lights in a draping pattern around the premise of the gazebo or seating area is always a good choice. It promises even lighting and a good atmosphere. If you plan on hanging lanterns, be sure to space them out. If you put too many in one place, they may look strange.
If you plan to put any torches or lawn lighting, make sure you place them close enough to provide proper lighting but far enough away that guests won’t regularly be stepping around them or dancing near them.
5. Personal Touch Decorations
A wedding is a sentimental moment in a couple’s life. You’re promising yourself to the other person for the rest of your life. Sometimes your loved ones can’t be there, and other times you are overjoyed to display your love. There’s no better way to decorate a gazebo for your wedding than by adding an extra touch by creating or designing personal décor items.
You can create these items yourself using pieces from a craft store, or you can custom-order décor from a specialty store or website. Add a personal touch to your ceremony by:
Creating a Photo Collage - Create a photo collage of various stages of your relationship, pictures from an engagement session, or family photos of both of you with all your loved ones.
Create a Memory Board - Create or order a board showing important photos or locations of important moments in your life. These can include where you met, your first date, your first house together, where you were engaged, and more.
Design a “For Those Who Can’t Be Here” Memento - For important moments of your life, such as your wedding, it’s hard not to have a loved one there who are no longer with you. There’s no better way to honor their memory than by creating a special memento. A majority of couples who choose this option add pictures or names of their loved ones who are no longer here. This not only honors your family but allows them to be with you on your special day.
When adding personal touch decorations to your gazebo, think about the placement of the items. If you want these items to stand out, place them somewhere that guests will frequent, such as near the food or drinks or the bride and groom’s table.
If you just want them to blend in with the other décor, place them near guest tables or the music station.
6. Consider Seasonality
Seasonality plays a big role in if and how outdoor weddings take place. Although gazebos provide shelter from rain or direct sunlight, they don’t provide complete shelter, so it’s essential to consider seasonal elements for you and your guests’ comfort.
Winter - If you live in a location where an outdoor wedding is feasible in the Wintertime, it’s most likely still pretty cold. Think of adding some outdoor heaters and blankets in case guests get cold or forget a heavy-duty jacket.
Spring - Depending on where you live, Spring can be nice and mild or still relatively cold. Although you may not need them, it’s not a bad idea to have an extra outdoor heater or two on hand in case it gets chilly in the evening time.
Summer - Across the board, Summer is pretty hot and rainy for most. Although it may be nice weather for an hour or so, you and your guests will eventually become hot sitting in the sun for several hours. Be prepared with fans and some extra umbrellas.
Fall - For most, Fall is mild and perfect for sitting outside. You probably won’t need anything extra for this time of year.
When it gets closer to your wedding date, continue to check the weather for any abnormal increases or decreases in the temperature, as well as any storms.
7. Tips for Finalizing Your Gazebo Design
Now that we’ve covered how to design a gazebo for a wedding, it’s time for the final touches. After designing the gazebo to your liking and considering your seasonal elements, it’s time to think about any final touches. It’s best to be prepared rather than rush around on the day of trying to control the situation.
Weatherproofing Your Decorations - Decorations are an important element of your wedding, but they aren’t concrete. Weather conditions, such as rain or wind, can blow them away or ruin them completely. To prevent this from happening, you can weatherproof your decorations. Make sure any fragile or light decorations are held down well and remain sheltered under the gazebo.
Ensure Your Guests’ Comfort - Although your wedding is about you, it’s good to consider your guests’ comfort levels when attending your wedding. Do they have proper shade? Is there enough seating to accommodate everyone? Do you have items to help with the weather, such as umbrellas, fans, or heaters? Do your guests have a good view of the ceremony?
Take a Moment to Look at Your Design - After working so hard to plan and decorate your gazebo, step back and take a moment to look at it. Is it what you wanted it to be? If it’s not, take the extra few minutes to adjust items that aren’t to your liking. There’s always extra time for everything, so don’t rush to decorate and end up disliking it later on.
Conclusion
There are so many elements that go into decorating a gazebo for a wedding. From the initial measurements to the final touches and thoughts, every step plays an important role in the vision of your wedding.
Before beginning to decorate your gazebo, take some time to research colors and themes. Envision your wedding with these different elements until you land on a design you are happy with.
And remember: at the end of the day, it is your wedding. Design and add anything you see fit to the gazebo to create the atmosphere you and your partner are looking for, and don’t feel pressured to add things that aren’t your style.
Happy wedding planning!