Ceremony Decor

Backyard Bash
Scrubs star John C. McGinley proposed to yoga instructor Nichole Kessler in their Malibu backyard, so when it came to choosing a location the pair thought: "How much better would it be to have our wedding at home?" If, like Kessler, you prefer a cozy, personal setting to a larger, more formal venue, you too might consider tying the knot at your own casa. As to the logistics, don't fret: In most areas there are companies that rent out all manner of tables and chairs.

At McGinley and Kessler's backyard ceremony, guests were given cones filled with flower petals to sprinkle onto the grass aisle. "It created a wonderful energy," says the actor. "Everyone participated in their own way."


Outdoor Setting
If you plan to wed alfresco, seek out a natural alternative to an altar. A tree or large rock makes a stunning focal point and lets you skip renting candelabras and other décor. General Hospital star Greg Vaughan and actress Touriya Haoud married under this giant oak on an estate in Pacific Palisades, Calif. Says their planner, Mindy Weiss, "We just hung strings of orchids from the tree. It was simple and beautiful."


Rows in Bloom
Traditional pew decorations have an appealing stateliness about them, but that doesn't mean you can't loosen things up a bit. One idea drawn from the wedding of Donald Trump and Melania Knauss: Let garlands spill onto the floor, which gives a look of abundance but doesn't compete with the bride for guests' attention. Says N.Y.C. event designer Preston Bailey, who made these arrangements by sewing together heads of hardy dendrobium orchids, "It was important not to create anything that distracted from Melania or her dress. The garlands were low enough to enhance the décor without overwhelming it."

Source: http://www.instyleweddings.com