What are the best ways to make gazebos & pavilions more appealing?

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Pavilions and gazebos are lovely outdoor constructions that improve the wow factor of any garden or backyard wedding.

These structures offer the ideal setting for outdoor parties & weddings

Our inexpensive DIY decorating solutions easily make these outdoor structures look stunning. Below, we’ll explore some of the best DIY decorating ideas for gazebos & pavilions.

Easily implement any of these ideas to create a beautiful outdoor oasis. Feel free to explore our suggestions & use them to create the ideal atmosphere for your next event.

Wedding Gazebo Ideas

Decorating a gazebo is a very enjoyable and creative process. It usually takes less than (1) hour to make the area unique and create a special ambiance for the day.

There are many ways to embellish your gazebo to match your theme using different decor pieces. From lighting & floral details to personalized items that give your place a charming feature.

How to decorate a wedding gazebo?

• Floral Accents: Flower accents, such as flower walls, are among the best wedding gazebo ideas. Think of decorating the gazebo with real or fake flowers in shades that go with your chosen theme. The columns may also be decorated with flower arrangements. Hang these from the pavilion’s top.
• Drapery & Fabric: Adding drapery and fabric to your gazebo gives a soft and romantic look. Our poly silk drapery creates a dreamy impression. This can also be done using sheer materials like tulle, chiffon, or organza. You may use fabric to cover the gazebo with ceiling drapery or hide the columns with fabric.
• Light Your Space: Lighting is an essential component of any wedding gazebo decor. Use candles, outdoor uplighting, or string lights for a warm, inviting ambiance. You may consider using centerpiece pinspots to draw attention to important gazebo features during dusk, like the altar or the floral arrangements you decided to incorporate.
• Personalize the Space: Add personal touches to the pavilion like backdrop stands to make it unique and special for the couple. Hang a custom-made sign, including the couple’s initials or the big day on an easel. Decorate your signage with items that have a special meaning to you.
• Include Natural Features: To give the gazebo more texture & depth, incorporate flower garlands, branches, vines, or leaves. Use petals down your ceremony aisleway. Make a living wall by using a trellis & adding climbing plants like ivy or roses. This will create a stunning backdrop for photos!

Small Gazebo Ideas

A small gazebo is a charming addition to any backyard or garden. It gives a feel of a cozy and intimate space for outdoor relaxation, entertaining, or dining.

even better if the gazebo is at your house, then you have permanent décor

Decorating a small gazebo is both fun and rewarding! This project allows you to create a beautiful and functional outdoor oasis.

What small gazebo ideas make big results?

• Add a Pop of Color: Choose bold, brilliant colors to give a touch of personality to your small gazebo. Paint it in a striking color like red, blue, or yellow. Add colorful elements like pillows, drapes, or rugs.
• Create a Cozy Seating Area: Inside the gazebo, make a pleasant seating for the sweetheart table area using comfy outdoor furniture. A rug, plush pillows, and soft cushions help make the area look cozier and more appealing.
• Include Lights: To create a welcoming atmosphere, add some outdoor uplighting to the space. Use candles, tiki torches, or cafe string lights and achieve a wonderful result.
• Decorate with Plants: To enhance your tiny gazebo’s natural beauty and charm, use greenery garlands on tables & railings. Add potted plants or hanging baskets to turn a space into a little garden. Hang flower garlands down your pillars to wrap them in roses, wisteria & foliage.
• Hang Decorative Items: To give this structure individuality and flare, hang items like wind chimes or artwork. These minor adjustments make a striking change in the overall appearance.
• Add Privacy Screens: Make the little gazebo more private and isolated by including a pipe & drape kit. Use bamboo or cloth screens to create a warm and private ambiance. This also adds much-needed depth to your wedding photos.

Gazebo Wedding Décor

A gazebo can be decorated in many different ways, depending on the style and theme you choose for your special day.

Where to use gazebo wedding decor?

• Floral Arrangements: Fresh flowers are a timeless and traditional choice to use in gazebo decorations. Use floral arrangements to adorn the columns, roof, and outside border. Hang garlands from the attached strap and zip-tie them to anchor points. These can be either in the rafters or on the railings.
• Fabric Draping: Give your gazebo a gentle, romantic feel. It is simple to drape this over openings. Just zip-tie fabric to nails in the beams & let them drape to the ground. Have the fabric go across the ceiling with a slight drooping effect. Always weigh down any pieces that hang across the ground.
• Candles & Lighting: Decorating the gazebo with candles and lanterns will give it a warm, inviting glow. We recommend using flameless candles with the natural flicker effect. Place these on tables, stairs, banisters, and around the ground.
• String Lights: String lights are a common option for gazebo wedding decor. Rent these for evening receptions to create an enchanted ambiance. To add a romantic touch, wrap the gazebo’s columns, roof, or perimeter with string lights. String them between the gazebo and your treeline for added drama.
• Personalized Signage: Adding unique lettering to the gazebo is a fantastic way to make the ceremony more intimate and meaningful. Signs containing the couple’s names, wedding date, or favorite sayings might be used. Surround the signs with flowers or plants for a coordinated and fashionable aesthetic.
• Bohemian Accents: To decorate your gazebo with a bohemian or rustic motif, add macramé, dreamcatchers, or feathers. These boho touches give the space a free-spirited feel. When working with décor remember odd number groupings look better than even (for example 3 or 5 feathers instead of 2).

Gazebo Hanging Decorations

Hanging decorations are a beautiful way to add style & varying height to a gazebo. This is great for those looking to decorate for a special occasion or just wanting to spruce up a backyard space.

What are creative hanging decoration ideas?

• Hanging Lanterns: Lanterns are a popular choice for hanging gazebo decorations. Use lanterns in various sizes & colors to create a warm look. Always group in odd numbers to give a better look in photos (for example 3 or 5 lanterns). We love the soft glow that LED lanterns create at night.
• Dreamcatchers: Dreamcatchers are a whimsical choice for gazebo hanging decorations. They are especially popular for bohemian or rustic themes. Create your dream catchers using natural materials like feathers, twine, and beads. Hang across the top of an opening for a one-of-a-kind look.
• Wind Chimes: Wind chimes are a classic choice for gazebo hanging decor. They add a soothing sound for a calming atmosphere. They come in various sizes & styles, from simple metal chimes to more ornate designs. Have these shown in photos or hidden in the background to enhance the sound.
• Hanging Plants: Hanging plants are a great way to add natural beauty and charm to your backyard space. Use ivy, ferns, or flowers, to create a lush green environment. These should be prominently displayed on the front. Keep these arrangements symmetrical so photos are well balanced.
• Paper Lanterns: Paper lanterns are a fun choice for gazebo hanging decorations. Pick a color & pattern to match your theme. Create a festive & playful atmosphere. Use LED paper lanterns & watch them glow at night. We recommend a spontaneous & random placement. Aim for 15-30 lanterns!

How to Decorate a Wedding Gazebo

1. Choose a Color Scheme

The first step is to choose a color scheme. Typically this is based on the theme you’ve chosen or perhaps your favorite colors. Once you have a color scheme set, then choose decorations that match.

2. Decide on Your Style

Ultimately, the style of the gazebo should match the theme. For example, a rustic theme would call for a gazebo decorated with natural elements like wood, flowers, and greenery. A classic theme, on the other hand, would require a more formally-decorated place, using elegant ornaments like crystal chandeliers and drapery.

3. Use Flowers

Fresh flowers or silk flowers are a classic and timeless choice for gazebo wedding decor. Use floral garlands to decorate the gazebo’s columns, roof, and perimeter. Choose flowers that match your chosen color scheme and style, and add greenery and foliage for a natural and organic look.

4. Add Fabric Draping

If you want to create a soft and romantic feel, then consider wedding arch draping. You will be amazed at how poly silk fabric will create a dreamy and ethereal look. Add flowers or ribbons to the fabric for a touch of color and texture.

5. Personalize with Signage

Adding personalized signage to the gazebo is a great way to make the celebration more meaningful. Use signs with the couple’s names, the ceremony’s date, or favorite quotes. Place these on an easel by the walkway entrance or near the steps of the gazebo.

6. Consider Seating

If you’re planning on using the gazebo for the ceremony, you may want to consider adding seating for guests. Use chairs or benches that match the overall decor style and decorate it with flowers or fabric draping.

Wedding Gazebo Flowers

Flowers are an essential part of every romantic and elegant look. They’re used for adding color, texture, and fragrance to your gazebo decor.

What are popular wedding gazebo flowers?

• Roses: This classic wedding flower comes in a variety of colors and sizes. They are commonly used in floral arrangements, bouquets, or petals scattered around the structure.
• Peonies: Considered large & fluffy flowers are yet another popular ceremony option. They come in shades of pink, white, and red and have a delicate and romantic appearance.
• Hydrangeas: These versatile flowers feature shades of pink, blue, and white. Use these in arrangements, as standalone or filler flowers to add texture to your decor.
• Baby’s Breathe: Regarded as a delicate and airy flower that is often used to add texture and volume to floral arrangements.
• Lilies: are large & elegant flowers that come in various colors. They are a popular option because of their dramatic appearance. Use lilies in floral arrangements, bouquets, or as standalone flowers to decorate the gazebo.
• Wedding Gazebo Flowers: Various flower styles play an important role in creating a beautiful and romantic display. Just think of how boring arrangements are with the same flower type. By choosing the right flower variety you can incorporate your style & create an unforgettable look.

Pavilion Wedding Decoration Ideas

When it comes to planning a marriage celebration, choosing the right venue and decor makes all the difference. One popular venue option is pavilion décor, which offers a versatile and open space for ceremonies and receptions. If you’re planning to use boxwood walls, there are numerous decoration options to consider.

some pavilions already have nails from previous decorations installed

If you’re renting the pavilion in a park, you have to get approval to attach draping to the ceiling rafters using hooks, zip ties, pipe cleaners, and nails. Chances are any nails left from previous weddings will work for hanging your décor.

How to Decorate a Wedding Pavilion

Some decoration ideas for a gazebo can also be applied to a pavilion. For example, hanging decorations like lanterns or floral arrangements can be used in both structures to create a romantic and intimate ambiance.

When to book a pavilion vs a gazebo?

• Gazebo Size: The gazebo is a smaller more intimate place, which is great for ceremony locations.
• Pavilion Size: A pavilion is typically larger & holds more guests, this is ideal for receptions.
• Floral Size: Larger pavilions require larger floral arrangements while gazebos need smaller flowers.
• Lighting: Outdoor reception pavilions require lighting for evening events to adequately light the space.

Choose a color scheme, add floral arrangements/greenery, set up lighting, create a focal point, personalize the decor, & add decorative elements like table settings. The key is to create a unique look that reflects your personality & style.

Wedding Pergola Decor

Generally speaking, a pergola is a garden structure that’s smaller than a gazebo or pavilion. You might even say that it looks like an arch that’s about 10 feet tall, more or less.

For wedding pergola decor, use drapery that swags across the top & ties to the sides

Decorating a Pergola

Adding lighting, plants, and drapery can create a romantic and inviting atmosphere for the pergola. Using a combination of flowers, fabric, and lighting can help create beautiful decor.

Personal touches like hanging pictures add special decor that makes your event unique

When decorating a pergola, it’s important to consider the material you’re going to use. Opt for a poly silk fabric instead of chiffon because the first weighs a little more (which helps a lot in case of wind).

Final Thoughts

If you made it this far, then congrats! You have all of our pro decorating tips. The only thing left is to rent the decorations and work your magic.

rent your decor online and do it yourself under budget

Ship Our Wedding® specializes in rent and return flower decor, wedding drapes & lighting kits. All our rentals arrive the week of your party and set up fast with QR code video tutorials. Ship everything back in the same box 2 days after your party.