Everyone has a different vision for what the perfect wedding day should look like. We know because we get to spend time looking at them in all their beauty day in and day out! Some brides and grooms opt for the classic, fresh white look while others go for more rustic wedding inspiration with a cozy feel. We get to see chic modern designs and intimate, warm affairs. Whatever your style, everyone wants their guests to be wowed when they walk into the ceremony and reception spaces. Today we want to discuss one piece that you can add to any design plan that will instantly evoke luxury and taste; we’re talking about overhead wedding decor and hanging installations. What exactly is overhead decor, you may ask. Well, overhead decor can mean a myriad of things and that is what makes it so diverse and interesting! You can opt for a dazzling chandelier, lush greenery, vibrant florals, twinkling lights, and the list goes on and on.

Brides (L) Jen Fariello Photography (R) Love Katie + Sarah

Hanging Florals & Greens If you are looking for your head table to take center stage, placing a large hanging arrangement of vines, greenery, and/or flowers will definitely draw the eye and create a show stopping focal point in the room. We love the idea of draping these elements above your friends and family for a garden feel. Creating a canopy with your favorite fresh garlands and florals makes for a beautiful post dinner experience.

Chandeliers If your venue has stunning chandeliers, this one is a no brainer! They’ve already supplied the perfect design element for you! If not, discuss with your venue coordinator whether or not you can bring in your own and where you can hang them. Chandeliers come in may colors, shapes, and designs so finding one to fit your wedding day aesthetic should be a breeze! Think an outdoor wedding will not allow for the hanging of overhead decor? Think again! One of our favorite uses of this design element is when chandeliers are hung from a nearby large tree or two, providing a beautiful glow for your guests as the night progresses.

Michelle Lange via A Garden Party

Floral Chandeliers This is a great combo of the first two ideas! If the chandeliers in your venue aren’t exactly to your taste, hanging greenery and florals from these pieces may add a little something extra to the space. If your venue doesn’t have any hanging chandeliers but will allow you to bring some in you can snag some great vintage finds that may not work anymore at a flea market or second hand shop. These can then be hung decoratively with some of your favorite vines and blooms just to kick the decor up a notch!

Drapery Hanging fabric can instantly add a luxurious and high-end feel to your big day. Cover your reception room, floor and ceiling, with your favorite solid or print fabric to cover an unappealing wallpaper and wall color. If you opted for a barn setting but want to kick up the formality of the event a little, adding some drapery on the ceiling and cascading down the walls periodically will certainly give you that effect.

Rebekah J. Murray Photography via our Elegant and Romantic Wedding Reception in Virginia

Hanging Lanterns Whether these are paper, metal, wood, or any other material that you can dream up, the use of hanging lanterns is a great way to add a little glow to your reception. Place them strategically over dinner tables with fake candles or small lights inside to set the mood in a low light setting or whimsically hang them around the dance floor for an installation piece to admire mid-boogie!

Cafe Lights Add a twinkling atmosphere to any reception space by hanging bistro or cafe lights. We absolutely love cafe lights over and dance floor or outside dinner tables, but it’s not necessarily only for outdoor weddings! You can adapt this lighting design for an indoor venue as well. In a lower light environment, cafe lights add a little bit of romance without taking away from the beauty of your overall design and decor.

For more wedding vendors, please visit our Washington DC area wedding vendor guide and for even more amazing local ideas, check out our wedding inspiration galleries and other Washington DC area real weddings.