Essential Areas to Decorate at Your Melbourne Wedding
You’ve booked the venue, you’re excited about the day, and now the big question kicks in, where do you actually need to decorate? Do you style every corner, or focus on a few key areas that make the biggest difference to how your wedding looks and feels?
In this video, Marcus Prentice and Monique from Feel Good Events walk you through all the main areas to think about when decorating your wedding ceremony and reception. It’s a practical, down to earth guide to where your styling budget will have the most impact, and where you can keep things simple without your wedding feeling bare.
They start with your ceremony, because that’s usually the first space your guests see and where a lot of your photos are taken. You’ll learn why your ceremony backdrop (arch, arbor, plinths, florals, draping) is the main focal point, and why it’s often smarter to invest there rather than trying to style every single aisle chair. Monique and Marcus talk through options for the aisle like petals, candles, carpets and seating decor, but they also explain when “less is more”, especially if you’re working with wind, weather or a tight budget. They also touch on ceremony signage, like your welcome sign, and how pieces like this can be repurposed later in the reception so you’re not paying twice.
From there, the video moves into the flow of the reception, starting with the entrance and foyer area. This is where your welcome sign and seating chart usually live, and it sets the tone for the night as guests arrive. You’ll hear ideas for keeping this area stylish without overspending, using things like soft lighting, candles on the bar, and a few well chosen floral pieces that can often be reused from earlier in the day.
Inside the reception room, the focus shifts to the spaces your guests actually spend time in. Marcus and Monique break down how to approach guest tables so they feel styled, comfortable and suited to the size of the room. They explain why larger centrepieces often work better in big spaces, and how you can use linen, napkins, candles, menus, table numbers, place cards and chair choices to build a cohesive look instead of a random mix of items. There’s also a useful chat about venue chairs versus hire chairs, and how something as simple as changing the chairs can completely change the feel of the room.
The bridal table gets its own spotlight too. Whether you’re having a traditional bridal table or choosing to sit among your guests, the video explains why this area is such a strong focal point and how to decorate it in a way that works with your venue. Think cascading florals, candles, overhead installations, draping, fairy light curtains, feature windows or even LED screens in some venues. You’ll get a sense of what’s possible at different budget levels, and how to make choices that still look special even if you’re keeping things modest.
Another big section is dedicated to the dance floor and the space above it. This is where so many key moments happen from the first dance, party photos and late night fun ,so it deserves some thought. Marcus and Monique talk through options like floral borders, custom decals, acrylic or light up dance floors, overhead structures with mirror balls or greenery, and of course, lighting. They flag important practical points too, like checking what your venue allows to be rigged above the floor and whether your DJ brings lighting or you need extra party lights.
You’ll also hear about the “secondary” areas that can easily be forgotten but add a lot to the overall feel: cake tables, dessert or grazing stations, bar areas, lounge or chill out zones, selfie walls or photo booths, and even bathrooms and outdoor smoking areas. The video gives simple ideas for each space, and (importantly) when not to overdo it so you don’t accidentally make the smoking area more appealing than the dance floor.
Towards the end, Marcus and Monique bring it all back to what matters most, impact for your budget. They summarise the three areas they believe every couple should prioritise, no matter the spend level, guest tables, the bridal table, and room lighting. Get those right, and your wedding will feel styled and intentional, even if other areas are kept quite simple. They also touch on how lighting (mood lighting, party lighting, accent lighting on key features) can completely change the atmosphere without needing piles of extra decor.
If you’re planning your wedding and feeling unsure where to start with decorating, this video is a really helpful overview. It doesn’t just give you a long list of “things you could do”. It helps you work out what actually matters, where guests will spend their time, and how to get the best value from your styling budget while still creating a wedding that looks and feels like you.
