Impactful, Simple Wedding Decor for Your Big Day

When you’re planning your wedding, you have a lot to consider. When and where do you want to celebrate? Do you want an outdoor wedding, an indoor wedding, or a destination wedding? Do you want a wedding theme? What do you want to eat or drink? How do you want your wedding to look and feel? You have so many different options and directions that you can take nearly every aspect of your wedding. Sometimes, simple wedding decor can be even more difficult to pull off than something a bit fussier. But when Sonia and Hun started planning their big day, they were looking to create a warm, elegant, personal affair with simple decor and a refined garden party feel.

Set in iconic downtown Chicago locations, the couple’s wedding blended plenty of magical, garden party charm with chic and refined minimalism for a wedding that demonstrated how perfect and gorgeous simple wedding decor can truly be.

How to Embrace Your Wedding Venue’s Natural Beauty with Simple Decor

Sonia and Hun’s ceremony took place in the Pritzker Garden at the Art Institute of Chicago, a sweet, hidden garden that feels set apart from the hustle and bustle of the Loop. Rather than competing with the garden’s natural beauty, the couple and their vendor team chose understated, simple wedding decor designed to highlight the beauty that was already there. It was a great way to let the greenery and architecture truly shine.

With a smattering of whimsical twinkle lights and custom rental tables and mobile bars from Bowery & Bash, the ceremony’s setting was romantic and elegant, while remaining minimal and intentional.

A Chic, Intimate Wedding Reception with Pared Back Decor

For the reception, the party moved into Griffin Court, the sleek, minimalist lobby of the Art Institute’s Modern Wing. The space is large and wide open, but Sonia and Hun were able to make it feel much smaller and more intimate by seating everyone at a single serpentine table—something the Clover Events team hadn’t done before. With everyone at one table, the vibe was much cozier and more connected, which made the dining experience extra special.

For this September wedding, XO Design Co’s floral arrangements in warm, autumnal tones couldn’t have been more perfect. They echoed both the season and the couple’s refined style. Plus, with modern yet soft flowers and the clean, minimalist look of the Modern Wing, the effect was simple yet oh-so-stunning.

Thoughtful, Personal Touches Keep Things Simple But Special

One of the best parts about featuring simple wedding decor is that it allows personal details and traditions to really stand out. Sonia and Hun imbued their entire event with personal touches that made the event entirely their own. Perhaps the most memorable part was the couple’s Kagami Biraki ceremony, a Japanese tradition in which they broke open a sake barrel. This moment not only honored Hun’s heritage, it made for the perfect way for guests to toast the couple.

Cocktail hour included hand-rolled sushi from Sushi San, a nod to the couple’s favorite local spots, and their dessert bar featured Spinning J Pies, beloved from their time living in Chicago.

How to Make Minimalist Wedding Decor Feel Special

Just because you’re going for something simple doesn’t mean that it can’t feel special and uniquely you. If you’re drawn to more pared back decor, here are some of our best tips for how to make it shine:

1. Pick the right venue

Although you’re probably planning to give a lot of careful thought to your venue no matter what, it’s especially important to select the right venue if you’re planning on using very simple decor because the venue itself will be on display even more than usual. Pick something with built-in character and charm, architectural interest, or natural beauty. Sonia and Hun leaned into the natural beauty of the Art Institute’s Pritzker Garden, which minimized the need for lots of extra decor.

2. Choose a few impactful elements

If you’re going simple, you can still make it memorable by opting to focus on a few high-impact details that set the tone and up the style. Think about incorporating a unique layout for your reception tables, an inventive dining arrangement or dance floor, a bold and dramatic floral moment, or sweet and romantic fairy lights.

3. Stick to the color scheme

If you’re going for simple decor, you don’t want to overdo it on color and patterns. Keep any decor to a natural or refined, cohesive color palette that complements the venue or season. Sonia and Hun leaned into the warm autumn tones that perfectly matched their September wedding.

4. Focus on lighting

Even simple lighting can make a big impact. Twinkle lights, string lights, candles and tea lights, or even soft uplighting will add lots of warmth and depth to a space without making things cluttered. Plus, lighting can transform the look and feel of even big, open spaces.

5. Let function lead

If you’re having a small number of guests, think about arranging everything in a way that will allow the group to connect with one another, such as one long table. Thinking about your decor and room layout this way may help spark a creative idea

6. Make it meaningful

A simple design will be even more impactful if it’s deeply meaningful and personal to you and your partner. Consider where you can add personal touches (favorite foods, cultural traditions, and more) to make the day memorable and special without all of the extra stuff.

FAQs

• What is “simple wedding decor”?

  Generally speaking, simple wedding decorations are really in the eye of the beholder. Simple decor usually focuses more on minimalist design elements that are gorgeous all on their own, without too much excess. The quality of the design is more important than how much of it exists in the space. Intentional beauty is what matters.

• How can I use simple decor to make a larger venue feel smaller?

  Making strategic choices when it comes to the layout of the room can really help make the space feel more intimate. Sonia and Hun’s serpentine table is just one example of using furniture arrangement to make the space feel warm and inviting. You can also play with lighting, focus on warmer colors, and the like to make the reception feel cozier without adding extra decoration.

• Does simple wedding decor have to include larger or more expensive items?

  Absolutely not. You can 100% stick to your budget while making simple decor super impactful. Here are a few ways to elevate your decor without spending too much:

  • Put your venue’s beauty to work for you - it's an easy way to pull back on decor without your wedding style

  • Rent several statement pieces (don’t overdo it)

  • Pick a focal point like a bold, dramatic floral installation or special lighting - either would make a great backdrop for your celebration

  • Use the ceremony space decor for the reception

• How can I make the event personal while still keeping the decor simple?

  You don’t have to do anything elaborate to make the day personal. Add meaningful touches through experiences, like Sonia and Hun’s Kagami Biraki sake ceremony, bring in favorite foods that mean something to the two of you, or feature a flower that has special significance. Tell your love story through experiences.

• What kinds of flowers work well with simple wedding decor?

  We love pairing modern, seasonal flowers that have cohesive, complementary color palettes. The warm, autumnal flowers at this wedding are the perfect example. Pick floral arrangements that go with the venue and setting and opt for shapes and textures that lean more natural versus super structured.

• How should I start to plan a wedding with simple decor?

  If you’re looking to plan a wedding with simple, beautiful decor, you should consider you and your partner’s love story: what kinds of places, people, things, colors, experiences, and the like mean something to you? The best thing you can do for yourself is to work with a professional planner who can take your vision and translate it into the event you were dreaming about.

Simple wedding decor doesn’t mean that you have to sacrifice style, elegance, or personal touches. With a solid vision, a great planning partner (like Clover Events), lots of intentional choices, you can create a wedding day that’s understated yet beautiful.