HOW TO Decorate a Colonnade System

Decorating a colonnade arch system that can serve as the focal point of a wedding ceremony demands far more artistry than most wedding guests understand. It needs to focus attention on the bride and groom and draw attention away from the venue without attracting too much attention to itself. It provides the backdrop for the memories, wedding photos and videos that will live on for generations. And there’s only one chance for success. That’s why decorating it is a high visibility job that comes with high pressure, and for wedding and event planners who know how to decorate these arch systems with style and flair, their artistry can become a signature that attracts clients and drives word of mouth advertising. We talked to ace wedding planner Will of Your Wedding Solutions, Baltimore, Md., about how he decorates colonnade arch systems and how you can get the same, bold effect using your own colonnade arch system for weddings and other This traditional colonnade arch system creates an elegant focal point for weddings, prom photos and events. Here is what we learned from other events. It is manufactured by Meese Orbitron Dunne Co. in La Mirada, Calif. Mr. Hall: lodge hall or the bride’s , for modern churches feel more like a Location, Location, Location example. The first step is to survey stadium. Hotels and catering The most important factor in the event venue or site, paying careful often use patterned wallpaper while determining how to decorate your attention to the following: other facilities may offer bare, beige colonnade arch system is the venue. A – Some churches invite sunshine walls or worse – oddly colored or cavernous church presents a different in through beautiful stained glass cluttered walls. If the walls enhance the set of opportunities and challenges onto ornately finished, visual experience of your guests then than a stark, hotel banquet , tight wooden walls and carvings. Some setup the arch system to coordinate

How to Decorate Colonnade Arch System 1 – Check Flooring – The bottom of the colonnade the height where the arch system is flat and smooth. When ceremony is to be placed on carpet, it forms a nice grip held, accounting for that helps keep it in place. But when it the height of any stage is placed on some smooth tiles, dance or platform. If the or polished floors, the unit can is low then the slide if bumped. For venues with these arch system may be types of flooring, common slip guards setup using six-foot from any improvement store . If the ceiling placed on the bottom of the quarter is very high then circles are recommended to add extra seven-foot columns grip and stability. Set a backdrop behind the colonnade arch are recommended to system using pipe and drape to focus attention Arch System Configuration hide any distractions from view. create a more vertical look and help fill the overhead space. Once you’ve accounted for the particulars of the venue, it is time with the walls and fit into the line of Entrances – Note the room layout, to consider how to configure the sight of your guests. More likely, the flow and how guests will enter the colonnade arch system. The traditional walls, especially those behind the arch room and arrange the colonnade arch setup includes four, fluted, Graeco- system, are going to be a distraction system to face the main entry. This Roman style columns between two and will need to be blocked from ensures the front is seen immediately quarter circles top and bottom and your guests to focus attention on the upon walking through the for a their ends pointing towards the guests. bride and groom. This may be done striking first impression. It is an odd The central arch joins them into a by setting up a pipe and drape as a experience for a guest to enter a hall single unit. For very small venues, this backdrop behind the arch system, just or event and see the rear of the stage setup alone is entirely appropriate. But like the back of a trade show booth. instead of the grand sight of the fully The width of the backdrop may be decorated arch system. as wide as the arch system or extend Any number of pedestals, Outlets – The number and placement much farther away from either side of floral urns and other wedding décor of electrical outlets will affect whether the arch system depending on what props may be added for effect, and how can be used to needs to be hidden from view. to add a touch of color or to hide enhance the look of the decorated arch cords, block windows, or for a system. The closer the lights to the variety of other reasons. outlets the better, since the longer the wires the greater the potential safety issues. Cords and wires may need to don’t feel wedded to this setup. As the be covered, taped and/or tied. White venues get larger, the colonnade arch wires blend in with the white arch system needs to be expanded to draw system and are virtually invisible from attention, focus eyes on the bridal the distance of seated wedding guests. party and fill the space. Here are some Lastly, depending on the venue, you ideas that look sharp: may be competing for outlets with Flanking Extension – This is done by the entertainment company, caterer placing fluted pedestals that coordinate or other vendor so check with them with the columns symmetrically on in advance and consider bringing a either side of the arch system. For variety of power strips and extension This colonnade arch system coordinates with visual effect, the heights of these the high ceilings and stone columns for a grand cords just in case. pedestals may get smaller and smaller visual effect.

How to Decorate Colonnade Arch System 2 create an S-shape or and hanging or wreath hooks to keep a third set of quarter the arch system parts completely intact. circles may be added Flowers – Floral displays are available to extend the width of in virtually any color to extend and the wedding arch. Any coordinate with the color scheme number of pedestals, and add vibrant textures to the arch floral urns and other system. The central arch provides wedding décor props a natural location for an elaborate may be added for effect, floral display. Match the same type to add a touch of color of flower or plant using vases or urns or to hide cords, block atop any pedestals set throughout the Warm tones and bold colors contrast with the windows, or for a white colonnade arch system for stunning visual venue. Fresh flowers or silk? The look appeal. variety of other reasons. The layout is and texture of fresh flowers naturally as they are set farther and farther away limited only by the imagination. appeals to most brides and guests but from the center. The height may also be Decorating Your Arch System if you’re going to use fresh then be sure raised by placing floral urns atop these they are delivered as close to the start of Once the configuration has been pedestals. If a pipe and drape backdrop the ceremony as possible. If the flowers determined, you’re ready to figure out is being used behind the arch system are added too early then they may wilt how to decorate it for maximum effect. then be sure the flanking pedestals are so they will be the finishing touch on Starting with the traditional colonnade set up to the ends of the backdrop but arch system in white in a traditional do not extend beyond the ends. configuration, take this step-by-step To add some sizzle, highlight Runway Extension – In addition to approach: the columns and pedestals using thinking laterally, think about visual Color Scheme – The first issue to up lighting. Mounted on the , depth by lining the runway or consider is the wedding’s color scheme. the spotlights bring out the with coordinating pedestals. They The colors selected for decorating the 3-D texture of the fluting may be topped by candles, vases or arch system will nearly always match, floral displays and this joins the entire extend or otherwise complement the seating area with the bridal stage as a the arch system. Many experienced overall color scheme of the wedding. single unit. professionals know that silk flowers The key is to enhance and coordinate are far stronger and more reliable Get Creative – The entire arch system with the colors around the room and than fresh flowers, they perform may be reversed by rotating the provide an elegant backdrop for the consistently every time regardless of traditional layout 180 degrees, two of ceremony without overpowering the the temperature or humidity and allow the quarter circles may be reversed to rest of the décor. Therefore, a light or a wider range of placement possibilities neutral color is typically with less need for delicate care during recommended for the setup. Today’s silk appears just like drapes, if they are to be set fresh from the distance of seated guests with piping behind the arch and in wedding photography. Silk system. Then, incorporate also doesn’t need any cleanup during deeper, bolder colors such as takedown after the wedding. red, brown, teal and yellow using sheer fabrics hanging Lighting – To add some sizzle, highlight in front with accent props the columns and pedestals using up depending on the theme. lighting. Mounted on the floor, the Use C-hooks or screw hooks spotlights bring out the 3-D texture of Pedestals lining the aisle at this wedding coordinate with the with wire for sturdy draping the fluting, add warmth and create a colonnade arch system.

How to Decorate Colonnade Arch System 3 bright center within the venue to serve visual appeal that enhances the overall the lighting then removing the flowers as a dramatic focal point when all eyes experience. This may involve wrapping and drapes. After disassembling the are on the bride and groom. A variety columns and pedestals in ribbons arch and columns, a quick wipedown of filters and LED lights may be used or garland, running decorative rope is recommended with a common as an alternative source of color. Use lights or tube lights throughout the cleaning agent or orange-infused 50-watts or less to avoid heat issues. arch system or any number of other vinegar for the chemically sensitive to Since the arch system elements are ideas. prevent any dust from accumulating non-reflective, creative photographers Decorating a colonnade arch system and remove any floral debris. n often shoot their finest work with the as described may take several hours lighted arch system as a backdrop. Decorated colonnade arch system for the first try but after a few times, photos provided courtesy Will Hall, Bling – For extra flair, use some bling. it may be decorated within two hours Your Wedding Solution. Reach him Though the type and extent of bling will of the start of the ceremony. After the at www.YourWeddingSolution.com. likely depend on the bride and on the wedding, takedown the arch system in For more, see the photo gallery at overall style of wedding décor, adding reverse order of setup, starting with PropDecor.com. For free brochure, a sparkle in key places can create subtle removing the bling and unplugging call 888.724.1228

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Meese Orbitron Dunne Co. 888.724.1228 • PropDecor.com How to Decorate Colonnade Arch System 4