To draw in business, make sure you have the right supplies for wedding decorations. Some of these items do not even have to be specifically marketed for weddings. Versatility will open up alternate markets from the same stocked items. Decorations for weddings can double as party decorations, crafting supplies and sewing notions.

Stocking your shelves can be difficult because, ultimately, the choice is personal for the bride. Look through the latest wedding industry magazine and you will see many wedding decoration ideas that brides might come to you looking for. With so many options, what do you sell? Ask yourself:

1. What are the best wedding decorations for my store?

2. What are the best wedding decorations for my market?

3. Will I offer a variety of decorations for weddings or focus on one niche market?

Pay attention at weddings and you will always see certain types of decorations. Consider wedding table decorations, wedding reception decorations, stationery, unique gift items, cake toppers, ribbon and tulle, garters, head accessories and jewelry. There are a few items that are guaranteed to be at every wedding, and are a sure sell for you.

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Surround yourself with silk flowers that can be used everywhere as wedding decorations

Weddings have flowers everywhere. Provide the bride with choice selections of silk flowers and flower petals to give her options for affordable, lasting church wedding decorations and wedding table decorations. Give them flowers that never go out of season and that will not wilt even on the hottest day.

I recommend: Visit Afloral.com to be able to select various types of flowers by color. They have flowers for bouquets, corsages and boutonnieres, floating flowers, and garland. Be sure to check out Studio Gift, if you are interested in stocking silk petals. They have a very large selection. You can even have petals personalized here.

Stock favors that are traditional, unique, or that double as wedding reception decorations

Some brides want to give favors that are personal or that help the guests remember the day. Choose items of affordable elegance that guests will want to keep on display in their homes. Offer personalized items or personalization services to provide options that will really make the wedding day a day to remember. Favors that can double as part of the wedding decoration scheme are also appealing.

I recommend: eFavormart is a one-stop supplier for wholesale wedding decorations, especially favors and even boxes to present them in. Do You Need A Favor? is the place to go for unique favors, including ones made from crystal or silver. Engraved coasters are only one of the items they offer.

Light up the day with candles to fulfill many wedding decorating ideas

Many brides use unity candles and other candles as part of their church wedding decorations. They also look for candles for their wedding table decorations. Candles can be personalized with wedding information or the bride's and groom's names. Candles are a must for evening ceremonies.

I recommend: For great prices on candles in all shapes and sizes, order from Candlesjustonline.com. They have an array of colors to choose from that will match with any wedding color scheme. Exclusively Weddings is another supplier that can provide you with beautiful candle holders and personalization of unity candles.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  If you are having trouble deciding what wedding decorations to stock, listen to your customers. Pay attention if several requests come in for the same item that you do not have on your shelf yet.

No wedding would be complete without wedding decorations. From simple paper bells to extravagant floral arrangements, wedding decorations turn ordinary churches, chapels, synagogues, mosques and reception halls into something special.

Wedding decorating ideas can be traditional or original. Decorations for weddings come all types of themes. Today’s bride can only limit herself by her imagination.

There are beautiful wedding decorations available to fit any budget and taste. Brides planning larger weddings can take advantage of wholesale pricing when buying wedding decorations.

Wedding decorating ideas can come from:

1. The location of the wedding.
2. The time of year of the wedding.
3. The heritage of the bride and groom.

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The wedding decoration depends on the wedding theme

Before you can buy any decorations for weddings, you must first decide the theme of your big day. The colors you choose for flowers and bridesmaid dresses, as well as the season of your wedding can help you narrow down your decorating theme.

I recommend: YourWedding101.com has many wedding theme ideas ranging from holiday weddings to medieval weddings. The Knot is another great online wedding resource, with many global themes from Afrocentric weddings to traditional military ceremonies.

Look for specific decorations for weddings

Once you have settled on a theme for your wedding, begin looking at wedding decorations that will go with it. For example, if you are planning a beachside ceremony and reception, you will find a large variety of beach wedding decorations, from seashells to sailboats and anchor themes. You need to narrow down your wedding decorating ideas further.

I recommend: Superweddings.com carries a huge variety of decorations for weddings, for both the ceremony and reception sites. Find more ideas for wedding decorations at Brides.com.

Save money on wedding decorations with affordable choices

Cheap wedding decorations don't have to look... well, cheap. There are many inexpensive wedding decorating ideas that will add beauty and flair to your wedding day. For example, instead of pricey candle holders, why not use simple jelly jars filled with glass stones. Think outside the traditional wedding box for decorating ideas.

I recommend: Martha Stewart is the diva of decorating. Her site contains hundreds of wedding decorating ideas, many of which will not break the bank. WeddingsAffordable.com is another site dedicated to cheap wedding decorations.

Purchase wholesale wedding decorations

If you are planning on a large wedding, then purchasing wholesale wedding decorations is a good option. Not only will you save money, you can rest assured that you will have more than enough decorations. Wholesale wedding decorations come in a huge selection of colors, themes and are perfect place to find wedding favors as well.

I recommend: Oriental Trading Company carries a huge line of festive party decorations in many themes, ranging from Christmas to Hawaiian luaus and their prices are hard to beat. ForeverWedStore.com is a distributor who specializes in wholesale wedding decorations.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Ask friends, family and coworkers about wedding decorating ideas. Experienced brides can often tell you of the best places to pick up decorations as well as places you should stay away from.

Wedding decorations, like every element of the wedding, reveal who the couple is to their guests. Few brides want a cookie cutter wedding. Instead, they want a day that is uniquely theirs. The bride will come to you looking for those wedding decorating ideas and supplies, and you need to make sure you have them for her.

Not only that, but weddings are costly and each added detail can put pressure on a tight budget. With nearly 50% of that budget going toward the reception, special thought should be put into the wedding reception decorations. But to get the best business in this market, you have to have competitive prices.

Making the most of wedding decorations by offering unique items at competitive prices is easier than you think. These ideas will help you:

1. Purchase wholesale wedding decorations online

2. Rent what you can instead of buying

3. Network with local artisans

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Purchase wedding decorations wholesale

The Internet contains many bargains to be found for cheap wedding decorations. The low price from the wholesaler can be reflected in the price you charge, allowing you to offer reasonable prices in a high-cost industry. You can be attractive to budget brides.

I recommend: Offer your brides decorations from burton + BURTON for a step away from the ordinary and right into elegance. Also, take advantage of the Web Specials and Clearance sections on the website. Nuptial Knick Knacks provides more of your meat and potatoes items: the things every bride looks for. Keep your eyes alert for the scattering of unique items that will also catch your customers' eyes.

Rent the wedding decorations you need

Become a bride's favorite person by helping dissolve stress in her day before it even arises. Inviting her to rent some of her necessities means she will not have to worry about set-up or clean-up. Keep her happy, but make sure she is prepared to pay a deposit along with the rental fee.

I recommend: Outsource from a local party rental store, but compare available items and pricing first to ensure you are offering the best. Find rental stores easily by searching at WeddingWire. You can have it all taken care of, even down to the flowers. Contact Flowers For Rent or check with your local florist for this service. Find a florist here. Another idea? You can begin to offers items for rent yourself.

Offer decorations for weddings that no one else has

You will not get anything more unique than something handmade. An exceptional sales pitch to share with your customers is that the items you offer are of the highest quality, that they are original and made locally. Watch brides feast on these delicacies.

I recommend: Search EventLister.com for craft shows in your area where you can go and meet local crafters who make products you would be interested in carrying at your store. Find a goldmine of handmade items on Etsy, which is similar to your local craft show except online.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Display photos and instructions for wedding decoration ideas that utilize some of the supplies you sell and your sales will increase.

The wedding decoration industry is an extravagant business. Part of your job in a wedding decoration business is to be a knowledgeable source of information to your clients. Equip yourself and your staff with the correct terminology to help your customers. While it is important to know some basic terms like wedding theme, floral design and table decor, it will also benefit you to know the meaning of aisle runner, tulle and water crystals.

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Floral design

The term floral design describes how flowers are arranged for visual purposes on tables, arches and in bouquets.

I recommend: Event Solutions has a definition of floral design in its informative glossary.

Tulle

Tulle is a lightweight, mesh-like fabric that is used in bridal veils and wedding decorations, such as wedding favors, chair covers and row markers.

I recommend: Wrap With Us has a definition of tulle and what it is used for in its wedding glossary.

Wedding theme

A wedding theme is a very popular phrase used in wedding decorations. A theme is an idea that is chosen and emphasized throughout the entire wedding and its decor. Wedding themes can be based on a color, an object or even a season.

I recommend: One Wedding Source suggests 10 unforgettable wedding themes.

Water crystals

Water crystals are made of a polymer that absorbs large amounts of water to create a crystal-like appearance. They are also called water gel, crystal soil, crystal accents and water pearls.

I recommend: Decorative Water Crystals explains what water crystals are and how they are used to add that special touch to wedding decorations.

Aisle runners

Aisle runners are lengths of fabric that are placed all the way down the aisle so that the bride's dress does not collect dirt or snag as she walks down the aisle. Aisle runners are considered part of the ceremonial decorations.

I recommend: The Wedding Outlet will tell you what you need to know about aisle runners.

Table decor

Table decor describes the decorations on the tables of a wedding reception. It is important to know that this phrase encompasses anything put on the table as decoration, such as centerpieces, linens and place cards.

I recommend: Hudson Valley Weddings has extensive information about table decor.