When you were young, did you ever dream of having a princess-style canopy bed? We did, too. While not all of us may be able to pull off a canopy bed as adults, you can at least bring the whimsy and romanticism of a canopy to your wedding and fulfill that dream, just for a day. A canopy is the perfect way to not only satisfy your inner child, but add elegance to your wedding and protect your guests from the elements.
Canopies are incredibly versatile, which is what makes them such an amazing addition to your event. They can be utilized indoors or outdoors, rain or shine, in any shape or size, and can be made with a variety of materials. The most popular form of canopy is found at outdoor wedding ceremonies, either highlighting the front of the ceremony space with an arch or four post structure, or a larger tent that stretches the entire ceremony area. An outdoor canopy creates shade to keep your guests from being sunburned, but at the same time allows for light to pass through the space, keeping you from feeling closed off or claustrophobic. You can also choose for your canopy to be open sided, creating more movement and space, or closed off on all sides, which can protect your guests from the rain. In case of inclement weather, a tent or canopy made from canvas or plastic sheeting keeps you and your guests warm and safe from the rain.
An indoor canopy is a great way to break up the space in your venue and allow to decorate in ways that might not have been possible previously. By hanging a canopy from the ceiling of your venue, you can create light and depth with simple fabric and make space for hanging lights. Canopies can also be used to highlight areas of your ceremony and reception such as the sweetheart table, buffet, or dessert tables. There are endless types of designs you can incorporate into your space, such as maypole, where the fabric begins at the outer sides of your space and swoop together to meet in the center, zig zags running across the ceiling, or parallel draping.