A Wedding Trend We're Loving: Swing Décor

bride sitting on wooden swing with twine rope and flowers
Twin Lens Weddings

If you and your fiancé are kids at heart—and are looking for big-day décor to reflect that—then we suggest displaying a swing at your cocktail hour, reception, or after-party. The interactive design element will add a touch of nostalgia to your celebration that anyone can appreciate. Yes, swings aren't the most traditional décor option, but when properly displayed, they can be a cohesive part of (and even enhance!) your wedding's aesthetic. A rope hammock, for example, speaks to a seaside event's inherently casual and beachy vibes, while a porch or tire swing can offer a relaxed, hometown look to any outdoor wedding. As long as you pick the right iteration and decorate it according to your big-day theme, this element is sure to surprise and impress guests.

Beyond looking pretty, a wedding swing can serve many purposes. Make a permanent element of your outdoor wedding—like a tree in the middle of your reception space—feel intentional by decorating it with this thematic element. Hanging a swing can give younger guests a place to play, too, so their parents can relax and enjoy the party. Or, try placing your swing (Sweet Pea Floral designed this one) away from attendees so you can sit and enjoy an intimate moment with your partner without feeling completely disconnected from your guests.

Check out the inspiration ahead to see just how versatile swings can be. Whether you're reinventing your lounge with a floating day bed or adding some movement to your photo booth station, this suspended seating option is the perfect way to refresh so many of your big-day moments.

01 of 19

Outdoorsy Reception

rustic-style wooden swing outdoorsy reception
Adrian Wood Photography

Hosting a rustic-style wedding? Make like MBW Events and Fragopoulos Flowers and hang a wood-and-greenery swing inside your reception venue to bring earthy, outdoorsy elements in.

02 of 19

Seaside Hammock

Seaside Hammock with palm leaf-printed pillows
Anna Roussos

Opting for hammock seating is a unique way to enhance your destination wedding's relaxed, beachy vibe. Model your swing after this one by Tie the Knot Santorini; its palm leaf-printed pillows played up the party's tropical look.

03 of 19

Floral Selection

pink-and-white roses and greenery covered wooden swing
Brandon Chesbro

If your estate venue already has a swing on the property, style it with blooms that match your big-day selection for a cohesive look. Melissa Padilla of Opihi Love decorated this one with pink-and-white roses and greenery, which complemented the bride's colorful Bliss in Bloom bouquet and leafy crown.

04 of 19

Tree Decoration

greenery covered hanging swing
Heather Waraksa

Is there a tree near your outdoor reception space that looks out of place? Give it a purpose by hanging a swing from it, like Bellafare did here. We love how Matthew Robbins Design used overgrown greenery to make the addition look like it has been there for years.

05 of 19

Dance Floor Seats

tent decor gideon photo
Gideon Photo

Hanging two adjacent swings next to your dance floor (like this Ooh! Events setup) will give guests a fun place to rest their feet without taking them out of the action.

06 of 19

Tropical Vibe

swing covered in local greenery by ocean
Dmitri & Sandra Photography

Take notes from Platinum Weddings, who gave guests an authentic tropical wedding experience by hanging a swing covered in local greenery by Dellables right by the ocean. This way, attendees could soak up the incredible scenery and feel the ocean breeze.

07 of 19

Kids' Room

kelsey joc wedding santa barbara california swing
Jose Villa

Though you don't need a kids' area just because you've invited children to your wedding, a small room with games and a swing is the perfect way to keep little ones occupied while their parents have fun. Make sure the swing is low enough for little legs to reach.

08 of 19

Autumnal Aesthetic

swing decorated with berries, orange, red, and yellow roses along with rusty greenery
Loft Photography

Create the perfect autumnal display at your reception by decorating a swing with berries, orange, red, and yellow roses, and rusty greenery—like Gypsy Floral & Events did here.

09 of 19

Classic Touch

bride and groom sit on hanging swing
Marion Heurteboust Photography

A swing with a refined white-and-green color palette can add to your classic wedding aesthetic, as exemplified by this La Fabrique d'Etoiles Filantes iteration's cream cushion and eucalyptus greenery.

10 of 19

Moody Hues

red and white floral covered hanging swing
Vicki Grafton Photography

Play up your event's moody color palette with a swing like Anamarias Eventos', which featured a dark-stained wood seat, red roses, and sage-colored greenery.

11 of 19

Hanging Lounge

melany-drew-wedding-swing-032-s112184-0915.jpg
Brandon Lata Photography

Emulate Ooh! Events' elevated outdoor lounge by hanging a day bed from a tree on your reception's property. The pros styled the station with strung lanterns and a coffee table that featured an Out of the Garden centerpiece.

12 of 19

Childhood Sweethearts

amanda chase wedding couple kissing on tire swing
Anna Delores Photography

If you and your fiancé are childhood sweethearts who grew up on the playground together, hang a tire swing at your reception for a playful, nostalgic touch that speaks to your long relationship history.

13 of 19

Communal Porch Rocker

hanging porch rocker with white flowers
Picture Perfect Photography

Instead of one smaller swing, use a porch rocker (Atouts Fleurs decorated this one) that fits multiple people so groups can sit together.

14 of 19

Organic Romance

bride sitting on wooden swing covered in flowers
Emily Wren Photography

Give your swing an organic, romantic look by disguising the ropes with greenery and an array of pink roses, like Sebesta Design did here.

15 of 19

Hanging Floral Hoop

hanging hoop swing
Jeremy Chou

Who needs a photo booth when you can recreate Charis Events & Design's weight-bearing greenery hoop for guests to sit and pose on? The romantic display will perfectly frame guests, making for a unique snapshot they'll cherish forever.

16 of 19

Childs Play

small hanging children's swing outside
Kristyn Hogan

Cater to your youngest guests with a swing positioned low to the ground—like this one by Cedarwood Weddings—so they can play during your reception.

17 of 19

Day Bed

hanging day bed with a cushion
Nastja Kovacec

Instead of a traditional swing, hang a day bed with a cushion (for comfort!) from a tree so guests have plenty of room to relax together.

18 of 19

Musical Movement

olivia-isham-rw1212-035.jpg
Q Weddings

By placing swings near your band's stage, guests can sit and sway while enjoying the music. We have a feeling this setup will be particularly popular with your younger guests.

19 of 19

Bench Staging

wooden bench swing covered with flowers and greenery
Jay Rowden Photography

Instead of a reception stage, have performers sit on a hanging wood bench surrounded by microphones for a more intimate moment. Atouts Fleurs elevated this setup with baby's breath and greenery, which framed the entertainment while adding to this celebration's romantic aesthetic.

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