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.
Outdoorsy Reception
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.
Seaside Hammock
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.
Floral Selection
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.
Tree Decoration
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.
Dance Floor Seats
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.
Tropical Vibe
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.
Kids' Room
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.
Autumnal Aesthetic
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.
Classic Touch
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.
Moody Hues
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.
Hanging Lounge
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.
Childhood Sweethearts
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.
Communal Porch Rocker
Instead of one smaller swing, use a porch rocker (Atouts Fleurs decorated this one) that fits multiple people so groups can sit together.
Organic Romance
Give your swing an organic, romantic look by disguising the ropes with greenery and an array of pink roses, like Sebesta Design did here.
Hanging Floral Hoop
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.
Childs Play
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.
Day Bed
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.
Musical Movement
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.
Bench Staging
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.