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  5. Unexpected Ways to Use Tulle Throughout Your Wedding
Martha Stewart Weddings

Unexpected Ways to Use Tulle Throughout Your Wedding

Updated January 17, 2020
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sweetheart table with tulle window backdrop
Credit: Sara Weir Photography

The fabric works for more than just veils and ball gowns.

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antique silverware wrapped in gray tulle
Credit: Lara Lam

There's no material quite like tulle—it feels quintessentially bridal. Its lightweight, open-weave texture looks whimsical and romantic; its netting adds dramatic volume to veils and ball-gown skirts. What most brides don't realize, however, is that tulle is extremely versatile: It can be used on more than just your ensemble on the big day.

In fact, when used as a piece of décor, the sheer material adds feminine elegance to ceremony and reception spaces. Not sure you want to incorporate tulle into the main part of your event's decorations? Think again. You'll be surprised to discover that some of the big-day décor ideas you've been bookmarking are actually made of tulle—especially those pretty tents and airy ceremony backdrops. Another benefit of the material? You can drape, hang, or tie it anywhere. Use it to add an ethereal vibe to your seating chart or to secure your silverware. This gray iteration only added to the Old-World feel of vintage flatware from Etablir Shop—but it also wouldn't look out of place on a more modern set.

While we'll always love seeing tulle transformed into a veil or the skirt of a wedding dress, the fabric can make a huge impact on your celebration's décor. It makes an excellent ceremony or photo booth backdrop in classic bridal white, but you can always use dyed versions to add a pop of color to your reception space or on your tabletops. If you want to see just how versatile really tulle is, we've got you covered. Ahead, we've rounded up our favorite tulle wedding ideas that will help you drape, loop, and tie the fabric around every big-day detail.

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Flower Girl Attire

tulle tutus
Credit: RYAN LIEBE

Versatile, voluminous tulle can do so much more than trail you to the altar. Pair flouncy tutus with real ballet flats, and send your flower girls pirouetting down the aisle.

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Layered Invites

tulle wedding invitations
Credit: RYAN LIEBE

Gussy up your invites with diaphanous layers of the fabric.

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Upgraded Favor Cones

blue tulle cone favors
Credit: RYAN LIEBE

Upgrade plain paper cones into frothy favors with a quick wrap-and-gather. (Bonus points: It's sturdier than tissue paper, and far chicer than cellophane.)

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Beribboned Ring Pillow

tulle wedding pillow
Credit: RYAN LIEBE

Stitch the middle of a ribbon onto a ring pillow, and slide your bands onto the tails for your ceremony.

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Pretty Tablecloth

julie-chris-wedding-table-1397-s12649-0216.jpg
Credit: Josh Gruetzmacher

If you're looking for a way to work your color scheme into your reception tables, layering a solid tablecloth and tulle is the way to do so. Not only was this couple's pink-and-white palette illustrated through floral arrangments by Laetitia C. Fleurs d'atelier, but Shannon Leahy Events also chose a pink linen and white tulle overlay from La Tavola to drive the shade combination home.

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All Blue

Chair decor
Credit: Kate Holstein Photographs
Cool Blue Wedding Ideas You'll Love

It's so simple to upgrade your chairs with tulle. Just take notes from Pearl & Godiva and position a dyed sheet of the fabric over the top of your seats. The blue iterations here matched this table's linens and napkins.

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Tulle Bows

neutral flat lay with tulle bowls on heels
Credit: Kurt Boomer Photography

Regardless of whether or not your wedding dress is made from this airy fabric, a pair of tulle bow shoes—like these from Bella Belle—will bring a hint of romance to your bridal look. The pumps made a gorgeous addition to this flat lay, which was designed by Joy Proctor and featured an invitation from Lazaro Press.

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Side Panels

neutral ceremony arch with ethereal tulle
Credit: Saya Photography

While tulle looks pretty at any venue, we're partial to the way it photographs in an outdoor locale. The reason? It gives off an ethereal vibe (and creates a dynamic image!) when it blows in the wind. That was the case for this display by The Wedding Bliss Thailand. With florals from IAMFLOWER, the ceremony arch was a dreamy addition to this aisle.

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Sweetheart Table

sweetheart table with tulle window backdrop
Credit: Sara Weir Photography
Beautiful Sweetheart Table Ideas Any Couple Would Love

Want to mask a certain part of your venue? Tulle is a practical and pretty option. JMK Events suspended the material from the corner of this couple's reception room and dressed it up with a vine from April Baytan Designs. The greenery also referenced the colorful floral arrangement at the front of the setup.

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Table Leg Cover

tulle underneath blue linen on beachside table
Credit: Sylvie Gil Photography

Don't just limit tulle to the top of your tables—it looks just as pretty underneath colorful linens (these were provided by La Tavola). Take notes from Enjoy Events Co. and pick two materials that pay homage to your color palette—the blue and white ones here referenced the event's oceanside location and matched the table's muted centerpiece from Max Gill.

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Tulle Cape

bride wearing embellished tulle bridal cape
Credit: Blush Wedding Photography
See more cape inspiration here

Although tulle is a traditional bridal material, you can still incorporate it into your ensemble in new and unique ways. Rather than opting for a tulle veil or dress, wear a cape, like this one by Gibson Bespoke.

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Ceremony Program

large ceremony program display with tulle
Credit: Jessa Schifilliti
Perfect Wedding Ceremony Programs

It's no secret that transparent details are gaining popularity at weddings, but there's one caveat: You have to make sure that your guests can see what's written on them. To guarantee attendees could see the calligraphy from Design House of Moira, Gilded Lily added a tulle backdrop to the back of this ceremony program sign. Florals from Blade dressed up the station.

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White Tulle

outdoor ceremony arch with tulle and greenery
Credit: Annie Randall Photography

Few materials are as versatile as white tulle—you can pair so much with the fabric. That's why it's the perfect medium for your ceremony arch. Tulle added a bit of romance to this structure by Victoria Canada Weddings & Events and matched the white flowers and greenery from The Flower Studio.

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Bridesmaid Dresses

bride and bridesmaids with blue tulle gowns
Credit: Brittany Jean Photography

Of course, you can still feature tulle in traditional ways by outfitting you or your bridesmaids in the fabric. Although these attendants' Jenny Yoo gowns were made of the classic fabric, the blue hue made the dresses feel fresh and new.

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Lounge

lounge space with knotted tulle backdrop
Credit: Britt Rene Photo
Wedding Lounge Ideas Your Guests Can Cozy Up To

Creating a cozy lounge space (this one features pieces from Curated Event Rentals) is essential for your cocktail hour and reception. If you're throwing both outside, note that tulle is the perfect material for staving off bugs. During the day, prevent the panels from blocking your views of the merriment by making like Events by Mint and tying up the fabric.

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Chair Décor

ladderback chairs woven with breezy tulle
Credit: darinimages
Beautiful Ways to Style the Last Row of Chairs at Your Wedding Ceremony

Chairs are the perfect canvas for decorations, especially when they're ladderback options like these. Tulle can easily be woven between each slat for a breezy look. The Wedding Bliss Thailand was responsible for this setup.

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Sweetheart Table

draped tulle over green loveseat at sweetheart table
Credit: Ether & Smith

You'll quickly learn that tulle will make any big-day detail feel more ethereal. Although this sweetheart table's flowers from Modern Bouquet felt romantic all on their own, Events by Talissa also added tulle draping overhead for an elegant touch.

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Tulle Overlay

gray tulle overlay and florals on outside table
Credit: Melanie Gabrielle

A tulle overlay is a simple way to upgrade any table linen. For proof, just look to this display by Melanie Gabrielle and Jessica Sloane. All it took was a gray stretch of tulle and florals from Julia Rhode Designs to upgrade this otherwise neutral tablecloth.

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Pink

pink dyed tulle gathered on ceremony structure
Credit: Hannah Gaul Photography

One of the best parts about tulle? It can be dyed any shade, which means it is easy to work into your big-day color palette. Emily Events lined this ceremony structure with this pink piece; it matched the arch's florals.

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Flowing Overlay

white tulle overlay on reception table
Credit: Valorie Darling Photography
Monochromatic Wedding Ideas Contemporary Couples Should Bookmark

Need more proof that tulle is the perfect addition to your reception tables? Just look to this display by Encore—the team allowed the excess tulle to drift away from the table for an airy display.

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Beige

newlyweds kissing under tulle-wrapped structure
Credit: Hannamonika Wedding Photography
Ideas for an Elevated Beach Wedding

Throwing a beach wedding? Beige tulle nods to the sandy setting and is transparent, so guests can still see the ocean behind you. Moments and Oneiranthi Weddings were responsible for this structure.

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Leafy Seating Chart

seating chart designed with tulle and leaves
Credit: Eric Kelley
Ways to Use Leaves Throughout Your Wedding

Tulle pairs well with all kinds of textural elements. If you're holding your event outside, consider adding leaves to the mix. Kelli Corn Weddings & Events used green and brown leaves and tulle to surround this seating chart.

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Flowers and Tulle

table topped with tulle overlay and lush florals
Credit: Kathryn Hopkins Photography

Although a white tulle overlay will elevate any table, a pop of color will give it an extra touch of elegance. This mix of roses, dahlias, and greenery from Fallen Floral Design was a simple, but pretty addition to this tabletop.

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Airy Venue

tulle draped over rafters in reception tent
Credit: Taralynn Lawton

Create an airy look with tulle by draping pieces of the fabric from the rafters of your tent (this one is from Stuart Event Rentals). To draw attention to the top of the space, opt for tall centerpieces, like Charmed Events Group did here, with these lengthy Tango and Foxtrot arrangements.

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Bright Pink

bright pink tulle wrapped around ceremony structure
Credit: Oliver Fly Photography

When you're using brightly-colored tulle on your ceremony structure, you may want to make like Laura Dova Weddings and keep the rest of the design minimal (you won't want to overwhelm the arch). Instead, add plenty of matching florals (the ones seen here are from Veronique Lorre) in a similar shade.

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Texture, Not Color

tulle adding texture to top of table
Credit: Steve Steinhardt
These Statement Linens Will Take Your Wedding Reception to the Next Level

You don't need bright colors to make your reception tables stand out. In fact, you can make a statement by giving them a little texture. Although beige tablecloths and muted place settings were used to create this Beth Helmstetter Events tablescape, the setup felt elevated thanks to a textured tulle overlay.

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Tulle Tent

tulle reception tent with palm tree silhouettes
Credit: Aria Studios
Tent Decorating Ideas That Will Upgrade Your Wedding Reception

Tents are great because they protect you and your guests from the elements, while also giving you an outdoor experience. However, you don't want them to obstruct your view of nature completely. With a tulle tent (this one is from Loulu Palm and Mango Seasons Weddings), the sheer material will allow you to get a glimpse of your surroundings.

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    1 of 28
    2 of 28 Flower Girl Attire
    3 of 28 Layered Invites
    4 of 28 Upgraded Favor Cones
    5 of 28 Beribboned Ring Pillow
    6 of 28 Pretty Tablecloth
    7 of 28 All Blue
    8 of 28 Tulle Bows
    9 of 28 Side Panels
    10 of 28 Sweetheart Table
    11 of 28 Table Leg Cover
    12 of 28 Tulle Cape
    13 of 28 Ceremony Program
    14 of 28 White Tulle
    15 of 28 Bridesmaid Dresses
    16 of 28 Lounge
    17 of 28 Chair Décor
    18 of 28 Sweetheart Table
    19 of 28 Tulle Overlay
    20 of 28 Pink
    21 of 28 Flowing Overlay
    22 of 28 Beige
    23 of 28 Leafy Seating Chart
    24 of 28 Flowers and Tulle
    25 of 28 Airy Venue
    26 of 28 Bright Pink
    27 of 28 Texture, Not Color
    28 of 28 Tulle Tent

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    Unexpected Ways to Use Tulle Throughout Your Wedding
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