Luna Wedding & Event Supplies Blog: How to Decorate Using Plinths For Your Next Event

Every event needs a way to display decorations, guide the visual attention of your guests and fill the space with the ambience and atmosphere you’re looking for. If you need a decorative item that can fill all these needs and more, you’re looking for plinths.

Plinths are a type of elevated platform used for a variety of purposes, from displaying sculptures and art to framing walkways to elevating floral arrangements and more. Available in a huge variety of styles, they are well-suited to all kinds of events, from humble, rustic weddings to flashy product launches and corporate events.

Here’s everything you need to know about using plinths to the fullest at your next big event. Read on to find out what styles, materials and makes of plinths you can find out there, and for some tips on arranging and decorating your plinths to create the ideal style and atmosphere.

Plinths are a stylish, versatile decor item suited to a variety of events. Available in a huge array of styles, materials, shapes and sizes, plinths can be used in as many decor roles as you can dream up.

Here are some general event types where you can use plinths to create the atmosphere you need:

for weddings

At weddings, plinths can be used at both the ceremony and reception, elevating your gorgeous floral arrangements and decorative items, or used as poseur tables for your guests to gather around. Plinths can also be used as a cake or dessert stand for your reception, or as a way to frame the wedding altar, bringing visual focus to the centre point of the ceremony.

Plinths for corporate events

Corporate events can also benefit from plinths. They are perfect for product launches, exhibitions and trade shows, where showcasing products in an eye-catching way is essential for engaging your guests. Placing plinths in high-traffic areas can draw your guests’ attention to your products and help create stunning displays that reflect your brand identity.

Plinths for art exhibitions

Plinths are also versatile enough for art exhibitions and gallery openings. They can be used to provide a firm platform for sculptures or artworks and to guide the flow of an event, directing focus and encouraging audiences to engage where you want them to.

How to pick the right plinth style

Once you’ve decided that plinths are what you’re after for your event, it’s a matter of picking out the right style. There are various types of plinths out there, and each will bring a different visual look, functionality or style to your event.

Plinth materials

• Wooden plinths - Wooden plinths are an excellent choice due to their balance of sturdiness, versatility and style. They can be painted to match the look and feel of your event, whether you’re going for rustic charm, a sleek corporate presentation or an elegant wedding atmosphere. Wooden plinths are often sturdy enough for a variety of uses. If you’re after a stylish kind of poseur table for your event, wooden plinths are the best option thanks to their weight and sturdiness.

• Acrylic plinths - This style of plinth is perfect as a decor addition to a contemporary-style wedding. Acrylic plinths are usually transparent and can be made with a frame-style or panel construction, making them perfect for arranging flower bouquets, photo frames and other stylish wedding paraphernalia. Acrylic plinths generally have lower load-bearing capacity, so are best used for display rather than encouraging guest interaction.

• Metal plinths - Metal plinths provide an excellent balance of sturdiness and sleek style, without taking up too much visual space at your event. Metal plinths are available in a wide variety of styles, from painted to metallic, from shiny to matte, or brushed finish in gold, copper and silver tones and so much more. Metal plinths can be decorated in a variety of ways, including with fabrics like cotton or linen, adorned with floral arrangements, or used as poseur tables.

Plinth construction

In addition to material and colour, plinths come in a variety of construction types. This will impact what the plinths can be used for and how they fit into the visual setting of your event.

• Solid - Solid plinths are generally the most sturdy plinths available. They can be used to elevate heavier items like vases or urns for your floral arrangements or used as standing tables for cocktail parties, wedding receptions and corporate events. Solid plinths are generally more visually imposing and should be carefully arranged so as to add to the visual appeal of your event
  
  
• Frame - Frame plinths are a more lightweight option based on a frame-like construction that allows light and vision through the body of the plinth. These plinths are well-suited for displaying items and floral arrangements, and if they’re made of more sturdy materials like metal or solid wood, standing tables. Frame plinths can be easily decorated using fabric, foliage, garlands or vines, making them potential visual focal points for a range of events. 
  
  
  
• Panel - Panel plinths are similar to solid plinths but without one or two sides enclosed. This provides a balance of visual seamlessness and sturdy construction for your plinths, as light and sight can pass through the plinth, while its panels on a solid base can make the plinth sturdy enough for guests to use. Some panel plinths can be a touch wobbly, especially if they’re made from lighter materials like acrylic, making them better suited for display rather than use as tables.

Arranging your plinths

Whichever material, style or colour of plinths that you pick out for your event, the way you arrange them is all-important for creating the atmosphere and ambience that you want at your event. Here are some easy ways that plinths can be used

• Entryway displays - Plinths are an excellent framing decoration, and can be used in pairs or small groups to frame entryways, walkways and other key points around your event space. This arrangement is particularly well-suited for flower displays, candles, award displays, product or art exhibitions and more. Most styles, colours and materials of plinths can be used for this purpose.
  
  
• Ceremony spaces - Plinths can also be used to bring attention and visual interest to focal points at your event. This could include the altar and the wedding party’s table at a wedding, or the award stage at a corporate event. In each case, your plinths can be arranged in a plinth set of varying heights and adorned with whichever decorative elements best suit your theme and atmosphere.
  
  
• Reception areas - As mentioned, sturdier varieties of plinths can be excellent poseur tables for your guests, making them well-suited to reception spaces of any kind. These plinths should ideally be evenly spaced throughout your reception area, avoiding any walkways or entryways to encourage the unobstructed movement of your guests or the view of any focal points in your event.

Styling your plinths

Plinths are the ultimate canvas for your decorative creativity and can be styled with anything from gorgeous bouquets to light displays. How you style your plinths will depend on your event theme, where you want to place them and what they’re going to be used for. Here are some basic pointers for styling your plinths.

• Floral arrangement - If you’re decorating a wedding or formal ceremony, floral arrangements are key. Use a mix of tall and cascading arrangements on different plinths to bring an elegant, visually stunning addition to your wedding. Layering flowers at varying heights draws the eye and creates a more dynamic display. You can also find plinths made especially for flowers.
  
  
• Fabric Ornamentation - Whether you’re using your plinths as functional items or purely for display, you can adorn them with fabrics like sheer organza and linen, or sturdy cotton to add some texture, colour and class to your event. If you’re using frame-style plinths, fabric decorations can be gently wound around your plinths and let gather on the ground for relaxed elegance. If you’re using solid plinths as poseur tables, small tablecloths can be used to add an element of comfort and hospitality to your wedding reception or cocktail party.
  
  
• Lighting - Decorating your plinths with different kinds of lighting can create stunning visual displays and contribute to the perfect ambience for your event. You can use candle clusters on plinths at your wedding to evoke a romantic vibe or wrap fairy lights around frame plinths for a ‘starry night’ effect. You can also use strip lighting under the upper surface of solid-framed plinths for a striking artistic display.

No matter the kind of event you’re planning, plinths are the ultimate in versatile decor. They are not only a practical option for displaying flowers, products and art, but the sturdier varieties are also brilliant as engaging interactive furniture items.

Use your imagination and creativity as you decorate your next event with plinths and see how they can help create the atmosphere you want, making your big day memorable for all your guests.

Be sure to follow Luna Wedding & Event Supplies on Instagram for more gorgeous decor ideas and event inspiration, or to see our amazing decorations and products in action.

‘Til next month xx