38 Beautiful Black and White Wedding Décor Ideas

black and white reception decor — PHOTO BY JAMI LAREE

One of the most important decisions to make as you begin wedding planning is to nail down your color palette. Your color palette can help guide you in deciding on plenty of other décor elements, from your florals and your escort display to even the furniture you’ll use for your reception.

While bold, bright colors are certainly stunning, there’s one palette that will always be in style: black and white. Of course, all white is totally timeless, but adding black details to the mix is sure to elevate your wedding décor. You can go for a modern aesthetic or stick to something more moody or romantic. It’s all about adding contrast throughout your venue for the most stunning look.

Think a black and a white color palette is perfect for you? Read on for 38 black and white wedding décor ideas to incorporate into your big day.

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Choose a Modern Arch

black and white wedding arch — PHOTO BY JAMI LAREE

Ditch a traditional altar and opt for something you truly want. We love how this couple chose not only a unique design with a rectangle and a triangle, but it's also painted black and white for stunning contrast.

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Pop the Bubbly

champagne wall — Photo by Alexandria Monette Photography

Create a chic display for your champagne! Opt for a black backdrop to display the glasses. Enhance the look even further with a stunning white floral arrangement.

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Choose Anemone Centerpieces

anemone flower centerpiece — PHOTO BY TAMARA GRUNER PHOTOGRAPHY

Anemones are one of the most unique blooms, with white petals and a bold black center. With that, they're the perfect addition to any black and white color palette, whether incorporated as a centerpiece or even to line the aisle.

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Make an Entrance

black welcome sign — Photo by Ama by Aisha; Design by Shawna Collins; Vinyl by Laced Vinyl Shoppe

A custom welcome sign will make your big day feel that much more special. Opt for a vinyl black sign as the base, with a creamy white text for contrast. Enhance the look even further with contrasting white blooms.

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Hang Chandeliers

How can you immediately add black and white detailing to a simple, white tent? Hang black chandeliers for a beautiful lighted look.

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Add a Bow

black and white table setting — Courtesy of Bill Hansen Catering; Design by GLDN events and Renny & Reed

Black and white dinnerware certainly sets the stage for a stunning tablescape. Elevate the chic look even further with a black velvet bow at each place setting.

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Opt for Black Glassware

reception table with anemones — Photo by Ether & Smith

The whimsical anemones on this reception table are absolutely stunning. But one element we love even more? The black glassware adds such a stunning touch paired against a white tablecloth.

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Serve Macarons

black and white macarons — Photo by Abby Jiu Photography

Who says your desserts can't be black and white? These macarons are certainly dressed up for the occasion, with just a hint of gold detailing to round out the look.

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Choose Black Plates

black reception chairs — Photo by Becca Cannon Photography

If you're hosting a seated dinner, consider your black and white color palette in your table settings. We love the look of one black dinner plate with a white plate on top.

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Add a Wax Seal

black wax escort cards — Photo by Mashaida Co and Lea Bremicker

Add a special flair to simple printed place cards. A black wax seal with your monogram creates a beautiful contrast against white paper.

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Embrace Your Venue

black and white tile floor — Photo by Through the Glass Photo

One of the best ways to plan a wedding with a black and white color palette is to make sure your venue works with the aesthetic. Better yet, find a venue that is black and white! We can't get enough of this tile floor, serving as the perfect base for additional décor.

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Carry a Lush Bouquet

black and white bouquet — Photo by Jessie Caballero Photography

Many couples look to florals to play a large role in their wedding décor. Why not start with the bouquet? After all, plenty of eyes are on it! Incorporate a bouquet made up of white blooms with black accents.

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Paint a Black and White Cake

black and white wedding cake — PHOTO BY LAVEL MARIE PHOTOGRAPHY; CAKE BY HONEY & SALT CAKE CO.

Black and white décor? Check. Black and white cake? Why not! Make your cake part of your décor with a black and white color palette, paired with pretty white blooms and taper candles.

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Use Patterned Rugs

black and white rugs on wedding aisle — Photo by Sydney Bliss Photography

We love the way this entire setting embraces a black and white color palette, starting with the backdrop. Another great way to dress up a space with black and white detailing? Add a rug or two for a modern-meets-boho vibe.

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Create Contrast on Cocktail Napkins

black and white napkins — Photo by MORGAN HYDINGER

Say hello to custom napkins! This is such a fun way to add a playful note to your napkins while sticking to a black and white color theme.

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Light Plenty of Candles

tall black candles — Photo by Niki Marie Photography; Design by Festoons and Flourishes

Of course, the long centerpiece of lush white blooms makes a statement here, but it's the contrast from the candles that takes it to a new level. We can't get enough of these romantic tall black taper candles.

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Theme Your Escort Display

black and white escort cards — PHOTO BY AMBER GRESS PHOTOGRAPHY

We love the combination of black, white, and a hint of gold in this unique escort display. Utilize black sand or white rocks to create beautiful place setting markers or favors.

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Incorporate Patterned Pillows

cocktail reception lounge — PHOTO BY OLIVIA RAE JAMES

Hosting a cocktail hour before your seated dinner? Create a cozy lounge! Black and white patterned pillows are the perfect way to dress up a space, while making guests feel comfortable.

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Customize Menu Signs

black and white menu sign — PHOTO BY CHRIS AND RUTH PHOTOGRAPHY

Want bold, modern signage? Black and white is the way to go. Print menus for food stations on large, white boards with black ink in all caps for a chic look.

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Make It Marble

black and white marble table numbers — PHOTO BY JAMI LAREE

Want to incorporate black and white décor, with a bit of texture? Look to marble to serve as the perfect white base for everything from table numbers to even coasters. Add black numbering or lettering to make them pop.

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Deck Out the Bar

black and white wedding bar — Photo by MORGAN HYDINGER

Take it to the bar! Add black and white details during your cocktail hour by incorporating a black cloth with white lettering to make a statement.

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Play With Patterned Plates

Take black and white to a whole new level by incorporating items with both colors. We love what these black and white patterned plates bring to the table.

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Choose a Black Table

black reception table — PHOTO BY JAMI LAREE

Now this is a look you don't see too often! Ditch the tablecloth and embrace a colored table. In this case, a shiny black table paired with acrylic chairs for plenty of chic contrast.

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Take It to the Tropics

coconut escort cards — PHOTO BY JANA WILLIAMS PHOTOGRAPHY

Think you can't incorporate black and white details for a tropical wedding? Think again. One couple used coconuts paired with black and white tags to create a modern-meets-tropical escort display.

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Incorporate Patterned Textiles

patterned black and white napkin — PHOTO BY JANA WILLIAMS PHOTOGRAPHY

For a black and white palette, a tablescape set accordingly is a must. To make it that much more interesting, introduce a black and white patterned napkin to each setting.

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Decorate the Dance Floor

black and white dance floor — PHOTO BY HEATHER KINCAID

An easy way to dress up a plain white dance floor? Add a playful message. We love the contrast (and fun!) this lettered design provides.

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Create Contrast With Furniture

While a white backdrop certainly helps, you can make an immediate statement using your reception furniture. Consider pairing long white reception tables with black chairs for a bold look.

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Choose a Black Chuppah

black wedding altar — PHOTO BY MIRELLE CARMICHAEL

While chuppahs and altars decked in blooms or made of light wood are common, don't be afraid to switch it up. We love the look of this black chuppah against a pastel ocean backdrop.

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Serve Monogrammed Chocolates

black and white chocolates — PHOTO BY SARAH NATASHA

A simple touch at each place setting? A square of white chocolate decorated with your new monogram. We love the contrast the black ink adds to this confection.

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Light It Up

black and white neon sign — PHOTO BY JAMI LAREE

Light up your venue with white light! We love the look of this white neon sign hanging against black windows for an industrial vibe.

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Play With Texture on Your Cake

white wedding cake with black flowers — PHOTO BY SYLVIE GIL; EVENT PLANNING BY ELISE JOHNSON FOR SHANNON LEAHY EVENTS; CAKE BY JASMINE RAE CAKES

If you're hoping to stick to all-white, with just a few pops of black, this is the perfect sweet. Tiers of cake with pretty textured ruffles are highlighted with black blooms crafted from sugar.

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Light Up Black Lanterns

black lantern centerpieces — PHOTO BY TELL CHRONICLES PHOTO; DESIGN BY A. GRIFFIN EVENTS

Black and white can lead your palette, but feel free to add other pops of color. A neutral tablecloth paired with black glass lanterns makes for a beautiful centerpiece.

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Add Baby's Breath

baby's breath centerpiece — Photo by Vanessa Renae Photography; Design by Stone House Creative

While the moody black napkins certainly pop on this reception table, it's the centerpiece that steals the show. Pair white baby's breath and black taper candles for a beautiful display.

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Keep It Simple

black and white table signs — Photo by Stephanie Nachtrab Photography

Black and white décor doesn't have to be all about intricate designs. You may want to include something simple, such as acrylic table numbers with an easy-to-read font.

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Go All Black

black wedding cake — PHOTO BY THE DAY WEDDINGS; CAKE BY SUKAR

Don't want to include both hues on your cake? Stick with black! Go for an all-black cake with white candles on the table for a romantic display.

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Incorporate a Vintage Vibe

black trunk with white flowers — Photo by Sydney Bliss Photography

Want to balance vintage and modern? Incorporate black and white details with an old-time touch, just like this vintage trunk with pretty blooms.

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Look to Lush Centerpieces

black and white reception — Photo by Susie and Will Photography; Design by I Do Details

Of course, this reception utilizes black chairs paired with white tablecloths for great contrast, but it's the centerpieces that truly enhance it further. Consider incorporating plenty of lush, white blooms for a chic look.

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Display Dessert on a Black Table

black wedding dessert table — Photo by Through the Glass Photo

We love a good dessert table in any color palette, but this look is especially chic. Consider using a large black table as the base to allow your sweet treats to really pop!

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