Ceremonial carpets

Ceremonial carpets and runners for formal occasions

A ceremonial carpet or runner marks the route that counts: from the car to the entrance, from the door to the stage, from the altar to the guests of honour. It is a simple means with a strong effect. Where a runner lies, everyone immediately knows where to walk, where the attention is going, and that the moment is official.

We supply ceremonial carpets to municipalities and public services for receptions, commemorations and official visits, and to companies and organisers for openings, award ceremonies, trade fairs and receptions. Often in combination with a lectern, flags and crowd barriers.

Where you use them

• Official receptions, commemorations and protocol visits
• Openings, foundation stone ceremonies and ribbon cuttings
• Award ceremonies, galas and academic sessions
• Weddings and ceremonies in town halls and function rooms

Versions

The classic runner is a long, narrow strip that you roll out along the walking route. Alongside that there are made-to-measure surfaces for a stage, a photo wall or an entire reception area. For outdoor use you choose a heavier quality that can take damp and dirt; indoors it can be finer and softer.

Red remains the classic for the official moment, but the choice is wider: blue, grey, black, white and green are just as common, and a colour that matches your house style or the colours of the municipality makes the whole more coherent. We also supply carpets cut to size and, if you wish, with your logo, coat of arms or a text woven in or printed.

The edge finish determines how neat the whole looks. A bound or hemmed edge lies flat and does not fray; an unfinished cut edge is cheaper but visible.

Material

Most ceremonial carpets are made of needle felt or tufted fibre on a backing. Needle felt is sturdy, lies flat and is the usual choice for single or limited use. Heavier tufted qualities feel more luxurious and last longer under repeated use.

For outdoor use, choose a version with a water-permeable or coated backing, and pay attention to slip resistance. On a polished floor it is best to work with anti-slip tape or a double-sided carpet tape that leaves no glue residue afterwards.

In practice: laying, protocol and maintenance

The pitfall with ceremonial work is the alignment with protocol. Where exactly does the runner start, where does it end, and who walks on it? A carpet that is a metre too short for the car door, or that leads the guests of honour just outside the photo line, gets noticed. Discuss the walking route in advance with the person responsible for protocol and measure the actual distance rather than estimating it.

Watch the safety of the edges. A curling corner or an uneven seam is a trip hazard, certainly for older guests and people with a stick or walking frame. Fix edges with carpet tape, use transition profiles at thresholds, and make sure a wheelchair can get onto the runner easily. In wet weather it is best to lay an extra entrance mat at the door, otherwise the first metre is dirty straight away.

For maintenance and storage: let a carpet dry completely before you roll it up, roll it with the top side facing outwards so the pile does not crease, and store it dry, either flat or hanging.

What determines the price?

The price of ceremonial carpets depends on the dimensions and the shape, the quality and weight of the fibre, the colour, the edge finish, and any personalisation with a logo, coat of arms or text. Hire or purchase, indoor or outdoor use, delivery, laying and lifting on site, and cleaning or storage afterwards also play a part. We draw up a proposal based on your walking route and occasion.

Your ceremony in style

Send us the dimensions of the walking route, the colour and the date, and we will propose a suitable version. Feel free to get in touch for advice or a quotation.