Wedding Design
How to Design Your Wedding:
A lot goes into to designing a wedding day, there are always many things to consider after selecting your wedding venue. Are you getting married at more than one wedding venue (Example: Ceremony at a church Reception at a venue or restaurant)? Are you having an outdoor wedding, maybe the ceremony is outdoors and the reception is indoors? If you have an outdoor ceremony, do you have a plan b option, and if so, does that impact the ceremony design/vision? What elements are you going to be repurposing throughout the wedding (Example: Bouquets, ceremony flowers, aisle way flowers)? What time of year are you getting married? Is there a particular theme that you want to incorporate? Have you decided on any colors? Are there any particular flowers that you love or hate? How much are you wanting/able to invest in your wedding vision? These are just some of the things to consider when designing your wedding.
A lot goes into to designing a wedding day, there are always many things to consider after selecting your wedding venue. Are you getting married at more than one wedding venue (Example: Ceremony at a church Reception at a venue or restaurant)? Are you having an outdoor wedding, maybe the ceremony is outdoors and the reception is indoors? If you have an outdoor ceremony, do you have a plan b option, and if so, does that impact the ceremony design/vision? What elements are you going to be repurposing throughout the wedding (Example: Bouquets, ceremony flowers, aisle way flowers)? What time of year are you getting married? Is there a particular theme that you want to incorporate? Have you decided on any colors? Are there any particular flowers that you love or hate? How much are you wanting/able to invest in your wedding vision? These are just some of the things to consider when designing your wedding.
Location and Time of Year:
Where you get married impacts how you design your wedding.
Popular venue types:
Historic Buildings (Courthouse)
Old Theaters
Ballrooms
Warehouse Spaces
Hotels
Churches
Restaurant Spaces
Breweries
Museums
Schools
Barns
Gardens
Parks
When you get married impacts how you design your wedding.
Every season is popular, but the most popular times to get married are always spring and fall. Summer is popular, but there are always available dates at a lot of venues in July, August and even September for a reason. Winter seems to slow down (December-February) for most wedding venues/vendors. The most popular months to get married in are always April, May, June, September, October and November.
Here are some links to venues with various design options:
Where you get married impacts how you design your wedding.
Popular venue types:
Historic Buildings (Courthouse)
Old Theaters
Ballrooms
Warehouse Spaces
Hotels
Churches
Restaurant Spaces
Breweries
Museums
Schools
Barns
Gardens
Parks
When you get married impacts how you design your wedding.
Every season is popular, but the most popular times to get married are always spring and fall. Summer is popular, but there are always available dates at a lot of venues in July, August and even September for a reason. Winter seems to slow down (December-February) for most wedding venues/vendors. The most popular months to get married in are always April, May, June, September, October and November.
Here are some links to venues with various design options:
Colors/Themes/Inspiration Boards:
Popular Colors:
White/Ivory, Blush, Rose Gold, Peach, Terracotta, Burgundy, Slate Blue, Dusty Blue, Lilac, Emerald Green, Sage Green, Navy Blue, Champagne, Gold, Silver, Black
Popular Themes:
Formal, Cocktail Attire, Black and White, Elegant, Classic, Romantic, Simple, Modern, Boho, Rustic, Industrial, Vintage, Garden, Whimsical, Fun, Celestial, Fall, Spring, Summer, Winter, New Years, Holiday
Here is a link to my Inspiration Boards:
Popular Colors:
White/Ivory, Blush, Rose Gold, Peach, Terracotta, Burgundy, Slate Blue, Dusty Blue, Lilac, Emerald Green, Sage Green, Navy Blue, Champagne, Gold, Silver, Black
Popular Themes:
Formal, Cocktail Attire, Black and White, Elegant, Classic, Romantic, Simple, Modern, Boho, Rustic, Industrial, Vintage, Garden, Whimsical, Fun, Celestial, Fall, Spring, Summer, Winter, New Years, Holiday
Here is a link to my Inspiration Boards:
Personal Flowers:
Traditionally anyone that is a part of the wedding party is "supposed" to have a personal flower. A lot of couples decide to give flowers to the bridesmaids and groomsmen, but not the family. It is up to each couple to make those decisions.
Types:
Brides Bouquet
Toss Bouquet
Bridesmaids Bouquets (Posy Bouquets)
Mothers and Grandmothers Flowers - Nosegay Bouquets and Corsages (Wrist or Pinned)
Flower Girls Flowers - Rose Petals in Baskets, Flower Wands, Flower Crowns
Flower Combs/Crowns
Boutonnieres - Groom, Groomsmen, Fathers, Grandfathers, Ring Bearers, Officiant, Ushers
Traditionally anyone that is a part of the wedding party is "supposed" to have a personal flower. A lot of couples decide to give flowers to the bridesmaids and groomsmen, but not the family. It is up to each couple to make those decisions.
Types:
Brides Bouquet
Toss Bouquet
Bridesmaids Bouquets (Posy Bouquets)
Mothers and Grandmothers Flowers - Nosegay Bouquets and Corsages (Wrist or Pinned)
Flower Girls Flowers - Rose Petals in Baskets, Flower Wands, Flower Crowns
Flower Combs/Crowns
Boutonnieres - Groom, Groomsmen, Fathers, Grandfathers, Ring Bearers, Officiant, Ushers
Bouquet Types:
The brides bouquet seems to be the most important part. There are a few different types of styles of bridal bouquets:
Traditional - Rounded, Minimal Greenery, Not too big in size
Modern - Minimal Greenery/No Greenery, Few Floral Stems
Hand Tied or "Garden" - Larger in size, Loose, Not "Rounded", Lots of Greenery, Lots of Variety
Cascading - Handle Bouquet Cage, Large, Heavy, Cascading Flowers, Traditional
Boho - Nontraditional Flowers - Succulents, Pampas Grass, Tropical Flowers, Proteas
Rustic - Babies Breath, Spray Asters, Mums, Greenery
Posy - Small Bouquet, Traditionally for Bridesmaids
Nosegay - Very Small Bouquet, Few Floral Stems, Traditionally for Mothers and Grandmothers
You can repurpose your bouquet and the bridesmaids/wedding party bouquets as centerpieces on tables at the reception.
The brides bouquet seems to be the most important part. There are a few different types of styles of bridal bouquets:
Traditional - Rounded, Minimal Greenery, Not too big in size
Modern - Minimal Greenery/No Greenery, Few Floral Stems
Hand Tied or "Garden" - Larger in size, Loose, Not "Rounded", Lots of Greenery, Lots of Variety
Cascading - Handle Bouquet Cage, Large, Heavy, Cascading Flowers, Traditional
Boho - Nontraditional Flowers - Succulents, Pampas Grass, Tropical Flowers, Proteas
Rustic - Babies Breath, Spray Asters, Mums, Greenery
Posy - Small Bouquet, Traditionally for Bridesmaids
Nosegay - Very Small Bouquet, Few Floral Stems, Traditionally for Mothers and Grandmothers
You can repurpose your bouquet and the bridesmaids/wedding party bouquets as centerpieces on tables at the reception.
Ceremony Flowers:
Most visions for ceremony include flowers or decor. There are many different ceremony design elements to think about or consider.
Archways - Rectangular, Circular/Hoop, Broken, Curved, Hanging, Floor/Ground Archway with Flowers
Pedestals - Pedestals with Flowers, Candles or Greenery, Either Setup at Entrance to Aisle Way, Going Down Aisle or at End of Aisle Way
Aisle Way Flowers - Hanging or tied to chairs, Lining each side of Aisle Way, Rose Petals
Aisle Way Candles - Lining each side of aisle way, Cylinder Glass or Lanterns (Enclosed Flames)
Aisle Way Indications - Flower or Greenery Bouquets
Aisle Runners - Carpet Aisle Runners
Drapery - Drapery for Archway or Framing Archway or Covering a Wall Behind Ceremony Space
You might be able to repurpose your ceremony archway, ceremony flowers, aisle way flowers and candles to your reception space depending on the setup details of your timeline/venue.
Most visions for ceremony include flowers or decor. There are many different ceremony design elements to think about or consider.
Archways - Rectangular, Circular/Hoop, Broken, Curved, Hanging, Floor/Ground Archway with Flowers
Pedestals - Pedestals with Flowers, Candles or Greenery, Either Setup at Entrance to Aisle Way, Going Down Aisle or at End of Aisle Way
Aisle Way Flowers - Hanging or tied to chairs, Lining each side of Aisle Way, Rose Petals
Aisle Way Candles - Lining each side of aisle way, Cylinder Glass or Lanterns (Enclosed Flames)
Aisle Way Indications - Flower or Greenery Bouquets
Aisle Runners - Carpet Aisle Runners
Drapery - Drapery for Archway or Framing Archway or Covering a Wall Behind Ceremony Space
You might be able to repurpose your ceremony archway, ceremony flowers, aisle way flowers and candles to your reception space depending on the setup details of your timeline/venue.
Archways:
Chuppahs:
Pedestals:
Aisle Way Flowers:
Aisle Way Candles:
Sweet Heart Table vs Head Table:
At your wedding reception you will need to decide whether you will be seated at a Sweet Heart Table or Head Table. A Sweet Heart Table is a small table setup for the wedding couple (48'' Round Table or Estate Table). A Head Table is a long table (2-4 Estate Tables) for the wedding party plus their dates (normally). Designing a Sweet Heart Table is different than a Head Table.
Sweet Heart Tables:
Popular Designs for Sweet Heart Tables:
Vase for Bouquet and Votives with Tealights
Lining the front of the table with flowers and candles
At your wedding reception you will need to decide whether you will be seated at a Sweet Heart Table or Head Table. A Sweet Heart Table is a small table setup for the wedding couple (48'' Round Table or Estate Table). A Head Table is a long table (2-4 Estate Tables) for the wedding party plus their dates (normally). Designing a Sweet Heart Table is different than a Head Table.
Sweet Heart Tables:
Popular Designs for Sweet Heart Tables:
Vase for Bouquet and Votives with Tealights
Lining the front of the table with flowers and candles
Head Tables:
Popular Designs for Head Tables:
Vases for Bouquets and Votives with Tealights
Bud Vases with Flowers and Votives with Tealights
Cylinder Glass with Candles (Pillar, Floating, Taper), Greenery or Greenery Garlands and Votives with Tealights
Tall Flower Arrangements on Risers or Trumpet Vases with Candles (Cylinder Glass, Lanterns etc) and Votives with Tealights
Popular Designs for Head Tables:
Vases for Bouquets and Votives with Tealights
Bud Vases with Flowers and Votives with Tealights
Cylinder Glass with Candles (Pillar, Floating, Taper), Greenery or Greenery Garlands and Votives with Tealights
Tall Flower Arrangements on Risers or Trumpet Vases with Candles (Cylinder Glass, Lanterns etc) and Votives with Tealights
Guest Tables:
Guest Tables are normally round tables, but you might decide to do all long tables (banquet tables) or a combination of long tables and round tables. Guests do not like centerpieces that prevent them from seeing across a table or being table to talk across a table (just something to keep in mind).
Popular Designs for Guest Tables:
Vases for Bouquets and Votives with Tealights
Aisle Way Flowers - Either on Table or on Trumpet Vase or Riser and Votives with Tealights
Aisle Way Candles and Greenery and Votives with Tealights
Cylinder Glass with Submerged Flowers or PIllar/Taper Candles or Floating Candles and Votives with Tealights
Bud Vases with Flowers and Votives with Tealights
Short Pedestal Vases with Flowers and Votives with Tealights
Large Flower Arrangements on Trumpet Vases or Risers and Votives with Tealights
Guest Tables are normally round tables, but you might decide to do all long tables (banquet tables) or a combination of long tables and round tables. Guests do not like centerpieces that prevent them from seeing across a table or being table to talk across a table (just something to keep in mind).
Popular Designs for Guest Tables:
Vases for Bouquets and Votives with Tealights
Aisle Way Flowers - Either on Table or on Trumpet Vase or Riser and Votives with Tealights
Aisle Way Candles and Greenery and Votives with Tealights
Cylinder Glass with Submerged Flowers or PIllar/Taper Candles or Floating Candles and Votives with Tealights
Bud Vases with Flowers and Votives with Tealights
Short Pedestal Vases with Flowers and Votives with Tealights
Large Flower Arrangements on Trumpet Vases or Risers and Votives with Tealights
Cake Flowers:
Cake Flowers aren't just for the actual wedding cake, but can also be for the cake table.
If you want flowers on your wedding cake you might decide to you want to have a small group of flowers on each tier or just flowers on the top tier or cascading flowers down the front of the cake. If you don't like real flowers you can also request sugar flowers from your baker.
Here are some popular cake flower ideas:
Cake Flowers aren't just for the actual wedding cake, but can also be for the cake table.
If you want flowers on your wedding cake you might decide to you want to have a small group of flowers on each tier or just flowers on the top tier or cascading flowers down the front of the cake. If you don't like real flowers you can also request sugar flowers from your baker.
Here are some popular cake flower ideas:
Cake Table Flowers:
You might decide that flowers on your cake isn't enough and you want to have your cake surrounded by flowers, why not!
You might decide that flowers on your cake isn't enough and you want to have your cake surrounded by flowers, why not!
Backdrops and Ceiling Installations:
Backdrops and Ceiling Installations add more drama to your design and for sure a wow factor if that's what you are going for with your vision, and guess what, I am on board.
Backdrops (flower or greenery walls) can be used for ceremony and then for reception as a backdrop for the head table, cake table, photo booth or DJ table.
Ceiling Installations can be used as a hanging archway over the couple, over the dance floor (looks great for the first dance), in the cocktail area/prefunction space to add drama in that space if needed, or all over the reception space if your heart desires.
Backdrops:
Backdrops and Ceiling Installations add more drama to your design and for sure a wow factor if that's what you are going for with your vision, and guess what, I am on board.
Backdrops (flower or greenery walls) can be used for ceremony and then for reception as a backdrop for the head table, cake table, photo booth or DJ table.
Ceiling Installations can be used as a hanging archway over the couple, over the dance floor (looks great for the first dance), in the cocktail area/prefunction space to add drama in that space if needed, or all over the reception space if your heart desires.
Backdrops:
Ceiling Installations:
Drapery:
You might decide to add drapery to your wedding design or you might have to have it for your room/setup (hotels, breweries etc). Drapery can soften/transform a room/space, it can separate spaces (ceremony from reception) and block off work areas for wait staff/catering. Drapery looks great in hotels and behind band stages, in breweries and in industrial spaces. Here are some examples of drapery at weddings.
You might decide to add drapery to your wedding design or you might have to have it for your room/setup (hotels, breweries etc). Drapery can soften/transform a room/space, it can separate spaces (ceremony from reception) and block off work areas for wait staff/catering. Drapery looks great in hotels and behind band stages, in breweries and in industrial spaces. Here are some examples of drapery at weddings.
Linens, Chargers and Napkins:
How you dress your tables and then polish them off with place setting details will enhance your vision. I normally suggest a colorful linen for entry, cocktail, food, bar, DJ, desserts and photo booth tables, head table and sweet heart table (if you want it to stand out even more). Guest tables and cake table look best normally in white, ivory and champagne. Depending on your colors and your vision you can mix and match colored linens on tables and have a beautiful wedding. Charger plates add another metallic layer to your design and then throw in the folded napkin and you are all set with a beautiful place setting.
Here are some examples of Linens, Chargers and Napkins:
How you dress your tables and then polish them off with place setting details will enhance your vision. I normally suggest a colorful linen for entry, cocktail, food, bar, DJ, desserts and photo booth tables, head table and sweet heart table (if you want it to stand out even more). Guest tables and cake table look best normally in white, ivory and champagne. Depending on your colors and your vision you can mix and match colored linens on tables and have a beautiful wedding. Charger plates add another metallic layer to your design and then throw in the folded napkin and you are all set with a beautiful place setting.
Here are some examples of Linens, Chargers and Napkins:
Rentals (Dance Floors, Chairs, Stages, Glassware, Tents):
There are various rentals that you might decide (or may be required to add) for your wedding day. Dance floors are a popular choice, you can rent black and white, white, gold etc. They look great in hotels and industrial spaces. Chairs are normally provided by the venue, but you might not like the venues chairs and decide to rent Chiavari or Wooden Cross Back Chairs. Your band might require a stage or it might just look better to elevate your band above the dance space. Hotels will provide stages, but other venues will not and you will have to rent them. You can also add a pop of color to your place setting by renting colored glassware.
Dance Floors:
There are various rentals that you might decide (or may be required to add) for your wedding day. Dance floors are a popular choice, you can rent black and white, white, gold etc. They look great in hotels and industrial spaces. Chairs are normally provided by the venue, but you might not like the venues chairs and decide to rent Chiavari or Wooden Cross Back Chairs. Your band might require a stage or it might just look better to elevate your band above the dance space. Hotels will provide stages, but other venues will not and you will have to rent them. You can also add a pop of color to your place setting by renting colored glassware.
Dance Floors:
Chairs:
Stages:
Glassware:
Tents:
Some weddings require tents for a Plan A or Plan B setup. You might need a tent for ceremony, cocktail hour or reception. If you need a tent for your wedding it is best to work with a well known trusted vendor that has done many events at your venue. They know how to install the tent (if it can be staked in the ground) and give you a nice looking setup that wont be dangerous or a major eye sore. If you are doing a private residence wedding, have your tent vendor do a walkthrough at your property to determine what size of tent(s) you might need. You can have your tent vendor include sides for the tent or drapery for the top of the tent and also lighting for the tent. There are really only two tent companies that I recommend in Atlanta, EventWorks and Classic Tents and Events.
Here are some examples of tents at weddings:
Some weddings require tents for a Plan A or Plan B setup. You might need a tent for ceremony, cocktail hour or reception. If you need a tent for your wedding it is best to work with a well known trusted vendor that has done many events at your venue. They know how to install the tent (if it can be staked in the ground) and give you a nice looking setup that wont be dangerous or a major eye sore. If you are doing a private residence wedding, have your tent vendor do a walkthrough at your property to determine what size of tent(s) you might need. You can have your tent vendor include sides for the tent or drapery for the top of the tent and also lighting for the tent. There are really only two tent companies that I recommend in Atlanta, EventWorks and Classic Tents and Events.
Here are some examples of tents at weddings: