The Big Day is all about the exuberance—the time and thought you spend in advance on the little things will make your unique style of exuberance felt by all your guests. For whatever sort of venue you’ve chosen, from a banquet hall to a backyard, here are some ideas for grace notes to make a memorable day.
Bright jewel tones and saturated colors: Don’t be afraid of them! Even, or especially, if your dominant wedding colors are more subdued, play with swatches until the perfect bright accents jump out at you and then deploy strategically throughout (think centerpieces, napkins, signage, florals, and fabrics).
Black accents: Poets, artists, and musicians know the importance of negative space, the breath between beats. Black enhances visual impact and goes with everything. It can be anything from formal to neo-goth. Metallics paired with black—be they silver, gold, bronze, or copper—can add a zap of heat and light.
Translucent details: Translucence literally means the light shines through, and it’s hard to imagine what comes closer to our purpose here. Once your lighting plan is set, consider how beautiful translucent touches can work with it. Filmy/floaty touches? Rainbow-shedding prismatics? Have fun!
Modern blended with traditional: You have the entire creative arc of human and natural design history as your palette, plus whatever you can dream up. Don’t let yourselves be hemmed in by categories. You can have a white tie wedding under colored lights or surrounded by bedazzled black velvet swaths. You can add country chic touches to your overall sleek. People may talk. Let ‘em. Go with what wows you and makes your hearts sing.
Signage: Make the wayfinding process fun for your guests! You can go drop-dead elegant, wildly witty, or heartwarmingly homespun, but do make it count.
Flower backdrops: Speaking of exuberance, flowers can do far more than inhabit vases and centerpieces. Consider a floral backdrop of your favorite blossoms. Peonies, roses, gardenias? Consider fabric or paper handmade choices for the look of a glorious floral wall on a daisy budget.
Lasers: Laser cutting opens up a vast variety of possibilities for affordably and permanently adding any design you choose to almost any item you want. 3D printing means that with a little expertise or expert help, you can create any item you can dream up.
Lush fabric: Lush fabric pieces add a sensual feel whilst being in such good taste that the most conservative office auntie will be nodding in approval without quite knowing why. Think of the options: velvet, silk, heavy satin, crisp crepe, warm golden brown burlap, vegan leather.... Roam a local fabric store for some inspiration. Then, of course, there are prints and tapestries.…
Monograms: Tradition suggests that your joint monogram make its debut once the knot is tied—on menus or guest souvenirs, say, not on invitations and RSVP cards. That said, you have a mind-boggling range of design choices at your disposal. There’s a font for every feeling, there’s original calligraphy.... How about designing your own family crest of ferns or florals or your favorite tree?
Candles: Everyone looks good in the warm glow of candlelight, so don’t be afraid to lavish it around. Naturally scented candles add a whole other dimension. Juxtaposing candles with mirrors for an infinity effect...oh my.
Arbors: There’s something powerfully magical about the symbolism of the two of you and your officiant framed within a lush arbor. You can go traditional with a floral arch, or interpret “arbor” in whatever way suits your own style.
Hanging décor and chandeliers: What will your guests see if they look up? Crystal chandeliers, origami doves, floral garlands? Hanging décor literally adds a whole new level to the look of a room.
