decor

Blush Wedding Theme

Tones of blushing pinks are a match made in heaven for wedding day décor. From invites, to the attire, to the ceremony, to the reception, there is nothing that this stunning colour palate will not suit. It instantly evokes an atmosphere of beauty, etherealness and romance.

For some brides and couples it might seem like an obvious choice and indeed, some couples like to shy away from traditional colours, but just because something is considered a classic, doesn’t mean it can’t be contemporary or on trend.

Indeed, this year’s Pantone Colour of The Year is ‘Living Coral,’ a beautiful take on traditional pink or blush.

We take a look at ways to include blush in your wedding day décor.

In the meantime, don’t hesitate to get in touch with me directly if you wish to chat about any aspect of your wedding planning and décor.

 

The Dress

If you really want to make a statement then why not consider going for a blush wedding dress? It has become a growing trend in recent years for brides to look beyond the traditional colours of white, creams and ivories for dresses and instead seek out gowns with a hint of blush. If that seems like a step too far, then why not dress your bridesmaids, or flower girls in blush and don’t forget to add some blush accents for the groom and/or groomsmen too.

 

Complimenting Colours

Blush by itself is a beautiful colour, but when you put it alongside some complimenting and contrasting colours, that’s when you hit décor gold! Think of pairing blush with golds, greys, greens and crisp white for a really incredible visual feast for the eyes. Also don’t be afraid to reinterpret the colour blush, with varying degrees of vividness. A pop of hot pink alongside ethereal blush will look stunning.

 

Flowers

A pop of blush in your wedding flowers can be both classic and contemporary. If you want to give it a modern twist then try and pair with lots of greenery for a fantastic contrast. Tall candelabras and elegant blush flowers will work amazingly well for a formal feel, as will rustic style wooden boxes filled with blush blooms and interspersed with candles for a more casual style.

 

Décor

Blush works wonderfully well in so many ways around the wedding venue. From accents of blush ribbons on menus, to paper pom poms, chair sashes or draping, to blush pink floral centrepieces, interspersed with pops of gold and lots of candles of differing sizes. To really add that touch of romance consider using uplighters with degrees of blush and or fairylights to set the ultimate tone for the night.

What is A Wedding Theme?

 

Planning your wedding should be a fun and exciting endeavour. However sometimes couples aren’t sure where to start, it is after all a big occasion for most and there is plenty to organise before you walk down the aisle and say ‘I do.’

Often choosing a theme for your wedding is a great place to start.

But what is a theme? Why do you need one and indeed do you have to have one?

The answer is that a wedding theme is absolute not essential to your day, however having one can help to bring all the elements together into a more cohesive vision.

Here we look at some of the pros and cons of a wedding theme as well as some of the most popular and universal themes to consider. In the meantime, don’t hesitate to get in touch with me directly if you wish to chat about any aspect of your wedding planning and décor.

                                     

Pros

Simply put, choosing a wedding theme is a great way to bring all your ideas together under one umbrella. It doesn’t have to be anything elaborate either. In fact your theme may just be a colour scheme such as green and white, pink and grey or a touch of vibrant rainbow!

However, if there is a passion you and your partner share, such as films, books, gardening, travel, etc, then these can be the perfect seeds to sow a wedding theme from. You could bring aspects of any of these into your invitations, your ceremony decor, your table plan, table names, etc. Having some kind of theme gives your wedding day a much more personal feel and scope to add little touches that will mean a huge amount.

 

Cons

Some couples might feel the idea of a wedding theme is a little over the top or that it might limit them in terms of what they can do with their décor. For example if you decide to go with a certain theme you might feel you cannot incorporate items from another one.

In addition certain themes may end up being hard to put together in terms of sourcing items and your budget.

Also some couples might want a more laid back feel for their big day without feeling the constraints of a theme. However, the thing to keep in mind is that when it comes to a wedding theme, is that there are no hard and fast rules. It can really be whatever you want it to be. The best wedding themes are the ones that reflect the couples personality and interests and if that is simply to have a laid back feel, then why not use that as your template and go with it?

 

Vintage

One of the most popular wedding themes for a number of years has got to be vintage. Harking back to bygone eras, it is a theme that gives a lot of room to play with, as there is no defined period of time you have to focus on. More often than not, it’s just more of a flavour rather than a concentrated feel of say the 20’s or 30’s, for example. Instead many couples cherry-pick influences from a whole range of decades with little pops of décor. Think about vintage books, china, typewriters, weighing scales, gramophones, suitcases, birdcages, lanterns, clocks, etc. The list is endless and is only limited by your imagination.

 

Elegant

Again this is a theme with a broad scope of appeal and one that works universally well with most venues. Elegance can sum up so many images in a couples minds that it’s very much open for interpretation. It can mean silver candelabras, tall floral arrangements, golds, crisp white linen and formal dining options. The important thing is to make the theme as personal as possible to your shared likes and personality.

Rustic

Again, this is a theme that can conjure up many images, but generally speaking it is a theme that reflects a more laid back approach to the wedding. It can mean having a more relaxed dining experience, such as food trucks or BBQ. A barn style venue, glamping etc. Again, the key here is to take what you want from the term rustic and make it work for you as a couple and your budget.

Green and White

Another theme that has universal appeal is green and white. Again, this is open ended and doesn’t lock you in to anything, as such. Instead it gives you a something to focus on and bring to your wedding reception and ceremony. Green and white can conjure up elaborate hanging floral installations, floral arches, flower walls, an enchanted forest etc, or it can also mean having a more simple approach to your décor instead of colourful floral arrangements. A good wedding planner will help you refine your theme ideas into something that works for your big day.

Dress Your Wedding Entrances

 

Your wedding is all about entrances…

Making that first special entrance into the church or ceremony venue. The entrance into your venue for the first time on a red carpet, that unforgettable entrance into the meal as a married couple and your entrance onto the dancefloor for the first dance.

Tradition and ritual wrapped up together in the perfect recipe for a wonderful day.

So when it comes to your wedding décor, remember to add some key adornments to those entrances to make them extra special. Think about adding draping on doorways, florals, trees and even simple touches like lanterns or candles can really bring these entrances to life.

Here’s some ideas to get the creative juices going. In the meantime, don’t hesitate to get in touch with me directly if you wish to chat about any aspect of your wedding planning and décor.

                                     

 

Draping

Draping is probably one of the most underrated pieces of wedding décor there is. Simple though it is, its power to transform and soften the look and feel of any room is remarkable. It works so well on entrances. Be it your church or ceremony entrance, the entrance to your wedding venue or reception room, it is a look well worth investing in. To top it off, make sure to add some fairylights for a really romantic and ethereal look.

Florals and Trees

Today there a whole range of options to choose from when it comes to adding some florals or tress at entrances. And there’s a reason why these are such popular choices, because they draw the guests eye in and add instant panache. Think about classic bay trees, floral arches, blossom trees, super tall urns and arrangements which can be artificial or real… these days the artificial versions are so good it’s hard to tell the difference.

 

Lanterns

Another seemingly simply touch, yet when done well, lanterns and candles can really make a show stopping impact on your entrances. Try mixing and matching the size of lanterns, with oversized storm lanterns to mini versions, filled with differing candles and even florals. The contrasting sizes will really maximise the impact.

 

Signage and Mirrors

Finally don’t be afraid to add some signage and or mirrors to your entrances. These will serve to give guests practical information, but they often also form a beautiful part of the wedding décor itself.  From antique style mirrors, to wooden signs, on trend transparent signs, etc, they are an addition well worth considering to the other items mentioned above for a complete look.

Reinventing Classic Green & White

Just because something is considered a ‘classic’ wedding theme or colour combination, doesn’t mean it’s not worth considering. Indeed, the very reason it’s considered a ‘classic’ is because it is such a successful look.

Of course, many couples want to go for trends or colours, or themes that are in vogue at the moment, reflecting what’s popular at the time.

One of the best ways of delivering on both of these requirements is to reinvent a classic theme or colour combination, and there can be nothing more beautiful or breath-taking than classic green and white. And by that I mean lush greenery and crisp white.

Here’s some ideas to get the creative juices going. In the meantime, don’t hesitate to get in touch with me directly if you wish to chat about any aspect of your wedding planning and décor.

                                     

Secret Garden

A great reinterpretation of this theme is to turn the green and white into a secret garden feel. Literally give the feeling that you and you guests are stepping into a lush, hidden, indoor garden. Think big bold greens accented with lots of crisp white florals, go for green and white floral walls and blossom trees. If budget is an issue then why not focus on having the top table or sweetheart table adorned rather than the entire room?

 

Add Accents

Green and white are bold and engaging enough to work on their own, but if you want to freshen things up, then why not add some on trend accents of contrasting and matching colours such as gold, pink, grey, etc. These can be reflecting in florals, but also think about additions such as stand out table centrepieces, cake stands, mirrors, table cloths, chair decor and more?

Hanging Florals

One of the most popular wedding trends of recent years is for hanging florals and green and white lends itself so well to this particular trend. Think about having greenery and white florals handing from chandeliers or lights and let them drape down over the tables? Think about bespoke hanging green and white floral installations over the top table and remember to accent with hanging tea lights for a stunning look when the sun goes down.

Candles/Fairylights

If you want to make sure you ace that secret garden look then the addition of candles and fairylights is a mus. Think about incorporating them into your décor through draping and backdrops, and be sure to interpose lots of candles of differing sizes with your green and white additions to bring the magic to life once the sun goes down. 

Tall Wedding Decor

 

It can be easy to forget about ways to make use of the vertical space around us in general, but when it comes to wedding décor, this space is often an untapped resource that can have a truly stunning overall impact.

If you’re scratching your head on ways to fill this space, or maximise it, then don’t panic, as there are literally dozens of fresh and modern ideas on ways to do this, that don’t have to be overly extravagant or break the bank either.

Using vertical space requires a little bit more thought and attention. Indeed you don’t need to go overboard filling space everywhere you see it, as blank space is a great contrast too. It’s getting a balance between the two that works the best.

Here’s some ideas to get the creative juices going. In the meantime, don’t hesitate to get in touch with me directly if you wish to chat about any aspect of your wedding planning and décor.

                                     

Urns/Bay Trees

Maximising the vertical space doesn’t have to be confined to your wedding reception, you can start at your ceremony too. Features like oversized urns or bay trees at the entrance to your church or ceremony entrance will make a really show stopping statement, as will tall pew ends lining your aisles.

 

Trees and Foliage

The mention of having trees and foliage at your wedding ceremony or reception might seem like an extravagant move, but in reality there are so many affordable options for ways to bring these elements into your wedding style. They are a great way to draw the eye upward and make the most of your vertical space. Be it blossom style trees, green trees, etc on tables, dotted around the room or as pew ends, they really are worth considering.

 

 

Hanging Décor

One of the most on trend ways to use the vertical space in your wedding reception is with hanging décor. It’s a style that is popular at the moment and it’s not hard to see why. Think about hanging elements like Chinese lanterns over your dancefloor, hanging tea lights over your tables or hanging floral or greenery installations over your top table for maximum impact.

 

Draping

Probably one of the most economical, yet show stopping ways to style your wedding’s vertical space is with simple, beautiful draping. It can be arranged and styled from ceilings and over dancefloors, the top table, or over your cake etc, to make a stunning focal point in the room. Add in some fairy lights for that dreamy, romantic feel.

 

 

Showstopping Wedding Centrepieces

There’s nothing quite like that moment when you walk into your wedding reception ahead of your guests and get that first look at your tables.

It can be a really breath-taking moment, to see all your ideas and creativity come to life across the room.

When thinking about what sort of centrepieces to go with, it’s best to sit down and try and think about a design or theme that will suit your personality as a couple. Ask yourself the following questions; what look are you going for? Elegant, traditional, rustic, vintage, casual, modern, minimalist? Do you want to bring your combined passions and interest into your décor, such as movies, books, travel, comic books, gardening, sports etc?

Even if you don’t want to go for overly elaborate centrepieces, you can still achieve a showstopping effect with small but carefully chosen details.

Here’s some ideas to get the creative juices going. In the meantime, don’t hesitate to get in touch with me directly if you wish to chat about any aspect of your wedding planning and décor.

                                     

 

Rustic

Just because something is rustic, it doesn’t mean it can’t be showstopping and in terms of going for a rustic style of centrepieces, these can look really impactful without being overly tall. Think of wooden slices stacked with jars, candles or lanterns. Use wooden boxes, lanterns, plenty of burlap and lace and have fun with low lying blooms.

 

Modern

Very much cherry picking from the latest trends, modern can be anything from minimalist, to transparent, to hexagons, to chic shapes and on trend design features. Think of using something eye catching as your main feature on the table, be it a hexagonal lantern, a stunning oversized gold circle, hanging tea lights, light installations, transparent features etc.

 

Tall

If you want to make a strong visual impact, then go for tall table centrepieces that will immediately draw the eye of the guests upwards. Think about traditional combinations of tall candelabras and florals, but if you want to bring a freshness to your look why not consider something like blossom trees? Oversized branches, feather trees? Ferns? There is no limit other than your imagination and willingness to go big.

 

Elegant              

A classic, is named as such for a reason. It never goes out of style and has universal appeal. And when it comes to weddings, you shouldn’t fee you have to tack on to modern trends or styles. There is nothing wrong with going for a more traditional, elegant and timeless feel to your centrepieces. Think classic combinations of candles, candelabras, florals, with additions of silver and gold, crisp whites and lush greens.

 

Vintage

Vintage is a trend that is fast becoming a perennial one in terms of popularity. Again, it’s a theme that has universal appeal and is also great for those on a budget. You can go subtle with centrepieces such as vintage style jugs and flowers, or get creative and use vintage china tea pots and tea sets filled with flowers or on top of old books. Or you could go bigger with vintage finds from attics and auctions such as gramophones, typewriters, weighing scales and birdcages. The list is endless.

 

How To Create Ambience at Your Wedding Reception

No matter what venue you choose for your wedding reception, the key factor to making it look and feel special is to set the mood…

But what exactly does that mean?          

In reality, it’s all about creating an ambience by using simple additions and creative touches that can add so much depth of feeling to any space. No matter what size your venue is, lighting is key, so think of uplighters, fairylights and hanging tea lights, each of which will bring a different look and feel to the room without you having to go all out on a specific theme.

Candles are one of the simplest ways and there are plenty of ways to use them creatively.

But don’t forget additions like draping, which can completely transform the look of a room in an instant.

Here’s some ideas to get the creative juices going. In the meantime, don’t hesitate to get in touch with me directly if you wish to chat about any aspect of your wedding planning and décor.

 

Up Lighting and Gobo

Up lighters will give you a really stunning effect of for your wedding venue. They can bathe your room in a host of beautiful colours, from purples, to pinks, to lilac, corals, blues and more. Gobo is another really useful and eye catching lighting option, where you can have anything from the couples initials to the wedding date projected onto the wall of the venue.

 

Candles, Tea lights and Lanterns

If you don’t want to go down the route of uplighters and gobo, then one of the simplest ways to achieve a real sense of romantic ambiance is with candles. There are so many ways to use candles; don’t just think of using one size or type. Think tea lights dotted along entrances, a mix of lanterns on the floor or on tables. Elegant candelabras, pillar candles of different sizes. Have fun and don’t feel you have to stick with one over the other. Also hanging tea lights make for the dreamiest affect when the sun goes down and can be hung from a range of locations.

 

Fairylights

When you think of a romantic wedding ambience you think of fairylights. They are the ultimate classic look for wedding receptions and just because something is a classic, that doesn’t mean it’s not still stunning, on trend and relevant. Fairylights can be used in a variety of ways, from backdrops, to over balconies, vertically on windows and much more.

 

Draping

Another really simple touch is soft draping. It can be used in a variety of ways from the ceilings, to balconies, to entrances, on backdrops and even on your reception chairs. Used in conjunction with lighting options such as candles and uplighters, it’s amazing how much draping can completely soften and transform the look of any size of venue.

 

 

How To Do A Vintage Wedding Theme

 

The vintage wedding theme is still one of the most popular choices for couples these days. Its popularity remains strong, thanks to its adaptability, budget friendly ways and because it is still one of the most beautiful wedding themes to bring to life.

There are so many ways to channel a vintage theme. So many decades to focus on, that it can appeal to different personalities and couples. You can have just a few small vintage touches or you can go all out with larger statements of retro.  That’s the beauty of this theme.

Don’t be afraid to think outside the box when it comes to interpreting the vintage theme. Raid attics, raid skips, to go auctions and embrace upcycling in a big way.

Here’s some ideas to get the creative juices going. In the meantime, don’t hesitate to get in touch with me directly if you wish to chat about any aspect of your wedding planning and décor.

 

 

Attire

One of the most stunning ways to set a vintage tone for your wedding day is with your attire. Brides are embracing retro and vintage styles of dresses, going for pretty detailing and classic cuts over more modern shapes. Don’t be afraid to bring it through to your bridesmaids too and let’s not forget the men! Retro and vintage suits are another big trend at the moment, so define the era you’re trying to emulate and stick with it. If you really want to make a splash, why not ask your guests to embrace the attire of your chosen era too, for extra fun.

 

Transport

One of the easiest ways to channel the vintage theme is with your wedding transport. Yes we’re talking about vintage cars. And you don’t necessarily have to go for the traditional types of cars either, such as a Rolls Royce. Why not have a little fun with VW Camper vans, mini coopers and even vintage motorbikes with side cars or push bikes?

 

On The Table

You can really go wild in terms of on the table vintage inspiration. Anything from stacks of old books, vintage birdcages filled with flowers, retro weighing scales topped with florals or candles, vintage cameras and old photos, retro style tins, pocket watches, old unusual bottles filled with candles, vintage sewing machines. The list is endless. Remember to dress them up with key florals and items made from burlap and lace are the ideal partners to reinforce that vintage look.

 

Around The Room

When it comes to placing vintage pieces around your wedding venue or ceremony, you can make a big impact for a small investment. Think about having stacks of retro suitcases, why not even use one for your guests to put their wedding cards? Vintage items like typewriters and gramophones make stunning focal points and again can cost next to nothing. You can make an even bigger impact with upcycled chests of drawers which you could use as your dessert or cake area too. And if you really want to go big and have the budget, why not seek out larger vintage pieces like a retro telephone box! It would look stunning in situ and can double as an ideal photobooth for your guests too.

 

 

 

 

Bring The Outdoors In For Your Wedding

Having an outdoor wedding ceremony and reception is not something that’s always possible in Ireland. Of course, it is possible to do an outdoor ‘I do’ and have a portion of the drinks reception outside, but having all aspects of the wedding from start to finish outdoors is an unlikely scenario, especially if you’re having a winter wedding.

But that shouldn’t mean you still cannot imbue your day with a sense of the outdoors. In fact, now more than ever there are readily available props and items of décor that can turn your wedding into a secret garden in a flash.

From green trees, to blossom trees, to hanging floral installations, to bay trees, garlands and backdrops, there are a myriad of ways to make your guests feel as though they are sitting in a garden paradise indoors.

Here’s some ideas to get your thinking. In the meantime, don’t hesitate to get in touch with me directly if you wish to chat about any aspect of your wedding planning and décor.

Ceremony
When it comes to bringing a sense of the outdoors into your ceremony, there’s plenty of ways to channel the look. Why not go for tall tree style pew ends? Crisp white blossom trees or trees with a greenery feel will look stunning and add a sense of magic garden to proceedings. If the venue doesn’t allow for this, then think lower down with leaves lining the aisle intermixed with lanterns.

On the Table
If you want to make a big impression why not go for mini trees as your table centrepieces? Be they white or pink style blossom trees, or greenery, it will have an immediate visual impact on your room. If you want to take things down a notch, then why not consider garlands packed with leafy greens? These work especially well for long tables. Consider bare sticks in long vases interspersed with lower set florals. Of if you want to think differently why not have hanging greenery above your tables?

Around the Room
Dot trees around the room in different locations to create a sense of being inside a woodland or lush green garden. Intersperse them with fairly lights, or hanging tea lights for a really magical feel when the sun goes down. Hang greenery from chandeliers or lights. Make use of potted plants and if you’re budget won’t allow fresh flowers, then there are some stunning synthetic versions that will work equally well. Floral backdrops will look stunning in conjunction with these elements and can become a selfie wall for guests too.

 

The Cake
Why not have a floral or greenery style backdrop stationed behind your cake or dessert table? It will add a real focal point to the room and of course it can then be moved to another location after the cake has been cut. For the cake itself, think naked icing with greenery and wooden accents to really reinforce the outdoorsy feel.

Velvet Crush Wedding Theme

This year velvet is making a big impression on weddings. A beautiful fabric, full of rich texture and visual impact, there are dozens of ways to bring a touch of velvet into your wedding décor.

From pops of velvet in the bridal party’s attire, to delicate details on bouquets and to adding well placed elements in the reception itself, expect to see velvet popping up everywhere.

It’s a versatile fabric that can be used in plenty of ways, although it is probably best to stick with accents rather than having velvet overload. There’s a range of colours to choose from, but if you want to keep it classic think of rich tones of purples, sage, red and blush pink.

Ideal for weddings with a more vintage vibe or elegant theme to it, don’t be afraid to have fun and contrast the beautiful texture with sharper finishes such as cool metal or wood.

Here’s some ideas to get your thinking. In the meantime, don’t hesitate to get in touch with me directly if you wish to chat about any aspect of your wedding planning and décor.

 

Flowers

One of the best ways to include a touch of velvet into your big day is with your bouquet. Think velvet style ribbon detailing on the brides bouquet or indeed the bridesmaid flowers too. Go for a colour that compliments your chosen florals and ensure the ribbon becomes a feature in itself to enhance the elegance of the bouquet.

 

Clothing           

Expect to see lots of pretty velvet accents appearing in the bridal parties clothing this year. From velvet shoes to velvet bow ties or even grooms jackets, this is a trend that crosses all gender lines for the couple. If you want to go all out, why not have your bridesmaids in velvet dresses? Invest in a velvet bolero for the bride, or if you want to add detailing to your dress why not have a visually impactful velvet bow around the waist of the dress?

 

On the Table

There’s plenty of ways to add velvet accents to your wedding tables. Think about velvet style table runners, or velvet ribbons around the menus or place cards. Velvet sashes on chairs will make for a stunning counterpoint with draping for example. Play around with textures when it comes to velvet and have a mix of finishes on the table. Cool metal or wood work well as contrasting textures for velvet.

 

Around the Room  

There so many ways to have fun with velvet around your venue. From adding velvet ribbons to garlands, to going big with velvet style backdrop for photos or even some upcycled velvet couches for guests to chill out on and for use for some great wedding photos, don’t be afraid to get creative.