florals

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.

Floral Installations

Flowers play a big role in how your wedding day will look. It can be easy to simply think of wedding flowers in terms of the bridal bouquets, the buttonholes and perhaps a few flowers for the ceremony or church, but in fact flowers are so much more integral to the wedding theme and overall décor than most couples can imagine.

While flowers will always be key to wedding décor, this year you can expect to see more and more impressive ‘floral installations, thanks in part to  the two British royal family weddings last year, which featured some very impressive floral arches and walls. So not surprisingly this year, we can expect to see this trend reflected in microcosm, with floral arches, floral moon gates, flower walls and hanging floral installations to add drama to the proceedings.

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.

 

Floral Wall

A good floral wall is a really savvy investment to make for your wedding day, because quite simply it is a multi-taskers dream! It can be used as a backdrop for your ceremony. You could use it as a selfie wall for your guests to take snaps. You could place it behind the top table, use it as a backdrop for your cake. The list is endless.

Ceremony Statements

This year it’s all about the big floral statements for your ceremony. Think chic floral moon gates and floral arches as either the backdrops for your ceremony or if that won’t work, try them on your church entrance. Use oversized greens and draping to make a big statement on your entrances or use blossom trees to line your aisles.

 

 

 

Hanging Florals

This year, it’s time to look up and think about ways to use the vertical space above your wedding! Hanging florals make an absolutely stunning visual impact on your wedding venue and can completely transform the look of your space in an instant. From floral chandeliers, to hoops covered with flowers, to long box style installations, there’s so many ways to utilise the vertical space. Don’t forget to play around with colour and greenery and use additions like hanging tea lights for an added romantic dimension once the sun goes down.

Garlands

While they might be seen as the more traditional cousin of modern floral installations, don’t underestimate the impact of a classic garland. Whether you use them on fireplaces, as table runners, on walls to create a backdrop or lining a great staircase, these type of statement florals are the ideal match for weddings.

 

 

 

Faux Fur and Glitter Wedding Theme

Wondering what theme to have for your winter wedding? Well if you’re a lover of all things, glam and luxe then why not have a faux fur and glitter thread running through your wedding day décor?

Think Dr. Zhivago meets The Great Gatsby and you’ve got it.

It’s the perfect theme for the winter season as it fuses the ideas of winter warmth and elegance, with the decadence of the season.

There’s no set rules with this theme, simply mix and match ideas that suit your taste. You could simply have some faux fur elements in the bridal attire and a smattering of sparkle dust on your tables, or you could go all out with an elaborate faux fur and glitter centrepiece. It’s up to you.

If you’d like to chat about this or any other aspect of your wedding day plans, then don’t hesitate to get in touch with me directly.

 

Attire

Winter brides and faux fur are a match made in heaven. Think stoles, shawls and handmuffs for the bride and the bridesmaids. For the grooms, why not bring some faux fur touches into the buttonholes and add a dusting of glitter for the perfect fusion.

 

 

Around the room

Invest in some lush Faux Fur throws and blankets if you’ve got access to an outdoor area and might want to invite guests to sit around a fire pit and toast some marshmallows with a cosy throw to keep them warm. Why not drape the couple’s chairs in faux fur throws and some glitter elements?  Mason jars encrusted with glitter or lanterns filled with fairylights or candles arranged on faux fur throws will give the Dr. Zhivago feel to the room, especially paired with a roaring open fire. Why not create some stunning backdrops with faux fur elements, feathers dipped in glitter or glitter streamers?

 

 

On the Table

Got for faux fur place settings and if you’ve got long tables then a faux fur table runner that’s got some sparkle to it will look stunning. Intersperse these with glitter elements, such as candles dusted in glitter and it will be the ideal match.  Again if you’re going for a more rustic theme and have long picnic style tables, then having some faux fur throws draped over the benches that would look super. If you want to go super glam, then why not have large feather style arrangements for your centrepieces with glitter table clothes for the ultimate in luxe?

 

Food and Drinks

While you can’t really bring faux fur into your food and drinks, you can certainly add touches here and there. Why not have your cake sitting on a fur arrangement? Or serve trays of bubbles with the rims dipped in glitter from faux fur lined trays?  Have your glitter encrusted cake sitting on some faux fur for a real showstopper.

 

Images via Pinterest

 

 

 

 

 

Alternatives to the Bridal Bouquet

A bride’s bouquet is something very special. It’s as individual as she is and reflects her personal style and tastes. It’s also an integral part of the wedding day. Like the dress, the ceremony and the meal, the bouquet is a crucial part of the entire process.

That said, there’s no reason why you have to stick with convention and go with traditional flowers. Indeed, today brides are choosing some stunning, fun and creative alternatives for their bouquets. Bear in mind that many elements of these alternatives can also be fused with real florals for a truly unique look.

Apart from allowing you to show off your personality a little more, alternative bouquets, tend to make fantastic keepsakes that you might even pass on to the next generation one day.

If you’d like to chat about this or any other aspect of your wedding day plans, then don’t hesitate to get in touch with me directly.

 

Brooches and Buttons

One of the biggest trends in recent times is for brooch bouquets. These are bouquets made entirely of stunning brooches and jewels all cobbled together into the shape of a bouquet. You can make this a personal as you wish by incorporating keepsakes from your loved one. Buttons are another beautiful idea and can work well alongside the brooches. Either way, they make for a stunning keepsake after the wedding day.

 

Paper

Be it sheet music from your favourite song as a couple, passages of books, pom poms made out of vibrant crepe, origami or a paper map of the world. Paper bouquets give you huge scope to be creative. Plus they are very economical compared to fresh flowers and again will last as a keepsake after the day.

 

 

Burlap and Lace

Burlap and lace are a match made in heaven and if you’re going for a vintage chic sort of look, then this really is a wonderful alternative to fresh flowers. Especially if you’re got a crafty streak or indeed a relative is a dab hand with a sewing machine. It will make the bouquets even more special.

 

Feathers and Shells

Make a total style statement with some flashy feathers and stunning shells for your bouquet. These two can go together, but often look best as either one or the other. If you’re having a bit of a marine theme or are a total water goddess, then shells will look truly fantastic for your bouquet. Feathers can also be a great addition to a floral bouquet or go all out with an entire bouquet made of feathers too.

 

Succulents

If you’re a bit of a botanic aficionado, then why not go for a bouquet of succulents? Try some exotic cacti with unusual colours and shapes and intersperse with regular blooms and green leaves.

 

Images via Pinterest

Dangling Wedding Decor

When it comes to wedding décor, it can be easy to forget about maximising the vertical space you have at your disposal. Hanging or dangling décor can look absolutely show stopping and make the most of your wedding venue.

It requires a little bit of extra thought and you need to let your creativity run wild. You can use pretty much anything in a vertical fashion and tie it in with your theme. For example, if you wanted to channel an Alice in Wonderland style feel then you could suspended china cups, pocket watches or books! The list is endless and the only limit is your imagination.

Lights of course are a biggie to consider and will look jaw dropping. But dangling décor can be budget friendly too, especially with paper items such as pom poms, paper lanterns and streamers.

If you’d like to chat about this or any other aspect of your wedding day plans, then don’t hesitate to get in touch with me directly.
Lights
Lights work so well as a dangling feature and they ramp up the romantic atmosphere like nothing else. Think about simple additions such as subtle hanging tea lights or mason jars filled with tea lights or some battery operated LED’s. Why not have hanging lanterns of differing sizes. Or for something a little quirky get some industrial style bulbs or get curtain style fairy lights to hang over the tables.

 

Florals
Traditionally florals were focussed on static table centrepieces, but there’s so much more you can do with florals for your décor. Turn the chandeliers in the venue into floral chandeliers or get creative with some DIY floral hula hoops. Suspend chic flower pots, or consult with your florist about some bespoke floral installations or garlands to suspended over tables.

Paper Fun
Paper décor can look really eye-catching, yet it can be very friendly on your budget. Pom poms look incredible suspended over tables, as do paper Chinese lanterns. The beauty of these items is that they are inexpensive, easy to source and come in a whole range of colours. Also think about paper streamers and ribbons.

 

Quirky
Finally, don’t be afraid to let your imagination run wild when it comes to dangling décor. Almost anything can be used in this way. Items such as birdcages, photos, parasols and umbrellas can be used to great effect. Think about suspending your escort cards for guests, or why not have some moss letters suspended too? If you’re following a particular theme then incorporate this into it as well. If you were following a Mad Hatters Tea Party or Alice in Wonderland themes, then why not have some pocket watches or teacups suspended from the ceiling?

 

Images via Pinterest

Summer Wedding Pew Ends

When it comes to wedding planning, often the seemingly smallest details end up making the biggest impact in terms of décor.

Pew ends are a case in point. In the grand scheme of things, they aren’t the biggest item to consider or indeed would not be high on your agenda of priorities, however, it’s amazing how these little additions can completely transform the look of your church or ceremony venue.

And don’t be put off by the word pew. If you’re not getting married in a church or even indoors, that doesn’t mean you can’t have pew ends. Think of mason jars or pompoms hanging from chairs. Or why not go for petals, lanterns or other touches on the ground next to the chairs closest to the aisle?

There is no limit to how creative you can get with your pew ends, so don’t be afraid to have a little fun with them. And while traditional flowers can be a little pricey, some of these more modern alternatives are very budget friendly.

Here’s some fresh suggestions for some summer style pew ends that would look great for an indoor or outdoor ‘I do’ and if you’d like help planning that ‘I do’ or want to chat about your wedding décor then please get in touch with me today.

 

Fans/Pompoms

These are a very popular trend and are a nice departure from the more traditional route of florals and can be ideal if you’re watching your budget. Think about mixing pastels with bursts of vivid colour for a really show stopping look. Have several mini fans or pompoms hanging together or go for one giant one on each aisle either.

 

Quotes or Photos

Photos are a nice twist on the traditional pew end and can be great way to pay tribute to your families, especially if there are those who are no longer with you. Quotes are a super idea too and again both of these ideas are budget friendly.

 

Mason Jars

Ah the mason jar, where would we be without you? These are the absolute jack of all trades when it comes to wedding décor. You can use them practically anywhere, but they do work so well for pew ends. Fill them of course with florals, but you can also fill them with tea lights, marbles, sand, shells, petals, the list is endless.

 

On the Ground

Who says your pew ends have to be hanging off the pews? Why not try having some décor on the ground by each pew or row of seats? Lanterns are always a good one, but what about birdcages, garlands, petals and rustic style wooden flower boxes?

 

 

Something a Little Different

Pew ends are a great opportunity to have a little fun with your décor, so don’t be afraid to think outside the norm. Things like wellies filled with flowers, milk churns, sticks with hearts or pompoms on the top can all look super. If your venue allows it, then how about cones of confetti at the end of each pew?

 

 

Alternatives to Wedding Confetti

Confetti is as synonymous with weddings as the white dress, walking down the aisle and saying ‘I do.’ It is a custom that has indeed been around for centuries and its origins can often be traced back to Italy. The idea behind showering the newly married couple with confetti is to bestow on them lots of good luck, prosperity and fertility amongst other things.

Today, confetti has been banned or frowned upon in many churches or venues, mainly due to the messy aspect and the clean-up needed. However, there are plenty of alternatives to normal confetti and there is even bio degradable confetti available too. Always chat with your ceremony venue contact in advance and find out what if any alternatives they will accept. But if the answer is no and you still have your heart set on some confetti then don’t despair! Simply think about different locations to throw it outside of the church or on the venue grounds and have the camera ready for some stunning shots.

If you’d like to chat about this or any aspect of your wedding day décor, then please don’t hesitate to get in touch with me.

 

Bubbles
Bubbles have become one of the most popular, modern alternatives to confetti, because these little beauties simply disappear leaving zero mess behind while still looking simply stunning in pictures. Plus kids and adults can really enjoy having fun with the bubbles too.

 

Glitter and Sequins
Glitterbugs, this one is for you! While glitter dust and sequins look absolutely amazing, they can be a touch on the messy side, so do make sure you’ve got the okay before going ahead, or be smart and give guests little parcels of glitter to throw in a designated area that’s more suitable.

Florals and Petals
Another option which has become super popular in recent years is to throw petals or florals instead of paper confetti. Think about having petals in pretty cones for each guest, or go for something different such as herbs, dried flower heads, lavender or in the autumn season leaves work really well too.

Pom Poms
Pom poms may be normally used on a larger scale for wedding décor, but mini versions for your confetti is a really creative choice.

 

Paper
Of course there’s nothing wrong with using paper confetti and there are lots of ways to reinvent the classic, such as with streamers, paper hearts or other shapes too.

 

Images Via Pinterest

Wedding Backdrops

Wedding backdrops are a wonderful addition to your big day décor. They can serve a number of locations depending on the style of your ceremony. For example, if you are getting married outside or in a venue other than a church, you have more freedom to include a bespoke backdrop into the ceremony itself. But fear not, if you’re going for a church ceremony there are still lots of options for a beautiful backdrop in the day’s decor. Think about having it outside for your photographs or inside for a dedicated part of your décor, behind the top table or as a handy photo prop.

A wedding backdrop is also another fantastic way to underpin your wedding theme; be it rustic chic, glamorous, floral, nautical, or even film or book inspired. There’s no limit to the ways in which you can include a backdrop. Also they can be complete multi-taskers! You could have your backdrop serve as part of the seating plan, for example you could have your rustic pallets adorned with antique style picture frames with the tables seating arrangements and then use it as your wedding photo backdrop later on!

Finally, if you’re a bit of a DIY’er, then putting together your own wedding backdrop can be a fantastic project to work on in the lead up to the big day.

If you’d like to discuss any aspect of your wedding day planning or décor with us, then please don’t hesitate to get in touch. We can work with all budgets to bring your wedding dreams to life.

In the meantime, here is some beautiful backdrop inspiration.

 

Rustic Chic
If you’re going for a rustic chic feel for your wedding day décor, then think distressed wood, palettes, old doors, trellis, and antique screens. If you’re a dab hand at bringing new life into old pieces of furniture, then think about upcycling some of these items yourself for a great DIY wedding project.

 

Florals & Greenery
This is a trend that we’ve seen in numerous celebrity weddings, but with a little thought you can bring a flavour of it into your wedding day décor. Think about the colours carefully. Too many white flowers and the impact will get lost, but again too many bold colours may not work with your overall décor. Try and have a chat with your wedding planner or florist about what’s in season and what will work well, both on camera and in the flesh with the space you have available. A burst of greens without florals are another beautiful option to consider and have become quite popular in recent times, especially for that ‘secret garden’ feel.

 

Paper
While big floral walls are not something every budget will stretch to, it’s still possible to create a beautiful alternative with paper flowers! Also consider streamers, paper shapes like birds or stars or pom poms for a visually stunning, yet often more economical option.

 

Lights & Draping
There’s little that can rival the twinkle of fairy lights and draping for a romantic effect and this much loved duo, continues to be a popular choice for many brides and grooms today. Think about the different sorts of lights and bulbs sizes you can use to set yours apart and how they are placed for maximum effect. Add in some carefully chosen draping and you’ve got the perfect backdrop.

 

Letters & Initials
For a bold, modern, visual statement, oversized initials or letters spelling out words like LOVE or I DO are an incredibly popular alternative to a traditional background. They are often lit, adding to the effect and look stunning in both the photos and in the room itself.