The Art of Decor
30 January 2010
Before you consider decorating your venue ask your coordinator about any restrictions, for instance some venues don’t allow anything to be attached to walls or allow candles. Understand your limitations and learn what comes with the site such as linen, glassware, silverware etc to help you decide what you do and don’t need to hire.
You’ll need to form an overall vision. Is it edgy and contemporary or traditional and romantic? This can be a daunting prospect, especially for those lacking creative flair. The best way to start is to flip through magazines, get inspired and share your favourite images and ideas with your vendors to help them craft a vision for your wedding. They can then start attaching price tags to give you an idea of what’s possible for your budget. Lastly, create a thematic framework, weather seasonal, colour or regional based. Once you have the big picture in place, most of the decisions will flow naturally.
Flowers are central to weddings, accounting for up to 15% of the total budget, so the first step is to decide on your floral style. Most flower styles fall into the following categories: Architectural (contemporary and sculptural), Romantic (fluffy and feminine), English Graden (trailing, full and colourful) and Tuscan (warm and rustic). If you recognise which one appeals to you most, you’ll have a head start in the planning.
If you prefer something different, non-floral arrangements really stand out. Consider low-cost items such as fruit displays, giant leaves in tall containers, clusters of candles, scatterings of crystals or pebbles and festive decorations such as pine cones and holly.
Props are important when turning a space from blah to wow so consider your surroundings. Something as simple as a table cloth can add instant texture and visual impact. For an outdoor wedding, set up white sofas and club chairs for a shabby chic feel. Chandeliers are perfect for the wow factor, columns are wonderful for defining areas and fairy lights not only illuminate walkways but can create a romantic ambience.
Your choice of vases and containers goes a long way toward setting the tone for your table. Keep in mind you can either rent, buy or make use of your own items, particularly if they reflect you interests, for instance a collection of vintage of teapots. When in doubt, go with low-cost clear glass vessels. They can look both modern and traditional either at home or on a beach and good florists will always keep a variety of styles in stock.