Wedding Ambiance
Cindy Hatcher
When you fantasize about your big day, you may be thinking of the “big” picture. Don’t forget, however, that it’s often the small details that really make your event one to remember. Small decorative touches—such as balloons, flowers, centerpieces, and theme colors—can move your look from boring to beautiful with a few small tweaks from those in the know. We went straight to the top and asked Preston Bailey, celebrity wedding designer and author of Preston Bailey’s Fantasy Weddings, for his decorating tips. Here, we take four popular design elements and provide new twists to update your look and make it your own.
BALLOONS
Traditional use: As an inexpensive way to make your wedding “pop,” balloons add color, texture, design, and movement to the look of your reception, whether scattered in groups around the room or artfully arranged in a playful arch.
New way to view: Have your guests write a special wish for you and your mate, then tie the notes with string to balloons you’ve had blown up. Instead of throwing rice or confetti as you leave the ceremony or reception, have guests release their balloon.
Quick tip: If you have more than one theme color in your wedding, have your decorator place one color balloon inside another. This works particularly well with using light and dark shades of the same color family. Or, order balloons with your names and wedding date imprinted on them.
FLOWERS
Traditional use: Beautiful bunches of a wide variety of blooms
New way to view: Rather than using a distractingly large amount of various blooms, Bailey likes to repeat the same one or two types of flowers for a more focused and dramatic look. To push the drama even higher, stick with the same color rather than mixing shades. “Flowers are already beautiful, it’s what you do with them that create the biggest impact,” Bailey says.
Quick tip: Try this floral centerpiece idea from Bailey: Fill a clear glass bowl with water and break apart five roses, arranging their petals to look like one big rose.
CENTERPIECES
Traditional use: Large bouquets of flowers to adorn every table
New way to view: Decorators are using multiple smaller bouquets or potted plants that guests may take with them as favors.
Quick Tip: If money is minimal, don't blow your flower budget here. Instead take a a cue from Bailey, and group votive candles in a decorative pattern as a centerpiece. "This gives the romance of candlelight that everyone looks for," Bailey says. To add a personal touch fill the bases of the votive holders with items that remind guests of your setiing as or your favorite hobbies- such as seashells and sand for a beach wedding
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COLOR
Traditional use: Subdued season-friendly shades that don’t overpower
New way to view: “I like to break the color rules,” Bailey says. “Lately my clients have been attracted to passionate shades, such as orange and hot pink.”
Quick tip: Choose your colors by visiting an unlikely locale—the paint aisle of the hardware store. If you have a paint chip in your selected colors you’ll be able to easily match your true hues throughout the planning process, from cakes to confetti.