DECOR INSPIRATION

VENUE STYLING DÉCOR inspiration Create the ultimate backdrop with

CEREMONY STYLING these gorgeous ideas

AMANDA AUSTIN, AMANDA AUSTIN FLOWERS www.amandaaustinflowers.co.uk Flowers that are used for your aisle chairs and alter backdrop can be moved into the reception area and reused to save a bit of budget, as long as you’re having a drinks reception in between I love ceiling displays but if you do want to do this, remember that it’s very expensive to rig something up above, and take it down after Is your dress big? Don’t have anything framing the aisle that you or your guests could trip over Lanterns look beautiful but double check with your ceremony venue if you’re allowed to place real candles in them

REBECCA PAULRAJ, BECCA BLOOMS https://beccablooms.com Entrance – Floral arches are the go to option, but if you want to scale down the costs, opt for an all-green display using a variety of deep green and variegated seeded Ivy, Pittosporum, Magnolia, Laurel and Pine or Fir leaves and branches. You can also use urns and milk churns to create large arrangements at the door Aisle displays – Consider if the aisle is large enough for two people to walk abreast without brushing against the sides and knocking pew ends to the ground.

Make sure the displays add to the overall ambiance rather than cluttering the space Alter displays – Historically, church flowers used to be white but over the years, this has changed to accommodate seasonal and personal favourites. Mixing fresh with artificial to create certain combinations out of season is desirable. Floral displays should ideally maintain synergy with the architecture of the building. Colours may vary but they should not clash with the colour scheme or aesthetics of your backdrop

AMANDA AUSTIN, AMANDA AUSTIN FLOWERS www.amandaaustinflowers.co.uk Centrepieces – Remember that people like to see across the table, so don’t make them too tall and if they are, be sure to make the plinths clear or above eye level. If you’re on a smaller budget put all floral displays on the table as everyone will see these flowers for the longest time Stationery and signage – Silver pokes don’t look the best, so get creative with your table signage Cake table – If your cake is gorgeous put it out on show Sweet stand – Hide this until after dinner or it’ll all be eaten before everyone sits down and then they won’t eat the wedding breakfast Instead of a treat table, why not go veggie with a veggie stand? REBECCA PAULRAJ, BECCA BLOOMS https://beccablooms.com Most wedding venues have large airy rooms that can accommodate colourful and elegant pedestal displays in keeping with the theme or style of décor Your choice of tableware for the reception will govern the choice of what floral displays go on the tables or sit above the tables (in cloud displays and floral candelabras) Table linen, chair covers, and chair backs should also combine with the other décor to create one seamless picture Don’t be scared to go without tablecloths. The natural sheen of wood is beautiful, and you can pick up the natural tones of the table by adding bits of twigs and seed pods in the table décor Cake tables should be decorated with unscented or silk flowers.

Match the colours of the cake or go for a totally contrasting pallet that still fits in with the other venue styling

NOOKS AND CRANNYS

AMANDA AUSTIN, AMANDA AUSTIN FLOWERS www.amandaaustinflowers.co.uk After nightfall, light up dark corners of your reception room with lanterns and lots of romantic candlelight Think about all spaces in your venue – even staircases can be decorated to continue your floral theme throughout REBECCA PAULRAJ, BECCA BLOOMS https://beccablooms.com Interspersing long candles or tea lights in suitable holders among the flowers, strings of pearls, feathers and artificial gems are all effective ways of enhancing the overall backdrop to the ceremony or reception Take the time to decide on the colour, size and type of candles and candle holders as they all need to thread together to create a seamless backdrop Keep away from scented candles as the scent can interfere with guests enjoying their meal and some people are prone to headaches when exposed to strong smelling candles Fireplaces are amazing features to decorate with long swags of greenery or twigs and vines dotted with flowers.

Add candles for that sense of romance in the evening. The lit candles will make the mantlepiece swag pop when the lights are turned down

2023 STYLING TRENDS

The overarching theme for this year is colour!

Popular palettes include terracotta, copper, rust and burnt orange tones popping up everywhere from floral arrangements and stationery through to the wedding party outfits and venue styling

Couples are opting for more sustainable items such as locally sourced, seasonal flowers and foliages

A flower that’s growing in popularity for 2023 is lavendar. It has a similar feel to gypsophila with small blossoms but with a more interesting, on-trend coloir and the added bonus of the amazing scent Another popular design trend is the use of water and flame within tablescapes. Floating candles, tealights and glassware filled with water and flowers

Wedding guest lists are getting smaller, which means floral displays, top table backdrops, archways and aisle and alter displays are getting larger due to more budget being spent on styling Your cake is very much part of your venue styling and simple cakes with added colour and texture are here to stay. Co-ordinating bright blooms, stencilling and gold leaf are all popular. For texture, there’s a growing demand for free-hand textured designs and naked and semi-naked bakes decorated with fresh berries or flowers continue to look fabulous

Translucent stationery and signage are set to be a trend this year, paired with bright, jewellike tones and textural natural elements such as torn paper edges and hessian or velvet ribbons