FINDING WONDERLAND

from Your Cheshire and Merseyside Wedding - Issue 58 July/August 2021

COMPETITION

FINDING

WONDERLAND

Style your wedding venue with flair

When faced with the initial blank canvas that is your venue you may view it in one of two ways: with total panic or giddy excitement. In which case, you’ll either be in need of inspiration or focus. So, by way of support, we’ve gathered together our top venue-styling tips and trends.

Think about how you can make use of your venue’s empty corners and fill them with something your guests will go wild for. We love the idea of treat stations, as well as dessert, cake and memory tables.

▼ Consider how you’ll use the space available to you. Both layout and flow will affect the atmosphere of your big day. Are you going for a formal and traditional celebration with a threecourse wedding breakfast at round tables? Or is relaxed family-style dining with banqueting tables more your vibe? Perhaps you’d prefer to ditch the table plan completely and opt for a barbecue buffet where guests can mingle.

The clever use of lighting creates the perfect ambience for your day and can even change it from mellow and elegant during the day to celebratory in the evening. Use festoon lighting to enhance a festival or rustic vibe, and coloured uplighters in your wedding’s colour palette for a party atmosphere. ▲ Flower power doesn’t have to be limited to your bouquet and the centrepieces. Floral displays can often be moved from the ceremony area and utilised later in your reception space. Moon gates, arches and hanging installations are all becoming styling must-haves thanks to their versatility.

EXPERT ADVICE

“Maintain a consistent colour palette and pay attention to details ensuring a flawless finish. For a simple open-plan tipi create a luxury feel using layers of foliage and flowers combined with candles and glassware to complement the crockery for a rich, opulent look. Place cards and menus add the finishing touches, while a welcome sign will set the scene for the day.” – Amanda Nelson, www.wachadoin.events

Styling with oodles of gorgeous green foliage is still enjoying a moment in the sun. Think garlands, centrepieces, table runners, arches and hoops. Also, use it to highlight features of your venue such as a mantlepiece or staircase.

▼ Chill-out areas complete with comfy sofas, and even firepits if you’re outside, are great for guests who’d rather opt out of the the dancing and spend time catching up instead.

▲ Incorporating a sustainable angle into your big day is not only a trend but a growing necessity. That’s why dried flowers are making waves in the world of venue styling with super-cool pampas grass features making a fab backdrop for vows, speeches and photos.