When it comes to wedding planning we all pay attention to the big details and decisions like the venue, food, floor plans, music and flowers. But what about all of the finer details?
When you are pinning images to your Pinterest board, ask yourself what it is about the image that you like? Most often you will find it is the beautiful, more intricate details that are drawing you in, like the flowing silk ribbon on the bridal bouquet, the carefully folded napkin and sprig of herb at the place setting, the flicker of candles on the table, the sweet accents on the bride and groom’s chairs.
We asked Event Designer and Planner Molly McKinley to turn her sharp eye to the top wedding details every bride should pay attention to.
Invitation Styling
Make sure to bring your invitation suite with you for your photographer to take a picture of, along with any sentimental elements they can style it alongside (like your grandmother’s locket). Request that your florist bring extra ribbon and a few blooms for your photographer to play with.
Make sure to bring your invitation suite with you for your photographer to take a picture of, along with any sentimental elements they can style it alongside (like your grandmother’s locket). Request that your florist bring extra ribbon and a few blooms for your photographer to play with.
Jewelry and Accessories
Create time to focus on your accessories. If you’re lacking on time, hire a stylist to hone in on your vision and make it happen.
Create time to focus on your accessories. If you’re lacking on time, hire a stylist to hone in on your vision and make it happen.
Wedding Day Hangers
Your wedding day dress hangers don’t have to have your names wired on them, but they should at least be a simple wooden design that doesn’t take away from your gown or your bridesmaids.
Your wedding day dress hangers don’t have to have your names wired on them, but they should at least be a simple wooden design that doesn’t take away from your gown or your bridesmaids.
The Groom
Don’t let your groom rent. This should be his best looking day, too, not just yours. He needs to find a tux or suit that is his to keep – one that fits him perfectly and makes him feel top notch!
Don’t let your groom rent. This should be his best looking day, too, not just yours. He needs to find a tux or suit that is his to keep – one that fits him perfectly and makes him feel top notch!
Floral Details
Talk through the finer details with your florist, like what your bouquets and bouts will be wrapped with (and how). Do you want long ribbons? Shiny or matte? Silk or organza? Unless it is specified, these details might not come out just like you’ve imagined.
Talk through the finer details with your florist, like what your bouquets and bouts will be wrapped with (and how). Do you want long ribbons? Shiny or matte? Silk or organza? Unless it is specified, these details might not come out just like you’ve imagined.
Linens
A planner (or sometimes your florist) can help you pick out linens that will completely elevate the look of your event. We usually try to stay neutral color-wise, and bring in textures appropriate for the season. If you’re looking for a pop of color, why not add that in in the flowers or the napkins?
A planner (or sometimes your florist) can help you pick out linens that will completely elevate the look of your event. We usually try to stay neutral color-wise, and bring in textures appropriate for the season. If you’re looking for a pop of color, why not add that in in the flowers or the napkins?
Lighting
Why pay $5,000 for flowers if you can barely notice them? If your guests are having to pull out their iphones to light the way at times, it also becomes a safety issue. Always ask about the lighting situation at your venue prior to booking, so you’re at least aware of it. Uplighting, pin lighting, or twinkling lights overhead can completely change the look and feel of your event.
Why pay $5,000 for flowers if you can barely notice them? If your guests are having to pull out their iphones to light the way at times, it also becomes a safety issue. Always ask about the lighting situation at your venue prior to booking, so you’re at least aware of it. Uplighting, pin lighting, or twinkling lights overhead can completely change the look and feel of your event.
Place setting
Even the napkin fold can completely change the look and feel of your table. We try to schedule a meeting around putting together the perfect place setting for your big day so we can think through all of the elements and logistics of how the food is being served. Renting chargers, a newer style of silverware, stunning glassware, etc can bump up your bill a bit. If you can’t afford it for each of your place settings, you could focus these special details on your head table for a fraction of the cost.
Even the napkin fold can completely change the look and feel of your table. We try to schedule a meeting around putting together the perfect place setting for your big day so we can think through all of the elements and logistics of how the food is being served. Renting chargers, a newer style of silverware, stunning glassware, etc can bump up your bill a bit. If you can’t afford it for each of your place settings, you could focus these special details on your head table for a fraction of the cost.
Votives
I know it seems like a small detail, but choosing votive containers that carry out your overall look is important. Your florist likely has several beautiful options – you just have to ask. They can really add a lot of personality to your wedding.
I know it seems like a small detail, but choosing votive containers that carry out your overall look is important. Your florist likely has several beautiful options – you just have to ask. They can really add a lot of personality to your wedding.
Chairs
Chairs are some of the most prevalent elements of your event. I would rather have a bride who puts her money towards nice chairs then use that money for giant floral centerpieces. It makes a big difference. Bad chairs can cheapen the look of your ceremony or reception. Also don’t forget to plan something special for your bride and groom chairs. It’s a fun moment to sit in those together, once you’re finally man and wife!
Chairs are some of the most prevalent elements of your event. I would rather have a bride who puts her money towards nice chairs then use that money for giant floral centerpieces. It makes a big difference. Bad chairs can cheapen the look of your ceremony or reception. Also don’t forget to plan something special for your bride and groom chairs. It’s a fun moment to sit in those together, once you’re finally man and wife!
Table Numbers and Menus
Your day-of wedding paper should flow with your invitation suite or complement your centerpieces. Think through your flowers and their height and the containers used. How can you bring a table number into the mix that stands out without it taking away from the overall look? How are you going to alert your guests of the menu for the evening? Will it be a part of your table setting? Are you having easels with painted menus at each station? Or something unique? Think through the look you like and talk to your planner about something that makes sense logistically and stylistically.
Your day-of wedding paper should flow with your invitation suite or complement your centerpieces. Think through your flowers and their height and the containers used. How can you bring a table number into the mix that stands out without it taking away from the overall look? How are you going to alert your guests of the menu for the evening? Will it be a part of your table setting? Are you having easels with painted menus at each station? Or something unique? Think through the look you like and talk to your planner about something that makes sense logistically and stylistically.
