This is where the magic happens and you get to turn your vision into a reality!
Step One: Define Your Wedding Style
Defining the one wedding style that will drive your wedding day aesthetic can be challenging. Especially with so many beautiful options on Instagram and Pinterest, it’s easy to become conflicted.
A few tips…
Use Pinterest to gather big picture inspiration for your day.
Ask those closest to you how they would describe your personal style—this can help when you like lots of wedding styles but can’t settle on one! Just because you like a certain style does not mean that it is the style that best defines YOU.
Don’t just follow the trends! You will look back on your wedding day and wedding photos for the rest of your life. Ask yourself—would I have liked this trend two years ago? If the answer is ‘no,’ this is probably something you will look back on in the future and regret.
After gathering lots of style inspiration, work with your planner to select the one style that fits you best and STICK WITH IT. Don’t try to combine multiple styles just because you can’t choose. Find one style and add your personal flare to it—and then run with that style and that style alone.
Your wedding style won’t box you in or limit you but instead will be a guide to reference when making décor and design decisions.
Step Two: Secure Your Color Scheme
Your color scheme can be as bold or subtle as you wish. Select your color scheme based on your personal preference (of course) as well as the season. If you are having trouble selecting a scheme, look at your venue for inspiration—are there any colors that would compliment the floors/fixtures in your ceremony or reception space? Maybe the wedding style you defined in Step One can drive your color scheme.
Try not to overthink this one—if you’ve been dreaming of a color for years, go with that color. If you typically wear a certain color or color palette, go with that scheme. If you are a neutral person, don’t force a super colorful scheme and stay true to your neutrals.
Step Three: Select Your Décor
This is where your visions begin to take shape! Don’t rush when it comes to purchasing décor and securing décor through vendors. There are soooo many beautiful décor pieces available but having too many will create a cluttered and distraught aesthetic at your event. Based on your budget there are various ways to bring your design aesthetic into your day.
A few tips…
Start BIG. Determine what your biggest and therefore most impactful pieces of decor will be—arches, large signage, the dance floor, champagne wall, etc.
Next, think about your table place settings and centerpiece arrangements.
Save the smaller accept pieces for last—votives, favors, menus, etc. By the time you get to the point of selecting accent pieces, it should be easy because you are simply filling in the gaps and adding those final touches that will make your vision come to life! That is why it is SO vital to save these accents for last.
For those larger decor pieces, you can rely on your florists and decor rental companies, but for those smaller pieces that you opt to purchase yourself, here are a few of my favorite sites to buy from:
Etsy or Zazzle- perfect for custom signage
Wedding Wire Shop- prefect for custom gifts, accessories, favors, and backdrops
Oriental Trading- great for custom favors and centerpiece accents
Minted- perfect for all wedding stationary!
Be sure to check out your hardware stores, craft stores, and even dollar stores, which can have all the items you need to make your décor visions come to life.
And, of course, for all wedding stationary you can use our Aulen Events discount code to receive 25-35% off at Minted.com. You can find the code in your welcome packet!
Step Four: Design Your Décor Layout
This step is VERY important because it allows the Aulen Events Team to take all of the wonderful design ideas you choose to go with and execute them on the day of your wedding. While you are getting ready and enjoying a relaxing morning with your wedding party, our team will be working with any event rental pros you contract as well as your florist and wedding venue to make sure your vision is being executed to your satisfaction.
To do this we need YOU to access and fill out the Wedding Day Décor Items document, which you can find in your unique event page. You can also talk with your planner about your ideas/vision for your wedding day décor.
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