Finding your Wedding Style… The Series…. Contemporary Wedding Theme
The definition of the word ‘Contemporary’ is ‘of the present time; Modern’ and for me, that pretty much sums up the Contemporary Wedding style. It can really be anything you want it to be, based on the fashions and colour palette of the time.
Every year seems to have a different idea of what’s on trend. The Pantone of the year is announced every January, but realistically those colours don’t appear in wedding styling until the following year (if at all, there are some pretty random colours picked at times!)
So, how does this all relate to styling your wedding?
Double drape contemporary chair dressings at Horsley Lodge
Styling your Wedding Chairs
Double Drape & Waterfall chair dressings at Shottle Hall
As I’ve said before, chair dressings come down to the chairs your wedding venue offer as part of your package and it may be that you don’t need to cover your chairs if they are already beautiful. Saying that, there are still some pretty ugly chairs out there that do benefit from being styled! A well dressed chair can make all the difference to that wow when you walk into the room.
Inspiration for how to dress your wedding chairs, so they’re ‘in style’, can be found featured in your favourite wedding magazines, on social media feeds for those magazines or, of course, on Pinterest. Search ‘Contemporary Wedding’ in the search bar and you will be blown away with ideas.
For me, a Contemporary chair dressing uses Chiffon Drapes, to achieve a softness that other sash treatments can’t. Single fans, double drapes and waterfalls in colours to match or compliment your shades are very popular currently (sorry for the lingo here but your chair dresser will know what they mean!). These styles add elegance to any chair. Even when your venue’s chairs need to be completely covered, to hide an uncomplimentary colour or frame, there are still ways to use Chiffon drapes.. As you can see from the images below which show some weddings we have recently dressed (you can see more over on the gallery here >>>http://www.icedandspliced.com/weddingchaircovers/)
Double drape chair dressing with floral accent at The Nottinghamshire / A work in progress at Shottle Hall / Hood style chiffon drapes on covered chairs at The Nottinghamshire
TAKE A LOOK AT OUR WEDDING CHAIR PORTFOLIO AND SERVICE HERE >>>
The Contemporary Style Wedding Cake
Contemporary monochrome tiered wedding cake at Osmaston Park. Photo credit HBA Photography https://hbaphotography.com/
Contemporary Wedding Cakes have lots of texture , sometimes with bold use of colour, geometric patterns and, very on trend at the moment, marbling… (this one is my favourite! It takes time to get the effect right but it is worth it!) Every marbled cake is unique, as the technique used means you never know what the result will be until the icing hits the cake which is kind of exciting! Don’t panic about this though (for the control freaks out there!!) the effect, when done properly, will always give a marble effect so you can release the panic!
Ruffles and pleats also add texture to a tier, helping other decorations to stand out as their own statement piece and this fits in well with the contemporary style.
Using tiers of different depths also gives interest to the cake’s overall look and form the perfect base for any sugar (and real) floral decorations, which I’m pleased to say couples are leaning more towards, as sugar work is my ultimate love.
Contemporary wedding cake with foliage hoop at Osmaston Park / Rose Gold drip wedding cake at Colwick Hall / Watercolour style decoration & sugar flowers at Colwick Hall
TAKE A LOOK AT OUR WEDDING CAKE PORTFOLIO AND SERVICE HERE >>>
Wedding Table decorations
Candelabra dressed with foliage at The Nottinghamshire
I love love love the options available when it comes to Contemporary table decorations, this is one of my favourite styles for table decorations. Foliage is a popular choice at the moment as it adds depth and volume to decorative pieces, while keeping costs lower.
Rose Gold and Copper pieces have been a very popular request too, with flower filled geometric containers, lanterns and flower tower frames.
I’m noticing the switch to crystal and glass centrepieces, as an elegant alternative to the gold tones, as there’s no colour clash or issues matching different props, just clear, unadulterated sparkle, finished off with the beauty of candlelight. Who doesn’t love that! Oh – also make sure you check with your venue whether you can have candles lit on the table – some venues don’t allow this but we can provide and alternative.
Crystal candelabra at The Nottinghamshire / Modern floral tower & double drape chair dressings at Shottle Hall
Table Runners & Top Table dressings
Top Table drapes with cake in the background at Shottle Hall
Top Table dressings in a Contemporary wedding setting take their inspiration from the other tables in the venue that seat the guests. This way the theme runs through the entire wedding, like a thread (a lovely sparkly one!)..
Drapes to match the chair dressings are huge at the moment and add a real feel of luxury to the room without the luxurious price tag. Matching the dressings to the table decorations really helps to feed the theme throughout the day and looks stunning on the photos, really bringing the day together. Chiffon ruffled across a white table cloth is so opulent, adding layers of colour to the table which is very on trend. Chiffon ruffles can also be used to dress each place setting on the Top table, making a stunning alternative to a traditional swag.
Chiffon table runner at Shottle Hall / Double drape chair dressing with matching chiffon runner at Colwick Hall / Top Table drapes & side tied chair dressings in chiffon at The Nottinghamshire
Additional decorative items
Pick a seat not a side sign at The Nottinghamshire
Signs to welcome your guests to your wedding, instructions on where to sit, what time to expect each important aspect of the day are hugely popular at the moment, making them a must-have inclusion in a Contemporary wedding theme..
Taking inspiration from using foliage as a dressing, the sign shown above is a a lovely introduction to your day for your guests, really helping to set the scene.
More is definitely more when it comes to this type of dressing as a little goes a long way in filling gaps and empty spaces that would otherwise go unnoticed.
Welcome sign with foliage dressing at The Nottinghamshire
Hints & Tips
Candlelit aisle with Double drape chair dressings at The Farmhouse at Mackworth
Although Pinterest and Instagram are fantastic ways to finding images of your perfect wedding styling, I would urge caution in their use, as you can get carried away trying to achieve an ‘Insta Worthy’ wedding. Bear in mind that some products aren’t available in the UK and importing them in can be pretty pricey! The best way to use Pinterest is to use the images to help get your ideas and dreams across to your Venue Stylist, Cake Designer and Florist and don’t be disheartened if they tell you some elements aren’t possible, they are doing it with a kind heart I promise you.A good supplier will offer advice on what is available instead and a great supplier will tell you what’s available as an alternative, but will then help to guide you in creating your dream, bringing the image into reality… albeit with small tweaks and alterations that won’t send your budget through the roof.
Contemporary Marble multi tier wedding cake at Shottle Hall
I hope that this blog series is helping to guide you in how to choose your wedding style, one that will suit your venue, your personalities and your vision for your wedding day. Bringing all of this together in the weddings we style for our couples is such an important part of what we do and we love looking back at all of the gorgeous weddings we have been involved in.
Contact us at http://www.icedandspliced.com/contact/ to arrange a private consultation meeting, where we can talk all things wedding together, in the comfort of our showroom.
