In the final blog of the Iced and Spliced wedding styling series I want to focus on how you can inject a bit of youness into your wedding by making your personal interests, hobbies and joint loves part of your wedding day.

Whether it’s your partner’s favourite Marvel characters, a mix of both your favourite films, or all things Disney, there are ways to pop your personalities and vices into your special day without it taking over the entire theme. Little nods to your (possibly weird and wonderful) interests.

So, how can we incorporate a few of your favourite things into your wedding? (see what I did there?)

Styling your wedding chairs

As always, wedding chair dressings depend entirely on the chairs supplied by your venue. Hiring in chairs that lend themselves better to the style of dressing that best suits your theme is worth considering if the venue does not have anything suitable. Full chair covers may not sit well in your carefree, festival vibe. They’re a little too straight laced for some tastes, so investigate hiring costs versus covering the existing chairs, and think about how you’d feel about the overall look instead of the cheaper option.

Once your chair style is sorted, look for ideas that suit your theme, like which colours will work to bring the styling together well.

For example, will you match your colour palette to the shade your Bridesmaids are wearing? This gives a uniform look to the room, a colour thread to tie everything together.

Or, will you pick different colours for each table? These would then compliment the theme for each table, relevant to the main feature, giving each table a uniqueness of its own, a great way to incorporate different film characters for example or elements of individual interests.

If you’ve picked a Festival/Boho theme, styling your wedding chairs can include lengths of multi coloured ribbon, tied to the back of each chair. Perfect on the Chivari style you’d usually have included with Tipi & Marquees that seem to be the basis for any Boho wedding theme. This style of chair dressing can be costly, good ribbon is expensive, so consider dressing alternating chairs to give the effect and splash of colour you want, without burning through your budget (Top tip..alternating dressings  only really works when there are even numbers of chairs at the table)

A Wedding Cake for a film buff!

Your wedding cake doesn’t have to be all frills and flowers. Designing a wedding cake unique to both of your passions makes the cake a real focal point of the day. Your cake designer will sit with you, talking over the themes you want to incorporate, share ideas on the best ways to achieve what you want, in a way that looks visually appetizing as well as capturing those things you both love.

Top Tip: There is an old saying that ‘you eat with your eyes’, so give careful consideration to having your cake entirely in Hulk Green, as some colours can be off putting for a lot of people!

If you’re not 100% sold on an entirely themed wedding cake, you’ve always dreamed of a flower adorned, all white sugar masterpiece, why not consider having a ‘half & half’ design?

Christened the ‘Reveal’ Cake, this idea gives you the best of both worlds. A lovely delicate front design, which is displayed during your Wedding Breakfast, with the fun, more relaxed and personality driven back of the cake turned into the room for the Evening Reception, essentially your ‘After Party’.

These cakes can be a lot of fun! I love creating them!

Film lover’s wedding cake at Shottle Hall  /  Floral cascade & unique cake topper with a Disney twist at The Nottinghamshire  /  Floral cascade’s Marvel ‘reveal’ side at The Nottinghamshire

Wedding Table Decorations

Your table decorations are where you can really get creative!

A mix of flowers, with ornaments or figures to reflect a particular film, pastime of even your  favourite football team, makes the room dressing a fun part of the day, as well as a talking point for your guests without being too imposing on the overall styling.

Raiding the loft for those toys from your childhood, you know the ones, the sort you couldn’t bear to part with (or thought they’d increase in value if you kept them safe) is great fun. You never know, you both may have the same piece and can have a laugh at who played with their toy more. ‘Mint in box’ isn’t a term we want to hear here… break that seal.

Film themed table centres at Shottle Hall  /  Vibrant floral decorations at Shottle Hall by The Greenery  /  Cheese Tower as an alternative to a sweet wedding cake at Shottle Hall

 

Table Runners & Top Table Dressings

Pretty much anything goes here. Opt for runners & dressings to match chair dressing shades or the main colour associated with each table’s character or film theme and genre.

Even some sequin sparkle would work under themed centre pieces, as a unifying colour across the space.

Additional decorative items

These details are where you can go really crazy.

I love the ‘Be our Guest’ signs some couples use to welcome their guests to their day. Although that phrase is mainly associated with Disney’s Beauty & the Beast, it’s a perfect way to introduce your guests to a day that will be a lot of fun.

Tone down the overall effect by using small pieces to give subtle references to your theme, and use these pieces to dress a neglected corner,  window ledge or mantlepiece, making them part of the decorations and staging but being less intrusive and gaudy. These little details are perfect for your photographer to snap and can become a real talking point for your guests. 

Unique Wedding Favours at The Vicarage Boutique Hotel

 

Hints & Tips

Although it’s lovely to use your favourite things as a theme for your wedding day, including them in a subtle way is far more effective and makes an elegant wedding with a twist rather than something that can resemble a children’s tea party!

Using items that refer to a film in a more grown up way keeps your theme at the forefront, but gets your guests thinking more deeply about each piece’s meaning, getting them talking among themselves, a real ice breaker for people meeting for the first time, when the only real link between them is knowing either or both of you.

Printing information about each table’s theme, maybe even a mini quiz, will help guests understand the ideas behind the dressing. Pop them in a frame, so they can be passed around the table, gets the conversation flowing, helping your guest feel included and may even get them to revisit their own childhood if they too owned that same toy or loved that film.

Your wedding is all about you, your coming together as one, starting a new chapter in life and I really believe that your styling can still be classy whilst packing a personality punch when done in the right way.

Using your loves, passions and memories makes for a pretty unique day.

Marriage is all about compromise. A lot of the time the Groom isn’t comfortable, bothered or allowed to talk about the ‘pretty’ things, so having his input into even small parts of the wedding makes a Groom feel like he’s been included in decision making.

Even if it’s a football stadium themed table plan, or a tiny Marvel character hidden among the delicate floral pieces on the tables or how he popped the question, let your imagination run wild & enjoy the best day of your life together by having fun.

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.

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.

 

 

Today I want to spend a little bit of time talking about the Traditional wedding style and how it can work beautifully to create a timeless and elegant wedding.

What does ‘Traditional’ actually mean?

It’s not old fashioned or prim & proper for sure! A traditionally styled wedding may get you thinking about a big pile of fluffy white Tulle. To me, a traditional wedding is  timeless elegance, luxurious fabrics, crisp linens and large, impressive floral statement pieces.And candles! Oodles of candles for the romantic ambiance only candlelight can give (pst – if your venue will not allow candles to be lit, we have an alternative that is still as beautiful).

Let’s look at all of the key parts of your wedding, from a Traditional wedding style view

Wedding Chair Styles

White chiffon waterfall chair dressings & statement floral centerpieces at Shottle Hall

How you dress your chairs always comes down to the type of chairs your venue includes in your package.If the chairs are particularly nasty, or you’re just not a fan of chair covers, one option would be to hire in alternative chairs that are more appealing to your style. These can still be dressed to match or compliment your colour scheme, using floaty fabrics for an ethereal feel to the settings. I talk more about chair covers in this post here  and you can have a look at some more ideas here http://www.icedandspliced.com/weddingchaircovers/ 

The Traditional Style Wedding Cake

Sugar Ruffle Wedding cake, with sugar flower cascade & cushion 

If I’m honest, traditionally designed wedding cakes are my ultimate favourites. I LOVE making them!  My signature Sugar Ruffles may be time consuming, but they’re well worth the extra time and effort they take to make for the effect they create. Teamed with Sugar flowers to match those used in your wedding, a neutral coloured cake forms the perfect backdrop for your colour palette.

If your dream cake is a multi tiered sugar confection, but your guest numbers aren’t large enough to consume something that big, ask your cake designer about the option of using fake tiers among real ones, to allow you to have the huge cake you’ve dreamed of, without having cake portions that could feed half of the county. This is something we do quite a lot to give our brides the effect they want without the need for spending additional money on something that just won’t be used. 

I love this style of cake because it really, to me, demonstrates a traditional wedding but still has a modern feel to it. Those sugar ruffles take time to do but I always look at them with love when I have finished designing the creation.  

Table Decorations for your Wedding Venue

A traditional wedding has centerpieces that make a grand statement. But that doesn’t necessarily mean huge & expensive. Mixing tall & short centerpieces add depth to the room, whilst also being kinder to your wallet.

Alternating the table decorations makes the eye travel across the room easier and allows you to opt for two chair dressings if you simply can’t decide between the two styles you’ve fallen in love with. As you can see from the image above, mixing the two styles of chair dressing works really well when they coordinate together. 

My love of candles is obvious in the style of centerpieces we offer and I’m especially in love with our new, all crystal pieces… the epitome of understated glamour & elegance. No true sparkly magpie will be able to resist their look and they look really beautiful as the day turns to night. 

Table Runners and Top Table dressings

Blush Pink Sequin top table swag at Shottle Hall

Traditional weddings have crisp linens, maybe something with a subtle shimmer like Taffeta for total opulence… but it’s not all got to be white.

If your budget won’t stretch to hiring in table linen and napkins, your venue should supply coverings as part of your package and these can be given a wow overhaul with a little imagination.

The options are endless here, from adding softness to your tables with lovely chiffon fabric drapes to match those used on your chairs, to all out sparkle with sequin runners and stunning swags.

Never overlook your Top table dressing either. It’s the main focus of the Wedding Breakfast and you will have the majority of the wedding breakfast photos taken here during dinner and the speeches so you want it to have a wow factor. Why not make a huge statement there as well. It’s your day to shine after all!

Additional decorative items

 

Mirrored Table Plan with floral dressing at Shottle Hall

I love a mirrored Table Plan at a traditionally themed wedding. It reflects light, looks amazing on display and gives your guests the first hint of what to expect as they enter the room to find their seat for the meal.

Decorated with flowers & foliage to match those in the main room adds more luxuriousness to the detailing of the wedding, Even a small spray of flowers to dress your post box or gift table makes a huge difference to a simple item.

 

 

 

 

Hints & tips

White Chiffon Waterfall Chair Dressings and Statement Floral Centrepieces at Shottle Hall

Although a monochrome wedding using white or ivory as a base has a richness to its look, subtle inclusions of your accent colour adds depth, impact and texture to any dressing.

From chairs to the tables and onto the cake too, it’s all about the small elements of  detailing that will wow your guests, making your wedding design memorable. These small details also mean your photographer has lots of beautiful details to capture, so you remember them as you look through your wedding photos.

Neutral Tiered Wedding Cake with Sugar Ruffles and Flowers 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 (and fun) part of what we do and we love looking back at all the gorgeous weddings we have been involved in.

Contact us 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.