THE 5 SENSES OF WEDDING DESIGN
Crafting your perfect day involves more than just translating a Pinterest board into reality. Instead, view the style and design as a captivating backdrop. The essence of your wedding lies in creating a unique atmosphere that profoundly influences yours and your guest’s emotions. As a luxury wedding planner as well as designing a beautiful occasion what we create is utterly centred around tantalizing the senses based on what can be heard, seen, smelt, touched and tasted. I wanted to share a guide to designing your wedding day, focusing on the five senses that will steer you through to the realization of your vision, ensuring it not only meets but exceeds all your expectations.
TASTE
The senses of taste and smell hold unparalleled connections to our memories. Flavour is a combination of taste, texture, temperature, and aroma, and has the power to transport us instantly to cherished past moments. Catering and beverages are woven through every section of your day which presents an amazing opportunity to infuse your personality into your wedding through bespoke menus inspired by your favourite foods or by introducing inventive dining experiences. Revel in the chance to impress your guests with beautifully presented, delectable plates.
I place a huge emphasis and importance on only sourcing caterers for my clients who are known for their innovative ideas and only use ingredients of exceptional quality. It is also imperative that they have access to a team that will deliver an incredible service on your wedding day. Bespoke catering is not always about designing a full new menu but thinking about ways that you can create intention behind the food you choose, how it’s presented, served, and tells a story.
VISUALS
Visual styling is important, but it has to be authentically you. The best way to get your design to be authentic and distinct is to think about things that make you a couple, that make you unique, and then play on that. Visually you may want to think about focus or wow areas for your guests to enjoy. Ensure different areas have different levels of observable impact using colour, texture and décor to create a real visual experience for your wedding party.
FEELING
I have always believed that every occasion should be centred around curating a beautiful, sensory, personalised experience that focuses on making your guests FEEL. To encapsulate that feeling and atmosphere you really desire, consider these three essential questions: What emotions do you want to evoke? How do you want your guests to describe the day? Is there one or a number of specific moments you want them to be blown away by? Then, build upon your visual design by adding in elements that align seamlessly with your responses enhancing the entire guest experience.
The role of entertainment in shaping the atmosphere of your wedding cannot be overstated; it can either make or break the experience. Seamlessly integrating entertainment into your special day is crucial for setting the right ambience, evoking emotions, and, at the opportune moment, igniting the party. Using my past experience as a professional singer, I regularly use my specific in-depth knowledge and hands-on experience in the entertainment industry to give my clients confidence I can recognise and solely introduce them to industry-leading producers and musicians that have an incredible impact on any occasion.
LOGIC
Your wedding design needs to be logistically possible, usually by this we are referring to is it within your budget and operationally possible in your venue. For instance, grand installations or opulent decor often come with at a price due to the increased skill and quality, making it imperative to weigh up financial implications early in your design and wedding planning journey. While it's tempting to be swept away by all the extravagant ideas, maintaining a realistic approach becomes crucial or focussing on going large in 1 or 2 areas only for huge impact instead of trying to do it throughout the entire day.
Certain venues may impose restrictions, such as limitations on large hanging installations, prohibiting naked flames, or having short set-up times. During venue visits, it's prudent we as your wedding planners consult with the venue coordinator to clarify what is permissible. Understanding the dimensions and specifications of the rooms and spaces available for styling ideas is essential, preventing any post-booking disappointments.
LINKING
Crafting a stunning wedding design involves weaving together various elements, creating a harmonious connection throughout. Your chosen colour palette, for instance, can emerge in your florals, stationery, and tablescape as boldly or subtly as you wish. To achieve a seamlessly cohesive design, we recommend assembling an inspiration board on Pinterest (I have compiled a huge library of wedding inspiration on In Awe Weddings & Events Pinterest page). From this collection, distill 4 or 5 key colours, the general overview of your style, and the details you wish to hone in on. This not only streamlines your vision but also serves as a valuable guide for your suppliers. It ensures they comprehend and align with your imagination, mitigating the risk of misunderstandings in the planning stages and preventing any potential disappointments on the big day.
With all our clients, we meticulously compile a final design guide. This comprehensive document takes into account every logistical, operational, and creative detail prior to your occasion. It serves as a visual journey through the spaces and experiences we've envisioned for your chosen wedding venue, offering clarity to both you and potential suppliers. This detailed guide enables them to use their own specialised expertise and creativity so we can work together to elevate your wedding experience beyond your expectations as seen here in our visual design to reality piece for a wedding we executed at Syon Park.