When it comes to designing your wedding, there’s really no “one size fits all” approach. In fact, we think some of the best weddings are the ones packed with personality, creativity, and authentic details that tell a story about the couple.
These days, online platforms like Pinterest, Instagram, and DWP Insider have made it super easy to source inspiration. But weddings at hearts should be a celebration of you and your partner, so it should ultimately feel like “yours” and reflect your own unique personality, relationship, and style.
To stand out from the crowd, we reached out to wedding experts from around the globe to see how they are personalizing weddings in the post-pandemic world. From the never-seen-before decor to the socially-distant entertainment to creating unique food experiences, keep reading for creative ways to personalize every aspect of your wedding!
Decor
Picture Courtesy: @gideonhermosa
Whether it’s a lush floral display in your own house, a set of antique doors, or creative lights for your backyard wedding, paper pinwheels, or bunting, choose a ceremony decor that fits your wedding style. Here are some of the ideas by the experts:
“The timeless tradition of receiving china as a gift can now have an even deeper meaning. For smaller celebrations, imagine intentionally setting a dining landscape of thoughtfully sourced tableware that you didn’t rent, but rather invested in and then use in your forever home for years to come.” Points David Stark, Chief Creative Officer, David Stark Design and Production, USA
“The possibilities for personalizing decor are endless. It depends so much on the venue and I think it’s essential that the wedding reflects the interests and likes of each partner. One of my clients was very keen on it dishing and we incorporated antique rods in the flowers and the husband’s beautiful fishing flies were included in the bouquet (minus the hooks).” Shares Johnny Roxburgh, Director, Johnny Roxburgh Designs Ltd, UK.
Monogram in every detail. “Looks old school, but this is the utmost personal detail to include in the whole design of the wedding. As before just “seeing” the monogram, you have hours of work, to make it personal from the fonts, the curves or the lines, the colors, the patterns. A monogram unites the whole guests for the events. This is the couple’s identity in a social event. A monogram is definitely the thing to have.” Adds Muriel Saldalamacchia, International Wedding-Planner, France & Italy
“A mixture of plant creation mixed with the scenic decoration for immersion in a dream setting. Plant art and lighting technology go hand in hand for a new vision of design.” Tells Benjamin Kliber, Creative Director / CEO, Discotecnik SAS, France
It’s about creating an immersive environment. Lucie Mourcely, Sales Manager, Hotel du Palais Biarritz, France shares how they created one such experience for one of their clients. “Our indoor pool was completely covered in rose petals while decorative lanterns bathed the event in a warm, romantic glow. The gala table was adorned with crystal, silver and pearls, all circled by an electric train, a model of the one on which the newlyweds first met.” It’s a true sensory treat!
Rahul Kumar, Director, Vivaah Celebrations, UAE says it right when he highlights the importance of Modular Decor. “We have seen this transformation gradually take shape over the last few years and it makes sense now more than ever. Decor pieces, units and structures that are pre-set and molded are brought together and assembled to form a much larger stage, production set or unique art installations. This ensures efficiency of build-up time and tear down operations while there is minimal wastage of material as these can be re-used in a different format and concept to achieve yet another fresh look. These can be personalized using vinyl prints, acrylic calligraphy, projection mapping and more. Quite recently, we innovatively incorporated items from the bride and groom’s childhood that they may have used and retained over time. This narrates a beautiful story and engages the guests.”
Entertainment
Picture Courtesy: @mswing_live_music
Post pandemic entertainment involves lots of creative outdoor entertainment ideas. Although dance floors are not in the cards, for now; wedding planners have come up with unique ways to deal with this! Personalization in entertainment is about having fun!
It’s all about the fun! “The fun has to be in every part of the entertainment. Something has to happen in the guests’ path every 20 minutes. The focus should be on creating unique and fun moments like having Butterflies-Ladies welcoming the guests before the ceremony, having candies falling from the sky technically with gorgeous hot-air balloons during the party. Endless possibilities.” Says Muriel Saldalamacchia, International Wedding-Planner, France & Italy
A mix of guests & musicians! Shedding a light on 2021 wedding music trends, Roger A-Smith, GM of a renowned live entertainment company from Lebanon- Music-A shares “I see that the 2021 trend will be coming back to the roots in a sense that entertainment performers as a number will decrease relative to the number of invitees, thus we shall see on welcome drinks solo artists (like a saxophone, violin, pianists mines and magicians with detailed outfits and creative theme ideas will return to the scene, A jazz Trio or quartet playing acoustically on the lunch or dinners, customized music will be prepared; Groom’s, Bride’s or even friends will come up with engaging ideas to be done along with the artists and in case it was a micro wedding, games will be a part of the celebration as if it’s a family gathering. Music Repertoires shall be more targeted for the groom and bride unlike bigger events when the entertainment had to be wide, grabbing all invitee’s attention! In general, we shall witness more traditional intimate weddings full of warmth and they will remind us of the emerging 2000-2005 weddings.”
“Theater Experience is on the rise. Immersive design and production of personal shows. It’s a fresh entertainment concept that breaks with conventional patterns. Focus on creating a unique atmosphere or narrative that can be bold or subtle to push the audience into a situation that firmly blurs the lines between immersive theater and real-life: the environments and spaces are improved in their authenticity thanks to live music, art installations and interactive performances. We believe in a sensorial live experience!” Adds Benjamin Kliber, Creative Director / CEO, Discotecnik SAS, France
“For outdoor weddings, we’re using nearby pools, fountains, lakes, and ponds near the wedding site for decor & entertainment. Crystal spheres with dancers inside, floating candles & flowers, miniature boats full of floral arrangements and musicians, water dancers doing shows to surprise the guests.” Shares Heather Jerue, Founder & Director, Rendez-vous in Paris, France
To add a more personalized touch, Christina Holt, Founder & Director, Wedding Concepts, SA suggests “Make it local! Bringing in at least one local South African act is often key for a unique celebration. A local choir, a top saxophonist, African dancers, or a band that includes African rhythms – all these have seen our clients walk away feeling they experienced the location they traveled to from all around the world.
Food & Menu
Picture Courtesy: @nuart_events
The way we serve food at weddings has been changed completely after the pandemic. With buffets gone, and increased focus on hygiene, planners are innovating new ways of serving food. All we can gauge is that it’s not just about the food anymore, it’s about the overall experience in how you serve it!
“Consider using 3D printing to create chocolate figurines for yourselves for the dessert. Bespoke cocktails that are unique and interesting also go down well.” Tells Marc Ahmed, Director, Scarlet Events, UK
“Food & Beverage has always been an integral part of any wedding celebration. Guests from around the world look forward to savoring the cuisines and delicacies specially prepared for the wedding. While great food is expected, the culinary experience can further be enhanced in many ways. A couple of years ago, ‘Emotional Catering’ made its way into the wedding space where multiple senses of the guests’ were stimulated using sight, sounds, smell, touch and other gimmicks which would engage the audience while they would enjoy their favorite bites. In the recent past, we took this up a notch and added storytelling to this; while the food is being served or canapes being passed around, the service staff spoke of the history and origins of the dish, at times revealing secret recipes that have been passed on for generations. In one of the Afterparty celebrations, we had food labels that read whether the dish was a favorite of the bride or the groom and how or when they choose to eat it in their usual daily lives. Much can be achieved using F&B as an element to heighten the guest’s experience.” Explains Rahul Kumar, Director, Vivaah Celebrations, UAE
“We’re using edible gold leaf on several of our cocktail pieces, to glam-up the cocktail hour before dinner. For example, chocolate truffle “lollipops” covered in gold, give a very chic look as the waiters pass them around!” Suggests Heather Jerue, Founder & Director, Rendez-vous in Paris, France
Benjamin Kliber, Creative Director / CEO, Discotecnik SAS, France suggests a unique concept: La Philharmonie du Chef. “Creation of wine, food, live music and lights pairing. Think of music as a medium to create a completely new tasting experience. We consider each food and each wine as a gastronomical experience just as you would a unique musical emotion would do.”
“With current travel restrictions, to get the essence of an international destination at your home, Italy Creative has come up with a unique concept – Travel and Shop Experience which’s a unique blend of travel and food, meticulously packed in a box, delivered to you to enjoy Italian delicacies at their finest. A precious guide through the best choice for an outstanding menu and the drink pairing suited to the chosen menu suited for weddings as well as favors.” Adds Nona Stanciu, Marketing Manager, Italy Creative, Italy
Focus on the food and enhancing the overall experience. Here are some of the ways Lucie Mourcely, Sales Manager, Hotel du Palais Biarritz, France suggests – Oysters opening and Ham cutting on the outside terrace overlooking the ocean. All truffles 5 courses gala dinner. Seashell barbecue.
Stationery
Pictures Courtesy: @mazi_chirography & @mscalligraphy
One of the first things that your guests see is invites! Allow your invitations and the stationery used throughout your wedding to show off your personalities. As Iokasti Skandami, Art Director, Mazi-Chirography says “The ultimate touch of true personalization is always the wedding stationery. Pure, uniquely created art, a precious tangible reminder of your moment exclusively for our clients.” We couldn’t agree more!
“Include yourselves in your invitations by commissioning an artist to paint a watercolor of yourselves as part of the designs. Perhaps consider naming your tables after important things in your life, such as the locations of your first few dates, places you have traveled together, etc.” Suggests Marc Ahmed, Director, Scarlet Events, UK
David Stark, Chief Creative Officer, David Stark Design and Production, USA tells “Handmade invitations can be more like unique pieces of art than stationary, each invitation as singular as the couple. Tap into watercolorists, quilters, illustrators, and metalworkers to name just a few – to make the perfect bespoke pieces!”
Echoing similar sentiments Christina Holt, Founder & Director, Wedding Concepts, SA adds -“Handcrafted stationery is one of the most important details of the day. Personalized for each guest – innovative name cards, layered menus, stylish cocktail lists as well as custom-made Perspex charger plates are but some of the show-stopping nuances that extend the bigger picture into a well-considered hugely personal experience.”
“Working with a designer that could include watercolor, gold engravings, thick papers, digital save the date, ribbons on place cards, patterns on the seating chart.” Adds Muriel Saldalamacchia, International Wedding-Planner, France & Italy
“Showing hospitality by offering welcome gifts once guests arrive makes your guests feel special and it’s also a great opportunity to share something unique. The traditional Italian confetti, a bottle of Limoncello, the typical Italian liquor, or, for those who are looking for a real original made in Italian flavor.” Beautifully sums up Nona Stanciu, Marketing Manager, Italy Creative, Italy
Wedding Ceremony
Picture Courtesy: @3catsphoto
Another way to personalize your wedding is to ensure the ceremony reflects both of your beliefs. Gone are the days when the bride walks down the aisle with her father! You can include a unique ritual and personalize the processional.
“Ensure that the music and the vows you take are really just for you and not a generic wedding format. with the world the way it is just now having small personal weddings makes everything intimate and special include your family pets at the wedding – dogs are easier to incorporate than goldfish!” Points Johnny Roxburgh, Director, Johnny Roxburgh Designs Ltd, UK
“Wedding officiants know how to create an emotional ceremony. And you have those couples who prefer to have a friend or sibling managing the ceremony. Perfectly built, a real know-how-to. Adding a personal touch in the texts, in the music of the bride-entrance. Local music, or a personal one. Creativity here on music is endless.” Tells Muriel Saldalamacchia, International Wedding-Planner, France & Italy
Lucie Mourcely, Sales Manager, Hotel du Palais Biarritz, France suggest to make your wedding processional unique. “Our numerous outlets have enabling us to display all kinds of ceremonies. One Hippy chic with a Driftwood arch and Berber carpets overlooking the ocean. Proceeding to the Saint Eugenie church of Synagogueor Impérial Chap for a traditional wedding under hundreds of eucalyptus branches.”
“Find a nice background area instead of a big production. You are the star of the day, not the flowers.” Adds Fabrice Orlando, CEO, Cocoon Events Group, Morocco
See You Soon In DWP Congress!
Picture Courtesy: @foryourparty
Your wedding day is not only a ceremony to join together two people who love each other, but also an opportunity to show the world what the two of you can create when you put your minds to it. We hope these tips by wedding connoisseurs help you curate your dream wedding! Special shout out to all the planners who contributed to this article! Can’t wait to discuss this more in the 7th & 8th edition of the DWP Congress in Greece & Bali. Until then, take care!
Feature Image Credit: @fashionmomentseventos / @memorelleweddings
