Wedding decor is something your guests will immediately notice upon entering your ceremony site, cocktail hour area, and reception venue. It can range from simple to extravagant, but should always be a reflection of who you are as a couple and how you want your wedding to feel. The best florists and decorators are those that can mesh their vision with yours to create something amazing. They are able to guide you through the options, asking questions to identify what you like and don’t like, and explain to you the seasonality and unpredictability of the floral industry.
A florist should never promise a specific color or flower - they have no control over weather, shipping, availability or other factors which will influence what is available on your wedding date. They can, however, promise a certain look. They can show you backup options in case your favorite color or flower happens to be unavailable. They can tell you which flowers hold up best in the heat of the summer or during mid-winter frosts. That personalization (and support of a local business) is what you can’t get by ordering online or through national chain retailers.
So, what are some of the latest decor trends in the wedding industry?
Fabulous Events, based out of Waterford, Michigan is one of the nation’s largest linen suppliers. Few know that they also dabble in the creation of amazing decor as well. As far as linens go, Bill Hamilton of Fabulous Events tells us that ‘there has recently been a considerable color trend with the use of the colors hot pink and orange; it’s everywhere and everyone wants it. Many of the events that we have been assisting our clients with have been incorporating these two colors together into their events”. Another color trend seen all over industry blogs lately has been black and white with a punch of color - yellow, Kelly green, red and turquoise are a sampling of those chosen.
Hamilton goes on to state “Bling has also become a central part of our clients’ expression. Though some of these linens can become pricey, we have recently added beaded runners to our inventory as a less expensive way to incorporate some glitz.” Other ways to add some bling to your wedding include rhinestones attached to menus, table numbers and place cards, gems scattered on the tables, crystal pins in your bouquets, and hanging crystals from your centerpieces.
According to Hamilton, “Another trend spilling over into the wedding industry, which started from corporate sector, is the spandex chair cover and spandex table linen. We have increased our inventory of spandex chair covers by almost 100%. This hip and trendy chair cover has changed the way we perceive a wedding to look. The traditional wedding is almost becoming a thing of the past, with more brides creating a look that is central to their own personality. At Fabulous Events we listen to our clients, ask probing questions and design a look that is not only personal, but unique to them.”
According to Heather Wilkin of MPE Events in Livonia, “Green has been a very popular color lately. Brides have been using many different shades of green, because it works well as an accent color and compliments many other colors. Many brides are using it as their third complimentary color in natural combinations like ivory, brown, and green or in brighter combinations like eggplant, brown, and green. There are a wide variety of green flowers you can use to pull in color, like green hydrangea, bright green tea roses, and green cymbidium orchids just to name a few.”
Wilkin and the rest of the MPE Events team has also seen an increase in the number of brides requesting uplighting around their reception rooms. This is typically a par can or LED light that is placed along the walls and washes color up the wall to the ceiling. “It really adds the ‘WOW’ factor to a room and creates a lounge-like feel to a reception, especially once the guests start dancing. Uplights can be almost any color, so a bride and groom can match it to their wedding colors or use a softer amber color just to create a glow to the room,” suggests Wilkin.
All of the trends are being tweaked and perfected to fit each couple’s likes and interests. Each bride and groom brings a different idea to the table to match their personalities and create a unique event. Putting a spin on the classic color schemes with some new decor items can really make a statement and portray elegance and tradition with a pop of chic fun.
