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When designing, there isn’t a definite set of rules on how to go to work to make your ideas a reality.
Here are some tips on how to start…
Before deciding on your invitations or table decorations, an overall style and theme of the wedding should be established. Because colour evokes emotion and is essential in setting the mood, it’s a good place to start. Bright and vibrant colours like fuchsia pink and canary yellow have more energy and impact where as neutral colours like mink and ivory have a classic and sophisticated feel to it. Colour could also be used as the primary theme that ties everything together – from the Bridesmaids dresses to the place cards.
After you’ve established a rough idea of your desired colour scheme, the next step is to consider the style of the wedding.Whether a vintage, romantic style suits the colours you’ve chosen or perhaps a more playful and sunny theme is more suitable. To help focus all of your fashion and decorative know-how into a theme for your wedding that shows the personality and style of both you and your partner, turn to magazines for ideas. Tag or tear out everything that you love at first sight – it doesn’t just have to be wedding related. Look through all types of magazines that inspire you. Don’t worry about everything working together initially, it’s more important to choose images that you adore and would reflect you as a couple best.
You don’t have to limit yourself to the printed media only. Gather as much as you can of what takes your breath away. It could be the beautiful packaging of a delicious treat, the tag off your new dress, or even a restaurant or favourite destination. It helps if you have one gorgeous piece to keep you focused on the overall theme you’ve decided on.
Now that the gathering is done it’s time to compile these fabulous finds into a mood book. Although the images and objects are varied, a common thread will become apparent and this will be a great help when you start to coordinate all the different aspects of your wedding, especially if you’re not working with a wedding planner who oversees that everything works together as a whole. Your mood book puts all your ideas and desires for your wedding on paper which simplifies the task of being on the same page as all the different designers playing a part in making your theme come to life.
Planning your wedding day is the perfect opportunity to express your style and creativity. It doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg to look amazing – the secret is in the detail. Enjoy and savour every moment of it!!
Madali Schutte
Senior Designer - BA in Fine Arts (Visual Communication Design)
