When I’ve talked about wedding themes in the past it’s typically followed two lines of thought – either that of a particular colour palette or that of a specific concept such as ‘Bohemian Chic’ or ‘Nautical’.
But something niggled at me. There was something missing, something I hadn’t addressed with you lovely lot.
My lightbulb moment arrived when my eyes alighted on Amy and Ric’s wedding last week and their magnificent table runners that matched oh so perfectly with the groomsmens’ ties.
Pattern.
Yes pattern.
I admit, I’ve taken this particular decor theme for granted, an oversight on my part but I’m here to rectify things, to put it right.
So folks, the rest of this post is dedicated to spots, stripes, polka dots and floral prints and I’ll even throw in a bit of lace inspiration for good measure.
Shall we get started then.
Polka Dots And Spots
Girly and fun I don’t think I’ve met one person who doesn’t love a good dotty print.
Polka dotted weddings have made their presence known for a little while now and I’m not really seeing any signs of them disappearing. Perhaps this is because it’s just so blinking easy to integrate them into your big day; from spotted straws and stationery to dotty cakes and photobooth backdrops.
I’d really love to meet a Winter bride that chooses to wear polka dots tights underneath her gown; they’re so pretty they make my heart ache. Add a dotted tulle veil on top and I think I could faint from cuteness overload.
And I haven’t forgotten the boys either. Why not complement your bride to be with a spotted pocket square or tie and forgo the traditional buttonhole by choosing a dotty feather like the one pictured here instead.
You’ll look sexier than a girl in a yellow polka dotted bikini!
Feeling Stripy
Sophisticated and classic, stripes are often associated with nautical affairs but you don’t need to be a coastal bride to use this type of design in your big day decor.
I love the subtle masculinity that stripes bring to a wedding setup – a preppy vibe if you will. And nothing quite beats a bridesmaid in bold bands – they just look so fun!
The trick to avoiding a beachside atmosphere (if you’re keen bypass this look) is to use colour palettes that don’t fall into the navy and sea green spectrum. Peaches, pinks, greys, golds and silvers are all wonderful alternatives and bring with them a luxe feel to the proceedings.
Equally try experimenting with different widths and contrasting materials to make your stripes interesting as well as playing with multiple angles like on both of these table settings displayed here.
Stripes are best incorporated into wedding decor through clothing and through linens but that doesn’t mean that you can’t introduce such a pattern in your wedding stationery, your favours or even your tableware.
Perhaps one of my favourite weddings I attended presented the most beautiful plates which were emblazoned with a bold band of colour across the centre that guests could take home with them. They looked gorgeous lined up against each other and created a focal piece of decor too.
Floral Fancies
Perfect for the rustic bride or for the bride that still has fond memories of her blue floral junior school uniform (just me then?), floral prints are gorgeously pretty without being twee and saccharine.
Flora and fauna inspired prints are perhaps the easiest to integrate into your big day in part because there’s just so many to choose from; there’s literally something for everyone.
From delicate designs to bolshy blooms, colour pop flowers to pastel beauties, floral prints cater deliciously for both vintage inspired affairs or more modern soirees. It’s all about which print you decide to use.
If you’re looking for something contemporary I’d recommend opting for larger prints on table linen for example or simplistic leaf-like trails like that which appears on the napkin below and on the place card at the top here.
If vintage glamour is the name of your game then I’d suggest mixing it up…literally. Handpick mismatched flowery plates or gift antique floral handkerchiefs as wedding favours – this will add impact as well as serving a purpose too.
Let your wedding party form the theme too by dressing groomsmen in floral shirts and maids in floaty blossoming dresses. If you love the idea but prefer a subtler touch for fear of looking like the Von Trapp Family singers why not adorn your envelopes with a flowery motif or your wedding cake with a floral garnish instead.
A Trace Of Lace
I love lace.
In fact, I love lace so much that if I hadn’t been focused on channeling the preppy, ‘A Weekend In The Country’ vibe in my decor then I think I would have headed down a lace inspired route.
Ethereal and feminine, I love the versatility that lace possesses, in part because it can take on so many different forms, be that intricate and delicate or large and bold. And it’s this variety that makes it interesting.
We’ve seen the popularity of wedding cakes that resemble the material of a bride’s dress boom and so I anticipate that reflecting materials and textures in the wider wedding decor will be popular too.
Evoke a lace inspired feel by utilising lace runners or overcloths on your reception tables or write on lasercut wedding stationery and throw confetti in a similar pattern to your dress. For a lace inspired wedding that’s easy on the pocket, use doilies as plate chargers calligraphied with guests names at each setting or string them together to make homemade bunting.
The key to making lace ‘work’ within your decor is not to go over the top with it. Pare it down with rustic, mismatched tables or wholesome centrepieces such as cotton branches.
The trick really is to let the lace do the talking.
Does pattern make your heart sing? Are you a stripy bride?
Perhaps you’ve got your heart set on some polka dotted tulle? I could go gaga for a dotty veil!
Have you ever attended a soirée where pattern is the theme of the day? What was it like?
I can’t wait to hear all about it.
All my love Lolly xxx
