Your London Wedding - January/February 2021 (Issue 75)

Venue styling for the new normal Style it out W e’ve been on a rollercoaster of restrictions, distancing and guidelines over the last year, with couples and the wedding industry constantly adapting to new regulations. We wanted to explore how you can style three different ‘new normal’ weddings, whether you’re going small, taking it outside or throwing the ultimate party when this is all over. Thanks to our super-talented London experts for their advice and tips… “Every wedding, no matter the size, will need food, a bar, staff, hire items, decor and entertainment – so don’t forget the basics. No matter your table design, keep these rules in mind: make sure your loved ones have plenty of elbow room, easy access to the essentials like wine and water and make sure the centrepieces don’t prevent them from seeing their dining partners. With smaller weddings, you can go the extra mile and give your guests a memorable experience with personal touches.” – Cherelle Joseph, Perfectly Planned 4 You “We’re seeing lots of couples downsizing numbers but upsizing in decor, so they can still have the day they envisaged. Couples are taking care and focusing more on the details as there’s now budget for it. Think elegant place settings, gold cutlery, charger plates, lavish tablecloths and over-the-top florals.” – Mary Ye, Event Decor Hire https://thes tarsinside.com | www.jade os borne photograpy.com https://perf ectlyplanned4you.com | www.ama nd akare nphotography.co.uk https://thes tarsinside.com | https://rebe ccaca rpenterphotography.com www.facebook.com/chaircoversbyziora Micro-weddings. So many couples have made the most of the situation and planned a smaller celebration. Will these intimate weddings stick around? And if so, how can you style them? “Consider arranging your tables banquet style, so all your guests are on the same table – albeit socially distanced, if required. This creates a sense of conviviality and celebration. Arrange a sweetheart table for the two of you, so you can have moments together while still being integral to the celebrations. This layout creates the feeling of having a top table, but with the intimacy needed for a smaller wedding.” – Sandra Trusty, Fabulous Functions UK “This is the perfect opportunity to pull out the stops for each guest and take care of the finer details. Why not try laser-cut place settings with a single floral stem in front of each name? You could also add a personal touch with a hand-written note to each of your loved ones. With a smaller table to decorate, you can create a stunning tablescape. Be sure to include elements such as candles, charger plates and intricate glassware to build the look and add to the luxury.” – Bilen Zeremariam, Queen of Hearts Floral Design “As there aren’t many guests, it’s easier to introduce details like family heirlooms and hand-finished touches such as embroidered napkins, monogrammed signage and hand-written menus. Micro-weddings allow you to go hyper-custom in a way that would be financially prohibitive for larger parties. How about a bespoke invitation suite complete with an illustration of your venue? Prioritise those elements that will make your guests feel truly looked after; it’s all about meaningful luxury.” – Valentina Ring, The Stars Inside www.queenofheartsfloraldesign.com | https://jessy papasavvaphotography.com https://thes tarsinside.com | www.terr ylip hotog raphy.co.uk https://thes tarsinside.com | www.terry lip hotog raphy.co.uk 55 VENUE STYLING