We’ve asked celebrity wedding planner Liz Taylor of the Taylor Lynn Corporation for her hints and tips on how you can use your chosen season to theme your big day.
A super summer wedding
If you’re having a wedding in the summertime, choose turquoise and vintage shades, or use a combination of muted colours such as cappuccino, dusky pinks and greys. This year’s trends are a definite move away from the stronger colour palette.
To dress your venue, use white linens with fresh green foliage, lots of candles, crystal and glass. Table centres should be draped in crystals, and glass chandeliers should hang from the ceilings – all very feminine and stylish.
Summer will see much more innovative invitations than a save the date card. Be different and creative with your invitation design, think of the invitation as a window into the big day itself and use different materials. You can print on wood, plastic and fabric these days, so go retro or choose an elegant vintage inspired invite that reflects your big day. Adelarosa have some fab designs that you can use as an inspirational starting point.
This year’s catering trends are heading back to a more traditional three course meal, mixed with some Asian influences to give it a unique style! Spiced roast chicken, a Moroccan tagine or leg of lamb infused with Indian spices takes the standard roast dinner to a whole new level!
A wonderful winter big day
Use winter to bring an edge of drama to your wedding, with lots of Black Baccara red roses, lush greenery and giant candles to really set the mood. Use Downton Abbey as an inspirational starting point. It’s all about plush fabrics, intimate lighting, rich colours and dramatic pieces such as oversized candelabra or giant chandeliers.
When it comes to winter catering, offer a wholesome and hearty food that can be magnificently presented such as traditional hotpots or homemade pies in small individual dishes. There is a definite move back to traditional foods, but with the emphasis on individual portions that can be beautifully prepared and presented.
Thanks to last year’s change in English wedding laws we will see many more midnight ceremonies and later evening weddings, so set the scene for a romantic and elegant receptions.
A gorgeous spring celebration
If you’re a springtime bride, we suggest you make the most of the spring bulbs that are brightening up that time of year. Think daffodils, hyacinths, crocuses and tulips.
A pot of wild flowers in jam jars make inexpensive table centres and you can even plant some bulbs in terracotta plant pots and hand them out as wedding favours.
Dress your bridesmaids in spring shades of blue, yellow and oranges and continue the spring theme with bouquets of spring flowers.
Now’s the time to ditch the white or cream ivory wedding shoes and add a splash of spring colour to your bridal outfit.
A dazzling autumn ceremony
With the Indian summers we’ve been having the last few years, you may find that your autumn day is warmer than a spring or even a summer wedding, with bright blue skies.
Autumn is harvest time so be eco-friendly and use local produce and fruits for your wedding breakfast. Use branches of berries to decorate your reception venue and have bowls of red autumn apples as seasonal table centres.
For your bridesmaids’ dresses think deep russets, bronzes and blackberry purples. If ever there was a time to mismatch your maids, it’s now. Let them choose their own bridesmaid dress colour in an autumn shade.
Our advice to you? Really embrace the time of year you’re getting married in and use it to create a great atmosphere and setting for your wedding day.
