7 Wedding Design Tips for a Beautiful + Cohesive Event
Are you trying to figure out how to design your dream wedding without breaking the bank? You’ve come to the right place! As wedding planners, we make it our mission to bring each couple’s vision to life while respecting their budget and time. We’ve got the insider info you need to create an eye-catching, cohesive wedding design while working smarter instead of harder. Open up Pinterest while you’re at it—you’ll want to save all the design inspo from these couples we’ve worked with in Central Oregon!
Stick to the Rule of 3’s
This classic design principle can help you vary your approach while keeping everything cohesive. At maximum, you can use three versions of these wedding design elements: textures, colors, flowers, and fonts. More, and you could end up with a design that looks cluttered. Less, and you’re at risk of creating a look that’s too one-note. Three is the magic number!
Identify Your Priorities
When budgeting for your wedding, focus on what excites you the most. Is it a lush floral arch covered in colorful blooms? Or an incredible guest experience with a photo booth, midnight snacks, and luxurious favors? Figure out your top priorities, and allocate most of your budget toward those elements. Let the other ones go!
Since everyone’s budget looks different, here’s a good rule of thumb: identify 4-5 elements of your day to prioritize. These could include any of the following:
Flowers
Guest favors
Lighting
Paper goods (invitation suite, place cards, etc.)
Signage
Photobooth
Lounge seating
Activities (think karaoke and lawn games!)
Ceremony backdrop
Welcome table
Accent decor (framed photos, candles, etc.)
Centerpieces
Find Your Wedding Design Keywords
Decide how you want your wedding decor to look and feel, then use those keywords to describe your wedding to florists, stationers, and other vendors. Not only will this help you find the right vendors for you, but it will help the vendors you hire to visualize your dream wedding day! Here are some examples of keywords you can use:
Modern
Bright and airy
Minimalist
Maximalist
Bohemian
Woodsy
Classic
Garden-inspired
Rustic
Vintage-inspired
Romantic
Whimsical
Ask Vendors For Design Samples
Ask your vendors for samples of their past work that fit your style and budget. For example, once you’ve hired your florist, ask for photos of ceremony arbors in your preferred price range. Doing this will help you visualize how many flowers your money can buy (and see if you need to move any funds around). While Pinterest is a great place to explore a vibe or color scheme, it isn’t always realistic. Your vendors will give you the most accurate picture of how your wedding could look!
Consider Food Service Style
Before you finalize your tablescape design, decide how you’ll serve food at your reception. If planning a buffet-style or pre-plated dinner, you’ll have more room for floral arrangements and other decorations. However, if planning a family-style dinner, you’ll need to keep your design minimal to leave room for platters and guests reaching across the table.
When to Rent vs. Buy
Couples pose this question frequently. After all, there’s a lot that goes into designing one wedding! Figuring out the least wasteful and the most cost-effective way to execute your vision is essential.
In general, you should buy any decor that is:
Consumable
Inexpensive
Simple to store and transport
Quick to set up
Personalized
You can see yourself using it again
You should rent anything that is:
Reusable
Bulky
Labor-intensive to set up
Time-sensitive
Requires cleaning before or after use
You’re unlikely to use it again
DIY Doesn’t Equal Cheaper
This misconception is so common! The truth is that everything costs something, whether it’s time, money, emotional energy, or favors from loved ones. Choose your DIY projects wisely—and leave the rest to the pros. You’ll be glad you did, and your wallet will, too!
Speaking of the pros, we love coming alongside our creative couples to bring their wedding design visions to life! Ready to get started?