VOL I
So, you’ve read Wedding diaries intro and still have questions? Awesome! Let’s dive right back in. By now, you might have a clearer picture of how to start planning your big day. In Volume one we’ll be focusing on how to create your perfect wedding vision—because a clear vision is key to bringing your dream day to life!
Creating A vision
Creating a vision might be simple for some and hard for others, especially if you don’t know where to start! Pinterest and social media are helpful tools, but if you don’t have a clear idea, they can be extremely overwhelming. It’s easy to get lost in the newest trends that don’t even match your end goal.
Don’t stress—let’s dive deeper into finding your wedding day vision!
By now, you should at least know the first few questions we asked in the intro: What season are you getting married in? Is it an intimate wedding or more of a grand celebration? Do you need two venues for your ceremony and reception?
Once you’ve answered those questions, creating the rest of your vision is fairly simple. Let’s move on to choosing your color scheme and wedding style next!
Finding your style & colour theme
If you're thinking to yourself, “I don’t even know what style I like,” let us help you out. When you picture your day, what words come to mind? Maybe you picture traditional, more on the elegant side , or a rustic small-town charm, or a beach destination with beautiful island flowers, or a whimsical garden party. Whatever or however you see your day being, it’s important to figure out your style before looking further at venues, as you wouldn’t have a rustic wedding at a grand elegant venue.
When you figure out your style, it will make it much easier to narrow down your colors. When choosing colors, pick one main focal color and two or three accent colors. Remember, less is often more. For example, if you are planning a rustic style, lean more towards earthy tones such as beige, browns, rusts, or greens. If you want a more classic traditional look, lean more towards off-whites, golds/silvers with small bold color accents. For a whimsical garden party, you could lean into pastels and bright colors. Just remember to choose something that you like and that fits well with your style and venue. If you choose a bright, bold color like yellow as your primary color, make sure to select colors that will complement it and not make your decor look too busy.
From there, you can plan your ceremony decor and reception decor vision more deeply.
Decor vision
Ceremony
When searching for the perfect ceremony site, one of the first things to consider is how much you want to spend on wedding decor. Does the venue already have a natural beauty that needs little to no decoration, or will you need to add extra details to transform the space into a ceremony-ready setting? Key decor elements for your wedding ceremony include:
If you choose a ceremony location with a stunning view—such as a lake, pond, river, or mountains—remember that the natural beauty of the surroundings can act as your main focal point. In this case, you may not need an elaborate arch or a lot of additional decor. A few small floral arrangements or minimal decor elements will be enough to highlight the venue's beauty and bring your ceremony space to life.
Once you’ve decided on the ceremony decor, you’ll be ready to move on to planning your reception decor—ensuring that every detail aligns with your vision for the big day!
-Top-of-altar decor (such as an arch, floral arrangements, or ground installations)
-Welcome signage to greet guests
-Aisle decor like flower petals, lanterns, or candles
-Seating for guests that complements the style of the ceremony
A signing table for the wedding ceremony vows or documents
Reception
Our top wedding planning advice is to frequently refer back to your wedding budget and avoid falling for decor items that are far beyond what you want to spend. Look for versatile pieces that can be used in both the ceremony and reception spaces, like welcome signs, seating, and flower arrangements. When it comes to wedding table settings, they don’t need to be extravagant or overly complicated! Focus on a focal point item—whether that’s a floral centerpiece, a photo of you and your spouse, or something else meaningful.
For an elegant yet simple look, incorporate items that add texture and create different heights on the table. For example, a floral arrangement, a small tea light candle, and a table runner can create a sophisticated, polished look without being overwhelming.
Here are some important items to consider for your wedding reception decor:
-Welcome sign (can also be used at the ceremony site)
-Card box for wedding cards
-Guest book for guests to leave messages
-Gift table for presents
-Decor for the guest book and gift table to tie everything together
-Chairs and tables (if not included in the venue rental)
-Linens, such as napkins, tablecloths, and chair covers (if not provided by the venue)
-Centrepieces for guest tables
-Centrepieces for the head table
Bar decor, if needed
Once you have a clearer idea of the items you need, create a mood board or lookbook to share with anyone helping you plan your wedding day. This will ensure that everyone is aligned with your vision and will make it easier to bring your dream day to life! If you’re working with a wedding planner, be sure to share your vision with them too.
Need more guidance on creating your wedding vision? Don’t hesitate to reach out! We love helping newlyweds turn their dream wedding into a reality. Stay tuned for VOL Three of the Wedding Diaries!