So, you want to have a wedding with impact? This isn’t something that can always just fall together but by keeping a few simple things in mind, you can achieve that goal!

Wanna know something I hate to see? When couples think that more equals better—that they have to have a ton of decor to have a Pinterest-worthy wedding! It makes me so sad! Too many times, I’ve seen couples haul in carloads of decorations, spend the better part of a day to set it all up, and then regret either how much time and resources they dedicated to decorating or including elements that feel outdated afterwards.

Instead of getting carried away with having all the right stuff, you need to focus on your wedding having an impactful overall design.

But what does that mean? It means focusing on the overall feel that you want to create for your wedding day, then carefully and intentionally picking details that will get you there with the least amount of headaches.

Impactful and intentional design is the key to creating a wedding that is both stylish and timeless while also being perfectly you!

However, this can be really difficult to pull off. Not because it’s hard to design this way, but because you’ll face allll the temptations to get caught up in frivolous and meaningless details. It requires a lot of self-control when you go to the craft store or a garage sale and a firm pro-simplicity stance when your mom or aunts ask you if you’re going to decorate a certain way and offer you a basement full of decor from your cousin’s wedding. When you’re feeling a little of course just remember, you want a wedding with impact! Repeat after me: I want a wedding with impact!

Now that our mantra is clear, how do we do it? The guiding question while you design with intention is, “Does this thing I’m thinking about including add anything truly valuable to the design?” If the answer is no, then that thing is just one more item you have to spend money on, store, keep track of, set up, and do something with after the wedding. So not worth it.

Let me be clear that designing with intention does not necessarily mean minimalism or spending less money. It could mean a lot of certain decor elements or big investments, but you get to decide what it looks like for you! (Want to know more about why vendors charge the prices they do? You can read my thoughts here.)

Without further ado, here are 5 tips to design a wedding with impact!

1. Focus on statement pieces or installations.

Instead of feeling like you have to fill every square inch of a room to make it pretty, can you think of something you could add to the room that will draw your guests’ gaze and catch their attention and convey your style? Here are some ideas for a statement piece you could incorporate into your day:

• A giant chandelier hanging in the center of your venue
• Florals, balloons, fringe, lighting, or draping installations that hang from the ceiling
• Florals that accent architectural features in the space (such as windows)
• An installation behind the ceremony altar or head table
• Floating candles that line your aisle or the front of your head table

2. Swap staples for upgraded options that do the talking.

What are items you’ll have to invest in anyways? Almost every couple will have to rent tablecloths and napkins from somewhere. Choose fun textures or colors to create a design setting that speaks for itself!

• If you’re going for a luxe wedding, consider investing in tablecloths that are satin or velvet instead of polyester for some or all of your guest tables.
• If you’re a lover of color, don’t be afraid to get colorful tablecloths!
• If you’re looking to add a fun little touch, upgrade basic polyester linens with textured or colored napkins at each place setting.

3. Choose a few details that are packed with character.

Once again, resist the urge to buy all the things. Pick 1-5 guest details to focus on, and have fun with them. Your guests won’t care if you have tables full of things they’ve seen at other weddings, but they’ll definitely remember intentional touches!

• Place cards that aren’t just folded cardstock. There are so many fun ideas if you search Pinterest!
• Chargers or plates with texture or unique details
• Colored water or wine goblets
• Unique floral centerpieces

4. Focus only on the things that actually affect you and your guests’ experience (NOT centerpieces).

Wanna know a secret? Your guests definitely don’t care what’s at the center of your tables, and they probably won’t remember what your centerpieces looked like after the wedding (unless they’re really, really cool). Instead of building out complicated DIY centerpieces, keep it either impactful or simple. And two things that will always succeed in setting the mood are lighting and flowers! You can add custom touches by having fun floral arrangements or unique vessels for candles and florals.

5. Start with the right base.

There are three big things that can “break the illusion” of a great design: plastic table legs, ugly chairs, and bad lighting. Invest in floor-length linens for your plastic tables. Consider renting a different set of chairs if your venue only has metal or plastic folding ones. And NEVER leave your venue’s fluorescent lights on as the main source of light! At least dim the lighting if possible, or invest in overhead lighting or up lighting if it can’t be dimmed. These things have such a visual impact that it’s better to invest in them versus other decor if you have to make a choice.

At the end of the day, paying attention to and investing in the right details will do way more for your wedding vision than spending money on things that don’t really matter. I strongly encourage you to practice disciplined design and say no to things that don’t truly make your design better so that you can focus your energy and budget on design elements you’ll love! Using these tips, you will have your dream wedding with impact!

XOXO,

Jessica