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Splendid sights
This is the one element that no bride overlooks. Every bride we meet is focused on how everything looks. How does the dress look? How do the flowers look? And rightly so. The ceremony and reception will largely be experienced visually. When designing for and planning visual interest, consider the following:
- Avoid matching. Although its often easy to just purchase a matching set of something, or to decide that all of your bridesmaids will wear the exact same thing, carry the same flowers and wear their hair the exact same way, it can be visually monotonous. Variation, if it's well coordinated can create the impression of being "matching" while at the same time adding visual excitement.
- Vary colors. The exact same color used repeatedly can be visually boring. ªWhat?º you say. Yes, that's right. Use a little-known designer's trick - slight variations in the same tone to create visual interest. Should you stop carrying around that fabric swatch from your bridesmaid's dress? Absolutely not. But should you avoid buying the guest book because it's a slightly different hue. Not at all. It will add some visual punch to your overall design scheme.
- Use different textures. In much the same way we feel textures, our eyes observe texture. Examine some of the bouquets you like in bridal magazines. My guess is you'll find some textural variation in the ones you like - the fragile, dense petals of hydrangea, juxtaposed with the smooth waxy petals of stephanotis. Use the same technique in planning your guests' visual experience. Consider pairing a raw silk table runner with a shiny satin ribbon. Or add a sheer organza drapery to a smooth glass picture window. The results will be subtle, but with have amazing subliminal impact.
- Create structured vantage points. One reason the aisle tradition works is that it creates a strong focal point. The aisle leads somewhere. And you'll notice at the end of most aisles there is a structure with visual interest and height that doesn't allow the viewers eye to go any farther. Use the same concept throughout your wedding. Consider setting up the guest book table at a location that affords a lovely view of the reception hall or against a window with a lovely outdoor vista. Place reception tables to give a clear view of the dance floor.
- Use visual arrows. If you use no other tool for planning your wedding, consider this. Subtle arrows crafted by a combination of our vantage point and three-dimensional objects quietly tell us what's important enough to look at. These visual lines, or arrows, send guests subtle cues about the action of the event. Standing at the end of the aisle is a perfect example. Our perspective from that point makes the two aisles of chairs appear to converge, creating an arrow that leads us to the main focal point.
NEXT: A feast of flavors...
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