Six Ways To Make Your Wedding Authentically YOU!

We have one word here at Double G Events to describe our couples and their weddings; AUTHENTIC. It is the biggest goal we strive for when we begin designing our client's weddings. We have a motto in that we want you to picture your wedding, the feel of it, the design ... and now take yourself out of it. Does it still make sense? If not, it's back to the drawing board! We've seen how creative couples get for their big days. Social media has made it much easier to share ideas and inspiration with those inside and outside the wedding industry; planners, florists, rental companies and more as well as couples, their wedding parties, family and friends can all pin their favorite wedding gowns, Instagram table layouts, and tweet their favorite monogrammed napkins. I know I personally spend way too much time looking through Instagram feeds of gorgeous flower arrangements.
 
And with the ease and convenience of all of this information, there are some things that we tend see over and over (the "trends" if you will), so we thought we'd come up with a list of 6 less well known ways to make your wedding authentically stand out!

1. CREATE A COMFORTABLE LOUNGE AREA FOR YOUR GUESTS TO RELAX AND CHAT

In between all the dancing, friends and family (some who may not have seen each other in quite a while) will want to sit down and catch up. Instead of having to do the usual musical chairs with the seating arrangements that you so , create a cozy lounge area with plush cushions, a coffee table, some awesome antique chairs, and a vintage sofa. You can even section it off using an eye catching area rug. Check out our friends who specialize in lounge furniture and tabletop accessories Gathered Vintage Rentals, Patina Rentals and Ryan Designs!

photog cred :: TimeFrozen Photography // vintage furniture :: Sassafras Vintage Rentals  // planner :: Double G Events

2. INCORPORATE CUSTOM LINENS

No one wants to settle for the boring, standard linens that a venue provides. While some venues may have nice linens to offer, they're usually a little dull and not the best quality. There are plenty of boutique linen rental companies that can provide you with high quality, exquisite fabrics so you can deck out your guests' tables, chair overlays, and table runners. And I have to say, although there are plenty of beautiful neutral colored linens, have you seen some of the custom and patterned linens available? Add a touch of romance with sequined runners, raised floral designs on tablecloths, or couture lace cocktail table overlays. Love the modern look? Black and white striped reception tablecloths can help modernize your wedding. There are so many gorgeous options available, no bride should ever settle for bland! Check out some of these awesome linens from some of our favorite linen rental companies, BBJ Linen and La Tavola.

linen rentals:: BBJ Linen // flatware and chair rentals:: Halls Rentals

publication:: Little Peanut Magazine // linen rentals:: La Tavola Linen

3. HAVE A VIDEO BOOTH INSTEAD OF A GUEST BOOK

Weddings can be such a whirlwind, many couples choose to have guest books in order to remember who attended, as well as to let attendees write words of encouragement and pieces of matrimonial advice to the couples. A fun and unique way to allow guests to share some advice and love with a couple, though, is to bring in a video "confessional" style booth. Guests can share memories of the couple and words of love and advice that you can watch and listen to in their own words for years to come. There's even slow motion-style video booths now, where you can catch every funny and adorable moment! In addition, your videographers can take your favorite video booth moments and include clips in your wedding video.

4. CUSTOMIZE YOUR SPACE WITH LIGHTING AND FABRIC DESIGN

Did you know that a perfect way to delicately make a space your own is to use fabric design in the form of tent, ceiling and wall drapery? You can use draping to frame the alter at your ceremony, create columns within a reception space, or to hide any ceiling beams or poles on tents that you find unsightly. Lighting is another fantastic way to design your venue to suit your taste and to create ambience. If you're having a beachy wedding, hanging paper lanterns or a captain's wheel-style chandelier can really add to the atmosphere. Or perhaps classic elegance is your style and you want Parisian chandeliers accenting your tent. You can also choose to incorporate up or down lighting into your drapery to add ambience. Wall, tent and ceiling drapery can completely change the look of your venue. Check out some work from Social Decor, a lighting and fabric design company out of Connecticut that we have worked with and who are experts on drapery and lighting design.

photog cred :: Sarma & Co Photography // lighting design :: Social Decor

photog cred :: Christian Oth Studios // lighting design :: Social Decor

5. FLORAL CHANDELIERS

Okay I am obsessed with floral chandeliers. If you read my last Who Run The World post featuring Elizabeth Wecker and her floral shop, you'll already know that I LOVE flowers. I love flowers in vases, I love flowers in bouquets, I love floral table runners, so of course I'd love flowers hanging romantically from the ceiling! Whether you're choosing to entwine some greenery amongst a lit crystal chandelier or you want a lush, full chandelier made solely of flowers, floral chandeliers can help compliment your venue and wedding decor in the most elegant way.

publication :: The Knot

publication :: Ruffled Blog

6. Serve Foods You ACTUALLY Love

I'm a big foodie. There's nothing I won't try once...or twice or three times...judge me. I like pretty much every kind of food. However, I know not everyone is like this. Veganism and vegetarianism has become increasingly popular. Many people are becoming more conscientious about what they are putting into their bodies in regards to organic and non-GMO foods. Many people cherish the foods that are a part of their heritage. And everyone knows the food is a huge part of the wedding. So why serve anything but what speaks to you, your significant other, and your friends and family? Find a caterer who makes that delish kimchi your grandmother always made, or who will make tiropita appetizers that remind you of your own, or who specializes in all-organic ingredients. Forget the beef, chicken, fish options. Serve what makes you happy.

publication :: Brides Magazine

publication :: Munaluchi Bride