Page 44 - Real Weddings

THE EVENT
STERLING IMAGEWORKS PHOTOGRAPHY
SKYTOUCH_E_PHOTOS JUST PEACHY
Royal elegance
STUNNING SIMPLICITY, NATURAL DECOR TRENDING FOR 2019
Meghan Markle stunned guests at her wedding to Prince Harry in May 2018 by wearing a con- servative gown with clean lines
and minimal adornments. This year, brides seem to be taking a leaf out of the royal guest- book by decorating with natural elegance.
“Some call it rustic chic,” said Ray Imbro, president of Party Time Rental and Events, who added that wedding watchers can ex- pect to see simple wooden or wrought-iron arches with live greenery, along with earth tones and soft lighting. Here are some trends to expect in the year ahead.
GREENERY
One way to embrace the natural trend is by bringing the outdoors in with fresh greenery, including eucalyptus, dusty miller and pine clippings.
“Greenery gives life wherever you use it,” said Kelly Warden, owner of A Perfect Bloom Florist and Wedding Rent- als in Beebe. “You can add touches to a small welcome sign in the entry or have garlands draped down a staircase.”
FURNISHINGS
Wedding furniture is trending toward simple, functional designs with modern
lounge furniture, Imbro said, but brides looking for eye-catching pieces can choose Victorian couches or throne chairs for a royal sweetheart table.
More brides are now using farm tables and king’s tables for a “family-style seat- ing arrangement,” he said, adding that tablecloths that look and feel organic are in vogue, with more couples choosing cotton, muslin, linen and silk. Details such as damasks, mixed metals and em- broidered sequins can add extra air to a simple setup.
FIESTA
Brides are bidding adieu to last year’s ultra violet trend, which had couples decorating with purple throughout the season, from lavender in the spring to plum in the winter. Imbro said a hot color for 2019 is fiesta, a festive or- ange-red, which he expects will be incorporated into lighting, linens and accessories.
BALLOONS
Balloons can be used to create show- stopping installations for even the most re ned weddings, said Christen Byrd, owner of Just Peachy, who has used giant
balloons to decorate staircases, store- fronts and more. Abstract, organic de- signs using a limited palette make the biggest impact, she said, adding that guests enjoy taking photos in front of the installations.
“Anybody can have owers. Any- body can have normal centerpieces, but not everybody can have a giant balloon backdrop of some sort,” she said. “It’s something just slightly ridiculous that you can add.”
LIGHTING
As technology progresses, brides can nd more lighting-design ideas than ever before. Imbro said his team can execute designs ranging from uplighting, pin lighting and textured lighting to digital- ly mapped projections and gobos, which can create a variety of patterns, shapes and logos.
Brides can also make a big statement with ornate chandeliers and stark drum shades, Imbro said, but couples should be sure to ask venues for permission before hanging lights and be aware of rigging points and load limits.
story by sarah declerk
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