Arrive by boat
If you're getting hitched lakeside, beachside or anywhere near water, why not arrive by boat, a la George and Amal Clooney. Whether it's a pretty cove or a serene lake at your country manor venue, arriving at your nuptials via water taxi is sure to create ripples of delight from your nearest and dearest.
Nick Walker
Balloon splash canvas
Attach paint-filled balloons to a canvas and give your guests darts to throw ' under supervision and before the drinks start flowing! ' and watch them create a truly unique masterpiece. This one has immense results as you'll be looking at a truly individual painting, but the logistics might need a little more work so put provisions in place so your guests' dresses (and yours!) don't end up looking like a piece of art, too.
Travel in style
Organise some seriously innovative transport for you or your guests. We are talking arriving over the sand dunes by quad bike at a coastal do, or how about hiring a helicopter or even a hot air balloon for the bride and groom or the bridal party. One bride we know hired Segways for the groomsmen to arrive on. And yes, they loved it.
Toby Lowe
Drape the room
Give your room texture and depth using draping from ceilings and walls to create a bespoke backdrop to your day. This technique can transform any space so it's a great option if you love your venue but have reservations about the look of certain rooms. Talk to your wedding coordinator about the ambience you wish to create, and enjoy being creative with colours, shapes and textures. We love circular ceiling draping to create an intimate round space within which to say your vows.
Aisle on water
This is a 2020 trend we love, although it's niche so won't be possible for everyone. If your venue has a swimming pool, why not create something truly out of this world with an aisle over water where you can walk to meet your other half atop the glassy, glistening pool. You might need to find a location that offers this rather than create your own, but if that's a bridge too far, there's always a post-wedding pool party for added wow factor (although please make sure any water fun is had before the free bar opens!).
Salt & Sea Photography Co.
Roaming bar
Queuing up is so 2019. Hire bartenders to walk your venue with not only drinks but also trays of food ranging from oysters, crostinis and smoked salmon blinis to colourful and creative tostadas or dumplings, satay skewers and tiny tubs of spicy noodles. With cutlery and crockery on board and a DIY element, it's the new way to eat wedding canapés.
Call a quiz
Ask a friend to act as quizmaster and host a wedding day quiz. Popular as ice-breakers on tables or as part of after-dinner games, this quiz should feature questions about you as a couple ' but with a twist. It will be unique in that no one will know the answers! Choose things that have happened to you over your years together that perhaps you've never shared. Keep it upbeat and funny ' we are thinking silly tiffs or laughable moments.
Wedding wish wands
If your venue isn't confetti or petal-friendly, give any little helpers such as flower girls or page boys wands to wave so they can magically cast spells and grant wishes to you and your guests straight after your ceremony ' even better if they're bubble-blowing wands!
Mismatch everything
Throw coordination to the wind and have a mismatch theme; it'll certainly take the pressure off colour charts and tying in the stationery with the tablecloths. Saying that, this is actually harder than it sounds, and our advice if you're considering it is to have a broad theme or scheme to make sure your day doesn't just resemble a chaotic jumble sale. Choose a loose colour scheme but keep it way broader than 'elephant grey'. And don't be afraid to experiment. Just check it all works beforehand or ask for some second opinions on bold colour choices. You can still be undone but just think 'organised undone'!
Brightly coloured bride
Talking of colour, why not inject some into your day via your sartorial style. Current looks we love include wedding dresses in blush tones or with embellished bodices, endless sequins in a myriad of gold and silver tones, layers of tulle in different shades and lots and lots of sparkles. Or if you're feeling really brave, break out from muted shades altogether and wear a statement colour ' take your pick of anything that isn't white!
Clare Kinchin
words Elizabeth Chester
main image Thomas Frost Photography
Copyright Wed magazine 2020
