Photo via Elizabeth Anne Designs.

Here to share some of her favourite ideas about how to make your wedding a truly standout celebration is our wonderful regular contributor, Caroline from The Wedding Stylist. Take it away Caroline!

1. Bring in the bubbly
Champagne, prosecco, brut and all things bubbly have become very popular. Instead of serving them pre-trayed during cocktails, why not bring in a bubbly bar with 3 - 4 types of your favourite bubbly? We also love how classy and elegant the bar can be with all the flutes laid out for your guests to pick.

Photo by Divine Party Concepts.

Photo via Style Me Pretty.

Mimosa bar via On to baby.

Photo via 100 Layer Cake.

Champagne bar escort cards photo via LVL Events.

Or why not try a whisky bar instead? This would be perfect for a Gatsby or 1920s themed celebration!

Photo via The Wedding Scoop.

2. Ceiling flowers 
If we could do this for every wedding, we would! Ceiling or hanging flowers are so gorgeous. They create a different dimension when you enter a room, it fills the area much more and gives such a romantic touch to the decor.

Photos via The Wedding Scoop. 

Photo via Style Me Pretty.

Photo via Green Wedding Shoes.

Photo by Axioo.

Photo via The Wedding Stylist (Singapore-based).

Photo by Samuel Lippke.

{For more gorgeous ceiling / hanging flower inspiration, read our Top 10 Floral Ideas article.}

3. Wedding cheese cakes
Perfect options for cheese lovers and couples who do not have a sweet tooth.

Photo via Weddingbells.

Photo via Green Wedding Shoes.

Photo via The Lane.

4. Drinks tubs
These are perfect for smaller weddings and we particularly love this idea for the outdoors.

Photo via Weddingbells. 

Bathtub drink cooler via The Knot. 

Metal drinks tubs via Wedding Chicks.

5. Escort cards
These put a fun touch to the start of your evening. We love using these to create some excitement amongst the guests while they find their names and table numbers. Escort card displays are great as a gathering area and focal point at the entrance to your reception.

Photo via June Bug Weddings.

Photo via Southern Weddings.

Lucite heart via Style Me Pretty. 

Photo via Oh! Weddings.

Escort card tree by Tantawan Bloom.

Escort cards with hydrangeas via Style Me Pretty.

You could also have your wedding favours play double duty as escort cards like in this potted succulents display!

Succulent escort card display via A Good Affair.

Succulent escort cards via The Knot.

Hanging escort card display photos via The Wedding Scoop. 

Rustic escort cards hanging in a frame via Style Me Pretty.

6. Interactive guest cards 
Forget guestbooks and let your guests have fun filling in guests cards! These could include mad libs, well wishes or giving advice to the happy couple.

Wedding mad lib photo via Etsy.

Photo via Etsy.

Jenga blocks via The Wedding Scoop.

Advice coasters photo via Colin Cowie Weddings.

Photo via The Wedding Scoop.

7. Lightly frosted or naked wedding cakes 
Sometimes less is more. You can still have a gorgeous cake without over doing the frosting.

Photo via Colin Cowie Weddings.

Red velvet wedding cake via The Wedding Scoop.

Photo via Wedding Chicks.

Black and white naked cake via Wedding Chicks.

8. Wedding cocktail lounges 
While your guests are mingling during cocktails, one way to instantly wow them is to have a cocktail lounge area instead of a few sad bistro tables. Although many are happy just to stand and chat, most would appreciate a lounge set up where they can relax, sit back and rest their feet (especially if in heels!)

Photo via Wedding Chicks.

Outdoor wedding lounge in Hong Kong via Style Me Pretty. 

Photo via Inspired by This.

Indoor reception wedding lounge via Grace Ormonde Wedding Style. 

Great Gatsby themed tent with a wedding lounge via Signature Chandelier Rental.

9. Seating charts
If your wedding is intimate, a seating chart can be used as the reception centerpiece or placed near the welcome table.

Photo via The Wedding Scoop.

Framed seating chart via Style Me Pretty. 

Hanging table plan with papercone flowers via Wedding Chicks.

Framed seating chart with calligraphy via 100 Layer Cake.

Mirror seating chart photo by Once Like a Spark.

Vintage mirror seating chart via Rocknroll Bride.

Picture frame seating chart via Pinterest.

Rustic wood pallet seating plan via The Wedding Scoop.

10. Wedding wreaths 
These are beautiful when used on chairs, doors and even at the back of wedding cars!

Wedding wreath including a banner with a quote from Virgil, “Nunc scio quid sit amore” – Latin for, “Now I know what love is." via Snippet & Ink.

Photo via Elizabeth Anne Designs.

Chair wreaths by The Wedding Stylist via The Wedding Scoop.

Photo via Ruffled.

Wedding wreath with heart shaped sign via Feather and Stone.

Photo via Once Wed. 

Wedding wreath as a backrop via Ruffled. 

 

 

About Caroline
The Wedding Stylist is founded by Caroline Tan-Reed, a masters graduate from the UK. After being a corporate drone for long enough, she decided to finally take the plunge and pursue her passion in wedding planning.

Caroline is a certified wedding planner (Dip WP) with the Institute of Professional Wedding Planners, UK and has experience planning events since 2005. Having lived abroad for more than 7 years, she brings a fresh perspective and unique style to the plate.