When it comes to wedding-day décor, au naturel is the way to go.
These days, wedding decorating is so much more than centerpieces and bouquets. Think elaborate aisle runners, silk table linens, custom light treatments and wood-finished chairs. And don’t forget about including lounge areas, escort cards, guest books and food stations in decor plans. Overwhelmed yet? Don’t be.
“I love seeing natural elements because it does away with the stuffy we-tried-really-hard feel,” says photographer Jacque Lynn. “The key is to make the décor look effortless.” Are you looking for no-nonsense looks for your mountainside nuptials? Jacque shares more of her favorite ideas, tips and tricks of the trade.
Q: WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE DECOR IDEAS RIGHT NOW?
A: I love the abundance of natural elements in mountain weddings right now. To me, it’s breathtaking when a florist and designer infuse neutral elements into the wedding that complement a woodsy venue. I suggest keeping your table linens a natural hue (think bone ivory, blush, or gray) or incorporating wood-finish chairs rather than plastic or metal to really create a cohesive feel.
Q: WHAT DECOR IDEAS ARE YOU TIRED OF SEEING?
A: Hmmm, this is a hard one because every wedding is so unique and sometime what works for one wedding might not be right for the next. But if I had to choose one trend I could live without seeing at another wedding it might be gold spray-painted deer antlers en mass.
Q: WHEN COMPILING A WEDDING DAY DECOR LIST, WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER THE MUST-HAVES?
A: The obvious choices include centerpieces and candles, but the items that make the biggest impact in wedding photos are: statement aisle decor, lighting and place settings.
If you are having a traditional ceremony, line your aisle with lush florals, dense candlesticks, or a carpet or floral petals. It really does make all the difference.
The right lighting can transform any space. Work with a planner or rental company to determine the type of lighting that is right for the reception space. Bistro lights over a dance floor always photograph beautifully, as do an abundance of candles, which create a warm glow in photos. Ballroom reception? Make sure you work with your planner or venue to bring in some accent lighting that works best in the space.
Place setting will probably run you a pretty penny, but if you have it in your budget, a stunning place setting for each guest will take your table form pretty to perfection. I love seeing a hand-lettered menu adorned with a sprig of floral or a personalized place card that guests can take home as a keepsake.
All of these things are important from my perspective as a photographer. The more details I have to photograph, the better the photos will be. When designing a wedding album or compiling a fine art stack of prints, details woven throughout the collection really support the beautiful portrait images and make a difference in telling the overall story.
Q: CURRENTLY, WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE UTAH VENUES?
A: I am a sucker for out beautiful Utah mountains. I recently worked at a private residence outside Heber called Wolf Creek Ranch that won my heart. Also on my list of favorite are Park City Mountain Resort (love their mountainside ceremonies), La Caille for their lush garden setting, and High Star Ranch in Kamas.
Q: HAVE YOU EVER BEEN WITNESS TO ANY DECOR DISASTERS?
A: Weather is the first thing that comes to mind when I think of wedding ‘disasters’ as all too often I have seen décor ruined by wind or rain. Unfortunately, there’s just not much that can be done to avoid this.
Q: WHAT DO YOU RECOMMEND FOR COUPLES ON A BUDGET?
A: Budgeting for details doesn’t mean you have to break the bank. If you’re working with a limited budget, select a few high-impact details and repurpose where it makes sense (take from ceremony and use at reception.) Overall, a talented and professional photographer should be able to make every details—large or small—look amazing.
Q: WHAT IS THE MOST BUDGET-FRIENDLY YET DISTINCTIVE DECOR YOU’VE SEEN?
A: You can’t have enough candles and they’re cheap. One thing to keep in mind is that some candles will melt wax onto your tablecloths, so unless you want a hefty bill from your rental company, ask your planner what can be done to avoid the wax melting onto the linens.
Q: ANY OTHER ADVICE YOU’D GIVE TO BRIDES REGARDING DECOR?
A: Definitely hire a pro if it’s in the budget to do so. Leaving décor to the professionals will alleviate wedding day stress and allow not only you but also your friends and family to enjoy the day. Let your planner or designer/florist know that you’ve given your photographer permission to move whatever she/he needs to create lovely detail shots (putting it back where found, of course).
I love to pull a centerpiece and have a bridesmaid hold it, or place it somewhere unexpected to photograph it. I’ll grab a place setting and take it outside with some leftover floral remnant to create a pretty vignette in natural light. Allowing your photographer permission to move things around and be creative ensures you’ll receive beautiful detail shots.
