Personalize Your Wedding Style: Tips from Laid-Back to Lavish

You’ve fantasized about your wedding ever since your beloved put that ring on your finger—or even for years before that. Now that you’re a bride-to-be, your dream wedding is about to come true. Will it be a laid-back outdoor celebration or lavish ballroom affair? Here are four popular wedding styles with ideas to help you personalize your big event.

CLASSIC

If you envision a formal affair with a sit-down dinner in an elegant setting, then a classic wedding is your style. A ballroom provides the perfect venue to create your ideal traditional wedding. “Since ballrooms can take on a broad range of décor, you can go all out with your theme,” says Gina Jokilehto-Shigel, owner and creative director of Shi Shi Events. “Consider a ballroom that has beautiful architectural features that you can play up in your design.” Customization and transparent details are on trend for classic weddings, such as bespoke invitations; acrylic menus, place cards, and signs; and mirrors with handwritten romantic sayings or seating charts. To create a soft and timeless ambiance, fill the space with candlelight, lush ivory blooms, and gold accents,” says Katie Jayne Sprenkle, founder/event and design director of Jayne Weddings & Events.

Your Look: Make your grand entrance in a showstopping gown like Galia Lahav’s “Zenia” lace fit-and-flare dress with a daringly low illusion back and dramatic tulle skirt or the “Juniper” lace off-the-shoulder mermaid gown with a Watteau train.

MODERN

Modern brides love unconventional event venues with lots of open space and natural light; and are favoring cocktail parties and brunches over traditional receptions, which allows them more time and opportunity to mingle with their guests. “The trend is towards a multi-course dinner of small plates, craft cocktails, and non-traditional desserts or a food truck for late night snacks, all in a unique venue,” says Jokilehto-Shigel. “Choose a space that can act as a blank canvas to let you create whatever you want; and use bold color pairings, crisp lines, and eccentric centerpieces to give your reception a contemporary, but approachable feel.” Surprise your guests with creative food stations, such as a poke, mimosa, or beignet bar; and set up a fun backdrop for pictures like a giant Polaroid photo frame, decorative wall, or living room scene.

Your Look: Show off your fashion-forward sense of style in a runway-worthy gown like Galia Lahav’s “Rose Water” embroidered ballgown with an illusion bodice or the “Mila” plunging V-neck gown with an embroidered lace bodice and tiered tulle skirt.

PRINCESS

You love everything that sparkles and shines and wish for a fairy-tale wedding full of fantasy and enchantment. Hold your celebration in a garden, ballroom, or private estate, and make it fit for a princess bride with abundant flowers, gilded details, and rich textures. “While many brides may think of a light pink color palette for this style of wedding it can make the decor a bit too cool, so opt for peach undertones to warm up the space,” says Sprenkle. Add charming touches throughout your decor, such as storybook phrases on whimsical signage, subtle crown motifs, and silhouettes of you and your groom instead of monograms.

Your Look: Make a royal-like appearance in a ballgown with a full skirt glittery details, such as GALA’s blush tulle-and-sparkly net ballgown. Or go more modern monarch in Galia Lahav’s “Amaya” shimmery A-line gown with a deep V-neck, long illusion sleeves, and voluminous skirt.

ROMANTIC BOHEMIAN

The new bohemian-style wedding has a relaxed, yet elegant vibe with elements of nature worked in—whether it’s held outside in a picturesque setting or indoors with lots of greenery and florals incorporated into the décor. Boho weddings are now less rustic and more contemporary with bold colors, patterns, and lots of textures. “If you’re having a beach ceremony, make it even more memorable by including a surprise ritual, such as throwing flowers or blessing stones in the ocean,” says Samantha Zapata, catering director for Nikki Beach Miami. “Ocean rituals are sacred in some cultures and used to honor departed loved ones who are with you in spirit on your wedding day.” For a unique reception, make your own event space by building an outdoor open-air chapel or setting up an outdoor lounge area or bar. Serve dinner indoors and allow guests to move between the indoor and outdoor spaces during the celebration.

Your Look: This type of wedding calls for an effortlessly chic gown, like GALA 1012’s point d’esprit halter neck dress with draping sleeves and a tiered skirt or the GALA 1001, a 3D-lace mermaid gown with a plunging neckline and detachable lace butterfly-winged cape.