What inspires you?

I love it when Clients want to design their event around a theme.  It gives us both an opportunity to free our imaginations and create the best, most cohesive, design that reflects the theme featuring their style.  For me, my first task is not to ask, "what's your theme".  Instead, my task is to really discover "What inspires you?"  What does the theme mean to them and how do they want to convey it?  Will it be subtly placed elements and modest details throughout the event or perhaps bold, sweeping visual statements throughout room(s).  In other words...  How is the best way to present the elements that will represent the theme?

Wedding planning and design can be bit overwhelming for some Clients.  When you consider there are many different Art & Design styles, techniques, and principles as well as thousands of images and ideas offered by magazines and websites - the "Theme" wedding seems like a easy way to approach the process.  Eventually some Brides start to think, "Well, I can walk into any Party Supply Store and find tons and tons of theme oriented decorations".  Of course, the question then becomes... do you really want your "one-of-a-kind" special day to look like it was pre-ordered from a "Party Supply Store?"

Don't feel as though you have to recycle the same old ideas and images you (and everyone else) has seen before.  Remember, "Design Inspiration" can come from the simplest of images, stories, or trinkets.  From an old childhood swing on a tree beside a blossoming meadow to a chic, modern city skyline to shimmering antique crystal chandelier and everything in between... any thing, person, sight, sound, texture, flavor or fragrance can inspire. Here are 3 things to consider when you start to explore an event or wedding theme.

1.) Don't be literal! 
I think that many couples fall into, what I like to call, "the symbol trap".  This is were they pick a few generic theme symbols and scatter them around the room or on a few tables.  The effect often resluts  in an unpolished, disjointed, and bland look.  The first step to creating a unique and personalized theme event is not to be too literal.  Sure, you are going to have certain commonly used ideas, elements or symbols to represent your theme but you don't want them to be too cliche.  For example, if you're considering a Valentine's Day theme wedding, then try to avoid cliches elements like a Red & White color schemes, Hearts, Rose Petals, etc.  Instead, look more into what the theme means to you and how it can be interpreted to make it your own.  Instead of "Red & White" color scheme consider using a combination of richer shade of Red like Burgundy along with lighter Candy Apple Red.  Also, instead of White use an analogous colors like Plum, Wine, and Aubergine (Eggplant).  Instead of "Hearts" perhaps think about other symbols that are more personal to you like Lockets, elements from Classic Literature, your favorite poems, etc.

2.) Rinse... 
Keep your concept clean and simple.  It can be easy to get swept away in dozens of symbols, ideas, and images that could represent the "theme" of your event.  The problem is you want to convey a clear idea to your guests and too many elements will make the theme messy and cluttered.  Keep the symbols, colors, etc that will represent your theme to a minimum, no more than 3 key symbols.  Now those 1 to 3 symbols you're chosen to represent your theme can be presented in many different ways.  It could be small simple details like the colors and texture of you table linens, napkins and menu cards or it could be huge visual statements such as designer room lighting services, ceiling draping, and large displays elements.   

3.) ... and Repeat
Ok, now although you want your event to be unique, not every cliche is bad.  There are certainly some symbols that are tasteful and down right classic...especially if they are used well.  There are some timeless elements like Candles that can be incorporated into many events in a range of forms like rustic lanterns, elegant candelabras, clusters of pillar candles, floating candles is modern-style vases, and so on.  Even a flower as sweet and simple as a daisy can take on a dramatic tone when used in volume like dozens and dozens of daisy heads lining the center of a long table like a runner.  Daisies may also adorn dozens and dozens of ribbons suspended about the cake table or simply used in every aspect of the event from the "Save the Date" card , Menu cards and on each table at place setting - the key is to be consistent and repeat it throughout the entire event.

Now there are many other ways to define and refine your theme and wedding or event vision but this should be a great start to get inspired... Cheers!