Planning your wedding can be exciting, stressful, inspiring, and fun–all in the same day.
There are so many details to consider, it can feel completely overwhelming. To break it down into manageable pieces (and have a little fun with it), you may want to consider designing a wedding for all five senses. Here are a few tips to get you started.
A Feast for the Eyes
The visual element of your wedding is the most obvious, so pick an anchoring theme/color scheme/style and run with it. If your dream wedding is a 1920s vintage style shindig, make sure the wedding party coordinates their outfits. Create signage that matches the style with period typeface, and work on vintage decor for your reception hall, and hire a classic car to drive away in.
Ear Candy
The auditory experience of a wedding is crucial. First of all, test your mics and acoustics before the ceremony to ensure your guests can hear your vows. Plan your musical accompaniment way in advance. Consider what you want guests to hear as they first gather, and what tune, if any, you want to play after you’ve said your vows. A booking agency will guarantee the band or D.J. shows us and plays a personalized set list. The agency will also be responsible for keeping the momentum going through the reception.
Taste Sensations
Don’t take any chances with your drinks and eats! Sample everything beforehand and don’t be afraid to tell a caterer, cake baker, or bartender if you aren’t crazy about their concoctions. Work with pros who know how to balance flavors so that you hit all the sweet spots and no sour notes. Be mindful of your floral scents to ensure they don’t overwhelm or interfere with the flavors of the food. Leave your guests with a sweet taste to remember the day. A signature dessert in addition to the cake that you and your spouse will remember and enjoy for years to come.
Memorable Scents
Your sense of smell is one of the most powerful triggers for memory. From your floral arrangements to your perfume, there will be many fragrances floating around your wedding, many of which you can control. If you’re having an outdoor ceremony, ask the venue to mow the lawn the morning of or the day before to create that sweet, subtle smell of freshly mown grass. Guests will appreciate the manicured walking surface, and the scent is sure to bring back fond memories.
The Lingering Touch
Touch is one of the most challenging senses to design for because it’s a bit more subtle than the others. Take into consideration the chairs that guests will sit in–are they hard plastic or wood? Can you find something cushioned? If it’s a backyard wedding, invite your guests to ditch their shoes and feel the grass beneath their feet. The same goes for a beach wedding.
Place settings and wedding favors are one of the places you can really touch your guests. Are they taking home-printed glasses or a satin satchel filled with goodies? Are the napkins on the table linen or paper? Aim for consistency and stay on-point. Don’t mix paper plates with linen napkins or plastic cups with bone china.
No matter how you stimulate your guests’ senses, remember the main reason they’re there is for you. The one sense that’s easy to lose sight of when you’re in the thick of wedding planning is your sense of humor. This is perhaps the most important sense when things don’t go as planned. Don’t forget to lighten up and have fun!
