Aesthetically Pleased

A guide to selecting your wedding style 

By Rebecca Padgett Frett

Your wedding aesthetic is the look, feel, and feelings you desire to create on your wedding day, which can include the color palette, attire, decor, menu, florals, and more. 

“From the moment a guest opens their invitation, they should get a sense of what they are being invited to,” says Dania Irvin, owner of Dulce Events Planning & Design in Tallahassee. 

Broad aesthetics include bohemian, rustic, modern, romantic, classic, beach, and many more. Or, you can elect to get more specific, such as Regency-era romance, ’60s-inspired art deco retro, cottagecore, Gothic romance novel, or ’90s chic. 

“Every detail, from the linens and florals to the lighting and entertainment, should all feel connected as guests move through the space,” says Irvin. “Guests may not consciously notice every detail, but they will feel it when the entire event feels purposeful from beginning to end.” 

Deciding on your wedding aesthetic is an enjoyable element of wedding planning that is important to many of the decisions you will make leading up to your dreamed-about day. 

Seek Inspiration

The best place to start if you’re stuck is seeking inspiration from real wedding sources such as magazines, social media accounts, wedding websites, blogs, and even the weddings of those you know. Browsing these, you will likely find colors, flowers, and design choices that speak to your style. Think a bit outside the box and consider art whose color palette or theme you find appealing: a historic time period with fashions that entice you or books and movies that have impacted the way you view the world. 

Tell Your Story

The most important aspect of finding your aesthetic is that it’s true to you as a couple. Think about who you are and what’s important to you, be it culture, family traditions, religion, or heritage. From there, consider adjectives that could describe you, and lean into representing those through your aesthetic choices—fun, refined, bubbly, classic, romantic, colorful, reserved, and so on. 

“Rather than buying trendy items, couples are choosing to incorporate meaningful pieces that tell a story or carry on a tradition and create a sense of nostalgia,” says Irvin. 

Irvin notes that many couples are pulling inspiration from their parents’ weddings, including vintage heirlooms such as lace veils, linens, silver, pearls, and other attire. 

John Gandy, owner of John Gandy Events in Tallahassee, adds, “Genuine design elements that reflect the couple’s personality are important. Guests are observant and can tell when a wedding’s style doesn’t feel authentic to the couple.” 

This could include tying in decor from the city you met or your favorite travels; asking your caterer to make food from your culture; tying in your favorite colors to the florals or bridal party attire; meaningful photos throughout the reception space; or a specialty cocktail named after your beloved pet. 

Visualize Your Venue

Since your venue is one of the first things in the wedding process that should be booked, it’s key to consider the aesthetic of your venue when determining your overall wedding vibe. For example, a downtown rooftop would lean more toward a modern aesthetic, where a waterside ceremony would be beach coded. Take note of the color scheme of the venue to ensure your colors don’t clash, and consider the existing decor, what you can utilize, and what can be added. With some venues, because of the natural beauty or architecture, you may not need to do much, while other venues may call for more creativity. 

Consider the Season

If you’re getting married in December but have always dreamed of a pastel wedding, by all means, pursue it. But if you’re seeking guidance, consider the season. Summer and spring lend themselves to lighter and brighter colors, breezy fabrics, refreshing libations, seasonally inspired menus, and careful consideration of the weather, especially in Florida. Fall and winter tend toward darker, moodier hues, comforting foods, warm beverages, and an overall coziness.

Geared Toward Guests 

Gandy notes that many couples are opting for smaller, more intimate weddings with intentional guest experiences or destination weddings with multiple days of planned events for all. 

“A cohesive theme across all wedding-related events demonstrates thoughtful planning and shows that you have prioritized providing the best possible experience for your guests,” says Gandy. 

Keeping the theme on brand from welcome party to farewell brunch makes for a complete experience for all. ▪

Feature by Charlotte Fristoe Photography