Wedding Planning 101: Decor & Branding
planning your wedding DECOR & BRANDING
by Style-Architects Weddings, a luxury wedding planning and design studio based in Minneapolis, Minnesota
how to transform your wedding venue with stunning decor
Decor is one of the most essential elements of your wedding day—it’s your chance to personalize your celebration and create a truly unforgettable atmosphere. Thoughtful wedding decor reflects your style, enhances your venue, and makes a lasting impression on your guests. As full-service wedding planners and designers to hundreds of luxury weddings, we understand how to take an empty room and transform it into a space that speaks to your personal brand and vision for your big day.
Your wedding decor is more than just aesthetics. It sets the tone, tells your story, and immerses your guests in the world you’ve envisioned. From the grandest floral installation to the tiniest tea light, each element has the power to transform your day into something unforgettable.
Once you’ve established your wedding budget and honed in on your overall design vision, the fun begins! From florals and lighting to rentals and layout, every detail contributes to transforming your venue from a blank canvas into the magical setting you’ve always dreamed of.
photo credit: Shane Long, Cadence & Eli, Matt Lien
creating a cohesive vision for your wedding
So, how do you ensure that all the elements of your wedding come together to create a cohesive experience? Whether you’re just beginning the planning journey or are deep in the details, every couple shares the same goal: to create a day that feels uniquely theirs. At Style-Architects Weddings, we like to say, “Don’t theme it… brand it!” After all, your wedding should be a true representation of your style, love story, and personality as a couple—your wedding brand!
To start, focus on your Vision Development. We guide couples through thoughtful questions to define their wedding aesthetic: the mood they want to create, key adjectives that describe their ideal day, the décor elements they envision, and how they want the entire experience to feel. Once your vision is clear, the branding process begins.
incorporating wedding branding into your design
As you move forward with your design elements, remember that your decor is not just about beauty. It’s about creating a personalized, branded experience for your guests. Consider every aspect of the design and styling: from typography in your stationery to textures in your linens and furniture, florals, lighting, signage, and even how your menu is presented.
Wedding fashion is another important piece of the puzzle. The couple’s attire should align with the overall aesthetic, creating harmony between your venue, décor, and wardrobe. Custom signage and stationery are excellent ways to reinforce your wedding brand. However, one common mistake is overusing a monogram or logo throughout the entire event. Instead, opt for more thoughtful personalization; strategic touches of key motifs, textures, or color stories that appear meaningfully throughout the day.
room configuration
The first step in designing your wedding decor is determining the layout of your room. Consider guest count, dinner service style, and the shape of your space. Here are a few key factors to think about:
Head Table Placement: You are the centers of attention for the day, and your head or sweetheart table should reflect that - anchored by a stunning backdrop or focal feature that draws every eye the moment guests enter the room. We recommend one large focal point in the room, and this is an ideal placement for it.
Dance Floor Location: We always recommend, if the venue spatially allows, placing the dance floor in the center of the room for an inviting and high-energy flow. One of our go-to layouts places the head table at 12:00 and the band or DJ at 6:00, with guest tables flanking either side at 3:00 and 9:00. This spatial flow perfectly balances the energy in the space.
Table Shape & Arrangement: Round tables, long banquet-style seating, or a mix of both can add dimension and style.
Specialty Tables: Plan the placement of bars, cake displays, escort card tables, and lounge areas to ensure a seamless guest experience and efficient flow within the space.
Ceremony Layout: Play with interesting layouts. If your focal point is in the middle of the room, then plan your ceremony under it with a ceremony in the round. No one says you need to have a long aisle!
photo credit: Laura Rae, Marit Williams, Matt Lien
florals
Once your floor plan is in place, it’s time to think florals! But choosing wedding flowers isn’t just about selecting a color palette—consider these factors:
Seasonal Availability: Love peonies? Keep in mind they are only available in late spring to early summer. Your florist can recommend alternative blooms that match your aesthetic.
Vessel & Vase Selection: Are you drawn to elegant gold compotes, modern clear glass vases, romantic mercury glass, or timeless crystal? The containers play a big role in the overall tablescape.
Centerpiece Variation: We love playing with varying heights and floral forms to create visual rhythm and intrigue. A thoughtful mix of low and lush designs, tall or suspended arrangements, and artful clusters not only feels more curated—it also helps with sightlines and budget.
photo credit: Russell Heeter, Robert Evans, Russell Heeter
lighting
If there’s one decor element we always recommend investing in, it’s lighting! Lighting enhances the mood, highlights your floral arrangements and architectural details, and elevates your entire event. Here are a few options to consider:
Specialty Lighting: Chandeliers, pendant lighting, and other string lighting options are a great way to add a focal point in the room without the expense of a massive floral installation. They also provide softer lighting than the house lights, creating a more inviting ambiance.
Uplighting: Adds warmth and interest to your space, creating a soft, romantic ambiance. It’s also a great way to highlight architectural details.
Pin Spot Lighting: Spotlights on centerpieces, cakes, or statement floral installations ensure they remain visible even as the evening progresses and the lights dim.
Gobos, Patterned, and Projected Lighting: Custom monograms or intricate light patterns projected onto walls or the dance floor personalize your wedding decor and can be a great way to enhance a space at a reasonable cost.
Candlelight: Nothing beats the natural glow of candlelight. Mix pillar candles, taper candles, and votives for a luxe, layered look. It’s the ultimate soft-focus filter—romantic, flattering, and effortlessly timeless.
photo credit: Summit Hill, Robert Evans, Amanda Nippoldt
rentals
Beyond florals and lighting, furniture and tabletop rentals bring your wedding design to life. Investing in a few key pieces can make all the difference.
Chairs & Seating: While many venues provide standard banquet chairs, upgrading to stylish seating like chiavari chairs, ghost chairs, crossback chairs, or antique-inspired options can completely transform your reception’s aesthetic. They will not “disappear” in the room as you might think!
Lounge Areas: Creating cozy vignettes with sofas, armchairs, rugs, and coffee tables gives guests a comfortable place to relax while adding a stylish, curated touch. They also make for a beautiful yet functional focal point to cocktail and dancing layouts.
Luxury Linens: Venues and caterers often supply basic, lap-length white or ivory linens, but upgrading to floor-length linens in luxe fabrics like velvet, satin, or textured patterns adds depth and sophistication. At a minimum, we recommend floor-length poly linens to create a clean, tailored foundation—anything shorter tends to interrupt the visual flow. Pro tip: pick 2-3 linens to use throughout each room. This avoids the “sea of the same” look in large spaces. Variety creates interest!
Tableware & Chargers: Gold-rimmed glassware, patterned china, colored flatware, and statement charger plates instantly elevate your tablescape. If it’s not in the budget to use these items throughout, consider renting for the head table only and turn this often long and centered table into a real showpiece!
photo credit: Cadence & Eli, Russell Heeter, Marit Williams
invitations, day-of paper & signage: the finishing touch for a cohesive wedding
Looking to add the cherry on top to your perfect day? This is where literal branding comes back into play. If you ask us, it's all about the paper! Don’t skimp on your invitations and day-of paper—it’s not only a way to brand your event but also clearly communicates your beautiful design to your guests. Here are a few invitation/signage tips that will surely impress your guests:
Showcase Your Design Early: Save-the-dates and invitations are often the very first glimpse your guests receive of your wedding day. For that reason, we recommend finalizing your overall design direction and branding before sending them out. Doing so ensures a cohesive look and feel that carries seamlessly through every detail of your celebration. These are the details that build up the guests’ excitement!
Welcome Your Guests the Right Way: Create welcome bag inserts with essential details about the wedding weekend, like timing, transportation information, and after-party details. For out-of-town guests, point out local bars, restaurants, and shops they might want to explore during their downtime. At the event, a welcoming, branded display puts your branding front and center as soon as guests arrive and sets the tone for the evening.
Embrace the Digital World: Social media is a powerful tool. Utilize signage near the guest book to indicate your social media preferences. Utilize an online app to collect photos from your guests.
Brand It: Incorporate your wedding colors into invitations, save-the-dates, and signage throughout the day; frame drink menus and place them on the bar, especially if you have specialty cocktails. Carry over the design to your escort cards and use them to communicate guest meal preferences. Don’t forget your favors! Add cute messages or signage as well to personalize the gifts.
photo credit: Amanda Nippoldt
Designing your wedding decor is about more than just choosing pretty things. It’s about creating an experience that reflects who you are and how you want your day to feel. Whether you’re drawn to bold, fashion-forward statements or understated elegance with thoughtful layers, don’t be afraid to take creative risks.
Our intent with this blog was to be helpful and to share our approach and thoughts on design, but we also recognize that this process can be overwhelming given the endless options. So how do you ensure you are making the best choices for your decor dollar? You hire a wedding designer, like us! We are experts at turning any haphazard Pinterest board into a cohesive, branded event. The most memorable celebrations are the ones that feel unapologetically you.
As Minnesota wedding planners and designers, we provide award-winning, high-end services tailored to discerning couples across the region. With a focus on meticulous design, seamless execution, and personalized experiences, we bring each couple’s unique vision to life while managing every detail with professionalism and care. Our expert teamwork combines creativity and precision to ensure a flawless celebration, reflecting sophistication and elegance at every step.
photo credit: summit hill studios
mother-daughter
dream team
Hey there! We’re Rachelle and Anna—mother and daughter…by law, but we like to think of it as family by design. Rachelle’s been in the wedding and events world for over two decades, and for half of that time, she’s had Anna by her side. Our love for details and logistics pairs perfectly with our skill for style and design, making us the ultimate left-brain/right-brain dream team. That’s why we’re called Style-Architects Weddings! We’re obsessed with what we do, and with over 20 awards under our belt, we’re confident we can turn your dream day into a reality.
Rachelle, owner of Style-Architects Weddings, brings a distinctive blend of business expertise and creative vision to every celebration. With an MBA and a background in corporate event planning, she excels at organization, budgeting, and project management while pairing those skills with a refined design sensibility. Her passion lies in creating weddings that feel effortless, meaningful, and beautifully curated; events that reflect each couple’s unique story. Under her leadership, Style-Architects Weddings has been recognized with awards from the International Association of Live Events, The Knot, and Minnesota Bride, and is regularly featured in leading industry publications.
Anna is a seasoned wedding planner with deep experience in event design and logistics, known for her calm approach and meticulous attention to detail. Since 2013, she has been dedicated to crafting personalized celebrations that are both thoughtfully designed and flawlessly executed. Anna’s focus is on ensuring couples feel supported throughout the process, allowing them to enjoy a stress-free planning experience and a wedding day that feels as effortless as it is beautiful. Her work with Style-Architects Weddings has earned industry recognition and consistent features in publications such as Minnesota Bride, a testament to her commitment to excellence.