Seating charts and escort cards are a great way to create a visual focal point, even a conversation starter! The options are endless, but here are a few that we especially like:
Photo credit: A Girl with a Camera
Table assignment cards tied to peacock feathers – the gorgeous feathers are for the guests to keep.
Photo credit: Gavin Farrington
A champagne wall: escort cards tied to elegant flutes filled with bubbly!
Photo credit: Vicens Forns
Table assignments on “leaves” pinned to mandarin oranges!
Photo credit: Majesta Patterson
OR “boarding passes” for bride&groom airlines, flight number = table number.
Photo credit: Maria Hedengren
Table assignments hand-calligraphed on a shabby-chic chalkboard…
Most wedding guests secretly just wait for THE CAKE, or, for that matter, another memorable dessert.
Photo credit: ToanVen Photography
While a traditional wedding cake is still the “gold standard” for a wedding dessert, there are many delicious (and impressive!) alternatives – starting with a dessert buffet:
In my more than 15 years of designing and planning weddings, I have learned that lighting is an incredibly powerful tool in transforming an event space – and that it literally gives you “the most bang for your buck.”
String lights
Nothing conveys a more romantic atmosphere than stringlights – Bistro lights, fairy lights… whichever type you choose.
Photo credit: Tuan Bui
2. Uplights
They are the simplest to install, come in a rainbow of colors and allow you to highlight the attractive areas you want to showcase – while leaving everything else in the shadows.
Photo credit: Danny Dong
3. Gobos (patterned light projections)
These come in a variety of shapes and patterns “off the rack” OR customized to your initials or actually ANY pattern you want, and they totally transform the dance floor or a bare wall.
Photo credit: Hardy Wilson
4. Dance lights
These are, so to speak, the “icing on the cake.” Synchronized with the beat of your dance music, they transform your dance floor into a disco.
I sure am. And so it’s making me very sad that (due to the danger of wildfires) we cannot have any more fireworks at the weddings I am planning and designing – even sparklers for a festive send-off of the newlyweds are no longer permitted at most venues in California. So – what to do?!
Drones to the rescue!
The Rise of Drone Swarm “Fireworks”
Drone swarm light shows, often referred to as “drone fireworks,” are the solution. They are captivating and they are even an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional pyrotechnics. These dazzling displays use hundreds or even thousands of synchronized drones equipped with LED lights to create intricate patterns, animations, and vibrant color effects in the sky. Here is what we could do for a wedding show:
Credit: ringgrass279088 via vecteezy.com
How Drone Swarm Shows Work
Drone swarm shows rely on advanced software and precise choreography. Each drone is pre-programmed with its specific flight path and lighting instructions, enabling the entire swarm to move as a cohesive unit. The choreography is designed using 3D animation tools, allowing creators to simulate the display before it happens.
Operators monitor the drones in real-time using GPS and communication systems to ensure safety and accuracy. The drones can create everything from simple shapes like stars and hearts to complex animations like animals, text, or logos.
Fun Facts:
The largest drone show to date involved over 5,000 drones in China, breaking a Guinness World Record.
Drone displays can operate in light rain but struggle with strong winds, requiring calm weather conditions.
They’ve been featured at major events like the Olympics and New Year’s Eve celebrations, literally redefining “aerial entertainment.”
Aileen and Yao were already planning their big, big wedding in their native Korea – but they also wanted to host a smaller event for their local friends in the San Francisco Bay Area. 50 guests, give or take… BUT elegant. What better place for that than famous Penthouse Suite in the Fairmont San Francisco, home to all US presidents and foreign dignitaries visiting the City. The couple booked my company, A Day Like No Other, to help with the festivities … and here we go!
While photographer Allexa Crosson and videographer Sig Reboquio were already documenting all the pretty details, from rings to invitations to flowers…
… the Fairmont staff under the leadership of event manager Jim Bast was busy repositioning furniture in the suite and starting kitchen operations.
Bride and groom were getting dressed…
… and florist Nancy Liu Chin delivered the bridal bouquet, boutonnieres and many, many floral arrangements for centerpieces and other tables. She also decorated the fountain on the patio with floating flowers…
… for a romantic and very polished effect.
Time for the couple’s First Look…
… with the SF City skyline as their glorious backdrop. And then – many more photos!!
Here in the famous Billiards Room – a Moroccan folly entirely decorated with elaborate tiles…
… in the two-story library whose ceiling is decorated with the outlines of constellations and where a secret passageway to the rooftop opens behind a moveable bookshelf (an escape route for all the royalty and dignitaries staying here on a regular basis…
… and in the elegant living room of the Penthouse apartment – adorned with intricately carved wood paneling, an elaborate fireplace surround and priceless antiques.
After their ceremony, officiated by a friend on the patio overlooking the meanwhile foggy City skyline, it was time to party!
Cocktails and hors d’oeuvres were served in the living room…
… and the newlyweds raised a glass to their union. DJ Marcus Lee (from Paul Stylez Events) had the music going, and everyone was in a joyful, festive mood. In the meantime, the Jim Bast and the Fairmont team and my assistant Nimy and I were hard at work to get the dining room ready for dinner…
Every place setting was adorned with a wedding-ring shaped sugar cookie…
… and a handwritten personal Thank You note by the couple – a true “labor of love!”
After dinner and speeches, Aileen and Yao were ready for their Grand Entrance …
… and their choreographed First Dance:
… followed by a truly “wild” Father-Daughter Dance to the tune of “Heartbreaker!”
The rest of the evening was one big upbeat dance party, only interrupted by Cake Cutting (Cake by Intincing Creations).
What a party! What’s next? Another REALLY big party back in the couple’s native Korea! Congratulations, Aileen and Yao!
