Top 3 Style trends WITH RUBY and JAMES EVENT STYLING
Whether you’re newly engaged or in a state of romance, I’m sure you have a Pinterest board full of incredible references (colour palettes, dresses, portrait images, venues and florals) and care deeply about your wedding day. Having a wedding planner and stylist on your team means that inspiration can be turned into reality with planning and on-the-day coordination executed by experts with the best industry connections, meaning minimal stress for you!
The list of vendors to book, things to organise, style choices to make, budgets to manage and emails to respond to, are enough to test even the most organised couple! So unless you’re an event planner by day and used to the rigours of project management in rain, hail or shine, it’s common to experience some overwhelm and stress in the lead-up to your wedding day. My most relaxed couples are the ones who have delegated the coordination to a wedding planner/stylist and if I had my time again, I would have had a planner for my wedding day (oh the tears that were cried over ceremony music!).
As curators of style, my good friend Jessie and the team at Ruby and James have shared with you their top three style trends for the upcoming wedding season plus all you should know about hiring a wedding planner and stylist.
I hope you enjoy my Q&A with Ruby and James.
Ruby and James Event Styling and Planning
Ruby and James create memorable luxury experiences, securing beautiful spaces with great atmosphere, florals, table settings, and music, and always love to include an element of mystery and surprise as the day unfolds (more on this later!).
What are the benefits of hiring a wedding planner and stylist?
When it comes to planning and styling a wedding, there are so many elements that need to work seamlessly on the day.
From organising hire furniture and linen, florals, lighting, and stationery. The support and guidance of a planner/stylist will allow for a stress-free planning process and smooth lead-up and set up on the day. They’ll be able to tap into your ideas and help bring these to life in more ways than you knew possible.
Along with their experience and knowledge of the venue and wedding industry, you’ll have access to all their stand-out suppliers and be guided on where to best spend your styling budget and the optimal flow of the floor plan.
Ruby + James Reception Styling at Gardens House, Royal Botanic Gardens, Melbourne. For a full gallery of Ruby and James’ Gardens House event styling and to pin your favourite images to your Pinterest boards, see the link at the end of the post.
Where do you get your inspiration for your styling? Is it lead by you or your couples?
It’s a mix of both. I’m incredibly inspired by each of my couples, their interests and the stories that brought them together. Also by their chosen venue itself, which is why I love conducting a lengthy site visit to explore the indoor and outdoor space. So much inspiration can be found here, from the design of the building to the shape of the mountains in the background to the material on the bar.
The pandemic made me realise just how much inspiration I draw from my surroundings and visiting a destination for the first time. The ideas flow best when I’m on holidays when my mind is resting and not crowded with everyday life. It has a little more freedom to explore.
What are three styling trends do you see coming up for next season?
Bold Colours
I see more couples gravitating toward bolder colours, from buttery yellows and vibrant oranges, reds and greens, to soft blues and brown tones. Blush hues have had a long run and it’s time to shake things up a little. I’m excited to see the colour palettes I’ve been working on, come to fruition this season.
Custom watercolour emblems, illustrations and calligraphy
Custom watercolour emblems, illustrations and calligraphy were a huge trend last season and I see this continuing into the next. It’s a beautiful way to incorporate a personal touch and life into the stationery. We’re currently working on some really special designs for our couples.
Sustainability.
Many couples are becoming more conscious of their choices when it comes to sustainability around their wedding day. Looking at hire options that can be used again and again, locally sourced flowers and produce and the use of recyclable materials when it comes to stationery and signage.
What elements should couples consider adding to their day to make it unique?
There’s been a significant shift and focus on custom stationery and signage, this can really add a unique touch to any wedding day. Don’t be afraid to explore colours and illustrations that tell a story or add a little note on each place setting, tailored towards each guest. It’s these little details that your guests will remember.
An experience or a surprise entertainment element will forever be a stand-out. There are more options than ever, from interactive saxophone and violin players to drummers and dancers. They’ll have guests not wanting to leave the dance floor!
Most couples are now opting not to have traditional wedding favours and I recommend using this budget elsewhere. By adding a cocktail on arrival or a midnight snack for when guests become hungry later in the night. Trays of cheeseburgers and fries roaming the dance floor are always a huge hit!
In reverse to this question, there are many traditional elements that couples are now opting out of to make their day more unique and true to them. Opting for a smaller more intimate ceremony either before their reception or on another day completely. This makes for a more relaxed feeling during the day. As well as champagne towers over a cake cutting.
Lei x
Ruby and James
IG: @ruby_and_james
www.rubyandjames.com.au
To see more of the Gardens House event styling by Ruby and James, and photographed by me, select this link.
