Designing & Styling Your Wedding Day
- Georgina Fisher
- Jan 8
- 4 min read
If you’re just starting your planning journey, start with part one of the series: How to Set Your Wedding Budget & Define Your Vision.
Once the logistics are mapped out and your supplier team is in place, it’s time to turn your attention to how your wedding day will look and feel.
Design is about far more than choosing colours or centrepieces - it's about creating a cohesive atmosphere that reflects you as a couple and supports the flow of the day. Thoughtful styling brings everything together. It creates impact without overwhelm, beauty without excess, and a celebration that feels considered from start to finish.
Here’s how to approach wedding design and styling with clarity and confidence.
Start With the Feeling You Want to Create
Before thinking about specific details, step back and ask yourselves one simple question:
"How do we want our wedding day to feel?"
Romantic and intimate?
Relaxed and joyful?
Elegant and editorial?
Warm, informal, and full of personality?
This feeling should guide every design decision — from colour palette and florals to lighting, furniture, and table styling. When the feeling is clear, cohesion follows naturally.
Build a Cohesive Visual Story
Great wedding design tells a story from the moment guests arrive.
Think about how each part of the day connects:
Ceremony space
Drinks reception
Dining area
Evening celebration
Your styling doesn’t need to look identical in every space, but it should feel related. Repeating elements such as colours, textures, materials, or floral choices helps create a seamless experience as guests move through the day.
Choose a Considered Colour Palette
A strong colour palette acts as the backbone of your styling.
This doesn’t mean sticking rigidly to two colours - think more along the lines of choosing a base palette and allowing variations in tone and texture. Neutrals layered with one or two accent colours often photograph beautifully and feel timeless, while still allowing personality to shine through.
When in doubt, let your venue guide you. Architecture, surroundings, and natural light all play a role in what will work best.
Think in Layers: Texture, Scale & Height
Design becomes truly impactful when it’s layered.
When it comes to your tablescape it's important to consider:
Soft textures alongside structured elements
Varying heights in florals and candles
Statement pieces balanced with simpler details
This approach adds depth and interest without clutter. A few well-chosen elements, styled intentionally, will always feel more refined than lots of competing details.
Styling That Supports the Flow of the Day
Beautiful styling should never get in the way of how the day runs.
When planning your design it's really important to think about:
How quickly spaces need to be turned around
Whether décor needs to be moved or repurposed
Guest comfort and sightlines
Practical elements like lighting as the day transitions into evening
The best styling works quietly in the background, enhancing the experience while allowing the day to unfold effortlessly.
Avoid Common Styling Pitfalls
Some of the most common styling challenges I see include trying to include too many ideas or trends; styling without considering logistics or timings; choosing décor that doesn’t suit the scale of the space; prioritising Pinterest inspiration over personal style.
Editing is key. A clear vision, executed thoughtfully, will always feel more elevated than an overfilled design.
How a Planner or Stylist Brings It All Together
This is where professional guidance makes a real difference. A planner or stylist doesn’t just suggest ideas, they help translate your vision into a cohesive, practical design that works beautifully in your chosen space.
We:
Refine your ideas into a clear design direction
Source and coordinate styling elements
Ensure everything aligns with your timeline and logistics
Oversee setup so it looks exactly as intended
The result is a wedding that feels polished, personal, and entirely you - without the stress of managing every detail yourself.
Final Thoughts
Designing and styling your wedding day is about intention, not excess. When your choices are guided by how you want the day to feel, everything comes together naturally.
Trust your instincts, focus on cohesion, and don’t be afraid to seek expert support. The right styling doesn’t shout, but instead it quietly elevates every moment.
(This blog is part of our ‘Essential Wedding’ series – a step-by-step guide to creating your dream wedding. Be sure to check out the rest of the series for expert tips and inspiration!)
Next in the Essential Wedding Planning Series: The Final Planning Stages: What to Focus on in the Last 8–12 Weeks Before Your Wedding — coming soon!
Other blogs in this series:
If you’d like expert guidance to bring your vision to life, I’d love to help. At Scarlett Rose Events, our goal is to support you in creating a wedding that feels effortless, stylish, and truly reflects you both! Get in touch to chat about how we can make it happen.
Comments