Upgrade Your Wedding Style

Don't let your budget hold you back! Take it from Ashley & Marcus who wed at the Sunset Harbor Yacht Club in Daytona Beach. They added style tips from lead coordinator, Sharia Riley, to their own ideas and turned their everyday affair into extraordinary. Here are a few quick tips to upgrade your wedding style:

1- Go for colored linens! Chair covers or rented chairs (chiavaris, cloth backs, etc) are a must.

If you want your "WOW!" don't scrimp when it comes to big items in your reception room. Throw a colored linen on the table that will make your guests "ohh" and "ahh." For Ashley's desired fall theme, Sharia suggested a iridescent fire orange pintuck. And don't forget to cover up or replace those ballroom chairs. It will make all the difference in your pictures!

2 -If you want a "white bouquet," go for it! But don't use ALL white flowers. Consider incorporating light pinks, light peaches, ivories, and light greens into your assortment to give your bouquet depth.

3- Don't skip the kids. Yes, sometimes they don't behave perfectly, but try and tell us that this flower girl isn't precious! Sometimes budget and formalities don't permit children to the ceremony and/or reception, but reconsider throwing out the flower girl and/or ring bearer.

4- Can't afford a $15,000 Vera Wang? Take a tip from Ashley and hit the sample sales to look for a stunning gown that would normally be outside your budget. You can upgrade your look without upgrading your credit card debt!

5- Skip the tuxedos. Modern weddings have the groom and groomsmen in attractive day suits instead of a formal tuxedo... and we love the look!

6- Add style to your table numbers! Hit your local craft store or scrap booking shop and look for stylish numbers, die cuts, and embellishments to spice up your tables.

7- Personalize, personalize, personalize!

For Ashley & Marcus, we skipped using the traditional names for their popcorn bar, and instead incorporated names and places that were important to the couple. Want pizza popcorn on your bar and the groom is from Chicago? How about you name it, “Chicago Deep Dish?”

Think about also personalizing for your guests. For Ashley & Marcus, each guest had their own thank you note sitting at their place setting that was personalized to them by the note and the name.

Photos by Elton Anderson Photography.