Wedding Signage Roundup

One of the most important, yet overlook wedding detail is signage. Signs can be utilized for just about anything... to add some oomph to a ceremony backdrop; to lead guests in the correct direction; to act as playful props to the bridal party photos; to save a seat for the VIP's at the ceremony; to sit atop your cake as a dessert-topper; and of course, to let guests know how to hashtag this awesome day on their Instagram

Graphic design is so fun and interesting.  Well-designed and well-placed signage can really take an event space to the next level.  Chalkboard signs are still going strong and hand-painted lettering is also a popular choice.  Other new trends are mirrors and our new favorite acrylic signs.

Here are a few of our most favorite:

Real Wedding: Kimle + Matthew

Wedding Planner: Elegant Affairs // Photographer: Josh Fernandez + Michael Weldon Portraits // Videographer: Best Made Videos // Ceremony Location: St. Rita of Cascia Catholic Church // Reception Venue: Historic 1625 // DJ: Otto-Matic Mobile Music // Catering: Snuffins // Florist: Brown’s Flowers // Rentals: American Party Place + The Meaningful Details // Dessert: Legendary Doughnuts + Metropolitan Market // Signage: Chalk Artistry

I knew it was meant to be when I met Matt and Kimle over a cup of coffee and they shared their love for Jesus, family, and country music. From day one, Matt promised Kimle that he wanted to make their day absolutely special for his bride, as one of the best day of their lives. Kimle had her own profound promise to Matt, to convert to Catholicism bringing them even closer, showing her love and commitment to him even before they tied the knot in May 2018.

Fun fact, their wedding was on the same day as the 2018 Royal Wedding, but our couple had plans to have their very own, unforgettable, talked about wedding of the year! It was important for them to keep it in the heart of Tacoma, which they chose to have a very elegant Catholic ceremony held at St. Rita’s where Matt and his siblings grew up in the church, keeping his family tradition of getting married there. As the wonderful celebration of Matt and Kimle continued, they wanted guests to enjoy an overflow of love, fun and sweet treats at their Historic 1625 reception. They truly did not disappoint! They shared with guests a 3-tiered cake, themed around their Hawaiian honeymoon, “The Cookie” from Metropolitan Market and dozens of the famous Legendary Doughnuts. Once the sugar was flowing and the music turned up, Matt and Kimle stepped out on the floor with a surprise, epic first dance, showing of their amazing Studio6 Ballroom routine. From smiles to a more teary eyed dance, both of Kimle’s fathers-in-law and 3 brothers-in-law joined in for a dance to honor her father who couldn’t be present due to health reasons.

From the majestic dances, to memorable treats, Matt and Kimle provided guests an ongoing or “ongrowing” wedding memory. As guests departed they were given a seeded paper stating a tree would be planted in their name to one of the many PNW forests. This, just like Matt’s promise to Kimle, their guests were promised a gift of love that they would remember today, tomorrow and forever, lasting a lifetime.

How to Wedding Mismatch Properly

Mixing prints, patterns, textures, colors, sizes and shapes may seem overwhelming, but there are a few tricks to the trade that I want to share so the process doesn't seem so daunting.  It's really fun once you know what to look for!  I had a great design professor who once said, "It's not about matching.  It's about coordinating."  That, my friends, is your mismatch secret code.  Your mantra.  It is so much easier to think about designing when you're less worried about everything being an exact match.

For instance, let's take prints and patterns.  Smaller scale prints like toile or ornate florals would feel quite busy if paired with another smaller scale pattern like tiny polka dots.  I tend to find that busier prints play best when paired with a cleaner, more linear pattern like stripes or checks.  Scale balance is huge when it comes to mixing these guys.  If you love polka dots AND vintage floral prints though, it IS doable.  Make sure that the polka dots are large enough to balance the visual business of the floral.  If the floral is colorful, balance them with dots that are just one color.  Choosing a color that is already in the busier pattern helps to tie the two elements together.

Vintage china pieces look so charming when mismatched.  Sure, there is usually an abundance of the floral patterns I just discussed, but alternating colors that complement each other makes the mixing less visually overwhelming.  For example, I showcase several photos below that have mismatched china plates.  What makes this design move work is the similar color palette of the dishes.  Maybe each of the plates has a hint of gold somewhere.  That is an element that ties them all together.  Maybe one plate is primarily blue with flecks of pink and yellow here and there; this plate would pair great with a mostly yellow plate with touches of blue and pink.  Get the idea?  This mixing is successful due to the color scheme.

Another way to use color as a foundation for mixing is through shapes.  Below you'll find photos of mismatched wooden chairs of all shapes and sizes.  What makes this hodgepodge work is the fact that they are all a similar hue.  I'm sure you've all seen bridesmaids dresses that are all one color family but different colors, right?  Like the pink family: with coral, ballet slipper, blush and mauve all playing nicely together down the aisle.  This same idea can be used in your décor as well.  Choose a color and vary its shade.  This is a good way to have cohesion but still coordinate.  (Coordinate.  See!  There's that fancy buzzword again!)

On the flip-side, you don't HAVE to stick to one color.  You may also see a group of chairs below that are a bunch of different colors!  What makes this work is their similar tones.  For example, pastels that are all various colors would actually pair great with one another because of their coordinating light tones.  Similarly, jewel tones like yellow, teal, purple and ruby don't look so outrageous when clustered together because they're all a similar tone.  Pairing these with crisp white plates and dark wood tables would be a great contrast.