There are a lot of elements that make up a wedding design. Color schemes, linen patterns, floor layouts, and floral arrangements. Each piece brings something to the overall experience, but like in any movie or performance…there has to be a STAR OF THE SHOW.

We call them “statement pieces,” and at first they referred to mostly floral arrangements. But we have started to push the boundaries of what a statement piece actually is—anything that makes a memorable impact on the guest experience. Decor, entertainment, presentation, and service. 

Here’s how we use statement pieces in our full wedding planning designs and some ideas to make your event ICONIC.

Choosing What To Make A Statement Piece

When it comes to wedding budget management, our job as wedding planners is to make sure you’re allocating your money in the best way. We like to focus on the statement pieces because it keeps you from chipping away at your budget with things that ultimately don’t give that “wow” moment. 

So how do we pick what will be the best use of your budget AND a memorable moment? 

How we start most of our wedding designs – what is most important to you as a couple and how will your guests be spending most of their time?

For big foodie couples, we can get creative with how we serve the meal.

For black tie events, we want to focus on creating a space worthy of the tuxes and gowns. 

For the life of the dance floor guests, we will definitely be considering exciting entertainment factors.

For those who love a lot of conversation, we will want to plan for comfortable lounge areas.

Considering how you want to spend your evening and what type of experience you want to give your guests while celebrating you two will help you narrow down where your focus should be.

Then we can have fun with creative ideas!

Using Decor To Create A Big Impact In Your Wedding Venue

One of our favorite ways to use statement pieces is creating that “oh WOW” moment as guests enter a room. This sets the tone for the event, whether it’s soft romance or bold and glittery.

What statement pieces are possible will depend on your wedding venue.

Is it possible to hang anything from the ceiling, like draping or floral arrangements? Can mechanics be installed? Is there a stage or should we bring one in to elevate the band or DJ?

Are there things we need to cover up or hide to fulfill the vision? What already exists within the space and what room do we have to bring large rentals like bars and seating in? 

When you walk into a room, your eye is immediately drawn up to the ceiling and down to the floor, making them the perfect locations for a statement piece. This is why we love utilizing draping and dance floors! They are great for adding interest through color and texture. 

Big surface areas, big impact.

You can see examples of decor statement pieces in our Oceanic Pier beach club wedding with lightweight draping paired with soft seating and our Brooklyn Arts Center “rock and roll” themed wedding with a bold use of red florals and greenery hung from chandeliers. 

Using Multiple Rooms In A Wedding Venue As A Statement Piece 

One of our other favorite ways of utilizing a wedding venue is using different rooms to create multiple WOW moments for guests. Every space is an opportunity to make a statement.

You can do this by simply moving guests throughout a venue, opening up new rooms with different purposes. A room for socializing at cocktail hour, a room for dining at tables, a room for a loud dance floor. Physically moving from room to room sets the intention for that part of the wedding and makes it more memorable as you experience a sort of “journey through the night.” 

Using different rooms also gives you a chance to play with the purpose and size of each room. If you value dancing over dinner, you can go simple with the tables and pack a punch in the party room. If you envision a simple ceremony, you don’t need to worry about it looking lackluster next to an exciting reception space. 

Or…you can go all out in every room but in a different way. New colors, unique vibes, and intentional design.

We did this for Mimi and Tripp’s Carolina Yacht Club wedding, where we let the ocean views speak for themselves during the ceremony but created a playful patterned back-porch garden dinner that transitioned into an energetic nightclub. 

Statement Pieces as Experience, Entertainment, and Presentation

While the wedding venue and decor usually give us the WOW factor, we love exploring the possibilities of what’s unexpected. This is really where you can make a statement.

Catering and Food Presentation

It’s an expectation that you feed your guests, but how you feed them is an opportunity to make a fun experience. 

Some of our favorite food “statement pieces” are:

• Hand-held food in a grab-and-go presentation to cut down on lines and be way more interactive
• Live chef stations where guests can see their food delivered as fresh as possible
• Tableside wine service during dinner so guests keep their drinks full without having to get up or go without (love feeling like an upscale restaurant!) 

Entertainment and Performers

Your dance floor takes up a huge chunk of your timeline and will be the final experience the guests have at your wedding, so it’s a great place to leave a lasting impression!

If you’re having a band, we like making the dance floor and stage a statement piece. We’ve had bands with multiple members, space for you to be invited up on the stage, or even them getting down into the crowd with you! 

If you’re having a DJ, upgrading their setup and lighting to make them a focal point is a great use of budget. You can also add on a live music element to your DJ with a saxophonist and drummer. 

We have been LOVING the addition of performers during the dance floor as well! At both of our annual vendor events at The Elia in downtown Wilmington, we hired dancers to perform both on the dance floor and on mini stages next to the DJ. People go wild for it! 

Other Creative Statement Pieces

We are constantly looking for innovative ways to create memorable experiences for our couples and their wedding guests. Couples who are willing and ready to push the envelope are the most fun to work with! 

Things like leaning into the holiday season—we planned a wedding on New Year’s Eve, so of course we needed an after-party worthy of staying up until midnight! 

Branding your wedding with fun signage and elements like food containers, drink glasses, and place cards shows attention to detail beyond the expected wedding style.

Or even play with how you present your favorites by offering a “gift shop” where guests can grab a few of your favorite items as an interactive experience of gratitude.

No matter what statement piece you choose, we’re here to make your event ICONIC.

If you’re looking for a partner in wedding planning that can help you create a design that celebrates your love story and leaves your guests saying “WOW,” we’re very excited to hear your vision! 

We primarily serve Wilmington, NC weddings and events but are available to travel all over Eastern North Carolina. Learn more about our wedding planning services and reach out to us here!