First things first: Your event will look most cohesive and coordinated if you whip up a creative design, monogram, motif or color play to carry through all of your wedding visuals. (Think: a palm frond illustration to travel through programs, menus, IRL florals, etc.)
Know how every professionally orchestrated wedding features a luxe little lounge area or two? Friendly reminder that you can totally DIY this amenity, often with items already at your venue. Brisman suggests checking the furnishings in the foyers, nooks and hallways of venues, and asking if you can rearrange and personalize these “resting spots” with flowers, photos. "If you want to take things one step further, hop on Etsy and source some great throws pillow that work with the look and feel of your wedding while upping the cozy factor!”
According to Brisman, the key to truly professional-looking tabletops is using several different suites of glassware, dishware and/or linens. While one style or pattern can read monotonous, strategically incorporating two to three patterns in a sequential way will read much more interesting and luxurious.
Cutting the cake is a major Kodak wedding moment—but Brisman knows it’s not as simple as it looks. “It takes a really long time, it’s messy, and the pieces never look like they should, even with the best cake makers!” Instead of carving the cake in the midst of the party, she suggests having your cake maker produce perfect sheet cakes that can be pre-cut behind the scenes 30 minutes before cake cutting. For an extra classy touch, add a single sugar flower to each individual piece.
Logistics aren’t the sexiest part of wedding planning, but they make a huge impact on your guests’ experiences. To fake a professional touch, over-communicate the plan via pretty signage: “Put signs in strategic locations, such as the ladies' powder room, at the bar and on the cocktail or accessory tables. Note the time of transportation, the pickup location and any end-of the-evening information to make it all run smoother,” says Brisman.
Commercial sugar packs are a big coffee bar no-no, according to Brisman. Instead, she suggests placing swizzle sticks/rock candy on coffee cup saucers. (Bonus points for an adjacent candy bar!)
Hot tip: Having your band do a wardrobe change will make your guests think you hired two separate acts. “I often start the band in all black during dinner, and afterwards, I’ll have them change: Women to all white; men to white shirts and off-white long silk ties. Trust me, people literally think you hired two bands!”
Think: A unique floral installation or a custom painted backdrop for guests to take selfies against. "People love to feel like they're on a red carpet!" insists Brisman.
Nothing ruins a perfectly fabulous wedding like a dysfunctional coat check. Instead of handing out those ugly little squares that everyone loses, Brisman recommends having the coat check text numbers to guests’ phones.
But Brisman’s most passionate pro tip? Flipping the standard ceremony setup. “I think it’s such a challenge when couples have their backs to guests, when so many have traveled from far and wide to be there. Even on an angle is better. If you want guests to really experience your ceremony, let them experience your emotion by actually seeing you!”
