(MENAFN- Khaleej Times)

What differentiates a good wedding from a spectacular one? While many elements come together to make it special, one factor often stands out - the decor. The visual appeal of a celebration creates the first impression on guests. A thoughtfully designed space, layered with details that evoke a genuine wow factor, immensely elevates the ambience.

Over the years, planners have experimented with textures, colours, fabrics, installations and lighting to craft the perfect wedding setting. Yet, like everything else, wedding design constantly evolves - calling for fresh ideas and inventive touches that transform celebrations into multi-sensory experiences. Here are expert-backed tips to help you achieve just that.

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The beauty of draping

From being a purely functional element to cover design loopholes, draping has evolved into the very core of decor in recent years. Flowing, billowing fabrics add a sense of softness and movement, transforming any space. Designers are now experimenting with drapes on dining chairs, stools and even table accents, making it one of the most defining décor trends globally.“The power of draping is that it creates a modest-yet-incredibly impactful statement,” says Gauri Chadha, co-founder and creative director of The Big Night Events.“A recent wedding we designed featured stunning sage-green drapes that brought the entire space to life.”

From ceremonial arches and hallway entrances to dinner tables, media walls or cascading panels falling from the ceiling, draping lends itself to countless settings.“An entire ballroom can be reimagined with a draped perimeter,” adds Chadha, noting that colour palettes play a huge role in setting the mood and overall aesthetic. Her pro tip: combine drapes with flowers and candles for a layered look that feels both romantic and refined.

Return to elegance

A return to refined elegance with emotional storytelling is a key trend of 2025 that planners must take note of.“Couples are leaning towards modern romanticism, clean lines balanced with lush florals, organic textures and soft tonal palettes like ivory, blush, sand and champagne,” says Jardel Silva, founder of Eventchic Designs, known for their ultra chic and luxurious events.“We're also seeing a resurgence of statement lighting from floating chandeliers to immersive projections, transforming venues into dreamlike environments.

Metallic accents in gold and pearl tones remain timeless, but with a contemporary twist through architectural shapes and layered transparency.” Simply put, the overall aesthetic celebrates understated luxury where every detail feels intentional.

Personalisation to the extreme

Weddings today thrive in an era of hyper-personalisation. Couples want their stamp of individuality on every square inch of the venue, which makes attention to detail more important than ever. Personalisation in event styling is ultimately about celebrating people and their emotions.“Personalisation is where elegance meets the story to create absolute magic,” says Chadha. There are countless ways to weave meaningful touches into the décor - a white dove or butterfly release to honour loved ones who have passed, walls adorned with photographs or embellishments collected from the couple's own homes. The key lies in integrating personalisation as the very anchor of design rather than an external embellishment.

Jardel Silva of Eventchic couldn't agree more.“At our weddings, we often design around a couple's personal narratives, integrating cultural heritage, shared travels or love stories through bespoke installations, customised monograms or even scentscapes that evoke a specific emotion. From the floral composition to the table styling, event design becomes a reflection of who they are, ensuring it feels deeply personal yet timeless,” he adds.

Power of customised entertainment

Entertainment woven into the design of a wedding can be a powerful statement. How does the bride make her entrance - to the strains of pillar-like, statuesque musicians playing her favourite classical piece or through a dramatic tableau of dancing horses as she walks down the aisle? Be it a poised harpist performing at the ceremony or a refined three-piece band setting a royal mood, or even a choreographed show by a celebrity performer, customised entertainment transforms the celebration into a living, breathing experience. And when integrated seamlessly into the décor and theme, these creative“characters” bring the entire space to life.

Sustainability in decor

Younger and international couples have an added requirement to their checklist - sustainability. And designers are more than happy to comply. Many are opting for reusable structures, locally sourced florals and multi-functional décor that transitions from ceremony to reception.“However, grandeur is evolving, not disappearing,” explains Silva.“It's less about excess, more about impact through artistry and innovation. The UAE remains a destination where people celebrate in style, but now that style carries a conscious purpose, creating breathtaking moments while being mindful of the environment.”

Immersive candlelights and flowers

Flowers and candles have a romance that are integral to the wedding decor. But here's a word of caution: When it comes to flowers, don't overdo them. Standalone flowers, placed aesthetically on a table are proving to be quite a trend in some parts of the world. Similarly, candles can never go out of fashion but what matters is how you use them. A minimalist play of candles and flowers greatly enhances the visual appeal of a space at the wedding venue. Combined with the colours of the season like sage green, beige or pale salmon, the impact is dreamy, romantic and subtle. However, when it comes to colours, the opposite is true too. Timeless black and white is making a huge comeback, say some experts, while South Asian weddings are still high on red and white with maroon.

Dance floor vinyls

A couple's first dance is always special and that has made dance floor designs so important. A huge trend across the US and Canada, custom dance floor vinyls are now making their way to weddings in the UAE. These printed vinyl coverings transform ordinary dance floors into stunning design statements. Monogrammed initials of the family, the wedding logo and bold graphic patterns are just some ways in which dance floor designs create a photo-ready look.

Awe-inspiring aisles and mandaps

The bride's walk through the aisle heading towards the man she loves is a moment that lends to plenty of emotions... and photographs! In desi weddings, once the couple settles inside the mandap for the core ceremony, all eyes are on that sacred space. No wonder the aisle, or mandap ­­­decor, deserves a special mention. Floral patterns are always popular but of late, couples are becoming a bit more experimental. Take for instance, the trend of creating an illusion of water, making it look like the bride is walking on a stream to reach her groom. Or treating the aisle walk like a red carpet with candles and immersive lighting. How about a mandap with sleek lines and billowing drapery instead of the usual crystal, gold or floral ones? In a wedding organised by Gauri Chadha, a bride insisted on a black aisle and she made it happen! Times are changing and how!

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