By Great Performances

As we head into the fall/winter wedding season, we consulted with Emily Schreiber and Amanda DiUglio from Great Performances and Emily Reifel at The Plaza Hotel, our resident wedding experts, to see what trends they’ve been noticing. They’ve identified some standout elements that couples requested and that added an extra-special touch to the weddings. Not only were the elements Instagram-worthy, but they also wowed guests and created unforgettable experiences.

CUSTOM LOUNGE AREA

We love open floor plans, and a unique way to utilize space, before or during your reception is to create a relaxing environment for your guests to wind down. Lounge areas are becoming more common as couples move towards more casual entertainment for their guests.

CUSTOM COCKTAILS

Signature or custom cocktails are a great way to add a personal touch to your reception. More and more couples are trading in traditional champagne flutes for “boozy pop” cocktails as their guests arrive at the reception. Couples are also adding their spin to their favorite traditional cocktails; why settle for a regular Paloma when it can be “Colby’s Paloma”?

SPECIALIZED ESCORT CARDS STATION

Make a good impression with your guests with customized escort card stations. Instead of shuffling your guests to find a numbered table, make things interesting with unique designs, while simultaneously creating engaging conversations.

SNACK AND DESSERT STATIONS

Who doesn’t appreciate a delicious cheese and charcuterie station? Or red velvet cupcakes? Guests love pre (and post) meal snacks, and we have seen more couples move away from the traditional cake to these tempting stations.

HANGING GREENERY

Hanging greenery is a great way to elevate your ceremony or reception decor while adding life and height to the space. Bring the outdoors inside, or enhance your outdoor scenery with leafy decor. Not to be limited to light or ceiling fixtures, hanging greenery can also serve as an excellent addition to your food stations, creating a beautiful frame for your favorite food offerings.