A nod to the opulence of the Baroque and the theatrics of the Golden Age, beautifully draped fabric is having a much-loved revival through abstract, art inspired installations for discerning events. Dominating the runways of recent seasons, and now perking up at weddings of the most fashionably elit, we see this trend growing for the coming 2024/25 year. From poetic, exaggerated forms to minimal, sculpturesque designs, here we guide you through our top tips to creating an installation that will leave a lasting impression on your guests.
Opt for Dramatic Proportions
For a breathtaking, impactful effect, go big or go home. Billowing lengths of fabric suspended from the ceiling above, cascading to the floor below allows gravity to do all the work while giving a sense of space and volume. Wide rolls of singular fabric en masse is key here, layering vertically and in a row with enough fabric for slack to create a beautiful drape while gently skimming or spilling onto the floor. Make sure to opt for a venue that has high ceilings for a mesmerising effect, and discuss the requirements for hanging such elements with the venue manager prior to booking.
@ex.figura, Anastasia Lisitsyna, Numen
Pinched, Wrapped, Knotted or Slung?
Add a point of interest to your installation by manipulating the fabric like the drapery artist you are. Consider knotting, wrapping, twisting, folding, slinging, pinching and layering your fabric in a way that will draw your eye across the room, create an intriguing sculptural effect and add a unique textural touch that breaks up the lengths of fabric. For the strongest result, choose your fabric based on the desired effect, and experiment with the different techniques in advance while leaving a little room for unexpected magic that may unfold.
Pinterest, Pinterest, @kulesza_pik, Yohan Zerdoun, @ex.figura, Alyson Shotz
Choose Your Fabric Wisely
Undoubtedly the most important element of them all, your fabrication selection will directly curate the mood and set the tone for your overall wedding. As such a bold, large installation, naturely, the color will have the biggest impact - so take it as an opportunity to make a statement with a contrasting shade or metallic finish, or a harmonious tone that will tie all your beautiful styling elements together. Secondary, the composition and type of fabric will influence the malleability of your fabric. For a soft, draping effect, opt for a lightweight tulle or chiffon that will fall gracefully and softly billow with movement while adding a beautiful ethereal touch with the sheerness. A stretch fabric such as a cotton jersey will add weight for a more dramatic draped effect that is very modern and of the now. For a theatrical approach, opt for a taffeta or upholestry fabric that adds volume and replicates classic drapes for a fun and avant-garde appeal.
Eun Jeong Yoo, Joyn Studio, Bureau Betak
Be Intentional With Your Placement
Think Feng shui for your wedding day. Your fabric installation has the ability to effect the flow of your wedding with careful consideration to it's context and purpose. Will it be used to divide up a room, creating pockets of spaces for mingling or dining within a large warehouse or ballroom? Will it act as a backdrop for a photobooth or dramatic tablescape? Perhaps it will create a tunnel; lining walls and shaping a canopy-like effect, guiding guests from one space to another. Or is it purely for aesthetic purposes - to add dimension to your styling, soften a space or hide undesired features of the venue? No matter your intention, let this be the driving force behind your placement with consideration to foot traffic for an effective installation.
Back of The House, Pinterest, Bureau Betak, Birch Event Design, Back of The House, Alyson Shotz
Take the Party Outside
The first impression counts for everything. Inspired by the works of outdoor installation artists Christo Vladimirov Javacheff, Yohan Zerdoun and Andrés Reisinger, if you're planning a Summer season wedding, why not opt to wrap and drape the exterior or front garden for an impactful entrance that will surprise and delight guests. Clothing a building creates a fantastical, enchanting ambience that will set the mood for the remainder of the day. If decorating the exterior of the bulding isn't an option, instead opt for stringing up fabric amongst the garden or courtyard to act as a beautiful backdrop amongst the greenery. Either way, some serious rigging and pegging will be required here, so be sure to leave this one to the professionals.
@metastudio__, @joooo.ann, The Make Haus
Invest in a Stylist or Set Designer
This is one area worthy of investing budget that will pay dividends come your special day. Working with a stylist or set designer will not only take your ideas to another level and create an installation beyond your wildest dreams, they too will be able to handle all the nitty gritty of creating and installing. From conceptualizing, through to sourcing the material and equipment and devising a safe plan and team for bumping in and out, they'll take all the labourious logistics off your hands so you can simply be immersed on your wedding day. They will also take careful consideration to lighting, working with natural or artificial light in way that truly emphasizes the nature of the installation.
Sandy Liang, Flo Dohmer, Lauren Reid, Rebecca Marie Weddings, Bureau Betak, Christo and Jeanne-Claude
Get Inspired with AI
The fairytale world of AI can be a dream source for inspiration. While not always realistic to replicate, it can provide you with unconventional, albeit magical ideas and inspiration for the design, fabric, color, texture, placement and more. Some of our favorite AI artists we recommend to inspire you for your planning include Andrés Reisinger, Joann Studio, Jean Jacques Balzac and Rebecca Marie Weddings.
