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Updated Oct 14, 202424 Extraordinarily Glamorous Ideas for a Luxury Wedding
No detail is too small when you want to go all out on the big day.
Your wedding day is a once-in-a-lifetime event, so it makes sense that you'd want to pull out all the stops to host an unforgettable, lavish celebration. From destination weddings to parties that rival celebrity nuptials, planning a luxury wedding has never been more popular (especially after several years of delays and elopements being the norm). But how exactly do you pull it off? If you're dreaming of a glamorous, sophisticated wedding vibe, we've got plenty of ideas.
In this article:
What Is a Luxury Wedding?
With an emphasis on customized details, high-end decor and a "more is more" mindset, a luxury wedding theme is perfect for couples who unabashedly love doing the most. But take a moment to pause before you start adding every over-the-top, glamorous idea to your vision board—the trick to nailing the luxury wedding look is to be very selective and intentional. This approach will help you create an extremely curated event where no detail is left overlooked and everything is planned to a T (one example: reception paper details that perfectly match the wedding invitations and other stationary). Ultimately, you want your guests to be wowed not only by a gorgeous event space, but also impressed by how you thought of everything in order to take your special day to the next level.
Luxury Wedding Venues
No matter your theme, the setting is fundamental in pulling off your dream wedding. When going for a luxe vibe, look for a wedding venue that's lavish and makes an impact—opulence and grandeur are key here. Ballrooms are some of the best wedding venues for this style, since most of them have ornate architectural elements for instant ambience, such as crown molding, large windows, detailed ceilings or impressive lighting fixtures. Other luxury wedding venues to consider include the atrium of an exquisite art museum, the garden at a historic estate (or castle, if you can find one) or any outdoor space with sweeping vistas, such as a gorgeous beachfront or mountaintop lookout.
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Luxury Wedding Attire
A high-end wedding theme calls for high fashion. Whether you're wearing a wedding dress, tuxedo or something totally unexpected, treat this day as your very own red carpet moment with an outfit that feels couture and on-trend. For your wedding dress, a ball gown silhouette or a fitted mermaid gown will always make a statement while also coming across as a bit more classic. If you're into something that's sexy but minimalistic, go with a slinky sheath gown or silk slip that skims your curves. Want to make even more of an impression? Wear a bridal pantsuit or wedding jumpsuit in lieu of a traditional dress. Turn to luxury wedding dress designers like Galia Lahav, Berta, Monique Lhuillier, Ines Di Santo, Pronovias and Vera Wang—all of whom are known for their custom celebrity gowns.
Whether rented or bespoke, the classic black tuxedo is a dapper look that's formal and put-together. You can't go wrong with it, but it's not your only option. Consider wearing a style made from velvet or a printed fabric if you're looking to break the sartorial mold. And finally, accessories are key for your luxury wedding: Finish a tuxedo by wearing an eye-catching bowtie, dazzling cuff links or swapping out the traditional patent leather shoes for trendy smoking slippers instead. Accessorize a stunning dress with designer heels or a pair of glamorous wedding gloves.
Luxury Wedding Colors
The color scheme sets the tone for the rest of your luxury wedding decor, from the flowers to the stationery, table settings and beyond. Monochromatic palettes—for example, an all-white wedding color scheme—naturally feel very sophisticated and cohesive. Using an accent color such as black adds contrast and intensity (compared to a palette completely comprised of only light colors, which will feel more airy and subtle). Metallic hues—silver for cool-toned palettes, gold for warm-toned palettes—are also a must when going for a glitzy vibe. Incorporate them through glassware and tableware, calligraphy details, decorative chairs or centerpiece vessels.
Jewel tones and neon brights can also convey a luxe vibe, but since these colors are generally considered less formal, you'll need to be intentional about choosing decor that doubles down on the luxury theme. It's also important to keep the existing decor and fixtures of your venue in mind: If your reception is being held in a ballroom with ornate red and gold carpet, a fuchsia and orange color palette will create an inconsistent, clashing effect.
Luxury Wedding Flowers
Over-the-top flower arrangements are a major staple at luxury weddings. From jaw-dropping wedding ceremony arches to table backdrops and floral canopies above the dance floor, you can use flowers to completely transform the space into something straight out of a fairytale. Tall wedding centerpieces are another way to leave your guests in awe as soon as they enter the room, or you can carry a cascading bouquet that draws attention as you walk. Specific flowers we love for a luxe wedding theme include phalaenopsis orchids, garden roses, wisteria vines, anthurium, and peonies. Keep the greenery to a minimum (specific varieties can risk looking too boho or rustic) and use other decorative accents to evoke drama instead, such as curly willow, manzanita branches, feathers or blooming cherry blossom branches.
Luxury Wedding Decor
"Go big or go home" is your motto, which means you love glamorous details at heart—and your wedding shouldn't be anything less. Start with custom-calligraphed wedding invitations to clue your guests into the formality of the occasion, or opt for boxed invitations with hand delivery for a total wow factor. You already know you're going for a luxury aesthetic, but picking a sub-theme can help guide the rest of your style decisions. Do you want your wedding day to feel modern glam? Incorporate details like acrylic accents, neon signs and mirrored surfaces. If you're drawn to an Old Hollywood or Art Deco-inspired wedding vibe, focus on sequins, geometric details, feather plumes and most importantly, a champagne tower.
Use candles (lots of them!) to create an intimate mood throughout your venue—even better if you choose a specific fragrance that will stand out as part of your guests' memories of the event. As for the place settings, use crystal stemware, ornate flatware and high-quality linens to add a luxurious vibe and rich texture to the dining experience. Make your guests feel like total VIPs by finishing each setting with a custom wedding place card. If your wedding venue has high ceilings, fill the space with chandeliers or draped fabric to make it feel more intimate (you can also do this for tented receptions and with temporary structures at outdoor venues).
Luxury Wedding Food
Get the party started by hosting a cocktail hour featuring a signature drink or two. Putting your own spin on classic cocktails, like a martini or an old fashioned, alludes to the glamorous wedding theme but allows you to personalize the drinks through presentation and garnishes. Take the mingling to a new level by setting up an interactive experience, like a champagne wall, prosecco cart or hiring tuxedo-dressed waiters who can multitask with passed hors d'oeuvres. When it's time for the meal, a seated, four- or five-course dinner is sure to impress. Four courses (appetizer, salad, entrée, dessert) are more complementary of a cocktail hour with appetizers, while five courses is the most traditional and a six-course meal is considered contemporary, consisting of more plates but smaller servings.
Luxury Wedding Theme Inspiration
Checking out real wedding photos is one of the best ways to get ideas for your own party. Here are some of the details we're loving for luxury wedding decor, attire, and more.
