Coverall Event Coordination Blog: EXTREME THEME: Art Exhibition

Happy Friday everybody! Today's Extreme Theme was a really fun one to come up with. I hope you enjoy this little artistic adventure.

All weddings are an exhibition in some form of another. We take items that we feel are beautiful and reflective of our tastes and personality and we put these items together, on display, for others to discuss and admire.

Art is a bit of a broad concept and it can be incorporated in thousands (or perhaps millions) of ways. This theme is really one of self expression directed especially toward the artsy couple and is inspired by a friend of mine. (I won't mention her name here, however, as she would undoubtedly assume that I mean this as a hint for her to hurry up and get married soon; and as such she would likely never speak to me again).

The Ceremony: Art Gallery

An art gallery is perhaps the most obvious location for an art-based extreme theme. The National Art Gallery of Canada is a spectacular venue and hosts some of the most beautiful weddings in Ottawa. Most cities have some type of gallery that may be suitable for this theme.

All of the programs at this wedding are a hand-painted design created by the bride. It makes a beautiful keepsake.

From hand-painted programs to hand-painted bouquets... this wedding has a touch of art infused into every detail.

[Photo compliments of momental]

Reception: Exhibition Hall

Art is naturally used to give character, definition, and colour to a space. Why not do the same for your wedding reception? You need not go out and purchases tens of thousands of dollars worth of art to do this. Purchase a few blank canvases in a variety of sizes (or build your own if you have the know-how) and paint these to match the colour scheme of the wedding. Hang a few pieces behind the head table staggered at various heights.

For each guest, paint their name on a small piece of paper and place it in a miniature photo frame to act as a place card.

At each place setting provide a small blank canvas for each guest. Also provide the table with a few items to colour the canvas (paint may be ideal but only if you can find some type of self contained paint-in-brush contraption... I've seen this type of thing for children but it wouldn't be ideal). You could use pastels, markers, or pencil crayons. Tell the guests that each of them is to create a piece for the bride and groom which the couple will then use to create a collage on a wall in their home. This collage will represent their wedding and all of the people in their lives who mean so much to them.

In the center of the table use a thick antique square photo frame with a mirror inside as the base for your floral arrangement. If you can find enough frames you could use this concept on a buffet table on in any number of places around your reception room.

The wedding cake is made of two square layers with each side of the cake "painted" with eight of the couple's favourite paintings. A small frame has been placed on each side to accent each of the beautiful paintings.

During dinner a contemporary dance group performs a stunning piece which tells the story of a man and woman who are lost until they finally find one another and become whole.

A caricature artist is hired to draw pictures of the guests throughout the evening so that each guest can leave with a little piece of art of their own.