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.


Do you have ideas on how this theme can be made even more extreme? Feel free to share them in the comments section.

Happy EXTREME Planning!

Sophie

Coverall Event Coordination

EXTREME THEME: Film Festival

Extreme Theme is a new series that I'll be posting every other week. For each post I'll take a theme and go totally over the top with ideas on how this theme could really be brought to life. Choosing a theme is all about making a statement about who you are and/or what matters to you. This series is going to go to places that some couples would never dare go - but feel free to use some or all of these ideas as you please. AND if you want to add some of your own ideas to an Extreme Theme post please do!

This week, I'm kick-starting the series with a nod to tiff (the Toronto International Film Festival) which started yesterday. So without any further ado... I bring you the Film Festival theme:

Ceremony: Red Carpet

Any great film festival starts with a long red carpet lined with fans and media waiting for the stars to arrive. I picture this wedding taking place outdoors with a red carpet aisle runner extending from the road to the alter. Guests are closed off behind a line of red velvet rope anxiously awaiting the arrival of the wedding party and, of course, the bride.

As the gaggle of groomsmen make their way down the red carpet toward the alter they stop an pose for a few photos (they have to keep their fans happy after all!). When all the groomsmen are in place at the front a white limo pulls up to the red carpet. The chauffeur makes his way around and opens the door. One by one each of the bridesmaids make their way out of the car and up the red carpet (stopping every so often to pose for their fans, of course).

After the maid of honour is out of the limo the driver leaves so that the bride's car can pull up to the carpet. As the chauffeur opens the door the fans cheer and clap with excitement! The bride makes her way down the aisle... she may even stop to sign an autograph or two.

As the guests sit and listen to the beautiful ceremony one guest takes a look over his invitation. It's a super-creative invitation.

Cocktails: Interviews

After the ceremony the bride and groom are swept away in their limo while their guests look on. Everyone makes their way to the theatre for cocktails. A reporter (the videographer) from "Bride&Groom Extra" waits just outside the building to interview guests as they arrive. He asks for their opinions on the ceremony production and asks that they say a few words for the fans watching at "Bride&Groom Extra" (i.e. a message for the bride and groom).

Reception: Dinner and a Movie

After cocktails the guests make their way to the main dining room where they'll enjoy dinner and a movie (a slide show presentation brilliantly produced as a short film).

After dinner a few of the guests are presented with awards for which they will have to make an acceptance speech (toasts to the bride and groom). The Best Man is presented with the Best Makeup Award (a picture of the Best Man wearing a dress and lipstick at the age of three pops up on the big screen). The Maid of Honour is presented with the Best Choreography Award (a short clip of the Maid of Honour dancing in her MC Hammer pants at the age of 14 plays on the screen). The Father of the Bride is announced as the winner of the Best Documentary Award (a short clip of the bride's father filming his two-year old daughter on a camping trip pops up... dad, of course, is providing the commentary). The Father of the Groom is presented with the Best Costume Design Award (a photo of the Father of the Groom dressed up for Halloween is displayed). And finally, the award for Best Picture is presented to the Bride and Groom (the couple's engagement photo is displayed on the screen... beautiful).

Dancing: The After-Party

No Film Festival would be complete without a fabulous after-party! The reception venue is ready for a party with chic lounge areas and party lighting. The bride and groom are certain to make an appearance!

Additional Notes:

Colours: Black, white, red, and gold.

Favours: Can you say Chocolate Oscar Statue?! Ha!

Flowers: The bridesmaids wear small wrist corsages and the bride wears a beautiful floral arrangement in her hair (when was the last time you saw people carrying bouquets down the red carpet?).

Have some more ideas on how this theme could be made extreme? Be sure to share them in the comments section.

Happy Planning!

Sophie

Coverall Event Coordination