The Event Planner’s Guide to Mood Boarding
James & Chris - 15/02/2025
Creating a vision board allows you to refine your vision, ensuring that every element—colour palettes, textures, materials, and decorative details—works together to create a seamless and immersive experience.
When it comes to styling an event, a well-crafted mood board is the foundation of a cohesive and beautifully executed design. It also helps maintain a balance of form and function, ensuring that the event is not only visually stunning but also practical and comfortable for guests. For our most recent wedding at Luminare, South Melbourne’s stunning rooftop venue, we drew inspiration from the timeless elegance of The Plaza Hotel’s Palm Court in NYC. This iconic setting set the tone for a black-and-white palette, complemented by grand old-fashioned bars, classic cocktails, and luxurious accessories. Our design was guided by key styling principles, ensuring a balance of form, function, and refined aesthetics.
Mood board - James & Chris Wedding
To achieve Size & Scale we incorporated large statement pieces, such as French basket chandeliers and towering palm trees each added grandeur while maintaining an intimate atmosphere.
Reflection & Light: With ample natural daylight and soaring cavity ceilings, we incorporated draping to diffuse the light and create a sense of intimacy, adding warmth and softness to the space.
Form & Function: While aesthetics were key, guest comfort was equally important. Luxe seating and a custom-built runway through the dining room ensured a stylish yet comfortable experience.
Layering & Texture: We balanced high-gloss white flooring with sheer nude ceiling draping, black table linen, and crisp white and green florals to create a sophisticated yet inviting ambiance. The tables featured a refined mix of classic crystal glassware, gold-brushed cutlery, gold-rimmed plates, and elegant taper candles for a touch of warmth and luxury.
Here’s how we translated our mood board into a breath-taking wedding design:
Lush Green Palms: Inspired by The Plaza Hotel’s iconic greenery, we incorporated lush green palms to create a sense of opulence and luxury.
Tall, Sheer Nude Draping: Soft, flowing drapery was used to craft a dramatic dining room reveal, while softening the ceiling, adding warmth, and enhancing the intimate ambiance.
A Statement Bar: To create height and scale, we designed a striking floral-laden bar with blooms climbing up the walls for a truly show-stopping effect.
Personalized Dance Floor Insignia: A bespoke monogram featuring the couple’s initials, J&C, was placed on the dance floor, adding a personal and luxurious touch.
Gold Taper & Pillar Candles: The flicker of warm candlelight across the tables created a romantic and ambient glow throughout the space.
Reflective Elements: Crystal chandeliers, paired with a white high-gloss runway and dance floor, amplified light and atmosphere, adding a sense of grandeur.
Arch-Shaped Details: The couple’s invitations featured an elegant arch shape, which we echoed in design elements such as signage and menu cards, bringing a cohesive theme to life.
Fresh White & Green Florals with a Hint of Blush: A timeless palette of crisp white and lush greenery was softened with delicate blush tones, adding a touch of romance and sophistication.
Linen & Napery: To anchor the guest seating, we paired black table linen with fresh white woven napkins, creating depth and contrast. The custom-built white bridal party table, along with elegant white place settings, elevated the bridal table and ensured it remained the focal point of the celebration.
This careful layering of texture, light, and scale turned inspiration into reality, capturing the essence of old-world charm with modern refinement.
Mood boarding played an essential role in refining this vision, allowing us to map out textures, materials, and design elements before bringing them to life. By focusing on balance, contrast, and harmony, we achieved a look that felt both opulent and inviting. Whether you're planning a wedding, corporate event, or intimate gathering, starting with a mood board is the key to translating inspiration into reality.
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