The Value of Mock-ups Before the Wedding

Picture this:  the ballroom below set with alternating centerpieces, some tall and some low.  The taller centerpieces would feature beautiful shades of purple while the lower ones would showcase shades of white and yellow, in keeping with the violet and yellow color theme.

Halekulani Ballroom.  Photo by Kris Labang Photography.

At least, this was our original plan when discussing designs with the floral designer for this wedding.  Before solidifying the designs, however, I like to suggest a mock-up, or a sample design to be created so that the happy couple can see what is in store for their big day, and also, so that they have the opportunity to modify things to suit their liking.  For the mock-up for this particular wedding, the designer brought a long, slender glass pilsner vase, a squat glass vase, a purple floral arrangement to sit atop the pilsner, and a softer white and yellow arrangement to place atop the lower vase.

What we found at the mock-up, however, which took place in the venue where the wedding reception was to be held, was that the rich purple flowers, while stunning and show-stopping, seemed to lose its impact when placed atop of the pilsner, due to the darker shade of the ballroom walls.  When looking across the room, the purple flowers seemed less striking since visually, there was very little contrast.  Conversely, the white and yellow flowers placed on the low vase, seemed to blend into the table, since the table cloth was white.  Certainly, this would all be fine if the intention was to go for an understated look, but having two different centerpiece styles, of two different heights, with two different color schemes, was intentionally meant to play on contrast.

As such, we tried switching the floral pieces, placing the purple flowers on the low vase and the white and yellow flowers on the pilsner, and the result was a look with higher impact than originally planned, and a couple pleased with the outcome.

White and yellow floral arrangement placed atop the tall, pilsner vase to contrast against the dark colors of the wood-paneled ballroom walls.  Photo by Kris Labang Photography.

Purple flowers set on the low, squat vase, to contrast against the white table linen.  Photo by Kris Labang Photography.

 

See how noticeable the white and yellow flowers are, when contrasted against the dark walls, while the purple flowers on the table in the background seem to "pop" against the white table.  Contrast lends a high visual impact.  Photo by Kris Labang Photography.

Photo by Kris Labang Photography.

I cannot underscore the value of a mock-up prior to the wedding.  Having done so for our clients has impacted everything from specifics regarding the floral design, choice in linen, and decisions such as where to place the favor and whether to use chargers or napkin rings.  It also affords greater peace of mind on the wedding day, having a concrete idea of what the look of the wedding will be.  (I also happen to really enjoy the creative process that accompanies planning, preparing for, and executing the mock-up, and perhaps you will, too!)

Happy planning!