Light it Up!
There’s something about a prism of sparkling light that fascinates us all. We’re not quite sure what it is, but when we see it dance — the flicker of a glistening diamond, glowing frost-lit icicles, a twinkling star — we are instantly mesmerized. The truth is, we may never outgrow our attraction to shiny, sparkly things, so it’s no wonder some couples are incorporating a touch of shimmer into their wedding décor and garb.
Silver and gold
December weddings can provide the perfect wintry backdrop for a color palette of frosty metallics, but silver and gold can be enchanting in any season. When Lisa Zuckerman, 34, and Mike Peckham, 32, of Los Angeles married at the L.A. River Center and Gardens on Oct. 22, it was all about the sparkle, and lustrous reflective elements played starring roles in creating a soft, intimate tone.
Zuckerman chose a palette of silver, gold, copper and bronze after being inspired by photos in a magazine. The fall wedding was held outdoors by a fireplace, where flickering candlelight and firelight competed to dance across gleaming décor that included gilded flower arrangements, mercury glass and gold, silver and bronze silk throw pillows. “I wanted to create a romantic, ethereal atmosphere,” Zuckerman said.
“It takes someone with a sense of design to go after a palette like that,” said Angela Tormey of Sterling Social Events & Experiences in Brentwood, who with partner Erin Sprinkel planned the Zuckerman wedding. “You might think that metallic would look harsh, but it was soft and beautiful,” she noted, describing the look as vintage with a modern, fashion-forward flair. “Wedding palettes of muted metallic are definitely a growing trend,” she said, adding, “You can take a neutral palette and turn it into something incredibly elegant.”
Elegant, indeed. Zuckerman’s bridesmaids wore dresses in a rainbow of metallic hues and textures, including one with gold sequins, a vintage beaded gunmetal gray dress, and another with bronze flower petals. Zuckerman recalled, “My best friend, a male bridesmaid, wore a gray suit with a gold bow tie.” That same friend created a custom bouquet for the bride out of vintage metallic beaded brooches donated by family and friends. Flower girls wore gold sparkly shoes and tossed flower petals out of tiny gold mesh bags.
But Zuckerman isn’t the only fan of silver and gold. In fact, just one month before, her wedding planner, Angela Tormey, had implemented a similar color scheme in her own wedding to Jonathan Margolis at the St. Regis Monarch Beach in Dana Point.
Tormey and Margolis chose a more muted metallic theme mixed with nudes, and plenty of reflective light for a natural sparkle. “We went with a modern approach, and used texture to create sparkle,” said Tormey, describing Mica wallpaper runners on tables, a collection of glimmering vintage containers, and chandeliers. “Candlelight really enhanced the shimmering effect,” she said.
Ice, ice, baby
A flash of a diamond on the bride’s hand, around her neck, or in her headpiece brings a respectable amount of bling to any wedding, but Zuckerman was going for a heavenly effect. Her Monique Lhuillier gown was accented with a silver-beaded sash that sparkled in the candlelight, and her hair glittered with a beautiful vintage brooch with clear Swarovski crystals — the perfect touch of ice. “There were candles everywhere,” she said, “along with four huge trees strung with magical twinkling lights.”
At Tormey’s wedding, dining tables were draped in champagne ruffled linens and held pewter and silver floral vases of Lizanithus. “The candlelight in the room reflected off of every textured surface,” she said. Her Amsale “Harlow” wedding dress was accented with a vintage beaded sash and extravagant Jimmy Choo ‘clue’ glitter slingback pumps.
Sweets are even sweeter when enhanced with edible glitz, according to Tormey. Her display of mini-desserts included chocolate caramel ganache shots detailed with gold and silver metallic edible beading, and French vanilla macarons dusted with edible silver and gold powder, created by Cupcakes Couture in Manhattan Beach. The sweets were displayed on shimmering crystal and silver mica wrapped risers.
A wedding cake is a natural canvas for a true “frosting,” as well. Jane Lockhart of Sweet Lady Jane in Los Angeles noted that hand-painting gold and silver designs directly onto a cake can create a stunning design. “The cake becomes like a jewel in the room,” she said.
—Jennifer Evans Gardner,
Custom Publishing Writer