Question 1

What styling trends do you think will be popular in 2022?

Accepted Answer

The popular décor and themes for 2022 promise to be bolder than ever, and what links them is nostalgia. I don't think it's any coincidence given the last 18 months that people are looking to the past rather than the present for inspiration. Among the trends I expect to see are: Period features – With costume dramas in high concentration we expect to see trends develop around this theme. Pretty pastels, timepieces such as gramophones and brandy bars are more popular than ever and add a nice touch to any event. Disco details – The focus on all things glitter, neon, and retro have not disappeared, and I think it's a trend that will continue to grow throughout 2022. With many companies now offering reasonably priced bespoke neon signs, the world is your oyster. Seeking nature – We are seeing increasing numbers of people wanting to bring the outside in. Whether you hire real plants in volume or silk alternatives, it can be done sympathetically and will dramatically alter marquees and indoor spaces. Unusual table configurations – This trend has been developing for some time. Whether it's a mixture of square, rectangular and long tables or something completely different like our S Table. It's nice to mix and match and makes planning even more fun. There is also a move away from classic materials, and our hairpin leg tables are a welcome change from the standard trestle versions.

Question 2

My wife-to-be and I are getting married in a few weeks and have left most of the planning until the last minute! I'm panicking about how to decorate our venue. Do you have any suggestions?

Accepted Answer

Leaving things until the last minute is not always a bad thing. I love a short time scale as there is something brilliantly decisive about it. You don't have years to chop and change with trends and outside influence. You have to be punchy and back to basics about what you need and what you can secure in time.When it comes to the styling side of things, it's best to pour yourself a cup of tea or glass of wine and start with the fundamentals. Work out what you want to communicate to your guests through the styling. What colours, textures and features show who you are and what you're about? Then work out what is viable at short notice in terms of DIY vs bringing a professional in. If a styling company can step in last minute, then great - you may have found an easy answer for how to get things done. If not, look to purchase items and perhaps re-sell them post-event. Handmake what you can. Use chalkboards and pens if you don't have time to order printed stationery. A few key things in the right places can make any event look styled, so why not buy a few things that might work in your house afterwards and use them at the wedding? Such as coloured candles or hanging paper lanterns. At Megan and Claude, we love a statement piece. A nice sideboard instead of a standard table for your cake, or perhaps a tall plant or two to flank the doorways. These things can be brought home and loved long after your event. Always remember that sometimes less is more and that, if you've booked an attractive reception space, you may not need to panic about doing much at all. It's easy to get carried away with the amount of variety and choice available.

Question 3

My partner and I love the macramé trend and would love to incorporate it into our decorations. Do you have any styling ideas?

Accepted Answer

Macramé elements are a great way of adding a boho nod to your celebrations or creating a showstopping display. For 2022, I predict macramé lanterns in lovely colours adorned with beautifully designed flower clouds hanging over tables. Bold colours is also a popular trend, and you could even team your macramé with balloons to create a fun element. I love the intricate gifts brides are creating for the bridal party and guests. A variety of macramé chair backs can be converted into wall hangings for people to take home, or how about a fairy-lit lantern to hang in the home office to remind them daily of your special day? Alternatively, opt for small macramé elements adorning the breakfast menu or table plan that your loved ones can take with them.

Question 4

Our wedding is fast approaching, and we need to book our venue stylist, but we're a little worried about booking someone online that we've never met. What should we ask before making a decision?

Accepted Answer

Stylists take the space, your ideas for theme, colours and mood and combine them into a vision that works for you. Some stylists, including ourselves, are prop based, meaning we combine physical props, handmade items, tableware and smaller details with your overall vision. Other suppliers don't hold stock and are a decorative administration service, bringing in other elements from the outside. Both options can be very effective. You will know very quickly upon speaking to someone whether they understand what you want to achieve. When it comes to couples, they fall broadly into two categories. Those for whom the look and feel are very important and have a clear vision and those who rely on the stylists to make suggestions. Before you contact a supplier, know which couple you are and the route you're taking. If you're the former, then send over your moodboard and ask if they have any examples of similar things they've done. If the latter, give them the simple details of the interior at your venue and a vague idea of the colours you like. They are likely to ask you for a few keywords to describe you and your style. A good stylist will be able to talk about what you know already and then offer you ideas to what they envisage, stock, charge and how it all works. Chat with your supplier, and you will know very quickly if they are for you. As a stylist, there is nothing better than speaking to a bride or groom struggling with this element and leaving the call excited and knowing exactly what they need.

Question 5

We're having a rustic-themed wedding in a gorgeous barn. Do you have any ideas of how we can style it?

Accepted Answer

The joy of a barn is that they are often blank canvases. You don't have the colour of the carpet, curtains or walls to take into account, meaning you often have infinite freedom when it comes to styling. Here are some of our top styling tips: - Create an atmosphere with lighting. We love a festoon bulb strung from a beam. Stone walls look great with up-lighters against them and candles are a clever way of creating an intimate and inviting space. - Use height to your advantage. Barns often have high ceilings and beams on which you can attach decorations. They're great for hanging flowers, bunting or string lights. You could use draping to create a more glamorous look or cover beams with greenery or floral garlands. - The un-fussy nature of a barn setting lends itself perfectly to a more opulent table display, even if you want to keep the rustic theme, you can go for a more chic look by bringing in elegant features, such as cut glassware. - If you have a large barn, create areas of interest, such as a lounge area or interactive zones.

FAQs and expert advice about venue styling