The Maximalist Wedding Guide

You've probably heard of minimalist weddings when the main features of the occasion are highlighted with just a few decorations. However, 2023 is the year for you if you're the "more is more" guy! Expensive, extravagant wedding designs are popular right now. The maximalist trend will appeal to you if that describes you.

However, what precisely is a maximalist wedding? Why is it currently a popular wedding trend? Would you like to organize one? We are here to assist in providing answers to all of those queries.

What is a maximalist wedding?

Maximalist weddings, which are the antithesis of minimalist weddings, celebrate opulence. Maximalist weddings advocate doing more, more, more, as opposed to the "less is more" design philosophy! In maximalist design, no hue is overly ostentatious, and no texture is excessively striking. Modern maximalist wedding fashion celebrates bold clothing, long hair, and eye-catching glitter. Despite what you may have heard, maximalist weddings don't have to be noisy, cluttered, or expensive.

Many engaged couple décor are drawn to contemporary maximalist weddings' style, independence, and audacious energy, from the theme and décor to the attire and cuisine. Everyone attending a maximalist wedding can relax, indulge, and enjoy life to the fullest.

It is possible to have a more modest ceremony and a huge, boisterous reception! Both the ceremony and the reception, or any combination of the two, can benefit from maximalism. A go-big-or-go-home attitude is embodied by entertaining, daring events that appeal to maximalists who want to create a genuinely unforgettable experience for themselves and their loved ones.

24 maximalist wedding ideas to go above and beyond

Yes, more is more. However, how can this vibe be achieved without going overboard? Additionally, is it possible to go too far with a maximalist wedding?

Here are some pointers to help engaged couples apply maximalism to all facets of wedding preparation. Get ideas to assist in organizing a wedding that radiates pleasure, happiness, and individuality.

Venue ideas for a maximalist wedding

1. Consider large spaces with a variety of event setup options. Engaged couples can experiment with almost every element of "traditional wedding planning" when they throw a maximalist wedding. Don't feel limited by conventional reception seating configurations or ceremony setups (such as theater-style with a central aisle). Choose a wedding location that loves to host unique weddings, has a range of indoor and outdoor venues, and offers several table sizes and setup possibilities. You could even do a mid-event shuffle and introduce a brand-new reception design if you want to go all out!

2. Search for a wedding venue with pre-existing décor. Striking architecture, daring wallpaper selections, a grand interior design, distinctive style, and other eye-popping venue enhancements provide an amazing canvas fodécoraximalist wedding. Selecting a location that exudes luxury already could also reduce future decorating expenses.

3. Ask venue managers for their advice. Seek out locations that have hosted maximalist weddings before. Clearly state your goals and expectations up front, and seek locations that share your love of decadence. You can identify the perfect area and eliminate those that don't suit the bill by having clear expectations. Ask about the contract's many elements before signing anything, such as the deposit requirements and any restrictions on decoration that might conflict with your big-picture concept.

Incorporate maximalism into your wedding design.

4. Establish your overall theme. Select a central theme that will be the basis for all your maximalist and wedding preparation decisions. The minimalist or maximalist design can be used for everything from weddings with a galaxy theme to those with a winter wonderland theme. Your design decisions will determine everything. A particular color scheme, cultural custom, or historical period could be the subject of your maximalist wedding. This will assist you in maintaining focus and ensuring that all the components of your wedding come together.

5. Make your invitations pop. As the first thing guests see about your wedding, invitations establish the mood. Use an eye-catching design to give your invitations a little sparkle. Additionally, try utilizing acrylic stationery or selecting invitations with unusual shapes. Papier and Co. offer a stylish invitation design called "Maximalist." The Maximalist is a modern and architecturally fascinating design with a rounded top. Think about using crystal embellishments, lace trimming, or laser engraving to welcome your guests in style.

6. Inspire guests with a daring dress code. A maximalist wedding's clothing code shouldn't be a "code" at all. Encourage guests to dress whichever they like, as long as they stay within reason. Promote vivid hues and playful designs, and create a statement with your wedding dress—the more colorful, the better!

7. Create a helpful wedding website centered around the theme. The theme should be the focal point of a wedding website, which should include images and links to assist guests in finding the required information. Use your website to inform guests in advance if the event will be hosted outside or if you would want to provide samples of your dress code.

Maximalist wedding ideas for the ceremony and reception

8. Dress to impress and awe guests. Bright colors, striking patterns, needlework, feathers, a range of textures, or any other design aspect that appeals to them should all be embraced by maximalist couples. Avoid conventional dresses, tuxedos, and coordinated wedding party apparel. Self-expression is encouraged by maximalism, so go ahead and express yourself!

9. Make an extraordinary entrance. Make a stunning entrance to impress your guests and arrive at your maximalist wedding in style. Imagine arriving by boat if your wedding location is on a lake or beach. Do you know of any horse-drawn carriage services in the area? Look for premium automobile rental providers if you'd rather drive a red Lamborghini to the wedding. Plan an entrance that your guests and family will discuss for years to come, and look into special services offered nearby. To highlight the group that assisted you in getting to the altar, consider incorporating a spectacular bridal party entrance.

10. Book awe-inspiring wedding entertainment. Seek out a sizable brass band, choir, or other unusual musicians. Additionally, don't stop arranging your entertainment after you've hired a band. Create unique wedding entertainment concepts to wow your guests. Look into local cirque-style entertainers such as dancers, fire jugglers, snake charmers, or acrobats to offer once-in-a-lifetime entertainment. For suggestions on performers, contact nearby dancing studios and institutions. In addition to creating close-knit groups, artists and performers frequently have great tips for performers with highly specialized skill sets.

11. Show off your skills. On your special day, you might use your or your loved ones' talents to go big or home! Can you play an instrument, dance, sing, or recite poetry? This could be the ideal moment to demonstrate your abilities or the bridal party's! Just allow them plenty of time to rehearse before the event.

12. Light up the night sky. One of the best ideas is exiting a maximalist wedding as spectacular as the entrance. For this reason, we suggest a spectacular farewell, such as a laser light show, a professional fireworks display, or premiere-style spotlights outside your wedding location. Your event should end as gloriously as it began.

Maximalist wedding ideas for décor

13. Mix-and-match pattedécorcolors, textures, styles, and other design elements. In any case, who wants cohesion? Enjoy yourselves! Mix and match different patterns, textures, and materials to give your design depth and intrigue. Velvet lines, metallic embellishments, and patterned wall coverings are some of our favorites. Additionally, a maximalist wedding is a fantastic chance to use vivid and striking hues. Be bold and go all out, regardless of whether you decide on a spectrum of colors or a monochromatic color scheme.

14. Use many colors, styles, types, and sizes of flowers. Flowers are the ideal option if you want to cut costs on maximalist wedding décor. Try a wide range of flowers and greenery because maximalist design doesn't require matchy-matchy. Combine modern flowers with classic wedding bouquets. Don't be afraid to invite orchids and roses to the wedding if the mood strikes. To save money, buy flowers that are in season. Combine giant filler flowers, like dahlias, alliums, or sunflowers, for aesthetically beautiful and reasonably priced bouquets with smaller blossoms.

15. Create bold and elaborate table settings. For many of us, it is difficult to resist the need to establish symmetry and order. As you plan your maximalist wedding, allow yourself to defy your instincts and enjoy a little chaos. Don't restrain yourself; experiment with creative decorated combinations that spring to mind. Try out several centerpiece concepts, investigate unusual pairings, and seek out one-of-a-kind items. Try various styles, patterns, and textures to create one-of-a-kind, eye-catching table settings. Maximalist wedding design might use tall vases, enormous floral arrangements, and striking plating patterns.

16. Use vibrant textiles. Cover dining tables with various textiles or drape chairs in vivid, striking textiles. To find unique textiles, frequently visit thrift stores and take advantage of clearance deals at craft stores. Ask to view the rental company's complete inventory if you're dealing with them. It may contain a seldom-used showstopper.

17. Have a statement piece. The main goal of a maximalist wedding is to create an extravagant setting. Consider adding hanging installations, unusual lighting, and enormous floral arrangements to make a statement in your wedding venue. Alth Decorceiling décor is a fantastic way to wow your guests. You can also amaze them with grounded components.

18. Customize unexpected items and spaces. Don't forget that by selecting imaginative décor items, the little things can have a great impression at your wedding. Consider adding surprising components like ornate place settings, personalized dance floor decals, and themed menu cards.

Maximalist wedding menu ideas

19. Craft complex cocktails. Serve elaborate cocktails to wedding guests that embrace mixology and feature a range of ingredients. Consider including a show-related beverage, but first, ensure you have the room, equipment, and bartender crew to accommodate your themed wedding drink ideas. Galaxy Cocktails are a visual delight for bar patrons, showcasing vivid hues that shift as they are mixed. Serve your guests a drunken drink that looks as dramatic as it sounds: the Professor's Poisoned Apple. This drink adds a bit of theater to any maximalist wedding because it is bright red and uses dry ice to create a fog-like emission.

20. Open up the bar. Attendees may anticipate an open bar wedding unless otherwise noted in advance. It will take skilled bartenders to create limitless maximalist cocktails. Your wedding budget should account for high alcohol costs, and you should notify the service workers well in advance so they can make the necessary arrangements.

21. Serve dishes that ooze excess. Make daring and creative menu selections for your wedding. Use costly ingredients, striking color schemes, and elaborate plating to create dishes that will wow your wedding guests. You may delight your guests with mouthwatering flavors, distinctive textures, and surprising menu items. Combine different cuisines and service philosophies to create a memorable supper for your loved ones.

22. Top off your maximalist wedding with a towering treat. Don't be afraid to go big with the cake's dimensions. Don't hesitate to pile the cake high. We are fans of this eight-tiered confection known as "The Showstopper." The cake, made by A Bake Shop, is the ideal example of combining maximalist elegance and extravagance.

23. Kick cake decorations up a notch. When it comes to creating a wedding cake with a maximalist theme, creativity is key. Consider the cake a sculpture, a visual focal point that will wow your guests. Select an abstract or exotic design that uses graphic prints, color, and clashing patterns.

24. DIY your dessert table. Serve lavish individual sweets dripping with maximalism to your wedding guests if your budget does not permit an enormous or heavily decorated cake. Make maximalist brownies loaded with candies, icing, chips, almonds, and whatever else you can think of. In many regions of the American Midwest, cookie tables are even considered regional customs.

Frequently asked questions about maximalist weddings.

What is maximalism?

Maximalism is a style that encourages the notion that "more is more" and is mainly discussed in terms of design. Putting a lot of objects on show and combining different creative elements, such as color, texture, and shape, are all part of maximalism. "Maximalism is the art of more-is-more; layered patterning, highly saturated colors, ample accessories, and art (likely hung salon-style,' and a real sense of playfulness and bold gestures," Keren Richter of White Arrow noted in her 2021 interview with Vogue.

Are maximalist weddings expensive?

It won't be as easy as organizing a minimalist wedding. Still, you could host a maximalist wedding on a budget by using clever wedding décor tricks and carefully negotiating vendor rates. Instead of going all out with the theme, you might try adding maximalist elements to your wedding, depending on your budget. To incorporate maximalist wedding features without going over budget, encourage guests to dress boldly, select unusual, colorful décor, or reserve a space with an eye-catching layout.

Are there any famous maximalist weddings?

Nick Jonas and Priyanka Chopra's 2018 wedding was a maximalist event for the ages and one of the most extravagant celebrity weddings we can remember. The three-day nuptial celebration featured several rites and was religiously diverse. Chopra dazzled guests in a Ralph Lauren bespoke gown that was transparent. The outfit took over 1,826 hours and was embellished with mother-of-pearl paillettes, Swarovski crystals, crystal beads, and lace! Chopra used a 75-foot-long tulle veil to elevate her ensemble in a typical maximalist way.