The Art of Decadence
by Sunni Vogel

Whether you call it the “Art of Decadence” or the “Pleasures of Excess,” fabulous weddings exude it.  When it comes to designing your wedding, remember that the new adage is “more is more fabulous and less is simply less.”
There’s no better example of this new state-of-mind than brides ordering double and triple the amount of rose petals for their petal runners—since a sprinkling of petals simply won’t do when one wishes to walk on a blanket of beautiful, fragrant rose petals. 
    Another example is the grand entrance into the ballroom.  Instead of harsh light bulbs, an entrance bathed in candlelight makes for a warm, elegant effect.  You can use a large number of tapers, pillars and tea lights placed high and low.
   Weaving your signature style into every aspect of your wedding reflects your passion for pleasurable excess.  Make your wedding memorable by showcasing your love of lavender and don’t stop with the lavender sachet table favor wrapped in dupioni silk and double satin ribbon. When lavender lemonade is passed among guests upon arrival, when guests are given lavender to shower the newlyweds, and when your wedding cake is soaked in lavender syrup—that’s an experience your guests will never forget.  And, remember, there’s no such thing as too much lavender. 
    If your signature style involves coastal design, fret not.  From place cards of capezio shells to a shipwrecked boat filled from bow-to-stern with Anchor Steam on ice, your wedding will exude your love of sand and surf.  Rustic meets elegance as seashells sit in textured sand captured by rich shell-toned linens.
    The new wedding now involves hosting multiple weekend events leading up to the main event, instead of the standard format of rehearsal dinner followed by next-day ceremony and reception.  Standard, not to be confused with traditional, has become a naughty word in the wedding industry.   New wedding format is to keep the guests guessing.  
    As with any good show, the first act is simply to entertain and allow for the late arrivals.  A pre-wedding game of champagne croquet anyone?
    Decadence does not always rely on quantity to create impact.  If your dream wedding is to impress the Sultan, a flock of peacocks parading through the reception can take your wedding right to the top.   Peacocks, not known for their social graces, do at times find themselves on tops of tables.  If guests follow in suit, that would help get the celebration literally off the ground.  
   If the very thought of peacocks or other flying friends makes you cringe, you can create a royal moment by including the Royal Guard—or in this case, royal service—in the event. 
    For small intimate weddings, the presence of one server per couple exudes elegance and personal service.  As each course is presented, staff line up behind the guests and serve all the guests at the same time, then disappear into the backdrop.   
    When living the decadent life, does the wedding have to end with a bang?  
    There’s no firm answer to this.  As a rule, I recommend that the wedding ends when you are ready for it to end. 
    Speaking as someone who plans her career and social calendar around sleeping in late, my next suggestion is purely self-indulgent.   Forget the formal breakfast the day after your wedding and secretly arrange for room service for all the wedding guests staying at your hotel.  Schedule a morning delivery of coffee, scones, preserves, special periodicals, and a personalized note of warmest appreciation for their attendance on your most cherished day.  The luxury of breakfast in bed will remind them of how much you care and how happy you are that they have come to share in your happiness.  
   The Art of Decadence will be ever so evident.