MEET MATTHEW OF MATTHEW ROBBINS DESIGN

Matthew: You can do so much with candles and objects. Treat your table like a fabulous vignette and style the center of the table with your favorite collectibles, objects and treasures. Remember you need all of these eclectic items to have cohesion so hold it all together by working within a specific color palette. I love using found objects as decor. Treat the objects like flowers by using the pieces to bring color and volume to the table. Mix candles into your display and you will have a fabulous centerpiece ready for any wedding or party. Find an inspiration such as a time period, travel destination or color palette to inspire the objects you choose for your display.

Plants are a great option for someone looking to avoid traditional flowers. I love large potted ferns for a ceremony and beautiful herb plants as centerpiece decor. Last but not least, candles are always a wonderful solution for someone looking to avoid traditional floral decor. Just remember for impact you need loads of candles if you aren’t doing flowers!! Create large groupings of pillar candles for a ceremony or cluster these down a hallway in glass hurricanes for an elegant and unfussy entrance.  

TBC:  What’s your most favorite floral detail at a wedding, the one floral design that you LOVE to create?
 
Matthew:  I always enjoy creating bridal bouquets. They are so much fun as each one is unique. There are always multiple centerpieces, bridesmaids bouquets and boutonnieres but only one bridal bouquet and they always represent the overall direction for the wedding as they are infused with the bride’s personal style. 

Matthew:  I recognized the need for good design books and resources in the event and wedding industries. I noticed the desire in my clients to find inspiration and ideas that live comfortably in the world of art, design and fashion instead of being limited to tired, old-fashioned and fussy wedding trends. For so many years the event and wedding resources out there really lived in a vacuum and did not relate to trends or standards in the design world. I wanted to bring that design savvy eye to the table for planning a party or a wedding and empower readers to think like a stylist, artist or designer. I also wanted to bring a more effortless, personal and authentic approach to wedding and event design.  

Matthew:  Remember you can’t win every battle so focus your time and your funds on the essentials. Don’t get overwhelmed by trying to incorporate too many ideas into your wedding planning or decor. Remember sometimes a cake can just be a cake or an escort card is great, simply as just an escort card! I see a growing problem with brides feeling pressured and overwhelmed by the industry and the endless stream of ideas. Focus on keeping things meaningful and personal. Your wedding doesn’t need to be the most unusual and one of a kind event but it will feel truly unique and really different if you keep it personal and true to who you are.
 
Use your own style compass to navigate all of the things you will need for your wedding and remember sometimes (and almost always) less is always more! If you do something right you don’t need to knock everyone out with the idea. It just has to be executed correctly! The simplest ideas are often the best so focus your energy on telling a cohesive, tailored and well edited story with your design!

Matthew: I’m currently loving anything paired with grey and I’m also enjoy copper as an alternative to gold or silver. I recently design a party with grey fabric covered walls, pewter linens and really vibrant deep pink floral accents. It was so chic and fabulous. One of my favorite recent color combos is grey, gold and ivory. I also always enjoy a wedding filled with many shades of green.