- Setting the Stage – An Event Designed by John Connolly
FINDING DRAMATIC INSPIRATION
I’m soooo lucky – I’ve worked with some of the best event planners in Hollywood. We’ve worked huge – taking over airplane hangers (Santa Monica Airport) for Fashion Week. Or, created something so simple as a super romantic dinner for two (a catered wedding proposal). I’m lucky too, some of my best friends work in theater and film production.
What do these very different experiences have in common?
DRAMA~ has been called a heightened sense of reality.
FLAIR ~ is the talent for carefully selecting elements to build that heightened sense.
NARRATIVE ~ Great event planners know how to create a compelling story and a sense of place. So do theatre people.
Point being? A fabulous wedding has a lot in common with great theatre – and we do not mean drama queens or bridezillas!! We mean that heightened sense of life. So, these are tips we can take from great theatrical productions while planning your DIY wedding:
Tip #1: Create Your Narrative
You already have a love story – how do you want to tell it? Do you want to create a single act (short + sweet ceremony followed by an intimate reception). Or – do you want an epic that spreads over 3 days? How do you want to unfold the story of your wedding day to your guests? What is your theme? You might trying writing this out — in the way you’ll want to tell your kids, many years from now. You’ve probably got a lot of this all figured out, but creating a narrative helps structure a beginning, middle and (please say it isn’t so! ) the blissfully happy, end of the day. Write it down, journal it, write some love letters, get some love letters. The best people to write your love story are the two of you.
Write Love Letters - Photo David Johnson + Skye Moorhead
Tip #2: Design Your Stage
Have you noticed that the wedding ceremony has a number of theatrical elements? The chairs set up just like a theater. Guests are seated by ushers, handing each a ceremony program. The ceremony itself usually takes place on a raised platform, the music and lighting heightening the anticipation. The bride and her father walk down an aisle to the stage area. The groom comes forward, after waiting backstage….
If you hire a wedding planner, all of this is orchestrated for you. If you are DIYing most of the wedding yourself, then you get to envision and design all of this yourself. This is where flair comes in, which elements you decide are important and how you feature them. Think about the environment, which aspects you want to feature, and which you want to play down.
You have your story, so you can choose the elements: colors, textures, scale, background, furniture, mementos — all of these create fantastic backdrop for your wedding day.
Use lighting to heighten the drama. The very humble instructor at StageLlightingStore.com has written a number of really instructive articles about the theories behind good lighting. He/she calls it painting with light. Love that, painting with light :
Let me start by discussing some goals of theatrical lighting. The first goal is to control what can and cannot be seen. The second goal is to create the environment in which the action happens. The third goal is to control the style of the production. The fourth goal is to support what the piece is about in the chosen style. I will talk about all of these goals in relation to what I believe a lighting designer is responsible for, and that is to create an environment that supports the piece (production) as a whole, and controls where the audience should focus.
Lighting includes lanterns, candles, spotlights, heaters, footpath lights. If you are getting married at the beach, then think about what you want to shade. Think about all of it.
Tip #3 Who’s Helping Backstage?
Who is your director and stage manager? Costumer, makeup person? On your wedding day, it is just about the two of you, and you have to put your director’s hat aside. This is a really good time to think about hiring a Day of the Event Wedding Coordinator.
Your Fellow Players: bridesmaids, groomsmen, immediate family, all have enough to do. Hiring a director/choreographer and maybe a makeup person, really is a good place to put your non-DIYwedding money.
Also, videographers and photographers are part of your back stage support. And your caterer.
Tip #4 The Show Goes On
There is a maxim in the film and theatre world: always protect your talent. Even an amazing director like Clint Eastwood reserves his energy for his big acting scenes. He and his AD and DP work out those days where he has to be in front of the camera, not behind it.
So, you must drop it all on your wedding day, and simply be in the moment, relishing all of it. I’ve seen some DIY bride photos, where the poor girl was about to collapse from not getting it all done. Very, very sad.
Most great performers have one persona on stage, yet they are just like you and me going about town or hanging with friends. They know how to turn it on, or leave it off. It’s called commanding the boards, or stage presence. But, there are a few simple reminders that create personal charisma and presence: remember to breathe, and fill your heart with love. Really. Practice heart meditations.
Enough sleep helps, and eating lightly, but remembering to eat!
This is about the two of you and that simple joy will fill your space: remember that all of your family and friends are there to support you.
Tip #5: Music is the glue that holds it all together.
Great music sets the tempo and maintains the pulse through the day. Think about the score of your favorite movies. You may not have noticed the music, but the music supports the emotions of the narrative. And the music lets all your guests know what’s next. So whether you are hiring a DJ — or managing by iPod, think of the music like the score of a movie. A great score has ebbs and flows, loud, booming parts, and relaxing mellow places. You want to think about the emotional highs and the breathers and waiting times. A professional DJ or band will help you with this, if you are hiring talent. This is how they think, they think about managing and directing the energy of the room and the guests. But if you don’t have the budget, then score out the music like a good composer would. They think in terms of musical movements and energy.
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