How to achieve the Opera Aesthetic for your wedding.
When I read that Opera Aesthetic was trending for weddings, my inner millennial screamed. We all made Phantom of the Opera our entire personalities, didn’t we? Well, not me, because I’m sorry to say that musicals make me cringe. BUT I did covet the set design and costumes.
If you’ve seen my work, then you’ll know that I’m a sucker for anything over-the-top romantic and highly detailed. It’s like my office space full of trinkets; more is more!
Christine’s “Think of Me” off-the-shoulder dress had me SAT. And her hair? And the jewelry?? Pure perfection, and I adore that this aesthetic is making its way into the wedding world.
Read on to get ideas for your intimate celebration!
1. Candles
Many Candles. Candles everywhere. Tall ones, short ones, thin ones, thick ones. Complimenting colors? Why not. Reception by candlelight is the KEY to creating a dreamy, almost haunted atmosphere that is reminiscent of a setting worthy of Gaston Leroux’s gothic gala.
2. Draping
When one thinks of the opera, the first thing that comes to mind for me is the velvet curtains that drape dramatically on the sides of the stage.
Couples can use this elegant feature in numerous ways, such as using it as curtains for a ceremony arch, lining the walls of the reception space, creating a moody backdrop for a photobooth, or dreamy signage.
3. Bridal Attire
Remember how we fawned over Christine’s dresses? This is your chance to become your own version of the young soprano. Romatasy dresses are having such a moment right now, with long trains, puffed sleeves, and lace for days.
Some of my favorite dress designers for this aesthetic are:
Milla Nova
Paolo Sebastian
Danielle Frankel
Phillipa Lepley
Add in a tiara by Epona Valley or a Juliet Cap veil, and your transformation is complete!
4. Encore! Encore!
Nothing feels more like going to the theater than a show performed by exceptionally talented professionals. During dinner, consider hiring a local dancer to pirouette with a live string quartet playing softly in the background to enchanter your guests.
5. All In The Details
Hand-delivered invitations were all the rage in the late 18th and mid-19th centuries, when opera was at its height. The golden age of Opera, it was called. Harken back to the days of guilded halls with a stationery suite that will be met with gasps with its arrival.
When choosing a stationer, look for calligraphers who excel at creating a suite that pays attention to even the smallest details, such as the color of tassels or ribbons. My two favorites are Shasta Belle Calligraphy and Montana Paper Co.
6. Setting the Scene
We’ve talked about lighting the scene (candles) and dressing the scene (draping), but how do we add more to make it feel both opulent and intimate? Skip the round tables and opt for long tables. This will allow your guests to feel like they are a part of one celebration, a much warmer atmosphere, rather than being split up and separated from each other.
The layout of the space feels more story-driven and draws focus to all your guests seated, adding a cinematic impact to the vibe of the evening. It’s almost like patrons of the opera, sitting side by side to take in the evening performance of La Traviata. Together.
7. Abundant Florals
Gifting flowers after the Opera, or any stage performance, has been a tradition that dates back to the Golden Age. Ballerinas took bows with an armful of roses, and performers were met by their lovers at the stage door with bouquets as a sign of their adoration. Le sigh. So romantique!
The opera aesthetic could not be possible without the addition of an abundance of flowers, preferably in moody, dark hues, with special spotlight on the traditional red rose. Consider also the meaning of flowers. During the height of Opera, Floriography, or the language of flowers, was en vogue. Countless writers from Shakespeare to Jane Austen used this in their writings.
Using the meanings of flowers will bring depth to your wedding story, a little secret that only you two know. The Irish Flower farmer used these flowers, as well as fruit, for depth in Alicia & Brad’s Ireland wedding:
Rose – Love
Lisianthus – Deep Gratitiude
Lunaria – Honesty, Sincerity
Ranunculus – Charm
Hellebores – Peace
Pomegranates — Love and renewal; a descent and return from the underworld
Plums & Purple Artichokes — Decadence and complexity
Figs — Fertility and sensuality
Pears — Devotion, affection, and the sweetness of enduring love
Quince — Sacred marriage, fidelity, and good fortune
Grapes — Celebration, sacrifice, and the pleasures of earthly life
Partially Peeled Oranges & Satsumas — Ephemeral beauty
8. Guest Attire
One of the more exciting aspects of a wedding is when the guests are excited about the theme. The Opera Aesthetic is such a fun theme, allowing guests to get a little more dressed up than they may be used to for.
When guiding your family and friends on what to wear, be conscious of the fact that not everyone can purchase new attire. Thankfully, this theme is so classic that most of your guests will already have what to wear in their closets.
Black suit? Little black dress? Perfect. Adding a bow tie to the suit will have him looking like James Bond. And for the lady, perhaps long, dramatic gloves? $8 at your nearest antique ship!
Other options for guests include jewel tones, floral prints, velvet, or chiffon. Go for darker, richer tones, versus light and airy. Drapes, bows, diamonds. Yes.
9. Finding The Right Venue
Finding the right venue for your opera-aesthetic wedding isn’t easy, but I’ve done the work for you, so you don’t have to. Below you’ll find several opera-esque venues that offer the WOW factor for your wedding!
The Arctic Club – Seattle
The Green Room – California
Citizens Opera House – Boston
Boch Center – Wang Theatre – Boston
Marigny Opera House – New Orleans
Bents Opera House – Medina, NY
Crystal Plaza, Livingston
Destination Opera venues
Opera Garnier – Paris, France
Barbarigo Minotto – Venice, Italy
Teatro Nuovo Gian Carlo Menotti – Spoleto, Italy
Monserrate Palace – Portugal
Palácio de Seteais – Portugal
If none of these strike your fancy, know that you can create the same vibe at any venue with the help of draping, candlelight, and an awesome vendor team!
10. Midnight Masquerade
For those who are children of the theater and want to be extra EXTRA, host a masquerade-style reception where all your guests wear masks, ala Phantom-style. You can literally buy 20 lace masquerade masks on Amazon for like $20.
Picture this:
It’s the middle of the cocktail hours. All your guests are wearing masks, sipping cool champagne. All the lights are off, save for hundreds of tall candles glowing softly. The music, played by a string quartet on the draped curtain stage, floats softly overhead, mingling with the murmur of private conversations and titillating laughter. You whirl from hello to hello with your hand in his, your long train drifting behind you like a whisper. This is your night.
Prefer a Castlecore or Coastalcore theme? I got you!
Don’t forget to inquire with me about your wedding dreams today!
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