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The Complete Guide to
Ice Décor at Weddings
Your Guide to Sculptures, Luges,
Centerpieces, Parties, and All Things Ice
Table Of Contents
Why Choose Ice For Your Wedding
The Engagement Party
The Bridal Shower
The Wedding Ceremony
The Wedding Reception
Why Choose Ice for Your Wedding?
The short and long of it: it’s certainly not every day we see ice sculptures or structures. Even in Canada, despite the
cold weather, it’s a beautiful sight to see an intentionally crafted piece of art that gives off an aura the way ice does.
Naturally, ice also commands a sense of exclusivity and luxury to the atmosphere. This is because ice is associated
with many different festive atmospheres: it could be about skating with friends and family; it could be the way the
light reflects off the ice; or many other personal experiences or romantic scenes in movies and media.
Ice contributes to the sense of extravagance to any occasion. In fact, people believe so much in ice that there’s even
an entire hotel composed of it. Make your once-in-a-lifetime event memorable, not only for yourself but for the
guests and attendees. (For Pete’s sakes, Aunt May travelled halfway across the world to spend the next week with
you!)
Ice Has A Wow Factor
While some may question the value of ice – especially given that they will inevitably melt – their wow factor ends up
immortalized in photographs. Ice is a temporary luxury that marks a very special day, much like how the wedding
hall and reception halls are temporarily yours and will never be the quite the same after. Given the prevalence of
today’s technology and the ability to capture memories into wedding photographs through phone cameras or digital
apps like Snapable, the beauty of your wedding can last forever.
Additionally, the ice can also serve as conversation starters – something we’ll delve into later on.
Ice can be used in a variety of ways: you can choose to craft enormous statement pieces that will leave your guests
breathless, or you can choose more subtle ice accents that contribute to the overall atmosphere of the room and
refract light or share messages with guests.
The possibilities for ice to be at your wedding are endless. Whether you choose to run with a winter theme or
decide on a more general vibe, ice can come in the forms of centerpieces, pillars, vases, luges, sculptures, and all
other types of décor. Ice also, naturally, serves as a great method for keeping beverages and refreshments cool and
at appetizing temperatures.
Yet ice does not have to wait until the wedding day to make its appearance; there are also many ways for ice to
make its debut at your engagement party or bridal shower.
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The Engagement Party
While the wedding day is the main attraction, the engagement party is a fun
precursor to the journey. The engagement party is thrown to celebrate a couple’s
engagement, and as a warm-up for the guests to meet each other.
It’s important not to go too overboard with décor at your engagement party; the
occasion is much less formal. With that said, engagement parties can also serve as
an indication of how fun a wedding is going to be; that means not skimping on items
that could stimulate conversation either. Your party will be held somewhere in the
healthy middle ground.
Platters
Every party has to have refreshments, and this provides an opportunity for you
to use the natural property of ice to your advantage: keeping food cool. Whether
it’s seafood, fruit, ice cream, or drinks and other beverages, ice serves as a great
alternative to traditional platters for aesthetics and function.
The ice platter can also house different types of food and sauces together.
One of the more interesting aspects of ice is its flexibility; it can be sculpted into the
likeness of many objects. One example would be a clamshell, which typically houses
pearls; this automatically adds an interesting touch to any food that’s housed inside it
simply because whatever is inside a clamshell is usually highly valued and extremely
rare. At best, people enjoy the food more; at worst, it is an interesting conversation
starter and will bring your guests closer together before the wedding day.
Ice can also be shaped into interesting serving platters, such as one that takes the
form of a wagon.
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Here are some tips for pulling off an incredible engagement party, and how it can test
the waters for your wedding ideas:
•While not going overboard with glamor and extravagance at the engagement party
is important, it’s also important to start building the buzz about your wedding day.
•Give people a sneak peek of what they can expect: show them a smaller ice
sculpture that will serve as a statement piece.
•While it creates buzz, you can also use this to test the reception of the guests to
your ice sculpture: if they love it, great – if they’re not as fond of it, then you know
not to build a larger version of it for your wedding ceremony.
Even the entrance to your engagement party can be a chance for you to start
conversations with and amongst guests. Ice candle holders add to the natural vibe of
the entrance way, while still illuminating the path with a festive flicker. They aren’t
anything elaborate or obnoxious; rather, they can simply be placed on the ground
and left there as you entertain your guests and flitter around the engagement party.
Engagement party décor varies according venue; an event at a nightclub would make
great use of bottle holders and chillers, whereas as a house may require more subtle
ice décor. Keep in mind that if you are hosting at your house, you will also have to
take care of the cleanup – so make sure to prepare trays for the ice to melt into, and
adjust the climate to lengthen the ice’s life as greatly as you can.
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Small Centerpiece
Ice Platter
Tiered Ice Platter
Clamshell Platter
Wagon Platter
Canoe Sculpture
Entrance Candles
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The Bridal Shower
The bridal shower is an age-old tradition featuring the women in your life, with you
as the guest of honour. It’s a fun opportunity for your friends, family and co-workers
to get to know each other.
The décor, dress code and refreshments of a bridal shower set the bar for
sophistication leading up to the wedding. The elegance of a bridal shower makes it a
perfect setting for breathtaking ice sculptures.
One of the first steps to planning a bridal shower is choosing a decorative theme. As
the bridal shower is more formal than an engagement party, you have the freedom to
feature extravagant ice sculptures and centerpieces that fit your theme.
Unlike bachelor/ette parties, décor for bridal showers is supposed to be classically
feminine. Ice sculptures are delicate accent pieces that can stand alone or as part of
another scheme. Vases are a beautiful way to display floral arrangements.
As your guest list is limited to women, feel free to make the décor as “girly” as you’d
like. You don’t have to refrain from incorporating things like hearts, flowers and Paris
into your decorations. A heart-shaped candle display makes a great conversation
piece.
The Importance of Presentation
For refreshments, what you serve becomes less important than how you serve it.
Presentation is everything. Wine and punch is served throughout the shower, and tea
and coffee accompany desert. An ice punch bowl will also help to chill the punch.
Here are a couple of general guidelines to follow with presentation:
•Hors d’oeuvres and an assortment of cheese platters can be laid out on
refreshment tables.
•The cake, on the other hand, must be presented and served to the guests. Ice
makes for an elegant cake stand that will impress your guests.
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A little extra attention to detail can make for an unforgettable bridal shower. Smaller,
personal touches – like custom-made ice cubes – will make the event not just classy,
but classic.
For a unique alternative to ice cubes, ice balls are perfect for chilling ice wine or
champagne.
At a bridal shower, your role is much more limited to socializing with the guests and
opening gifts. Like the engagement party, bridal showers can be held at a venue or
someone’s home. Ideally, you’d want the host to be one of your nearest and dearest –
a woman who knows your tastes. If she does host it at her house, make sure she has
trays for the ice and try to avoid doing all the work – it is your day to be pampered,
after all.
Now that you’ve finally got the engagement party and the bridal shower off your
chest, and you’re ready to prepare for the main feature: the wedding day. The
wedding day, composing of the marriage ceremony, reception, and dinner, each call
for different types of décor and open up different types of possibilities to entertain
guests and share an unforgettable experience with them.
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Lovebirds on a Branch
Flared Ice Vase
Personalized Candles
Ice Bowl
Cake Platter
Custom Ice Cubes
Custom Ice Balls
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The Wedding Ceremony
There is not a drop of cloud in the sky. The limousine is waiting outside, the officiant
is practicing his lines, and dress rehearsal went smoothly last night. The groomsmen
and the bridesmaids are all on-time, and the birds are chirping outside. The ring
bearer and flower girls are running around the field. The bells are ringing, the guests
have started arriving, and you are thrilled.
It may not be as perfect as you originally envisioned, but there are few things in life
like your marriage ceremony. The event itself is a reason for you, and all your guests,
to celebrate an important, and extremely beautiful, transition point in your life and
have a great time. While you want to enjoy it, you also want to share something
people will remember for the rest of their lives.
The possibilities begin with the guestbook and the registration table; while the
book itself may not be composed of ice (nor would that be a wise idea), the podium
that the guestbook presents an opportunity for an ice composition. This makes
an otherwise ordinary entrance unique and remarkable; it also means a potential
opportunity to engrave items into the registry podium.
Candles are a common find at weddings, and generally contribute to the overall
romance of the room. Encase your candles and accentuate their light with ice pillars;
these pillars can sit on the steps leading to the outdoor entrance of your wedding
hall, or can stand beside the aisles and pews of the actual chapel or hall.
The Statement Pieces of the Venue
There are few things that serve as a highlight of a marriage ceremony like ice
centerpieces. As mentioned in the previous section, sculptures make for great
centerpieces that can either be a large statement piece in the middle of a room, or
can be smaller pieces placed throughout the room.
Sculptures can be melded with a platform base. This base can then have monograms
or names inscribed into it, which makes for a unique customization.
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In the case you want to start your festivities early, an ice bar makes for a suitable
addition to the lobby of a wedding hall. Similar to sculptures, monograms and letters
can be etched into the front of the bar, and lighting can be adjusted to accentuate ice
at the bar.
Sculptures featuring symbols, either of culture, heritage, or tradition, can be created
to bring a special meaning to the wedding ceremony. For example, traditional
Chinese history and tales highlight the dragon as representative of the Emperor
and the phoenix of the feminine Empress.
In South Asian culture, Ganesh (or Ganesha) is one of the best-known deities. Rituals
and ceremonies honor him as the Lord of Beginnings and Remover of Obstacles.
Should an entire sculpture not be to your taste, or should you wish to allocate a
larger portion of your budget elsewhere, a silhouette of the symbol can be crafted for
display. This also allows the image to be crafted to greater visual contrast and detail.
It can also be replicated a few times and distributed throughout the ceremony for
visual balance and emphasis on the symbol.
Ice Picture Frames
•You probably spent a ton of time writing those wedding invitations; whether it’s
figuring out the traditions and etiquette, crafting the message, choosing between a
calligrapher or a printer, or deciding who to invite, it can be a tedious process. And
let’s be honest – how long would the guests have taken to admire it? Make the time
spent on your wedding invitation more effective by choosing to display it proudly
on your wedding day and framing it in ice. The ice also enables complementary
romantic items such as roses or other flowers, or sentimental items such as old
photographs, to be paired along with the invitation.
Monograms
•Monograms create the visual union of the wedding couple’s first two letters. Whether
you designed your own monogram, or hired a designer to do so, the powerful
sentimentality it represents makes it a perfect statement piece. Monograms can
make for standard smaller decorations (i.e. for tables, etc.). If you choose to scale
them up, they can also make for good statement pieces that resonate with guests.
Ice Vases, Pillars, and Posts
•Ice vases and pillars make for stunning centerpieces. They are also complimented by
the details; for example, even ice posts (formally known as stanchions) holding the
rope together can contribute greatly to the overall atmosphere of the wedding hall.
Stanchions work well with pillar centerpieces because stanchions are essentially
miniaturized ice pillars. In a winter-themed wedding, stanchions can also be
reminiscent of an ice rink. Naturally, stanchions and posts serve a functional
purpose of subtly keeping the crowd together and the party located in one physical
location, which naturally makes for a more festive atmosphere.
Vases can also be miniaturized to decorate tables and other platforms with.
Conversely, it may not be the vase you want to be composed of ice; perhaps it’s the
platform or pillar you want to be made out of ice. This makes arranging the flower
base much easier, since the vase would be opaque and you would not need to
consider the visuals of the flower stems.
If you want the best of both worlds, you can combine the ice vase with an ice
pedestal. When supported by proper illumination, the vase is an extremely tasteful
way to highlight the flower arrangement you spent so much time (and/or resources)
deciding on.
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Medium
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Registration Table
Ice Pillars for Candles
Ice Monogram with Pillar
Ice Bar (16 feet)
Dragon & Phoenix Sculptures
Ganesh Sculpture
Ganesh Silhouette
Monogram Silhouette
Ice Stanchions
Rectangular Ice Vase (Small)
Ice Pedestal
Ice Vase on Pedestal
Your wedding participants – including guests who have travelled from across the
country or world to share this moment with you – deserve an experience they will
not forget.
The marriage ceremony is likely something that you have dreamed about for more
than just a few years (or at least given some serious thought to). There’s no reason
your dreams can’t come true; make sure you spend wisely and invest in memories
that can be shared experiences with your beloved, your family, and your friends.
Decoration Ideas
Decorations can be a difficult part of the wedding to nail down; ideally, they could all
fit into an overarching visual theme while ensuring they still contribute to the overall
vibe of the ceremony and make your party pop in the minds of your guests.
Conventional wisdom dictates that there are certain perfect traditional bringers
of love, monogamy, and affection. These can make for standard pieces that more
traditionally-minded guests will appreciate; this also earns you a bit of wiggle room
to work with for the more forward-thinking alternative, personal, statement pieces
that you may also want to try out at your wedding.
Nature
Swans are the natural animal that convey love and monogamy in culture; they are
known in science to bond as socially monogamous pairs from as early as 20 months
that end up lasting for many years (and in many cases, to their entire lives). The
flexibility ice offers means that a perfectly pure-looking and detailed sculpture of a
swan can be carved to your liking and size. It could also make sense to feature not
just one swan, but a pair of swans (or potentially even with interlinking necks to form
a heart), in the sculpture.
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Although a slight departure from the conventional swan image, a sculpture of two
birds also makes for a cute image. After all, birds of a feather also flock together.
While it’s quite possible to pair two animals together for ice sculptures (i.e. deer), it
can also be quite difficult to pull off for certain types of species even if they are your
favorite (i.e. rhinoceros). Birds, in this case, are an extremely safe bet.
Outdoors
The grandeur and uniqueness ice is associated with means that ice sculptures make
for excellent first impressions. Naturally, ice sculptures are a more sustainable idea
when it comes to cooler climates; however, its effect is probably accentuated in
a warmer area given that its rarity (or at least unusualness). Ice sculptures can be
elevated with a non-ice pedestal or pillar. Alternatively, you could also treat your
guests with an ice sculpture over 8-feet tall.
Light Effects
There are few things in life that can change an atmosphere like light can; the way
light is displayed can even have an effect. This is why candleholders, and candelabra,
receive much attention from interior decorators and on special occasions. Even the
symbol of a candleholder itself is significant, but naturally outfitting the holder with
candles can change the atmosphere of the room; for example, in a dimly lit section of
the ceremony or reception/dining hall and a more romantic atmosphere, candelabra
are an extremely relevant solution.
The beauty of a piece of decoration like a chest is its versatility; not only does it
naturally serve as a display of value (since the meaning of chests is to store and
hold prized, valuable, possessions), it can also double as unconventional storage for
bottles of beverages or a platter of refreshments.
Centrepieces
While they hold the possibility of being a bit less traditional, customized sculpted ice
pieces make for great displays of personality and can make your wedding truly oneof-a-kind. You can choose to select your favorite movie characters, cartoon couple,
or any other meaningful symbol and share its message with the rest of your guests.
Additionally, they can also be built in with a platter base in order for them to double
as a fruit platter or a bottle chiller.
Fountains are common in all types of banquet halls and catered parties. Alas,
your occasion is not just another party – it’s your wedding! Make your fountain
different by crafting it with ice. It makes for a fantastic statement piece both inside
and outside of the reception hall. If you’re on the fence about it, it’s also possible
to create a smaller fountain and elevate it with a platform. Should you set up the
cooling properly as well, the fountain will pay for itself in dividends.
The bride’s bouquet always goes soaring by the end of the night, so a suspended
(almost floating) wedding bouquet is extremely relevant. Moreover, it also makes
a great sentimental piece to place by the entrance of the wedding hall before the
marriage ceremony.
The ice helps build the illusion of floating and suspension into anything, and it seems
to work extremely well with flowers – whether it’s lilies, roses, or another type.
Floating flowers can be scaled up to make for great décor; it can also be scaled down
to make fantastic little centerpieces that rest on dining tables and throughout the
reception and dining hall.
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An ice crystal makes for a more traditional ice sculpture and a suitable winter-themed statement piece. In addition
to the ice composition contributing to the overall feel of the room, the crystal also conveys value given what it
represents in real life (rarity, scarcity, beauty, etc.).
The spectrum for ice sculptures extends to the extremes of personalized uniqueness and tradition. It’s important
to find a balance somewhere along that; which items will you choose to abide by traditions for, and where will you
choose to innovate and differentiate? What statement pieces would you like to invest in, and which items would you
prefer to scale down on?
The possibilities are endless, but that’s where the excitement and opportunity for building a great wedding are
created. You can use these decoration ideas for both the wedding ceremony and the reception. The important thing
is to keep the themes consistent. Now, let’s examine the details specific to the other half of your day – the reception.
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Swan Sculpture
Two Birds Sculpture
Heart Sculpture (Large)
Candelabra
Treasure Chest
Customized Ice Sculpture
Ice Fountain (Large)
Floating Bouquet (Medium)
Floating Flower (Small)
Individual Ice Crystal
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The Wedding Reception
The reception is the perfect occasion for guests to mingle and truly begin the
celebration of your union. While the occasion itself isn’t as formal or structured as
dinner, it still provides a great opportunity for your guests to start socializing and
getting to know each other. The reception is the natural precursor to the dinner, and
thus, will also set the tone for it.
Refreshments (food and beverages) are the fuel that makes many occasions festive,
and there’s no reason that a wedding reception would be an exception to that rule.
Since this isn’t just another pre-party, it’s important that the method you present
your refreshments in a way that sets it apart. You can choose to use ice-sculpted
platters and sculptures to make sure the reception pops in your guests’ memories.
Summer weddings mean that many receptions can be held outside in the beautiful
weather. The only challenge this presents is keeping food, like seafood and ice cream,
at an appropriate cool temperature.
Tableware
An ice sculpted platter is a natural solution to serve seafood; in addition to wowing
your guests, it also keeps the refreshments cool. This can be a great departure from
the traditional tray filled with ice cubes, which doesn’t always look as appealing. (It
also takes another item off your to-do list – which is to replace ice cubes and make
sure that the water isn’t overflowing from the tray.)
If you want a more interesting display of seafood or other refreshments, give the
tiered multi-level ice platter a try.
For those of you with a greater focus on functional, ice bowls can be reinforced with
ice cubes in order to reinforce the coolness of the refreshments.
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Ice presents the opportunity for an aesthetic that regular trays can’t offer; for
example, you could potentially serve seafood or other refreshments on a flat ice
surface. The challenge with doing this on a surface using traditional material (such
as glass or plastic) is that they don’t keep the refreshments cool. Naturally, the ice is
more than capable of keeping the refreshments at an appetizing temperature.
Depending on the size of your wedding party and guest list, you may want to
introduce a larger-scale platter to serve seafood. The ice is flexible and can be
tailored to the dimensions of your liking; in fact, the larger the ice, the greater the
opportunities to transform what would have been an ordinary seafood platter into an
eye-catching ice sculpture or monogram.
If you want to take the ice container for seafood to the next level, it’s also possible
for you to create an entire table out of ice. This makes for a beautiful statement piece
and plays exceptionally well with outdoor environments, given its translucence.
Seafood isn’t the only food that can be ruined at room temperature or outdoors; how
many perfectly composed ice cream cones have fallen prey to the heat? Again, the
ice serves as a natural vessel to holding this refreshment, and hopefully extending
the ice cream cones’ lives.
Ice also makes for a great container of ice cream’s cousin, gelato. In this case,
it clearly displays different colors and naturally keeps the gelato at a great
temperature.
Cones and glasses with pointy tips can serve a second purpose; as they’re placed
in an ice platter, they can resemble stalactites. This visual effect can trigger guest
memories of exploration and excitement, which contribute to their experience.
The increasing popularity of sushi and sashimi also means it is finding its way into
weddings. While these dishes don’t necessarily have to be consumed cold, and many
prefer a sushi roll at a lower temperature as it minimizes the acquired fishy taste.
The visual and cooling benefits of ice platters also carry over to ice dishes.
Additionally, ice dishes also provide the opportunity to embed relevant symbols or
material inside, which makes for a unique experience.
This also presents an opportunity for you to inscribe something into the ice; it could
indicate to guests what the refreshment is, but it could also be the names of the
couple.
Similarly, there are few things on a warm summer day (or in a warm reception hall)
than warm fruit; ice makes the perfect material to serve fruit with.
Decor
Regardless of whether the wedding reception is indoors or outdoors, there will be
room for you to dazzle your guests with a glamorous ice sculpture. For example, you
could hold up a beautiful arrangement of flowers with a large ice pillar and vase; if
supported by suitable lighting conditions, this combination will contribute greatly to
the atmosphere of the party.
A pagoda also makes for an attractive ice sculpture and centerpiece. While it is not
as functional as a tiered ice platter would be, its focus on aesthetic means that many
more intricate details and patterns can be etched into it.
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Should you plan to serve your wedding cake at the reception, display it in style with
an ice pillar and platter.
A centerpiece doesn’t necessarily have to be the only point of attention; many
smaller touches can contribute to an extremely sophisticated general vibe at your
reception. A moderately-sized block of ice can serve as a remarkable translucent
waterfall that will sit comfortably on your table.
In addition to all these ideas for the reception itself, there’s another large aspect to
receptions: the beverages. Not only does ice keep the drinks at a cool temperature,
they also can be crafted and formed into luges or serving bars.
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Seafood Station (Individual)
Multi-level Ice Platter
Square Ice Bowls
Rectangular Flat Ice Platter
Seafood Station with Monogram
Ice Table (Medium)
Ice Cream Cone Platter
Ice Gelato Bar
Ice Stalactite Food Display
Sushi Platter
Square Ice Dish with Leaf Suspensions
Gelato Ice Chiller
Tiered Fruit Platter
Focal Pillar Ice Vase
PagodaX
Ice Pillar Column
Double-sided Waterfall Pillar
Beverage Ideas
Another natural catalyst for the festivities and social occasions are the beverages. Whether it comes to alcoholic
drinks or simply thirst-quenchers and refreshments, the enjoyment of drinks have been scientifically proven to be
affected by presentation. That means if you want to maximize the value your dollar can bring, focus on improving
the way drinks are served, displayed, and consumed.
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Bars
A simple serving bar can be transformed into a focal point for the room – which
serves not only a visual purpose, but also draws people to the liquid refreshments
and could potentially accelerate the festivities. Unlike regular bars, ice bars can be
customized to feature family crests, emblems, or wedding couple monograms.
Ice works just as well inside as it does outside; naturally, additions (such as bowls and
platters) can be built into the surface of the bar to contain bottles and other types of
liquids.
Another major advantage ice offers is its extreme flexibility; because it is so
customizable, it can fit into many different types of themes. While the winter theme
is extremely common amongst those choosing to use ice, there are bars that can
feature inscriptions from a different era, such as the revolutionary Art Deco period.
Bars can be scaled up to your liking; for example, this bar was lengthened to a
whopping 19 feet. It also features the first letter of the last names of the wedding
couple.
In addition to the serving bar, ice makes for a great back bar; whether it’s to feature
sculptures, the numerous types of drinks, or the names of the wedding couple, the
back bar presents a surprising opportunity to display something meaningful.
The front of the bar can be customized extremely thoroughly as well; the
translucence of the ice means that intricate designs, such as waterfalls, can be
incorporated into the serving bar.
Naturally, ice is a great material for bottle holders as well. As you can see in this
graphic, it particularly complements the transparent vodka bottles. Ice also comes in
different textures; frosted glass can be used to inscribe monograms or meaningful
words into the drink holder.
Individual bottle chillers are great touches that can bring out the best of premium
beverages (such as liquor, champagne, wine, carbonated mineral water, etc.) or,
alternatively, elevate regular beverages to the next level of sophistication.
Another option is a larger, lit, ice chiller for beverages. Additional pieces of ice can be
used to keep drinks cool. The use of a blue light creates a distinct colder vibe as well,
which enhances the guest’s experience.
Individual chillers make for an extremely unique memory in guests’ minds as well; for
example, ice spheres create the image of bubbles and can hold individual bottles of
beverages. They also make for a great visual effect.
Luges
Luges are a common ice creation; for the uninitiated, an ice luge is basically a tunnel
through an ice block or sculpture that funnels liquids into a glass. The cooling
properties of the ice, as well as the translucence (which allows guests to see the
liquid make its journey into the glass) and the effect light has on the ice and the
tunnel, makes for a unique touch to any part of the wedding.
Additionally, if the surface is flat enough, images, words, initials, patterns, and
various other meaningful messages can be inscribed into the luge.
Luges are informal enough for it to be acceptable to incorporate personal hobbies
and enjoyments as a concept. Whether it’s a sport, a favorite movie, or a mutually
favorite television show character or couple, luges can be acceptably transformed to
your wildest imaginations without seeming tacky.
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It doesn’t have to be one way or the other; chillers can be combined into one
structure with luges for a much more holistic feel and for guests’ conveniences.
If your wedding is winter-themed, luges provide a great chance for the theme to be
incorporated into the design of the luge.
Similarly, winter-themed bars are a very real possibility.
The entire winter theme, complete with proper lighting and atmospherics, can look
absolutely stunning. Even the simple use of ice in a white room and blue lighting
creates a powerful, subtle, theme.
Chillers aren’t necessarily just for bottles; they can just as easily hold flutes or shots
glasses.
A more tactile experience for your guests: provide them with a drinking glass that is
completely made of ice.
For a more elaborate hands-on and aesthetic venture, provide your guests with an
ice goblet. It creates a more historical (and sophisticated) vibe into your beverages
and refreshments.
The larger the ice bar, the greater the possibilities; there’s more surface area to
build structures such as chillers and bottle holders on, and the lighting effects are
exaggerated. This is where the rule of non-linear return kicks in: after a certain scale,
the wow-factor of the bar can increase its impressiveness exponentially. A 19-foot
bar may not be twice as big as a 10-foot bar, but you can bet your bottom dollar that
it will draw more than twice the amount of comments and compliments than a 10foot bar would have.
Ice bars don’t necessarily have to be enormous in order to be elaborate; here are some
ideas you can use to make your bar stand out, no matter the size:
•Patterns and textures in ice can just as easily create an extremely classy vibe that a
large statement centerpiece would. In this case, the simple vertical lines accented
by the pink lights create an almost retro and old-school disco look.
•Similarly, diamonds and rhombuses could create a luxurious feel while not taking
up too much space in a cozier reception hall or a more intimate party.
While it may seem like a small aspect of the entire ceremony, keeping the beverages
flowing in a beautiful, and effective, manner is crucial to the atmosphere you’d like
to cultivate at your wedding. It also provides new opportunities for you to decorate
your experience with, while continuing to retain a level of function. Not only does ice
serve the purpose of keeping drinks cool, it also looks great in natural light and when
illuminated by bulbs, and it can proudly display patterns and monograms that are
inscribed into it.
High
Medium
Low
Ice Bar (8 Feet)
Ice Bar (Large)
Ice Bar (Art Deco)
Ice Bar (19 Feet) + Back Bar
Ice Back Bar
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High
Medium
Low
Waterfall Bar (8 Feet)
Horizontal Bottle Chiller + Candleholder
Vase + Bottle Chiller
Champagne Chiller
Bubble Bottle Chiller
Corkscrew Ice Luge Initials
Silhouette Ice Luge
Personalized Ice Luge (Small)
Luge + Bottle Chillers
Snowflake Luge
Snowflake Silhouette Ice Bar
Ice Bar Texture and Curtain Backdrop
Shot Glass Plater
Cosmo Martini Glass
Ice Goblets
U-shaped Ice Bar
Ice Bar Vertical Texture (18 Feet)
Dinner Ideas
After the reception comes the most one of the most festive parts of the day: dinner.
One of the best ways for your previously unconnected friends and family members to
bond quickly and celebrate the evening is over a delicious meal. This is also the first
meal that you will be hosting with your partner as a married couple, which means
that this moment is exceptionally significant.
The beauty of ice is in its flexibility. Ice can encase paper or cardstock, which
means that instead of just obligatorily lugging around their guest tags and seating
arrangements, guests can become much more engaged both in visual and tactile
senses.
Ice also enhances the space your wedding dinner is in, whether it is spacious or cozy.
Centerpieces can serve a social function: they provide an opportunity for unfamiliar
guests to make small talk and introduce themselves. They also provide the
opportunity for you to make your wedding dinner extremely memorable.
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Even something as simple as a tray for your seafood or appetizers can contribute
significantly to the overall décor of the room. For example, have a look at the
ice pillar and platter; if you want it in the spotlight, position it near the center of
the room (for example, a few feet away from the boundary of the dance floor).
Alternatively, if you prefer that it play second to another centerpiece or in case
you’re concerned about foot traffic, you could place the pillar on the periphery of the
dining hall.
Function can come with form; separating a large hall into a reception area and
a dining area can prove to be challenging. However, with all challenges come an
opportunity – and this is no exception. Ice makes for the perfect substance when
dividing rooms for similar reasons frosted glass do; it creates a translucent barrier
that still allows the guests to see through it and experience the room in its entirety.
If you want your ice curtain to really shine, you can also choose to light it up. Such a
huge body of ice presents the perfect opportunity for a different type of light (i.e. sky
blue, turquoise, violet), and change the entire aura of the dining hall.
Flowers always make for great accents; however, by default flowers are not
remarkable. The vases can be, though; this is why Ming Dynasty vases frequently sell
for thousands of dollars.
Similarly, the vases you choose to support your decorative flowers can make
for great pieces; have a look at the pillar and vase combination that make for a
glamorous ambience.
Ice Complements
Ice doesn’t necessarily have to be a loud piece; in the case the venue already has a
centerpiece of your liking, ice makes for great complements. If you’re looking for
ideas, you could always start with smaller pieces. Table listings, numbers, and names,
typically on boring cardstock or pieces of paper, can turn into beautiful statement
pieces that rest on tables.
The ice shape also makes it possible to stylize and customize to the occasion. It
can be shaped in the form of a heart or a swan, either of which are relevant to the
occasion.
Similarly, there are many other smaller types of decorations that can subtly enhance
the glamor of the dining experience.
It could be an ice sphere encasing a beautiful pair of red roses.
If your vision is to provide your guests with a more romantic or sophisticated
atmosphere, you can choose to dim the entire hall a little and use candles to light
up each table. You could then hold the candles with an ice candleholder; the
translucence of the ice will make the candle’s flame even more beautiful and brilliant
than it would be naked.
One way to distinguish family members and other honored guests would be to use a
different type of piece at their table; the ice implicitly shows a subtle differentiation,
which saves you from having to make an explicit statement. It also simultaneously
acknowledges your appreciation for them and saves them from unwanted attention
that an announcement could draw.
While many dining halls have round tables, long tables also provide a unique
opportunity for larger ice statues. Instead of having a series of different, separate,
pieces, one long ice piece holding candles and flowers offers a much cleaner, and
organized, look. It also implicitly provides guests with a bit more private space as
they eat, but remains low-sitting enough to not be an obstacle to socializing and
chatting.
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After dinner, before the dancing begins, your guests can enjoy the view of the
decorative cake.
Alternatively, they’d probably prefer the real deal: the wedding cake. Everyone
recognizes the power of presentation; after all, this is why their gifts are wrapped
and they’re dressed to the nines for your wedding. Make sure your wedding cake, the
final hurrah of your wedding, ends the day with a bang. One easy way to do this is to
present your cake on a pillar.
Dinnerware
Additional desserts do not have to take a back seat to the wedding cake; they can
also be served from an ice platter which would be, appropriately, illuminated by
candles.
If you want to think bigger, you have the ability to create an entire ice table. The
entire body of this serving table (i.e. surface, legs, base, etc.) is crafted purely using
ice. This is the perfect medium to serve fruit, desserts, and various other post-dinner
refreshments from.
You can also use a delightful glass bowl to serve up certain desserts, such as ice
cream, pudding, or cake.
Ice allows all types of form factors; it also makes shapes like pyramids possible to
incorporate into plates. This particular plate is supported by two levels of pyramids,
and is perfect for serving cool desserts off of.
Patterns or objects like roses can be embedded into the ice for a much more intricate
vibe. The devil truly is in the details.
Dinner and dessert have been served, and your guests absolutely cannot believe the
day you’ve shared with them. It was a visual feast. They leave happy, stuffed, and
slightly envious.
High
Medium
Low
Seafood Ice Platter
Spiral Ice Vase on Pedestal
Floor-to-Ceiling Ice
Curtain Room Divider
Ice Curtain Room Divider
Ice Vase (Small)
Table Number Centerpiece
Table Number Stylized
Heart Centerpiece
Floral Globe Centerpiece
Double Candle Pillar with
Floral Centerpiece
Vase Centerpiece (Large)
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High
Medium
Low
Long Candles + Floral
Oversized Centerpiece
Decorative Square Ice
Wedding Cake
Cake Ice Pillar
Dessert Chiller
12-foot Dessert Ice Table
Round Ice Bowl (Small)
Stacked Pyramid Dish
Red Rose Ice Bowl
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Your wedding day is fast approaching. Whether you choose
to ice out your wedding or simply use it to beautify certain
parts, we appreciate your time in reading this text. We wish
you a strong start to an exciting, new, chapter in your life.
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