50 Over-the-Top Wedding Ideas We Can't Help But Love
No matter the size of your wedding budget, there's something so indulgent about browsing photos of the most luxurious weddings. It's why we love scoping out pictures from celebrity weddings and seeing the amazing details that transformed their celebrations from ordinary to extraordinary. And even if the most elaborate décor elements can't easily be replicated on a normal-person budget, they can spark an idea that is possible. Here, get inspired by some of the most over-the-top ideas we've ever seen.
By: Kristen Klein
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Walk on water during your ceremony with a temporary stage over your venue's pool.
Photo Credit: Dreamtime Images
Ceremony Ideas
This couple celebrated their nuptials with a few million of their nearest and dearest... in the middle of Times Square on New Year's Eve.
Photo Credit: Sarah Zimmer Photography
Ceremony Ideas
As you share your first kiss as a married couple, shower your guests with thousands of flower petals blown out of cannons!
Photo Credit: Heather Kincaid
Ceremony Ideas
Blue uplighting and towering trees come together to create the perfect look for a winter wedding ceremony.
Related: 100 Ideas for Winter Weddings
Photo Credit: John Labbe / Event Designer: Preston Bailey
Ceremony Ideas
Transform an indoor space into a botanical garden with ivy-covered walls, flowers hanging from the ceiling, and potted plants lining the aisle.
Photo Credit: Nathaniel Ward
Ceremony Ideas
Wrought-iron gates covered in flowers and a bold, winding aisle set the tone for a romantic wedding celebration.
Photo Credit: Colin Miller
Ceremony Ideas
A luxury wedding leaves no area undecorated — including the walkway leading to your ceremony location!
Photo Credit: Andrea Polito Photography
Ceremony Ideas
A cherry blossom backdrop is made even more romantic with orchids cascading from the trees.
Related: 50 Fairy Tale Floral Arrangements
Photo Credit: Brian Dorsey Studios / Created by Tantawan Bloom
Ceremony Ideas
With romantic flowers everywhere you look, walking down this aisle will feel like walking into a fairy tale.
Photo Credit: John Solano
Ceremony Ideas
A dramatic, oversized floral display transforms a plain ceremony tent into an enchanted garden.
Photo Credit: Hazelnut Photography
Ceremony Ideas
Getting married in the fall? Bring the gorgeous colors of the season indoors with autumnal trees lining your aisle.
Related: 100 Ideas for Fall Weddings
Photo Credit: John Labbe / Event Designer: Preston Bailey
Ceremony Ideas
Make your wedding feel like a winter wonderland with white-painted branches lining your aisle and romantic candles illuminating the way.
Photo Credit: Studio ATG
Reception Décor
Overhead décor, like chandeliers and dangling orchids, make long reception tables look even more elegant.
Related: What to Consider Before Planning an Outdoor Wedding
Photo Credit: Aaron Delesie
Lighting
Illuminate your reception with a "tent" made entirely out of string lights.
Photo Credit: Jerry Hayes Photography
Reception Décor
You don't need an overabundance of flowers to make a bold impression; focus your attention on a single over-the-top piece, like this tree draped with ribbons and crystals.
Related: Beyond Flowers: 50 Unique Ideas for Your Centerpieces
Photo Credit: John Labbe / Event Designer: Preston Bailey
First Dance Ideas
Create an ethereal atmosphere with a fog machine.
Photo Credit: Micah J Photography
Reception Décor
Give a warehouse a garden vibe with plenty of greenery.
Related: 25+ of the Most Unique Wedding Themes We've Ever Seen
Photo Credit: The Metropolitan Gallery of Photography
Lighting
Perfect for an outdoor wedding, reflect the night sky with a ceiling made entirely of twinkling lights.
Photo Credit: John Labbe / Event Designer: Preston Bailey
Lighting
Look closely — this dance floor is completely covered in flowers beneath glass! And flowers projected onto the walls are the icing on the cake at this opulent reception.
Related: Stunning Ballroom Weddings
Photo Credit: John Labbe / Event Designer: Preston Bailey
Reception Décor
Give your reception touch of Harry Potter magic with floating candles reminiscent of Hogwarts' Great Hall.
Related: This Harry Potter-Inspired Wedding Will Make You Believe in Magic
Photo Credit: SO Photography
Reception Décor
Fabric draping and creative lighting transform this ballroom from ordinary to extraordinary.
Photo Credit: Mark Hawkins Photography
Reception Décor
Transform a tent into an enchanted garden with grassy walls and ivy-covered chandeliers.
Photo Credit: White Lilac Inc.
Reception Décor
Multi-dimensional centerpieces, creating uplighting, and fabric draping create a modern, elegant feel.
Related: 50 Ideas for a Modern Wedding
Photo Credit: Roey Yohai / Event Designer: Tantawan Bloom
Escort Cards
Guests won't be able to stop talking about this incredible escort card tree.
Photo Credit: M Bénédicte Verley / Created by Tantawan Bloom
Reception Décor
Use your engagement photos to create a one-of-a-kind backdrop that'll make you feel like a celebrity.
Photo Credit: Braja Mandala
Reception Décor
Dramatic centerpieces combine with the purple uplighting transform this reception space into a winter wonderland.
Photo Credit: Dreammakers Weddings & Events
Reception Décor
It's all about the first impression — dress up your reception entrance with luxe flowers, fabric draping and, of course, a chandelier.
Photo Credit: Carla Ten Eyck
Reception Décor
An oversized floral display provides the perfect focal point for your reception room.
Photo Credt: Axioo Photography
Reception Décor
Dress up the space above your tables with mix-and-match lanterns and abundant greenery.
Photo Credit: Amy Doyle
Lighting
Rustic mini chandeliers covered in ivy provide a lovely contrast to the sleek, modern reception tables.
Related: 75 Ideas for a Rustic Wedding
Photo Credit: Adagion Studio via Tantawan Bloom
Reception Décor
All eyes will really be on you with this sweetheart table.
Related: 25 Pretty Head Table Ideas: From Big Traditional to Intimate Sweetheart
Photo Credit: Rhee Bevere
First Dance Ideas
Make it snow during your first dance!
Related: 40 Winter Wedding Gowns You'll Love
Photo Credit: Dinofa Photography
Lighting
Getting married in a tent? Use creating lighting to project an image onto the outside.
Photo Credit: John Labbe / Event Designer: Preston Bailey
Cakes
Flowers spurting out of every tier take this classic all-white cake to the next level.
Related: 101 Amazing Wedding Cakes
Photo Credit: John Labbe
Cakes
Give your cake its own "room" with a gorgeous arch overhead.
Photo Credit: The Metropolitan Gallery of Photography
Sendoffs
Fireworks are always a perfect way to end the night.
Related: 25 Ways to Wow Your Guests
Photo courtesy of Munaluchi Bridal via Lover.ly
Sendoffs
Light up the night sky with a lantern release.
Photo Credit: Beyond the Darkroom Photography
Centerpieces
Autumnal hues and romantic candlelight create the perfect atmosphere for this fall wedding.
Related: 100 Ideas for Fall Weddings
Photo Credit: Zasil Studios
Centerpieces
With an all-white color palette, these over-the-top centerpieces exude a luxurious vibe.
Related: 75+ Gorgeous Tall Centerpieces
Photo Credit: M Bénédicte Verley / Created by Tantawan Bloom
Centerpieces
Winding orchid branches create an eye-catching centerpiece.
Photo courtesy of Tantawan Bloom
Centerpieces
Set the tone for a winter wedding with crystal strands reminiscent of icicles.
Photo Credit: John Labbe / Event Designer: Preston Bailey
Centerpieces
Touches of gold and crystal, combined with purple uplighting, make these all-white centerpieces anything but boring.
Related: Stunning White Wedding Décor Ideas
Photo Credit: John Labbe / Event Designer: Preston Bailey
Centerpieces
Add even more glamour to a candelabra centerpiece with roses twisting around it.
Photo Credit: Bob & Dawn Davis Photography
Centerpieces
Orchids cascading from a centerpiece raised above the table creates such a romantic vibe.
Photo Credit: Brian Dorsey Studios / Created by Tantawan Bloom
Ceremony Ideas
It's your fantasy wedding; why not walk down the aisle with a unicorn?!
Related: What to Consider Before Including Your Pet in the Wedding
Photo Credit: Rich Lander of Chard Photography
Ceremony Ideas
Celebrate your storybook romance with a fairy tale backdrop.
Photo Credit: Jessie Holloway
Sendoffs
With sparks flying in every direction, this incredible photo op is a moment you'll never forget.
Related: The Best Wedding Photos of the Year
Photo Credit: Nathan Desch Photography
