Elements Of Design In Party Decor - Proportion

My elements of design in party decor post generated lots of buzz; I also received several emails for more in-depth ideas about why these ideas 'work'. By no means am I an expert with years of design under my belt.  But as you work on more events, you start getting 'the eye'...something doesn't look right, something's missing...and you'll keep playing around until you get what feels right to you.

Thus, I'm inspired to do a mini series using all eight principals of design (check out the post to see what I'm talking about); so far we've got balance, emphasis, movement, repetition, and today is proportion.

Proportion is when all the elements seem to relate well to each other in terms of size...large objects are balanced with small objects, one side may feel 'heavy' because of one large element so the other side has several smaller elements to weigh it evenly.  It can be a scale, a graduation in size from large to small.  There are many ways to represent it...but you know it when you see it.  For example... 

I don't know why carnations get such a bad rap! Martha Stewart Weddings clustered them together in white vases gives them a beautiful elegance. Notice how although the elements are similar, but by graduating the size of the containers, the centerpieces don't feel too matchy.



A good proportion rule of thumb that applies everywhere, if it's complicated in one section, it's simple in the other. When I wear bright lipstick, I keep my eye makeup simple and vice versa.  If you are wearing a busy print bottom, you have a simple top.  Same with your party decor.  If your backdrop is full of elements like this Krispy Kreme party from Lil Blue Boo, the table is clean and simple.


Here's the reverse from My Sweet & Saucy; lots of great elements on the surf table, white backdrop.  It didn't need anything more, and the color really pops when there is nothing behind it taking the focus away.


Just Call Me Martha balances out the oversized print well with the large table.  A smaller table would have been lost with such a striking print, and the color makes it stand on its own.


Another example of balancing a large element is this Build Your Own Banana Split bar from Celebrations At Home.  The off-set table follows the line of the tree element, but doesn't overpower it.  A larger table would have since the tree is so tall but narrow.


This wedding from the Style Me Pretty gallery clusters oversized lanterns with its smaller counterparts.... definitely not the same impact if they were all the same size, nor would this have worked in a smaller area.  The lanterns would be too overpowering, so this works perfectly to make a large party space feel cozier.

Sometimes the color of the party space needs to be balanced out...the black walls are the perfect contrast with the bright party decor from Pink Sugar Photography.

Tune in next time for rhythm....