Cut the Cake

5 Styling Mistakes We See Couples Make (and How to Fix Them)

Melanie James & Tania Hall Season 4 Episode 9

In this episode of Cut the Cake, we dive into the world of wedding styling, sharing insights that help both couples and wedding professionals elevate their events. From balancing creativity with practicality to avoiding common styling pitfalls, we unpack the essential elements that make weddings look beautiful and feel seamless.

We talk about the importance of understanding your venue and its natural inclusions before layering on decorations, so your styling feels cohesive rather than forced. Over-styling is a trap many fall into, and we share our tips for keeping things balanced while still impactful.

Guest experience is at the heart of styling. We discuss how thoughtful planning ensures guests can move comfortably, engage with elements, and enjoy the day without feeling overwhelmed by the décor. Lighting, often overlooked, is another key focus—how to use it effectively can transform your wedding space, indoors or out.

We also touch on how trends can overshadow personal touches, and why reflecting your own style in every detail—from invitations to table settings—makes the celebration truly yours. Plus, we’re excited to share Melanie’s upcoming styling workshop, designed for wedding creators who want to refine their craft and learn how to make every wedding feel personal and polished.

Whether you’re planning your own wedding or working in the industry, this episode is packed with actionable advice to help you make styling decisions confidently and creatively. By the end, you’ll have the tools to elevate your wedding aesthetics without losing sight of comfort and authenticity.

Key Takeaways:

  • Consider the venue’s natural beauty and inclusions before adding decor to maintain cohesion.
  • Over-styling can overwhelm; focus on a few standout elements for a balanced look.
  • Prioritize guest comfort—ensure movement, sightlines, and engagement are seamless.
  • Personalize your wedding styling by reflecting your unique style rather than blindly following trends.
  • Don’t underestimate lighting—it sets the tone and elevates the entire atmosphere.


About Melanie
Mellyrain Creative is a wedding planning and styling company and we specialize in designing luxe countryside weddings across regional Victoria. As the head wedding planner and stylist at Mellyrain Creative, her team continues to grow and assist in styling design as well as wedding day coordination and execution of styling set ups at weddings all over Victoria. Prior to weddings Mel worked in sport and entertainment events in Melbourne and she is obsessed with her golden retriever pup Duncan who you’ll see on the gram from time to time. Mel love's to call country Victoria her happy place so when she's not working, you’ll still find me exploring new places, mostly something with mountains as a backdrop.

instagram.com/mellyraincreative
Contact Mel: mellyrain.com.au/contact

About Tania
Tania is an award nominated, coffee obsessed lover of love, and all round stationery nerd... & that is why she started the Event Wanderer Co. After years wrangling Ballkids at the Australian Open, she stepped into the world of weddings and turned her hand to design, combining a love of stationery with today's modern design and printing techniques to bring her biz baby to life. Tania's speciality is all things stationery and signage and also understanding the stress that event and wedding planning can bring and she's here to help you navigate the chaos of the journey.

instagram.com/eventwandererco/

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