24 Metallic Wedding Ideas That Will Add a Little Shine to Your Big Day

By Chloe Gorman
January 29, 2016
Jose Villa

Precious metals aren't just for your engagement ring.

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Renee Hollingshead

Choosing your wedding's color palette may be one of the hardest parts of planning a wedding, but it's along among the most important. That's because it influences many other aspects of your event: the vibe, flowers, and décor. Whether or not you already have your color scheme picked out, we highly suggest that you consider adding metallics to your list.

Silver, gold, and copper hues are all great additions to your big-day color palette. Why? They add a hint of shine and serve as a focal point wherever you decide to use them. Because they come in many different forms and colorways, metals are extremely versatile—and can suit any wedding's color palette, theme, and season. Throwing a winter wedding? Use a cooler tone like silver to go with a blue and white tablescape. For a fall or summer wedding, warmer metallics like copper, rose gold, and yellow gold will fit right into your seasonal décor.

Not only can metallics play into your event's décor—they can also help it stand out. To do so, make like one couple ahead and enhance your seating chart with a calligraphed sheet of shimmering rose gold. If you want to incorporate metals in a subtler way, consider working in smaller touches, like silver or gold dinnerware on your reception tables. You can even add metal details to your big-day confection, like Catherine George Cakes did here. The pros used this silver leaf wreath to turn anotherwise simple all-white cake into a masterpiece. To see just how pretty metallic décor can be, we've rounded up some of our favorite metallic wedding ideas. As you'll discover, silver and gold don't just belong on your engagement ring.

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Gold Dress

Jose Villa
Our Favorite Colorful Dresses from Real Weddings

If you're a metallic enthusiast, you might want to ditch the traditional white wedding dress and opt for something like this gold gown.

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Silver Plates

Jose Villa

We're not sure there's anything more luxurious than a silver platter. That's why Easton Events used them as plates at this elegant event.

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Gold Calligraphy

Jeremiah & Rachel Photography

Not all metallic wedding décor makes a statement. Add a small dose of shine to your menus (or other big-day paper goods) with gold calligraphy, like this script by Birdwalk Press.

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Shiny Seating Chart

Cheyenne Schultz Photography

Metals can easily upgrade any big-day paper goods. Note how just a small amount of copper foil made this seating chart by Viri Lovely Designs, Julep Floral, and Hart & Co. feel a little bit more special.

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Gold Splatter

Abigail Jill Photography
Metallic Wedding Cakes That Make a Shimmering Statement

If you want to add a metallic touch to your wedding cake, know that you don't have to use a lot to make a statement. For a subtler interpretation, make like The Sugary and lightly speckle your dessert with gold. To complete this confection, Pridmore Design topped it off with a cascading arrangement of andromeda.

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Metallic Bridesmaids

Ashley Burns
Best-Dressed Bridal Parties from Real Weddings

To ensure your bridal party shines on your big day, just look to these glimmering bridesmaids for inspiration. These women walked down the aisle in sequins and satin—a perfect way to work metallics into your ceremony.

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Headpiece

Greer Gattuso

There's no doubt that all eyes will be on you on the big day, but you can make your look even more eye-catching by wearing a metallic headpiece, like this one from Stephanie Browne.

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Mixed Metals

Angela Elise Photography

It's completely fine to mix metals in your wedding design. Just be sure to introduce a transitional element to tie the two together. The gold cutlery on this place setting by Kelsey Ann Events and Mad Hatter Vintage worked with an ornate silver charger thanks to the addition of two white plates.

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Metallic Shoes

Kerry Jeanne Photography
Wedding Shoes That Are Worthy of an Instagram

Planning on wearing a short dress for your ceremony or reception? You'll need a statement shoe—consider something like these gold (and winged!) Sophie Webster pumps.

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Modern Signage

Something Turquoise

Worried about punchy metallics feeling too dramatic? Add textural elements, like faux fur, to the mix to tone things down. This rose gold seating chart by Something Turquoise was placed atop a white faux fur rug to make the entire display feel softer.

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Metallic Mugs

Abby Jiu Photography
Signature Drinks That'll Personalize Your Cocktail Hour

Silver and copper cups are the perfect vessels for your signature drink. Not only will they make them feel elevated (like these beverages, provided by Windows Catering Company), but the metallic mugs will also keep them cool during a warm-weather event.

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Place Cards

Sarah Street Photography
Paper Place Card Alternatives That Your Guests Won't Expect

Get creative with your place cards by thinking beyond traditional paper options. Luxe and Luna used light bulbs, accented with metallic calligraphy, instead.

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Gold-Rimmed

Taralynn Lawton

For a more understated metallic look, take note of this Lovely Time setting that uses clear, gold-rimmed plates from Frances Lane for a small, shiny moment.

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Jewel Toned

Kelli Durham

Do you have a gemstone engagement ring? Draw inspiration from the colorful bauble by incorporating its jewel tones and precious metals into your cake design. Shelby Elizabeth Cakes wound a gold vine up emerald tiers for an unexpected look that nodded to the bride's favorite accessory.

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Gold Leaf

Corbin Gurkin
Unique Chargers That Will Upgrade Your Reception's Place Settings

Make like The Ark and put a spin on the phrase "gold leaf" with chargers rimmed with metal greens. This plate's gold vine rim gave off a romantic and slightly Grecian vibe on this tabletop.

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Gold Gift Box

Lacie Hansen Photography

Inform guests of your metallic color scheme at the start of your wedding weekend by wrapping welcome gifts in gold boxes. Jayne Bubis and Debby Lundy were responsible for these iterations.

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Gold Invitations

Craig & Eva Sanders Photography
Glamorous Metallic Stationery Suites

Another way to add metallics to your stationery? Through gold lettering. This E.Y.I Love suite featured reflective text—and an abstract wash of gold on the front of the invites.

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Gold Cake

Merari Photography

Gold foil can give your small cake a big presence. This Cloud 9 Bakery two-tier got an eye-catching upgrade thanks to a gold bottom section and colorful florals from Julia Rhode Designs.

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Blue and Silver

Melanie Gabrielle

Here's proof that metallics can be a splashy, but on-palette addition to your color scheme. On this blue tabletop by Ever After, these silver candlesticks from Love in Vintage stood out—without feeling out of place.

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Copper Centerpiece

Niall Scully Photography

Add a pop of metallic color to your all-white tablescapes with a unique centerpiece, like this one by Fernwood Flowers. The team used a vintage copper bottle filled with greenery sprigs for this tiny, but bright arrangement.

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Metallic Menu

Nikk Nguyen Photography
Pretty and Unexpected Wedding Menu Ideas

Looking for a fun way to show off your his and hers cocktails? Bookmark this menu by The Creative Standard. The pros used a gold sheet and sans serif lettering to make the signage feel more contemporary.

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Copper Setup

Dawn Derbyshire

If you've chosen an all-copper reception table like this one, we suggest ditching the tablecloth. The reason? It allows you to incorporate even more metallic moments. Dreams Riviera Cancun did just that when designing this setup. They picked chairs that referenced both the top of the table and the long metal centerpiece stands, resulting in a cohesive look.

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Table Numbers

Elias Kordelakos

Ensure your guests see their table number by using gold stand-up pieces, like these by Mood Effects. If you're throwing an outdoor event, they will be especially noticeable glinting in the sunlight.

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By Chloe Gorman