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Photo by Rouxby
Once you’ve got essentials like a wedding venue and the photographer out of the way, it’s time to focus on what is often the most enjoyable aspect of big-day planning: choosing the décor! While weddings these days are filled with “wow” moments that range from smoke bombs to Champagne walls, ice sculptures and other frozen elements are more unique fixtures that can truly be the ice-ing on the cake.
“An ice sculpture is the cherry on top of your event,” says industry pro Chris Wyer. “You don’t see them every day.”
Meet the Expert
Chris Wyer is the head designer for Ice Lab, an ice sculpture and artisan ice company based in Maryland. He has been involved in the ice sculpting industry for 30 years.
Interested in adding one to your own cocktail hour or reception? Read on for Wyer’s expert take on everything to know about wedding ice sculptures, including how much they cost, when to order, and how to decide on a design.
How to Decorate Your Wedding With Ice Sculptures
If you’re after just a splash of ice, the most traditional option is the standalone sculpture, which are often carved with symbols of love (hearts, rings, swans, etc.) or a couple’s new last name or initials. Per Wyer, this type of piece most often features as a visual counterpoint to the wedding cake. Another smaller-scale option might be to suspend florals in ice for a unique take on tabletop centerpieces. There is also, of course, the ice luge. For couples who really want to bring the party, this can be a fun interactive element that also doubles as décor. “We can make these where you pour directly on a track on the ice, or you can pour through a funnel tube system,” says Wyer. “That way, you can still do a beautiful sculpture, but the liquor can do some turns that it could not do if it was riding on top of the ice.”
For those looking to up the ante, consider making an ice sculpture part of your food and drink display. One of Wyer’s favorite choices for events is a full-blown ice bar, which, he notes, typically works best when it's situated in the reception lobby or in a separate cocktail area away from the main dance floor.
To keep larger ice fixtures in supreme condition, Wyer recommends positioning them away from direct sunlight and air conditioning drafts, and protecting them from windy conditions.
Ice fixtures are an eye-catching way to set off food stations that need to be served cold. “You can have a beautiful multi-level food display for everything from caviar to sushi to seafood,” Wyer says. “And if you’re not serving buffet style, it’s always cool to come out with ice ‘plate’ appetizers filled with lobster tails or ceviche.” Shot glasses or beer mugs made of ice are other creative options.
How Much Do Wedding Ice Sculptures Cost?
As with any element of wedding décor, ice sculpture costs will vary widely depending on size, complexity, quality, and area of the country where commissioned. Once you factor in the labor, air-conditioned storage and transport, delivery and breakdown fees, and backdrop LED lighting, expect to spend at least a few hundred for a basic sculpture and several thousand for something larger, such as an ice-bar.
Ice Lab charges a flat rate of $750 per block of ice used, but Wyer does note that is usually sufficient for a three-tiered food display, or, per the company website, a sculpture that stands 50 inches tall and 40 inches long.
When Should I Order My Wedding Ice Sculpture?
Per Wyer, basic shapes such as swans or hearts can be ordered 30 days in advance, but more custom designs require at least two months notice in slower seasons. For events in busy seasons, such as graduation and end-of-year holidays, he recommends putting in your order as soon as you know your event date. In most circumstances, ordering an ice sculpture 3 to 6 months in advance of your wedding date should guarantee your spot.
How to Decide on a Design for Your Wedding Ice Sculpture
You know you want ice décor, but if you're not sure what form you want your sculpture to take, it can be difficult to narrow down the options. To help you decide on a vision, Wyer shares the questions he uses to guide his clients.
Will it have utility, or is it just for display?
If you want guests to interact with your display or if you’ll be using it to serve foods that need to be chilled, ice décor integrated into your catering setup will feel more logical and seamless. If you’re really just looking for a one-off visual note, opt for tabletop ice décor or go with a standalone ice sculpture in a tone-setting space such as the reception entrance.
What’s your wedding theme?
“A lot of times this will provide direction,” says Wyer. “Also consider your location.” If you’ve got an Art Deco vibe going, opt for something with geometric shapes and graphic lines. If you’re marrying in a destination with certain signature landmarks, à la Philadelphia's famous LOVE statue or the palm trees of a Caribbean island, consider honoring that sense of place.
What do you have in common?
Your new last name isn’t the only thing you share! While ice sculpture designs do often feature a couple's monogram or initials, this is also an opportunity to pay homage to the passions that brought you together in the first place. “If you both like to hike, do a backpack or hiking boots,” suggests Wyer.
