Light low and warm
Candlelight, uplighting at 2700K and no overhead white light. Lighting decides how guests feel and how photographs read.
Use fewer materials, better
Matte black, brushed gold, ivory linen, live florals. Four materials used consistently outperform twelve used once each.
Protect the sightlines
Nothing above eye level on the tables. Guests should always be able to see the person across from them.
Design at two scales
One large gesture the room reacts to, and small details guests discover at arm's length. Skip the middle.
Edit ruthlessly
Remove one element from every vignette before the doors open. It is almost always better.