THE FIVE STAGES: A WEDDING EXHIBITION

In 2023, my PEER Dinda approached me with the desire to make her wedding a truly memorable event. As a design consultant, curator, and editor, I was tasked with guiding her through the creative process of incorporating an exhibition into the celebration. After thoughtful discussions, we decided to curate an art exhibition that would visually narrate her relationship journey with her partner.

Category
Creative Direction, Creative Writing

Type
Exhibition

Project Outcome
Wedding Exhibition

Year
2023

Client
Dinda Dinisa & Audy L. Putra

Drawing inspiration from Deborah Byrne’s “5 Stages of Long-Term Relationships,” we crafted a unique experience for the guests. Each stage of the relationship was represented through a combination of written essays and art installations, designed to evoke emotional connections and take visitors on a journey through Dinda’s love story. The exhibition culminated in the final stage—her wedding day—symbolising the joy and fulfilment of their shared journey, leaving a lasting impression on all who attended.

We adapted Deborah Byrne’s theory into five stages representing Dinda and Audy’s relationship. The Merge captured their early infatuation or honeymoon phase, while Doubt & Denial depicted the challenges after discovering each other’s flaws. Disillusionment showed their relationship at a fragile point, with uncertainty clouding their connection. The Decision stage, divided into leaving, reflecting, and reconnecting, illustrated their separation and eventual reconciliation. Finally, Wholehearted marked the celebration of their enduring love, symbolised by their wedding.

/1 The Merge

/2 Doubt & Denial

/3 Disillusionment

/4 Decision

/5 Wholehearted

We used contrast primary colours to represent the raw, unfiltered emotions of their journey. The vibrant, playful palette emphasised the intensity of their experiences. Threads visually linked each art piece, symbolising the continuity of their relationship, eventually converging at the wedding aisle. These threads also appeared in other elements of the exhibition, such as the exhibition’s brochure, reinforcing the theme of connection throughout.