A Guide to the Latest & Greatest Wedding Trends
It is every bride’s dream to have the perfect wedding. While the dream differs from bride to bride, they all share one goal: to have a unique, personal event that will live in her memory forever.
All brides want to stand out and put their own stamp on their wedding day. It may sound overwhelming, but it is not that daunting a task. “It is all about being creative and finding different ways to have a signature event,” said Deborah Moody, director for the Association of Certified Wedding Consultants, San Jose, Calif.
With a keen eye on style and detail, Ourweddingday.com has compiled a list of the hottest trends that can help every bride make her fairy tale wedding come true:
Rustic settings.
While hotels and catering halls are still strong options, more whimsical, rustic settings, including barns and wineries, are becoming popular choices.
Barns: Appealing for the bride who is looking for a casual, picturesque setting, barn weddings are booming. Besides symbolizing peace and a love of nature, the country setting also oozes charm. Offsite caterers are your best bet to create the ideal menu, which could range from simpler, even organic fare to a more elaborate, romantic dinner party.
Wineries: For brides who want to keep sophistication and romance front and center, wineries may be just the answer.
A versatile option, wedding ceremonies and receptions can be held outdoors, overlooking the vineyards. And if weather worries become just too stressful, charming wine cellars are the perfect indoor option.
Some winery operators are even willing to infuse all elements of their venue, including landings, gazebos and patios, as well as wine tasting rooms, to help brides create a romantic experience that flows from the ceremony to the cocktail hour, and then into the dinner party.
Some wineries offer their own catering, while others allow you to use offsite caterers. Of course, you don’t have to stray too far for a variety of wine choices.
Setting the tone.
Lighting is the first step to creating ambiance. Elaborate chandeliers and sconces are a good start, but some brides require a bit more drama.
Uplighting, similar to spotlights, are a popular choice. These lights are usually highlight a special focal point, typically the cake, special photos on display or a specific floral arrangement.
Hanging lights also make a statement. Whether they are a sheet of lights, or small white lights wrapped in ceiling-hung drapery or tulle, the soft opaque hue is a great way to set the tone of the room.
However, it is the popularity of monograms, insignias and logos that are catching the attention of many brides. And they can be projected onto walls, ceilings or dance floors.
“Your wedding day is your day to shine,” Moody said. “Monograms are the perfect way to infuse a ‘star-like’ atmosphere or gala effect into the event.”
Lighting and staging companies are trained to create a bride’s desired look. They assess the space, and help brides design the configuration from mini lights peeking through tulle, to where the monogram will remain lit for the evening. Cost varies, but it is usually based on the location, power accessibility and how elaborate the bride’s lighting plan is.
Going vertical.
Long-stemmed flowers are all the rage, both assembled in tall, narrow containers or vases or, in some cases, even hanging from ceilings.
While roses are an elegant choice, vertical designs require bolder long-stemmed varieties, including irises, cattails and sunflowers. They also need less filler flowers and greenery than traditional low floral centerpieces.
To make the arrangements pop even more, florists incorporate glitter or decorative gems to arrangements or inside vases.
“Brides are opting for these arrangement so guests will not lose contact with one another across the table,” said Robbi Ernst III, founder and president of wedding consultant firm June Wedding Inc., San Francisco. “If the piece is narrow, or even better, hanging from above, guests can converse, visit and intermingle.”
The princess bride.
Wedding dresses are back to ball gown lengths, and they are the perfect cut to help a bride feel like a princess on her special day. The dresses can feature traditional full skirts or more modest A-line structures, but it is the fitted bodices that create the silhouette of the gown.
More airy fabrics, such as tulle and taffeta, keep the skirt full and flowing, and bodices can support halters, V- or scoop-necklines, as well as plunging or dramatic open backs. Simpler designs may feature subtle accents such as lace or satin sashes, while more glamorous styles highlight bugle beads, gems, rhinestones and sparkling appliqués.
Vintage birdcage veils are becoming a popular choice to complement all style gowns. To further emphasize the romance of these simple veils, brides are dressing them up by vintage pieces, including pearls, gems, brooches, even feather plumes. (Visit David’s Bridal to learn more about these dress and veil styles and accents.)
Let them eat cake. And doughnuts. And ice cream. And...
Multi-tiered wedding cakes are giving way to smaller two- or three-tiered (and different flavored) cakes. The detail, whether it is butter crème or decorations, often complement the wedding party’s colors or the color theme of the event.
These cakes are being complemented with multiple dessert “bars,” or individual tables dedicated to specific desserts, that can be as personal or elaborate as the bride chooses. Choices are limitless, but favorite bars include cakes, fruit, pastries, tiramisu, ice cream, candy and truffles, coffee and liquors, exotic teas and “signature drinks” associated with the couple.
These are only a few details that brides are adopting to create a distinctive party. Moving forward, “brides will remain mindful of every aspect of their wedding,” Ernst added. “They are eager to make an impression in effort to have their fairytale day, and share the event with those closest to them.”
-Deena M. Amato-McCoy