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What are the latest wedding trends? Think small.

December 13, 2008 by Christina

I always encourage brides to follow their own path and have the style of wedding that suits their own personality. That said, it’s always fun to know what’s hip in the world of weddings. I asked Anna Namshirin, (pictured above with her groom) a wedding coach with British Columbia’s Fairy Godmother Weddings (I also interviewed Anna for an article I wrote for CBC.ca on wedding photo booths) for some of her observations on the latest wedding trends. Here’s what she said:

What are some overall wedding trends that you’re noticing?

Brides are starting to stray away from cookie cutter stationery and favours. With the accessibility of digital media it has become simple for a savvy bride to be able to construct a monogram for herself and be able to apply it to different aspects of her wedding from save-the-date cards to their wedding favors. Couples nowadays are very interested in having their wedding reflect their personalities whether it be personalized guitar picks for the musical couple, glamorous photos of the bride and groom for the photogenic couple, signature drinks for the cocktail couple, or the vintage cars for the collectible car couple! Every girl wants a memorable wedding that reflects her (and her husband) and these are all great ways to do it!

Is vintage still in?

In regards to wedding styles, vintage is very much in. We are seeing a return to the old Hollywood glam with birdcage veils and lace infused mermaid fitted wedding dresses creating bold glamour.

Which colours are you seeing?

Yellow is the new big color still strongly followed by the spectrum of purples and of course the fail safe chocolate brown combinations, although these combinations are slowly losing their popularity. Other colors out this season are the metallics and jewel tones. Rich colors help to accentuate most skin tones and also make a memorable impact in a guest’s mind. Not only do brides want to look gorgeous but they also want their wedding party to be stunning as well.

What about guest lists?

In terms of size, more and more brides are opting for intimate affairs or the latest trend, cocktail receptions. With the exception of a few notable cultures, not many brides I’ve encountered want to host an event with 300+ people. Instead they prefer it to be personal creating a connection to most (if not all) of their guests at the wedding. Cocktail receptions that incorporate fluidness and foster conversation are on the rise opposed to the traditional sit-down dinner. This can also help cut costs and put a very personal spin on the evening. Destination weddings are becoming more and more popular as they become more and more obtainable and brides are attracted to the simplicity of leaving all the planning behind to walk the beach, under the shimmering sun, after your ceremony. While it can be amazing wedding, destination weddings can be (at home or abroad) still quite a bit of work, planning and compromise.

What are some trends in wedding décor?

‘Wow’ factor is becoming more and more important to brides as they want to distinguish their wedding from those of their friends and families before them. Whereas chair covers used to be the décor trend for dressing up a room, lighting has taken its place. When you pair proper lighting with the wedding colours and elegant fabrics you definitely have a wedding that will keep your guests talking. Other added touches like coffee bars, photo booths and special entertainment are being incorporated into the festivities as the bar continues to be raised.

What about invitations and favours?

As everything else in the world goes electronic as will weddings. Many brides are opting for wedding websites which request their RSVPs by email or phone so they can save the paper, envelopes and postage required for the traditional RSVP. Here on the West Coast our green lifestyle is finding its way into weddings where couples are using recycled paper for their invitations, giving tree seedlings as favours for their guests to take home and plant in their garden, and making a donation to a local charity in lieu of boxed favors. If brides make it a point to have the majority of their life “green” then why not follow it through for their wedding?

Anna’s advice?

Whether it is elaborate or simple, elegant or rustic, costly or cost-effective the bottom line is that it should reflect the bride and groom. Your time, money and emotions are invested in this day and it should reflect who you are as people and what your interests and goals are. Whether there are 20 guests or 200 does not matter as long as you have a beaming smile on your face and have married the man or woman of your dreams.

Photo: Photo booth photo of Anna Namshirin and her dashing groom.

Filed Under: Small Wedding Ideas, Wedding Planning, Wedding Trends | Leave a Comment

Is an Outdoor Reception for You?

December 12, 2008 by Christina

outdoor reception

An outdoor reception can be pure bliss. After all, what better backdrop than Mother Nature?

But celebrating outdoors is not for everyone.

An outdoor reception generally takes more planning than an indoor reception, and it can be just as expensive – sometimes costing even more.

Because brides and grooms are at the mercy of the elements, they’re also a bigger risk. Mother Nature can be glorious, but she is often unpredictable – and unkind. She won’t hesitate to offer up a deluge during the most delightful of days.

For that reason, outdoor weddings are not for worry warts. Wedding planning can be stressful enough, without having to worry about the weather.

Despite the risks and careful planning required, there are oodles of couples that wouldn’t have their wedding any other way. They’d much rather feel the cushioning of cool grass beneath their feet, than the hard floor of a church or rented hall on their wedding day.

For these couples, deciding on an outdoor reception location is at the top of the ‘to do list’. While some opt to have their weddings in their own backyards, others celebrate in vineyards, forests, beaches or public parks. There’s also the option of having the reception outdoors at a bed and breakfast.

Lea-Ann Suzor, who owns a tent rental company in Windsor, Ontario, Canada says many couples choose to have their outdoor receptions at their parents’ homes – or their own.

“I think people have spent a lot of time and effort on their yards. People are proud of their homes and they like to have their weddings at home so they can showcase their properties,” she says.

Outdoor receptions don’t have to play by all the rules. Some couples opt for champagne brunches, afternoon parties, or cocktail receptions instead of the formal dinner reception.

“We’ve had them go from a casual lobster bake, where guests wore shorts and sandals, to the very formal – with flooring, carpeting and elaborate floral displays,” says Suzor.

Suzor recalls another recent wedding where games, streamers, clowns and balloons were part of the festivities.

“It was almost like a fair. It was pretty and colorful,” says Suzor, pointing out that nearly a third of the wedding guests were children.

One formal option is the cocktail party, says Suzor, who points out that more and more couples are choosing this style of reception.

“A popular thing that I’ve seen recently is more stand-up, cocktail receptions where they have the butler pass around appetizers and wandering minstrel bands in an afternoon or early evening setting,” she says.

Whether a couple opts for a barbecue, or something more formal, an outdoor reception usually requires lots of planning.

“It’s definitely more work,” says Suzor.

And it can be more expensive than one indoors – especially if a couple wants the works (dance floor, lighting, air conditioning, and décor done by a professional).

Photo: Susan Adler Photography

Filed Under: Outdoor Weddings, Small Wedding Ideas, Wedding Planning, Wedding Reception | 5 Comments

Winter Wedding: Snow Queen Crown

December 7, 2008 by Christina

I just got back from a performance by the Joffrey Ballet of the Nutcracker at the Detroit Opera House. One off the most dazzling scenes was of the Snow Queen dancing in her glittering icy costume through a dreamy wonderland of snow.

When I saw this handmade wedding tiara, made by the UK’s BlueMarmalade on Etsy.com, I though instantly of the Snow Queen.

Wouldn’t this be heart-stopping on a winter bride?

Filed Under: Small Wedding Ideas, Unique Wedding Finds, Wedding Planning | Leave a Comment

The ‘No Children Wedding’: Tips for Enforcing the No Kids Allowed Rule for a Small Wedding

December 7, 2008 by Christina

Want to open a can of worms? Tell people you want a ‘no children wedding’. You’ll get a few supporters, but others will secretly scorn you. Namely, the ones on your guest list who can’t imagine leaving their little ones with a babysitter.

Having a kid-free wedding is one way to scale back the guest list for a small wedding but be prepared for criticism. Judging by the comments on some bridal forums, there are some pretty strong opinions about kids and weddings. Some can’t imagine why anyone wouldn’t allow kids. They argue that it’s anti-family not to invite children and that weddings are all about family. Others can’t comprehend why anyone would want little ones underfoot at such an ‘adult’ event.

We had kids at our wedding. Mind you, there were only three – but I wouldn’t have had it any other way. That said, I understand why some couples opt for a ‘no children wedding.’ Couples generally spend months orchestrating their weddings – not to mention saving for them. Along comes one tantruming toddler, and Kaboom! perfection is destroyed – especially if it happens during the vows.

Kids are unpredictable. They cry. They make messes. They bump into things and are known to stick their fingers into places that they shouldn’t (i.e. cake, nose, you get the picture.) But oftentimes, they’re also surprisingly well-behaved during special occasions and can add a lot to your Big Day.

If you are sure you want a ‘no children wedding’, how do you ensure that your adult guests won’t bring their offspring?

Whether your motives for going kid-free are a limited guest list, or a morbid fear that crying babies, tantruming toddlers and playful preschoolers will wreak havoc on your wedding, here are some ways to get the message across to your guests that kids aren’t invited:

• Before you send out the invites, call friends and family who have kids and let them know that a wedding invitation is on the way and that you have opted for a ‘no children wedding’. That way they will have time to line up babysitters.

• Wedding etiquette experts (I am not one of these. Trust me.) say that it’s tacky to write ‘no children’ on the invites. Instead, state on the RSVP card that it will be an ‘adult reception’. Another way of saying this is to write the following on the RSVP card: “We have reserved_ seats in your honor” and just include the number of adults.

• Be firm. If you cave at your sister’s request to bring her little ones, and your friend’s little ones were forced to stay with babysitters, there might be hurt feelings.

One way to please your guests with kids is to have a babysitter or two at the wedding venue. Set up fun activities like a craft centre to occupy the kids. One word of caution: some kids get severe separation anxiety and will not take to this idea very well. Keep this in mind when you are pursuing this option.

Photo: Ralph Heinze Photography

Filed Under: Small Wedding Ideas, Wedding Planning | 6 Comments

Hand Drawn Maps for Wedding Guests: Tell Your Guests Where to Go with a Custom Map

December 6, 2008 by Christina

There are lots of ways to tell your guests where to go. You can create Google Maps for your guests. You can draw your own maps. Or you can get fun, hand drawn wedding maps for wedding guests from calligrapher Laura Hooper. Send them in your invitations or as save the date cards. Laura’s work has been featured in oodles of bridal magazines and she’s done work for some Hollywood notables. Map design is $285. With all the money you’ll save by having a small guest list, why not splurge on this cool keepsake!

Filed Under: Small Wedding Ideas, Unique Wedding Finds, Wedding Planning | 1 Comment

Who Sits Where? Seating Chart Software Makes it Easier

December 6, 2008 by Christina

Creating a seating chart is not quite as arduous with a small guest list. Anything under 50 guests and it’s pretty easy to do on your own. As the numbers creep up, the more useful software programs become in helping you create a seating chart. One such program for creating wedding seating charts can be found at fluidtables.com. I discovered this site the other day. It looks neat and it’s free. Check out the demo on the site. It explains the program in simple terms.

Filed Under: Small Wedding Ideas, Wedding Planning | 2 Comments

Felt Flower Wedding Bouquets: Whimsical, wonderful

November 26, 2008 by Christina

I am so tempted to buy one of these felt flower bouquets and put it in my living room. Love them! What a fun and whimsical alternative to traditional wedding flowers. Princess Lasertron (aka 22 year old Megan Hunt) will customize the flowers for your wedding. And she will create boutonniers and corsages to match the bouquet.

What a gorgeous wedding keepsake!