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.

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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).

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Custom wedding invitations for $100? A custom handmade silk wedding dress from a U.S. designer for $500? A hand-bound wedding guest book for $30?

Too good to be true? Not for a savvy recessionista bride who knows all about Etsy Alchemy.

Alchemy, you say? Isn’t that when mystics turn pennies into golden nuggets? Indeed.

Anyone planning a wedding on a budget, will find that alchemy will turn your hard-earned pennies into golden nuggets of handmade good’ness’. How?

Etsy Alchemy allows buyers (it’s free to join and anyone can become a buyer) to post requests for custom handmade items. Buyers state how much they will pay for their completed project. Sellers bid on the opportunity to create the goods.

Requests for wedding invitations, as well as save-the-dates and thank you cards are among the most popular, but you’ll also find requests for veils and headpieces, as well as wedding dresses, rings, favours and cake toppers.

How does a recessionista bride get in on the pot of gold?

1. Sign up for an Etsy account.

2. Click on the Custom tab at the top of the page.

3. Click add new request.

4. Fill in the required information.

5. Watch for Bids.

6. Accept a bid.

7. Pay the bidder.

8. Wait for the item to be created and shipped.

9. Enjoy!

Easy as wedding pie.

Hungry for more info. Check out the guide.

The possibilities for a themed wedding are only limited by your imagination. Here are just a few theme wedding ideas to get your creative juices flowing:

African safari – Make the wilds of Africa part of your themed wedding. Have animal print tablecloths, guests in safari attire, African food and music, safari themed centerpieces and favors.

Alice in Wonderland – Bring elements of this Lewis Carroll fairytale into your themed wedding. Why not have a tea party? Use Alice in Wonderland character cut outs such as the White Rabbit, and the Cheshire Cat in your décor. Have the groom dress as the Mad Hatter.

Angel – Bring a celestial charm to your wedding. Cherubs in all shapes and sizes can be used as a motif for all your wedding related decor.Aquatic – Since beach weddings are so popular this is one of the most common themed wedding ideas. Even if you aren’t getting married at the beach or on a boat you can still use elements of the sea in your wedding.

Baseball – Some baseball enthusiasts love the sport so much that they tie the knot on a baseball diamond. If you don’t want to go that far, you can still use baseball as your wedding theme by incorporating this sport into your wedding. Give baseball shaped chocolates as favors, and have your wedding cake made in the shape of a bat and ball. You could even dress the part, and encourage guests to do the same.

Bees – Have these busy little insects as your theme by using the bee motif in your décor. Serve baklava for dessert, and give jars of honey as gifts. Also have your wedding cake made in the shape of a bumblebee.

Butterfly – Are you a butterfly enthusiast? Use the butterfly motif in all aspects of your themed wedding – from the stationery to the wedding cake. If you’re wedding is outdoors, some real ones might even show up!

Carnival – Still a kid inside? Fun theme wedding ideas are to rent carnival games, cotton candy machines, snow cone makers, and other fun items to give your wedding the feeling of a carnival. One thing is for sure: kids will love it.

Cars – Are you and your partner car buffs? Why not make cars part of your wedding theme? Arrive in your favorite car (this might be a ’69 Mustang rather than a traditional limousine). Use model cars in your décor and have the wedding cake made in the shape of a car.

Chocolate- This is one of the yummier theme wedding ideas. If you’re crazy about chocolate (who isn’t), why not use it as your theme? Use rich chocolate browns when decorating. Dark brown candles could be used as centerpieces – so could bowls or baskets filled with fancy chocolates. Also use chocolate place cards – and chocolate favors, and have several chocolate desserts, including a chocolate wedding cake. What about a chocolate fountain?

Cinderella – Although you might have a hard time finding a carriage in the shape of a pumpkin to bring you to your wedding, you can still be Cinderella for the day by taking other elements of this hugely popular fairy tale and incorporating them into your wedding. (Actually you can find a carriage in the shape of a pumpkin – but it’s a cake topper.) Decorate with magic wands, crowns and miniature castles.

Daisies – It’s simple to base the theme of your wedding on this lovely flower. Use daisies in all of your bouquets and centerpieces, and also place candy daisies on top of your wedding cake. Find invitations that include this flower and use pressed daisies on your place cards. Give seed packets of daisies as favors.

Golf – If you and your partner love to spend time on the golf course, why not make it part of your theme? Have the wedding at a golf and country club. Give golf balls (with your names and wedding date) as favors. Have your wedding cake created in the shape of a mini-golf course.

Gothic – Is black your favorite color? Are you crazy about Dracula movies and Ann Rice books? Why not have a gothic wedding? Gothic style weddings aren’t that uncommon. They usually involve plenty of black and they definitely don’t adhere to tradition. A gothic wedding can take place anywhere – from a graveyard to an old mansion.

Mickey Mouse – If you are having your wedding at Disney World, then bringing this popular cartoon character into your wedding will be a breeze. If you’re having the wedding elsewhere, simply use the Mickey Mouse motif in your décor. You could even have someone dress the part and show up during the reception. Don’t forget to have the DJ play the Mickey Mouse theme song during the reception.

Motorcycles – What about arriving to your wedding on a Harley? If you were a real motorcycle enthusiast this wouldn’t seem like an outlandish idea. And if all your friends were bikers too, a procession through town, with everyone – including the bride and groom – would only seem natural. Other ways to incorporate the biker theme into a wedding is to use the Harley Davidson theme colors of orange and black and either have your wedding cake made in the shape of a motorcycle, or use a motorcycle cake topper.

Roses – A rose theme wedding is perfect for the summertime when roses are in full plan. Incorporate the rose theme into your wedding by having a ‘rose ceremony’ during your wedding ceremony. Have the wedding in a rose garden, and use roses in all of your bouquets and centerpieces. Use roses made of icing to decorate your wedding cake. Give single roses as favors.

Zoo – Okay, it might sound like the most outlandish of the theme wedding ideas, but if you love wild animals, why not have a zoo theme. Lions and tigers and bears – not to mention snakes, leopards and lizards. Imagine having these creatures as part of your wedding? Some zoos open their doors to couples wanting to getting married there. Couples can use animal motifs in their décor, including animal print tablecloths, and chair covers. Tropical plants can be used as centerpieces, and vines can be placed along the walls. Stationery with paw prints can be used, and a wedding cake can be made in the shape of a zoo animal.

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Most of us are familiar with the more primitive version of the flip book. The kind where you take any fat book (dictionary size is good) and draw little pictures on the edges of the pages to create a moving picture.

Well, flipclips.com has taken this concept and married it with digital technology. Simply send in some of your digital wedding video (your vows, your flower girl dumping the flowers, your grandma doing the jig), and flipclips.com will create a mini flipclip book of the event.

They’ve even used these as a way to propose.

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