Wedding Planning 101 - Part 6 Wedding Trends for 2011

If you have been following my blog, congratulations!  Most of the hard part of planning your wedding is  behind you.  Now it is time for the fun stuff.

The wedding industry is driven largely by fashion industry trends.  2011 weddings will showcase familiar trends with new twists, a resurgence of vintage styles, and quite a few makeovers from previous seasons.  And then there are the newest, hottest, never been seen or done before wedding trends..! Whether you want to be the first to debut something new or you just want to tweak  something old, here are some of the  upcoming trends to watch out for.

    

SOME LIKE IT HAUTE, SOME LIKE IT BOLD

As we illustrated in a previous blog, trend setters are gearing up with jewel
tones like emerald green and rich shades of blues and purples.  But making a comeback is the ever popular black and white color combo.  This time around, black is being used as an accent color.  And don't be afraid to dress up this color combo with  bold pops of turquoise, sunshine yellow, hot pink or even bright orange.

CEREMONIES AND RECEPTIONS

There is a growing revival of weddings taking place at home (yours or your parents).   Backyard wedding celebrations are in as more couples choose the more-for-less philosophy.  While having a wedding at home  does give the illusion of spending less and allowing for a more casual celebration, keep in mind that without careful planning, it is not always cheaper to have your wedding at home.  Don't forget to add the cost of any renovations or fix ups your home may need to hold your event and then compare that to the cost of renting a venue that is already designed to hold an event.

One other trend that is a direct result of the economy is that more couples are choosing to get married without the fanfare of a big wedding and then have a more modest celebration for family and friends at a later date.

TIMING IS EVERYTHING

Couples are also choosing non traditional times to for their celebrations in an effort to defray some of the costs.  Who said you can't get married in the morning and then hold a brunch reception that allows the couple to serve a combination of breakfast and light lunch dishes.  Add to the flavor by pairing your brunch fare with appropriate beverages such as mimosas or beelines, along with juices and you save yourself the added expense of an open bar. 

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

While we are on the topic of food, candy buffets, cupcakes  and ice cream sundae buffets are not going anywhere anytime soon, but there are some nice variations of sweet surprises in the 2011 lineup.   Hot, freshly made donuts, funnel cakes and even deep fried candy bars are just a sample of fair foods that are showing up at many receptions.  An innovative treat that is sure to please even the biggest sweet tooth is the combination of cookies and milk (as in milkshake shooters).   And don't be afraid to try using a variety of gourmet popcorns as a special treat.

Now if you still have your mind set on cupcakes, then take a look at a couple of new ways to present this traditional treat.  Cupcakes on a stick are a hybrid of a cupcake and a lollipop and can be bought in many flavors.  Cupcake wrappers are a nice way to dress up your cupcakes, incorporate your wedding colors and still serve this popular cake alternative.  Or try the newest thing and have your cupcake design stenciled on.  Also - for adults only- many bakeries offer alcohol inspired cupcake flavors.  And if this isn't enough sweetness for you, try a frosting shooter - guaranteed to whet your appetite for more.

UNCOMMON FAVOR

DIY (do-it-yourself) or handmade gifts are going to be seen in more wedding receptions as brides look for clever favors to thank guests without taking a big bite out of their wedding budget.  Craft web sites like Etsy (think E-Bay for crafts) offers a plethora of ideas that will accommodate almost every style and taste imaginable.  Don't think of your homemade gifts as cheap, instead think of them as one of a kind, custom made thank you gifts that reflect your individuality.

WHAT YOU SAY SPEAKS VOLUMES

If what you say speaks volumes then the colors you choose to reflect your style will surely turn that volume up several decibels.  2011 invitation and wedding paper trends are a direct reflection of styles and colors that grace the runways and showrooms as noted in the color choices above.  The peacock feather lends itself graciously to the warmth of the jewel tones that are in style this season.  Other popular styles that are emerging include vintage designs such as paisley, art deco inspired looks and metallic and pearlized papers (think DIY projects).  

Passing down customs from one generation to another is a popular wedding tradition.  Why not show off your cultural influence in your wedding invitations.  2011 invitations are drawing inspiration from many heritages and ethnic looks.  This recurring trend makes a comeback once again this season because of the sheer beauty of the color palettes (think bold Latin flavors, rich African prints or the spice of Indian cultures).   

MIX AND MATCH

One of the most important aspects of illustrating your wedding style is dressing your reception tables.  The art of tablescaping includes not only the tablecloths and table settings, but also the napkins, runners, overlays and coordinating chair sashes that you use to make your statement.  Little will change next year as far as the art of tablescaping is concerned.  But the big change will take place in the tables.  The new season will embrace the eclectic look -  pairing different sized tables with each other - round,  square or rectangular - you make the choice.  Mixing shapes breaks up the predictability and adds an air of the unexpected to your event.

Chiavari chairs (that must have object of elegance that has replaced the traditional folding chairs at events for many seasons) will be facing some stiff style competition as companies like Chameleon Chair have introduced just about every chair style, color and cover imaginable.  The options that are limited only by your imagination.  

Also think lounge furniture.  This popular seating choice is being used frequently to create a  nightclub atmosphere for your evening reception or comfortable home like seating for your Sunday afternoon brunch on the lawn.  This trend in seating has really caught on for the past few seasons as well, and is now being used at both indoor and outdoor events as more couples choose less formal celebrations which ups the ante for cozy and intimate seating.

DRESSING FOR THE OCCASION

In keeping with the mix and match style mentioned above, many brides are opting to let their bridesmaids choose their own dresses.  Within certain color and style parameters, of course.  (Think all after five or all tea length, etc.)  This allows the maids to buy a dress that  they actually like and a dress that will want to wear again.

The bridal gowns for 2011 are embellished with lace, ruffles, bows and tiers.  Not big and bold statements, but small dramatic attentions to detail.  Asymmetrical gowns with dramatic details at the back of the dress are another less conventional style that will be making an appearance next season and should be around for awhile.

Accessories are just as important as the dress.
Back for another round of weddings is the bird cage veil.  This alternative to the traditional long veil gives the bride a dramatic and glamorous look and is the perfect compliment to the 2011 bridal gowns or a less formal bridal suit.  For even more drama, a bird cage veil can be adorned with feathers, flowers or even a little glitter from your favorite bling.  And not to be outdone, don't forget the shoes.  Many brides are choosing to embellish their wedding shoes with shoe jewelry - for that added touch of whimsy and elegance.  

Grooms will see a couple of options for asserting their own style in 2011.  One that is a keeper is replacing the traditional rental tux with  a tailor made suit that the groom will be able to wear again.  A second look for the discerning groom that I loved was daring to break away from the traditional tie.  There are two tie styles that caught and kept my eye.  The first was a short, full tie that almost looked like a cross between a tie and an ascot.  The other was a tie that had been ruched.  

Another trend for men that stood out was  the  carefully matching or mismatching of ties with pocket squares for visual appeal.  There are many style and color choices for pocket squares whether you want to be bold and daring or just want a break from tradition for your wedding look.

Now that you know what to expect, get busy and incorporate the trends and colors into your wedding that appeal to you.