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Chic Wedding Trends

Posted on: 02-03-2009 by jonklunk --
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The wedding industry is a $72 billion+ annual industry, and the recession does not seem to be slowing it down.  Any given weekend in the United States, over 40,000 couples will be tying the know, putting wedding planners and wedding trend setters as in demand as ever.  One thing that the recession IS bringing to the wedding industry is simplicity.  Americans may not be spending any less money on the ceremony, and all that is involved, but we definitely want it to appear that we are.  Today's top wedding designers are given the task of making wedding ceremonies and decor lavish and elegant, while remaining subdued and unassuming.  

Wedding Dresses

Designer Vera Wang started her career of designing wedding dresses over a decade ago, and today she remains on top of the wedding dress industry, synonomous with her craft around the world because of her adaptability.  Not only are her designs stunning, buy Vera has the ability to predict industry trends and to stay ahead of the curve. 

Today, Vera Wand has branched out into many facets of design, including: mattresses, china, fashion, and home accessories; and it all began with the wedding dress.  In the new movie Bride Wars Anne Hathaway walks down the aisle in a beautiful Vera Wang fashion.  And, when interviewed for the movie, Wang lets viewers in on the current wedding dress trends.  She says, "Gowns today have cleaner, sexier lines and only one or two types of embellishment - usually crystals or lace.  The princess look is out. You don't want the tress to wear you."  

Wedding Cakes

Last year a friend of mine from New York had her wedding ceremony at a relative's house in Louisville, Kentucky.  It was a southern outdoor wedding in the middle of summer, and it went off without a hitch.  Every element was planned and executed flawlessly, down to the smallest detail. 

The wedding cake was modeled after the one at Mariah Carey's wedding to Nick Cannon.  It was a three-tiered cake covered in white marzipan.  The edges were rounded to give it a more casual feel.  Then, a one inch, coral-colored ribbon of marzipan was added to the base of each of the three layers of the cake.  

When delivered to the location of the reception, the cake was placed on top of a silver plateau with a mirrored top.  The plateau was then wrapped in green english ivy from the garden.  The orchids which matched the color palatte of the flowers used in decoration for the wedding were placed together in small groupings on each layer of the cake and at the top as a cake topper.  The inside of the cake can be composed of whatever flavors you choose, as long as the outside looks wonderful.  Be sure the wedding cake has its very own table at the reception to really make it celebration when everyone gathers around for the cutting. 

Wedding Flowers

Once all white, and consting only of calla lillies and roses, wedding flowers have taken a turn for the more colorful.  "It's time to embrace color", says celebrity wedding floral designer and award-winning event planner Preston Bailey.  Jewel tones and more tropical-toned flowers are becoming the rage in all areas of the country, not just tropical locales.  For the bridal bouquet try a tight grouping of bright pink peonies or rhodadendron, embellished with seeded eucalyptus, and tied together at the stem with a satin ribbon. 

For table centerpieces at the reception, small groupings of floral arrangements in different containers are ideal.  Place a cut glass hurricane globe in the center of the table with a white pillar candle and surrounded by five silver julep cups filled with tulips, peonies, orchids, any any other bright, unusual flower you can find.  Bring surprise to guests on your special day with surprising and unexpected arrangements of flowers.

Wedding Menus

Often, the location of your wedding reception limits the menu you have to choose from.  Hotels, museums and other reception venus have contracts with catering companies mandating all events requiring food and beverage be supplied by the company.  However, even  when this is the case, you can still work with the chefs or catering company to create a menu that will be enjoyed by even the most discerning guests.

The trend these days is to deconstruct larger entrees into smaller portions and serve them as appetizers.  Finger foods can be amazing when layered and served in small shot glasses.  One great salad course that I was once served at a wedding was a ceasar salad in a shot glass.  The shot glass was filled half was with a creamy caesar dressing.  Next, a tall spear of romaine lettuce was sticking out of the top, with the bottom emerced in the cressing.  The dish was garnished with a bit of cracked pepper, shaved parmasean cheese, a tiny cruton and a spiral lemon slice on the rim.  It was a wonderful and refreshing dish.  They were a passed hord d' oeuvre, served on a silver tray by the wait staff, so you can indulge in several without hannging out by the buffet table. 

The same can be done with a single shrimp in cocktail sauce, or a number of other foods.  Surprise your guests with the level of creativity put into your creations.

Wedding Locations

While many traditional brides prefer large weddings in the local churches of their hometowns, many modern brides are opting to exchange vows with their partners in a more exotic location.  "Destination weddings are still big", states event planner Colin Crowie.  "I think the trend will continue despite the recession - even if everyone just goes to a nearby country inn for the weekend."

This philosophy of many of Crowie's bridal clients is shared by a growing number of traditional brides.  These days, a Las Vegas wedding does not mean eloping to a small wedding chapel like Brittney Spears.  Many of Vegas' elegant hotels, like the Bellagio, the Wynn and the Venetian, have wonderfully decorated spots that are perfect for a great wedding ceremony.  And best of all, the hotel is equipt to handle a reception of any size, and many times has world-renowned cullinary experts on hand to prepare the dinner for the bridal guests.

If Vegas is not for you the Bahamas may be.  Jewel wed her long time beau, rodeo pro Ty Murray, in the Bahamas last August.  The sand, the waves, and the cool ocean air is perfect for exchanging nuptuals in a quiet, romantic setting.

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