2010 Bridal Trends We Love!

2010 is now in full swing, and already there are some cute, sassy, and fun wedding trends emerging. Here are a few that we're definitely in love with:

1. Wedding shoes in bold colors or prints. Whether it's hot pink, leopard print, or gingham, brides are letting a little personality peek through under the white skirts.

2. Birdcage veils. We love the retro, glamourous look of a delicate birdcage veil. Add in some pastel feathers or a vintage-look ornament to complete the look. It's timeless and yet so modern.



3. Useful favors. Couples today are eschewing the little bag of jordan almonds in favor of must-haves such as purse hooks, cute bottles of sunscreen, personalized water bottles, sewing kits, or even keyboard dusters! Finally, a wedding favor that your guests will keep for years.

4. The return of the "getaway dress." It's the end of the reception - time to change into a gorgeous new outfit for your "getaway"! This dress can be any color, not necessarily white, and adds a fun twist to the reception dress idea.

Sweets for Your Sweetie: Dessert Trends for 2010

Sure, the entrees and drinks at your celebration should be amazing, but don't forget about those scrumptious desserts! Wedding trends for the past few years have been all about incorporating more personality and escaping from the norm, and sweets are no exception. Here are a few ideas to give your desserts some pizzaz:

1. Add some variety. She wants cheesecake and apple pie, he wants tiramisu. Many couples are opting for many different desserts served beautifully on tiered stands. Or go for a pastry table and get a little bit of everything! This could be great for your budget, since it can be far cheaper than the usual elaborate wedding cake.

2. Rent-a-cake. Want a fancier cake than your budget allows? Want a daring cake with balanced tiers and impossible angles? Consider renting one! Rented cakes are made of styrofoam and plastic, so they won't melt, won't droop, and they'll look perfect all night long. A secret compartment in the back holds enough cake for the traditional cake-cutting ceremony, and once they wheel away your rented cake, your guests are served sheet cake in any flavor and filling you want. It's cheap, it's realistic, and you can even design your cake yourself.

3. Everybody loves cupcakes! Long ago, the traditional wedding cake was an arranged pile of small sweet cakes. So, why not revive this tradition and have cupcakes at your wedding? Whether you have a full-sized cake shaped like a giant cupcake, a host of cupcakes on decorated wire racks, or a custom tier stand for your little sweets, it will be memorable and beautiful.

4. Goodbye Stations. Giving your guests a nice little parting gift is one of this year's hottest trends, and for good reason. Set up a gorgeous self-serve candy station in your wedding colors, complete with pretty ribbon apothecary jars and flowers, or pick a treat that has special meaning for the season or your relationship. Put out some donuts in cute cellophane bags, festive candy apples, personalized lollipops, or for an October wedding, some of your favorite Halloween candy! Be creative, and your guests will love you for it.

5. Edible Favors. Instead of going the usual picture frame or candle route for your table favors, how about giving your guests something sweet? Chocolate is the obvious choice, but you can also pick a specific candy, cookie, or pastry that means something to you as a couple. Love Oreos? Set out some chocolate-covered cookies at each place! Having a beach wedding? How about Salt Water Taffy or sea salt chocolates? You can even have your menus or place cards made out of molded chocolate!

Whatever you decide to do, putting a little personality into your desserts can make a sweet day even sweeter.

Give Themes A Chance!

Themed celebrations have gotten a bad rap recently. Say “I'm having a theme wedding,” and most people will grimace. They will automatically think of guests in garish costumes, outrageous décor, and convoluted ceremonies.

But it doesn't have to be as crazy as all of that. When we sit down with a new client, we often ask them to come up with a theme for their celebration. We're not necessarily asking them to painstakingly recreate their favorite TV show or historical time period (though ideas like these can also be fun and definitely add lots of personality to a wedding!).

Instead, when we ask for a theme, what we are really asking for is a unifying idea that brings the whole celebration together. This idea can be as simple as a color scheme - perhaps the most traditional and popular theme - or something special and iconic to the couple, such as starfish, an Irish Trinity knot, or their stylized initials.

Once chosen, a thematic idea is incredibly helpful throughout the planning and decision process. It's so easy to get overwhelmed by the sheer volume of choices, so it's nice to have a place to start. If you have a theme, you can narrow your focus and carry your ideas through every aspect of your day, from invitations and menu cards to floral arrangements and customized favors.

Your theme also lets your guests know the style, tone, and even the formality of your wedding. For instance, a beach theme evokes colors of the sea, breezy dresses, and casual elegance. A royal theme calls to mind jewel tones, formal clothing, and formal opulence.

Far from being limiting, your theme can help you express who you are as a couple. Don't be afraid to pick something unique, exciting, and meaningful to you both! Feel free to play with different variations on your theme, and be as general or as specific as you want to be - not every single item must match the theme exactly. Even subtle hints throughout the design will give the wedding a cohesive feel.