Tuesday, December 29, 2009

2010 Wedding Trends

With the New Year right around the corner, everyone is discussing their predictions on the biggest wedding trends for 2010. Here are the trends that I expect to see throughout the upcoming year.


Mismatched Bridesmaids Dresses
It can be very difficult to find the perfect bridesmaids dress that is going to please all of your bridesmaids. Let's face it, every one's body type is different and certain dresses just look better on certain people. Why not allow your bridesmaids to pick out which style (from a particular line and color) that suites their body the best. I personally think it looks great and will surely make your bridesmaids LOVE YOU! Take it a step further and mix and match different colors and patterns into your bridesmaids attire. It looks great in photos and will show how young and daring you are. (Photo Credit: Polka Dot Bride by SugarLove Weddings)

Internet involvement
Personal wedding websites are a great way to relay all of the essential information to your guests. From registry information, hotel, travel, updates, and more, your guests can stay informed with just a click of a button. Couples will also use websites such as weddingwire.com to create their guest lists, room layouts, seating charts and more.

Documenting the day
Although we are still in a "recession," I predict that the days of picking out the lowest priced photographer or videographer are LONG GONE. Today's bride and groom see the value in having amazing images that they can cherish for a lifetime. Unfortunately, there are no do-overs with this; you can't go back and relive your wedding day again if your pictures or video did not turn out as hoped they would. Instead of shopping around for the lowest prices, the 2010 couple will seek out the most talent photographer and videographer whose work fits their own personal style. (Photo Credit: Brewer Photography and Videography)

Added Activities
It is always great to add some sort of extra entertainment to your wedding day to guarantee that your guests will have the best time. Photo booths have been popular for a few years now, and will continue to be big throughout 2010 (everyone loves them). Slide shows are also a hit because it allows all of your guests to personally witness the evolution of your love and relationship. Comedians or Dance numbers are perfect performances to have during the dinner portion of your reception. Activities such as a fortune teller or a caricature artist would be a great addition to your cocktail hour.


Stationery
Matching stationery throughout your wedding ceremony and reception really shows your guests just how much thought you put into the details of your wedding. And believe me, they will notice! Your ceremony programs, favor tags, menu cards, place cards, table numbers, signage, napkins, etc. are all stationery items that can coordinate and add a whole new element of decor to your wedding. The 2010 bride and groom are going to use easy, inexpensive details like this to set their wedding apart. (Photo Credit: Salutations.com)

Green or Eco-Friendly
2010 will deliver many brides and groom who want to share their passion for the environment with all of their wedding guests. These couples will serve organic foods, will use biodegradable paper items, and will have recycle bins for bottles, cans, and any other containers. Plant or flower seeds are just one of the many Eco-friendly items that could be given out as favors.

Retro Weddings
Vintage weddings will remain quite popular throughout 2010 as well but will be joined by the fun/festive RETRO style wedding. In a retro-wedding, you will see many colorful patterns throughout the linens, attire, stationery and wedding cake. Other retro elements could include headbands, teased (big) hair, strands of beads, Polaroid cameras, tea-length dresses (with a little "poof" under the skirt), gloves, and a Volkswagen bug or van as the get-away car. (Photo Credit: Merriment Design)

Cutting-edge Colors
This is the big one that everyone wants to know about. In recent years, chocolate brown has definitely made it's mark; pairing with colors such as pink, baby blue, aqua or lavender. Well, waive bye-bye to brown and say "Hello" to it's replacement: Slate gray/pewter. If you have followed my blog from the VERY beginning, you will know just how thrilled I am for this trend. For 2010 I see gray/pewter paired with so many amazing colors such as pale pink, yellow, aqua, fuchsia, and many more. I also see purple continuing it's popularity.

The latest wedding day send-off

Although sparklers are still quite popular, there is a new product available for your grand exit or wedding day send-off. For years, sky lanterns have been used in Asian festivals, symbolizing your troubles floating away and being replaced with good luck and fortune in your future. The lanterns (made from biodegradable paper) are lit from the bottom using the same principle as hot air balloons to float away in the sky. Sky lanterns come in a variety of shapes and sizes and can even be personalized with your names, wedding date, or wedding colors. You can also have your guests write their own well wishes to the new Mr. and Mrs. directly on the lanterns. In this case, I would suggest having a few cameras on hand so that you can cherish some of the personal messages that your guests wrote to you. Sky Lanterns come with safety instructions, however, it may be wise to designate a few responsible adults who can assist your guests with the lantern send-off. Can't wait to try this one in person......


Saturday, December 26, 2009

Another great wedding at The Atlantis

Olivier Events has just returned from coordinating another wedding at the Atlantis Resort in The Bahamas. It was such a great trip and I cannot wait to share the story and photos with all of you (stay tuned). Hope you all had a VERY Merry Christmas and hope your New Years is all that you want it to be and more!

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Real Wedding Tampa, FL

I am thrilled to show you more photos from Wendee and Andrew's recent Fall wedding. I honestly could not have asked for a better couple to work with! Wendee and I have been friends for years and completely reconnected through the planning process. Everything in life really does happen for a reason because I am truly honored and grateful to call Wendee my "bride" and my friend.

Wendee and Andrew's wedding ceremony took place at Palma Ceia United Methodist Church in Tampa, FL and the reception followed at the Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay. The entire day was absolutely flawless.....just as they deserved! Best wishes to Wendee and Andrew!!

Thank you so much to all of the amazing vendors:
Photographer: Tina Sargeant
Florist: Botanica
Cake: Chocolate Pi
Linens: Connie Duglin
DJ: DJ by CJ
Transportation: VIP Limousine
Chargers and Chiavari Chairs: Black Tie Rentals
Lighting: MMD Events

Sunday, December 6, 2009

Holiday Hosting Ideas

One of the funnest parts of the holiday season is having friends and family over to eat, drink, and celebrate. Here are some Holiday hosting tips and ideas that will add a load of greatness to your gathering.

Serve food (party mixes, dinner rolls, mini-quiche bites, sandwiches, candy, etc.) in boxes wrapped like a beautiful present.

Don't feel obligated to use poinsettias!

Display yummy treats on fun/festive serving trays like this one.....

....Or this one.

Sew or purchase mini-stockings to place your silverware in.

Peppermint Ice Cream Bon Bons- Who wouldn't LOVE these?