Top Trends for Wedding Flowers in 2009

I'd like to thank Cori at Elegala for emailing me over the following information on the top 2009 trends for wedding flowers. What flowers are you planning to use for your wedding? I'd love to hear.

from Elegala . . .
Today's brides are following the old adages, "less is more" and "use your imagination". The sayings may be cliche – but the latest trends in wedding flowers are anything but.

Daring Colors:
Gone are the days of adhering to light pastels and muted shades in wedding decorations. Today's brides are opting for bold and interesting pairings of colors in their wedding flowers and floral schemes. Not afraid of mixing purples and orange's, the post-millennium color palette is expanding.

More than Just Flowers:
Mix it up a bit by incorporating produce. One of the hot trends in wedding flowers is arrangements featuring fruits, herbs and even veggies as a playful and fun approach. Their naturally vibrant colors coincide with the daring color trend. Many brides are also turning to the woods for inspiration. Green grasses add dimension and structure and can elicit a warm, summery feeling.

Dynamic Tables:
Table arrangements are also becoming more dynamic. Instead of conforming to identical floral arrangements on each table, some brides are using different containers, varying the heights, or grouping an assortment of low centerpieces together.

Keep it Simple:
Gone are the days of overpowering floral arrangements adorned with excess filler flowers. Today's brides opt for a more natural and tailored look to their wedding flowers. One bouquet style rising in popularity is the hand tied bouquet. The fresh bunch of flowers presents the look of simple elegance that brides desire.

Above information courtesy of Cori at Elegala.com (online site for Gala Weddings Magazine) All images from Elegala.com's photo gallery.

2009 Bridal Accessory Trends

Today's post is from Nancy Jaeger, founder/publisher of USABrideWeddings.com. She has spent more than 12 years in the online bridal retail industry and today she shares with you her Bridal Accessory Trends for the new year.

According to Nancy, "2009 will be all about bold accessories and expressing your personal style and individuality. Flaunt your unique look by choosing a simpler, less expensive dress, and kicking it up with affordable and fabulous bridal accessories. Forget the cookie cutter, mass-produced jewelry sets and head pieces. Go for hand-crafted, artistic accessories - these types of luxury items are not only affordable, but will give you that one-of-a-kind look!"

Continue reading for the top 6 trends for 2009 - for any bride on any budget, according to USABrideWeddings.com
1. Vintage Inspired
The vintage inspired look includes rhodium or antique-silver hair accessories and jewelry, bird cage or visor veils as well as outrageous feather and flower combs - all of which are a throwback to the 1920s. The vintage look is also the perfect opportunity to incorporate family heirlooms, such as Grandma’s silver brooch – timeless pieces that can be used with the visor veils or as an embellishment on gown sashes.

2. Hollywood Glam
Big hair, big jewelry, sparkling head pieces, and tons of glitz! That is Hollywood glam at its best. Use dazzling bouquet jewelry and long dramatic beaded gloves for extra glam! Long, layered, draping necklaces, oversized earrings and bold colored stones in red and black are perfect to draw attention.

3. Don't Settle for Subtle… Chunky is in!
Brides are choosing to accent their gowns with big, bold jewelry sets--dramatic collars, clusters, or long strands of large pearls and beads, asymmetrical looks and multi-strand drops are all great ideas. Another new trend is a bare neckline with large chandelier earrings, paired with a wide, bold cuff bracelet to really make a statement – layering several smaller bracelets creates the same effect.

4. Go for the Gold!
The past year has been dubbed the return of gold bridal accessories! Brides are choosing darker-colored gowns in tones like champagne and dark ivory, in natural fabrics such as raw silk. Victorian style gowns accented with gold-tones are also popular this season. Nothing compliments these colors and textures like timeless gold jewelry. There is just something about the richness of the color gold that gives the feeling of luxury and elegance!

5. Organic or Natural Pearls and Stones
Continuing to be very hot this season is the trend to incorporate natural or "organic" elements and shapes into jewelry designs. The natural shape and beauty of Keshi and Fresh Water Pearls, mixed with glazed stones and dazzling Swarovski crystals, inspire exquisite bridal designs. A perfect match for a romantic destination wedding!

6. Greek Goddess Style
Want a look that’s sexy and modern, yet utterly classic? Go for the enchanting look of a Greek goddess-inspired style. The dress should be a long, lean and fluid silhouette or a romantic series of overlapping layers. With this look, the accessories are key to bringing it all together. Look for chunky leaf or vine patterns in a head piece or hair pins (depending on your hairstyle), as well as the jewelry. You could go with any color, but make sure it is artistic and fanciful.

Images shown include: Vintage Birdcage Veil, Felicity Bridal Comb, Whisper Feather Comb, Crystal Letter Bouquet Jewelry, Fingerless Bridal Gloves, Emerson Gold Crystal Earrings, and the Pearl Bliss Bracelet

2009 Wedding Invitation Trends

Nessa, of Cardgirl Invitations, joins me as my first guest blogger to discuss her favorite Wedding Invitation Trends for 2009 . . .

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Hello! My name is Nessa Sander. I own Cardgirl Invitations and run the CardgirlDIY blog. Thank you so much to Brenda at Best Wedding Sites for inviting me to guest blog today about invitation trends!
{post continues below after the photo}

Cardgirl Invitations is a custom design studio, specializing in letterpress wedding invitations. Because we do all custom work, we are able to incorporate custom artwork and calligraphy into your invitation design. This adds such a personal touch to the invitations, as it offers a true one-of-a-kind look. This is a hot new trend. Get on the early train!

After the invitations have been mailed, I often work with my clients to "complete the look & feel" with wedding programs, escort cards, thank you notes, stickers…just about anything created on paper. I am also not shy about passing along the artwork to my clients for some DIY projects…as I know it all starts adding up. I have also created a DIY site for those clients of mine.

Here's a quick summary of my favorite trends for 2009 wedding invitations:

My favorite new color combinations for 2009
Butter & Black
Eggplant & Ecru
Teal & Slate Grey

My favorite design elements for 2009
The Damask (of course!)
A Wide Stripe
Pattern Printing onto the Backside of Your Invitation Cards
Block lettering complemented by hand lettering
Print a Design onto Your Envelopes

Cardstock
Crane's 100% Cotton Extra Heavy Cardstock
(amazing, heavy like a coaster, works beautifully with a letterpress printing)

I hope you will take the time to visit my DIY blog for more ideas & my invitation website. Thanks again to Brenda for including me in your lovely blog!

Nessa

Thank you Nessa for guest blogging today! Please check back later this afternoon to see more invitation designs created by Nessa.

2009 Wedding Gown Trends

Today's post is from Christina Demarco and she unveils the bridal fashion trends for 2009. It's time to say good-bye to A-line wedding gowns. 2009 brings new looks in bridal wear and Cristina DeMarco (Vice President and General Manager of Bridal Reflections in New York) shares with us what's hot in bridal styles that will suite even the most fashion forward and traditional brides.
1. Cap Sleeves: Keeping your shoulders covered may be favorable in some churches but it is also stylish, sophisticated, and sexy. "Cap sleeves show off a lot of skin while simultaneously keeping a sense of mystery by covering your shoulders," states DeMarco. Look for St. Pucchi for the best in this trend.

2. Soft-Ware: You'll see less and less bold hardware and beading on the gowns because the latest looks keep treatments subdued. "You'll see lots of delicate beading this year," she says. Gowns will still have intricate treatments but with a rich, fine look. Look for Ines Di Santo for the best in this trend.

3. Rich Fabric: It's all about the fabric this season from rich taffeta and delicate lace, to heavy silk. Choosing your fabric is just as important as the style and cut because it really brings your whole look together.

4. Cut: Sexy, low-cut backs are making their way down the aisle as are V-neck cuts in the front. "More and more brides are moving away from the strapless, A-line gown. Styles are evolving to help brides show off their best assets, whether that it their arms, neck, or back." Look for Ramona Keveza for the best in this trend.

Thank you Christina for sharing these trends with us.

Dress Designers: (all images courtesy of Bridal Reflections)
Top Left {St. Pucchi} Top Right {Ines Di Santo} Bottom Left {Avine Perucci} Bottom Right {Ramona Keveza}

Trendy Jewelry for Brides and Bridesmaids

Today's post is an article written by Bonnie from BonitaJ.com (we'll be having a contest sponsored by her in November)
With such a fashion forward world it makes sense that brides would choose trendy jewelry for both themselves and their bridesmaids. There are types of jewelry that will become dated and look old; however there are many new trendy bridal jewelry options that transcend time.

Chunky necklaces with vintage looks are one of the newer looks this season. Using quality products like Swarovski pearls and crystals, these chunky vintage necklaces look gorgeous on the bride or her maids. Large pendant style necklaces with beautifully faceted balls, pendants and teardrops are becoming a more popular selection. Since Swarovski offers a wide variety of color options for almost all of their selections, bridal and bridesmaid jewelry designers have a wonderful palate to work with.

For this reason, bridesmaids receiving necklaces and jewelry pieces for their thank you gifts and to wear for the actual wedding are even luckier with the new designs. Imagine after asking your closest friends to help with your wedding plans, wear the dresses you pick out for them, to then receive great jewelry that they can actually wear again after the wedding.

Chandelier earrings have been more popular in the last few years; however the handmade designs and creations that bridal and bridesmaid jewelry designers are creating are beautiful and better because they can be color customized to match your wedding colors, dresses and themes. With the variety of bridal and bridesmaid jewelry designers online, there are endless color and style possibilities that suit almost every style.

Take advantage this year of the newer designs of chunky bridal and bridesmaid necklaces with beautiful designs, patterns and faceted beading. There are a wealth of bridal and bridesmaid jewelry designers online that carry a full line of necklaces, earrings, bracelets and hair accessories that can be color customized to match your wedding colors.

Above article courtesy of BonitaJ.com - thank you Bonnie.

PS - Now thru September 30 you can save 10% on all orders plus free shipping - see home page for coupon code.

Crumbs Bakeshop Customized Cupcake Tower

Last week I received an email from Melissa introducing me to the latest budget-friendly alternative to the traditional wedding cake that is now being offered by Crumbs Bakeshop {the originator of the gourmet cupcake}. It is the customized cupcake tower. This is a stylish option to serve to your guests - and as I'm sure some of my readers have noticed - I love cupcakes for weddings! You can almost always find a cupcake option/idea in my inspiration boards.

From Melissa:
"The gourmet cupcakes can be used to accessorize a traditional Crumbs cake, or the flavors can be combined to create a personalized cupcake tower of every couple's dreams – perhaps a cupcake tower comprised of the bride and groom's favorite childhood dessert flavors, such as "Twinkie" and "Hostess" cupcakes? The possibilities are endless, especially with 50 gourmet flavors to choose from."

You can choose from the following two tier sizes:
The 5 tier holds 30-35 large cupcakes
The 6 tier holds 40-45 large cupcakes

Crumbs Bakeshop has locations in New York and Los Angeles.
Anybody been to a Crumbs Bakeshop?

Wedding Trends for this Summer's 8/8/08

The other day I received a press release from comedienne and CEO of Bride's Night Out®, Pamela Yager. Pamela is considered the "Lucille Ball of bachelorette party planning". According to Pamela, "one of the foremost trends for this season is 8/8/08 weddings". I thought you would enjoy reading this, so below is an excerpt from the press release:

Bachelorette Party Planning Maven Reveals Why 8/8/08 is so Hot
"The number eight is highly favored in many spiritual and cultural traditions," says Yager. "For example, the Chinese pronunciation of 'eight' sounds similar to the word for 'prosperity' In the Chinese culture, the more eights involved in a couple's life, the better chance for luck and wealth. In Russia, 8/8/08 date is so highly prized that it is called the 'Millionaire Mark' day and one bride told me that people would pay a bribe to secure it for their wedding."

Some other reasons why eight (8) is such an auspicious number include:
• Eight (8) is a multiple of four (4). Four (4) equal sides create a square. A square represents the ultimate shape of balance and stability.
• Eight (8) is the symbol for "infinity". This is connected to the spiritual concept of "forever," which of course is the great hope for every new marriage.
• Just like the circular shape of a wedding ring (which has no beginning and no end), the two loops of the figure eight (8) when joined together represent the connection between a higher power and a human being.

"My bachelorette party clients carefully choose the date of their nuptials," says the saucy auburn coiffed Yager. "I personally chose 7/7/07 for my own wedding and threw seven (7) pre-wedding events. For 8/8/08 couples, Yager suggests the following party planning ideas to accentuate the fortuitousness of the date:

• Produce a bachelorette party with eight (8) distinct elements (i.e. games, toasts)
• Throw eight (8) co-ed pre-wedding parties for the bride and/or groom
• Schedule the bachelorette party for 8:08 p.m.
• The hottest (and best socializing) table shape happens to be an octagon for eight (8)
• Appoint eight (8) wedding attendants
• Set eight (8) diamonds in the wedding rings
• Set eight (8) crystals in your bachelorette party and bridal veils
• Arrange eight (8) featured flowers in each bouquet
• Ask eight (8) special wedding guest to make toasts
• Dance to an eight (8) piece band
• Give favors including eight pieces of chocolate and an 8/8/08 lottery ticket

Beverly Hills bride-to-be and classical pianist, Elena Ganjoula, chose the 8/8/08 wedding date based on the strong cultural significance of the date in her native Russia, "The number eight represents stability, prosperity, wealth and success in love and finances. As a musician, the symbology extends to the fact that the 4:4 tempo is the march, which is a happy, uplifting melody." Ironically enough, Ganjoula and her husband-to-be live at an '808' address. Coincidentally, Pamela Yager lives at a '717' address.

Priscilla Flores, another Los Angeles bride-to-be, serendipitously chose the date when the venue she wished for had the 8/8/08 date suddenly become available. "It was only later we discovered that the 8/8/08 date is fabled to bring my marriage eternal happiness because of the luck surrounding the number eight!"

The "Sex in the City of Hen Parties," Bride's Night Out® (www.bridesnightout.com) is the nation's first and only bachelorette party planning service of its kind and was founded by stand-up comedienne, Pamela Yager. The national network of pre-nuptial festivities is uniquely led by improvisational comedy-trained "Party Guides" at venues, homes, and destinations throughout the U.S. Bride's Night Out® features a lucrative consultant career program for anyone wishing to become a bachelorette party planner, and wedding industry professionals can add BNO to their list of products and services for added income. Most of all, a rockin' good time is offered for the 2.4 million brides that are headed to the altar every year.

Image Credits (left to right): always13 flickr gallery, Documents and Designs, AmmarQ8.com's flickr gallery, songchilde's flickr gallery