2014 Winter Wedding Trends

Even though summer is in full bloom, there is just enough time to plan for a white wedding and Wedding & Party Network has this year's most popular winter wedding trends.

Winter Wedding Colors

When brides think of a winter wedding, some may picture turquoise or light blues and silver while others go for the deep reds of Christmas. However, this year blushes of pink and tones of gold have been making their way onto the winter wedding color swatch. Consider neutral colors like greys and tans, and even pair some colors rarely seen during the season, like mint or deep purple, which  go well with neutrals.

Winter Flowers

Unless you are planning on having your wedding in the snow, bring the outdoors indoors by incorporating rustic plants along with your flowers. Holly and pine needles add to the winter theme of your wedding. You can also add these plants of the season with your reception arrangements. Baby's breath can be incorporated into all your arrangements due to its likeness to snowflakes; make your bouquet full of baby's breath and it will seem as if you are holding a bundle of snow.

Wedding Decor

Make your guests smile with a little taste of winter. Set up a hot chocolate bar with jars full of marshmallows and candy canes to stir. Add other drink options like coffee or hot tea for those who aren't fans of the sweet drink. Fill apothecary vases with marshmallows of different sizes, candy canes, and small chocolates. Both guests young and old will have fun making their wintry concoction and be grateful for the warm snack. This snack serves as both food and unique decor.

Food

You can get really creative with themed goodies like gingerbread cookies for dessert and eggnog cocktails for adults. Add a twist to the famous chestnuts roasting by dipping chestnuts in chocolate and coating them with sprinkles in your wedding colors.

Favors

Anything from snowflake shaped sugar cookies to homemade hot cocoa mix can make great wedding favors for your guests. Something they would really appreciate are some gloves, mittens, or even blankets as favors, and don't wait until after the party to give them out. Have baskets filled with them near the entrance of your reception or by the hot cocoa bar. Give them a personal touch by engraving the guest's name or the wedding date. Every time they wear the gloves or cuddle with the blanket, they will have memories of the great day they shared with you.

Wedding Cake Trends for 2014

Wedding cakes have come a long way over the last century and gave evolved into glorious works of art that reflect exactly what the vision or personality is of the happy couple. These sugar masterpieces are often the focal point of the reception so it is important for many couples to use the cake to make a statement or create an atmosphere for the event. The most impactful designs are ones that are unique and one of a kind as well as absolutely delicious. You want your guests to talk about your cake with longing and admiration.

Thanks to many advances in technique and medium there is pretty much nothing that talented experienced cake designers can't do for a bridal couple. Even relatively new designers can pull off fabulous cakes using cutters, texture boards and flower punches. This means that the wedding trends for 2014 are textured, colored and very romantic.

Here is what you will see at receptions in 2014:

Painted cakes: This look was something that was also popular in 2013 but now covers new ground. These creative cakes are sometimes very precise with stenciled designs and even monograms or they can be utterly unique creations with freestyle painted flowers, butterflies or clouds. The most incredible part of painted cakes is that they have absolutely no limits for a talented designer. You can also have painted cupcakes or cookies as well!

Classic flowers and flower combinations: Certain combinations will always be popular because they are absolutely glorious and have been used to denote romance and love for centuries. Roses in all their variations and sizes will be found gathered on cakes in 2014. From delicate wild roses to full blown beauties these flowers will be made from gum paste or put on fresh. Roses will also be combined with other flowers such as hydrangea, freesia and even daisies depending on the bouquet and theme of the event.

Texture such as ruffles and lace: cakes are unapologetically romantic and girly in the coming year. They are draped in intricate fondant lace created with Sugarveil and plumped up with pretty staggered ruffles in all colors. Sometimes both these texture elements are used one one cake. Ruffles can spiral, flounce down or up depending on the design and they can also be monochromatic or alternated colors. You will also see cakes inspired by fabrics like damask and heavy silk, often from the wedding dress itself. Look for lots of texture.

Ombre: although the ombré hair trend has seemed to fizzle out cakes are still sporting this subtle look. This gradual fade to lighter shades is best on taller cakes and can be achieved with tinted fondant or even with hundreds of flowers or other design elements like buttons or shells. Simply place the flowers in gradually lighter shades either up or down the cake. This is quite an elegant look.

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A beautiful celebration can be yours for less than you think. Here are some smart budget saving strategies.




The Guest List
Keeping your guest list trim is one of the most important things you can do for your wedding budget. If you are worried that you will offend people by not inviting them, stop now. Of course you wouldn't leave out your nearest and dearest, but think of all those people who would be pleased to be invited but not bothered if they aren't. The best thing to do is to make some rules. That is, first cousins but not second. Spouses and live-in or serious partners (usually 6 months is the rule of thumb) but not dates. Your boss but not the whole office. That being said, don't split up groups - if you invite the whole office, fine - but don't just invite one.




 


The Dessert Table
Unless you are having a dessert reception, don't go overboard on sweets. Wedding cakes are so spectacular that offering a dessert buffet, a crepes stations, and mini ice cream sundaes is just excessive.

 

The Flowers
It is no surprise that over the top florals can add up your wedding costs quickly. You don't need to fill every corner of your venue with flowers for a lovely look. Work with your florists to use the freshest, in-season blooms to their advantage, then fill in the rest with budget-friendly candles or greenery. The look will still be beautiful. If you really adore flowers, consider a botanical garden as your venue - a beautiful backdrop is guaranteed.

 

Cocktail Hour
Don't overload guests with everything from sushi bars to hors d'oeuvres to pasta and carving stations. By keeping it short and sweet, you'll ensure you will need less food. Go for hand passed hors d'oeuvres instead of having stations. Only offer enough food to keep your guests from getting tipsy during your cocktail hour.

 

The Drinks
Feel free to skip the champagne toast and use the wine you have on the table. Create a bar that you can afford, whether that means only beer, wine and soft drinks; a signature cocktail and wine with dinner; or less-expensive liquors for mixed drinks. Keep it simple. The more variety the more expensive it will be.

Winter Wedding Trends for 2013

Ornaments and snowflakes are standard winter wedding themes, but don't feel bound to them. Here, seven fresh ways to plan your winter wedding.

Winter Wedding Bouquets 

Low, lush arrangements made up of elegant white and ivory flowers mixed with pops of color, like bright-red amaryllis, and lots of wintry textured accents, like lamb's ears and thistle, are hugely popular this season.

 

 

Winter Wedding Reception Tables

Gold is big for table design, so this season wedding designers are finding formal wintry ways to deck out the tables in the pretty metal hue, like this table with a gold charger, menu card and flatware.

Winter Wedding Receptions

Floral designers and wedding planners are bringing the outside in when it comes to decorating the reception space.

Think: lots of candles and big branchy arrangements adorned with glowing votives and fresh flowers.

 Winter wedding Food

Consider your holiday food favorites and translate them to your reception.

Try cannoli wrapped in gold paper and served during the cocktail hour, or even warm, fresh-from-the-oven favorites like baked Brie drizzled with compote.

Winter wedding Dresses

Illusion necklines and embellished necklines and skirts (like on this sparkly Reem Acra dress) were all over the bridal fashion runways in October.

Winter is the perfect time to showcase this demure look.

Winter wedding Invitations

Beautiful calligraphy mixed with modern fonts like this one will reign this season. The best part: You can dress it up (with embellished belly bands and laser-cut elements) or down depending on how formal you want to go.

Winter wedding Cakes

Bold and beautiful cake designs are big for winter -- like this red-rose-bedecked white wedding cake. Also big? Flavors and frostings that call on the season, like blackberry buttercream or blood orange filling.

So what trends are you looking forward to using in your wedding this winter?

Weddings and Technology

Besides slideshows, how are couples integrating technology into their weddings?

 

From the International Panel of Wedding  Planners and Designers:
 Kristin Banta
KRISTIN BANTA EVENTS / LOS ANGELES

Before the actual wedding day, couples are using technology in a number of ways.  Most couples are now building wedding websites to streamline where and how information is distributed. Additionally, many couples are now using Pinterest to put together their ideas and concepts in order to more efficiently and effectively communicate their vision to their team of collaborators.

Once the wedding day arrives, many couples are creating dedicated hashtags for their wedding, so that they are more easily able to find their family and friend's photos from their wedding on instagram and twitter.  Additionally, newly weds are often posting wedding albums to facebook days (or mere hours) after their weddings have taken place.


Kelly Hood
BOHO WEDDINGS & EVENTS / SHEFFIELD UK

Playlists using Ipods and spotify are very popular instead of using a DJ, instagram for instant images of the wedding across twitter and Facebook. Couples creating their own wedding websites for guests information as well as wedding invitations.


Saundra Hadley
PLANNING FOREVER / MIDWEST

Instagram is the latest craze to promote the wedding while it's happening. Creating signage that indicates the #hashtag to use so guests can participate in promoting wedding photos. We are also seeing Pinterest being used for wedding party collaboration in the planning process. Closes the gap between family members that live all over the world.


Wayne Gurnick
MOMENTS BY WAYNE / LOS ANGELES

Technology plays a very important part in the wedding planning because for most couples, it’s an integral part of their daily life.  It’s standard practice to use the web to research, find and purchase products and services – wedding invitations, party favors, accessories and even bridal gowns.  Couples are also setting up wedding web sites and registries online and using social media to communicate with family and friends.

Pinterest and other image sharing web properties help couples research and share everything wedding.  Some couples use video streaming to share their wedding ceremony with those that are not able to attend.

An exciting new way to use technology is instantly sharing Photo Booth images via social media.  Computer generated images projected on the aisle during the ceremony and on the dance floor during the reception are on my list of favorites – these capabilities are made possible and affordably by technology. 


Bruce Russell Chiason
BY BRUCE RUSSELL / LONDON

The most common request is couples wanting to broadcast their ceremony on Skype, so family & friends who can't attend are able to share in their special day. 

On one occasion, a couple had iPads on each table, which provided guests with details such as the evening's itinerary, menu, and entertainment.  They also had information about each guest at the table and how each knew the bride & groom.  Guests could also use it to record personal messages and take photos throughout the evening, sharing them on Facebook & Twitter.  It was fun and interactive.


Karry Castillo
UNIQUELY YOURS / ORLANDO

One of our client couples recently shared a mini- cinematic film prior to their introduction into their reception . The film highlighted how they met, dated, and proposed. The bride had an amazing dramatic flair and sharp wit which when combined with her stage experiences resulted in a comedic and heartfelt film. 

Past clients have also incorporated technology through live simulcasts of their ceremonies with family overseas, flipbook stations via The Flipbook People, photo sharing through Wedding Snap, personal wedding websites, same day video edits, and choreographed lighting for reception events just to name a few.

See the rest of the answers here: http://weddingindustryexperts.com/pd4.html

How are you planning to incorporate techy goodies in your wedding?

Notable Wedding Trends for Fall 2013

Although emerald was announced Pantone's Color of the Year, a different shade of green has been dominating wedding inspiration. A popular color for household items in the 1940s and 1950s, the vintage trend has certainly brought mint back to the forefront. This refreshing and versatile color pairs well with gold, coral, salmon or yellow.

With the fast-approaching movie release and the resurgence in vintage weddings, The Great Gatsby movement has been gaining a lot of momentum. From elaborate headpieces to feather centerpieces to Art Deco venues, wedding details from the 1920s are popping up everywhere.

Although the reception lounge was big in 2012, experts predict that it will be even bigger in 2013. Comfortable couches, plush pillows and romantic curtains set the scene for a place where guests can kick up their feet, mingle and relax the night away.

 Wedding cakes are getting brighter and bolder, and designs are ever-evolving. Whether they're hand-painted, composed entirely of ruffles or completely naked, cakes in 2013 will be making a statement.

 Event designers have found practically every use for garlands: chair decor, table runners, backdrops, headpieces, cake toppers and more. Their versatility and universal appeal ensures that we will be seeing more of them this coming year.

To read the full article:
 http://www.weddingsillustrated.net/index.cfm?fuseaction=news.details&ArticleId=2638

Top 10 Wedding Food Trends

Brunch

Brunch has really become popular lately - think mimosas, bloody marys, omelets, or pancake bars. Daytime weddings are increasingly popular especially since they tend to be less expensive.

Organic

While you are planning your omelet or pancake bar - remember to try and source local organic items - or ask your caterer to look into this. Not only is this healthier for everyone but it adds a beautiful pop of color.

Truck It In

Food trucks are really huge right now - whether you are in an urban area and have your favorites or you are having an outdoor wedding and love the convenience.

Cater to the Chefs

With all of the reality cooking shows - we all think we are the next super chef. Cater to that with your own themed tables. Serve some yummy fries but kick up the cool factor with specialty salts. You could also have a "Bacon Station" - with everything bacon flavored.

Comfort Foods

Celebrate your favorite comfort foods - but don't skimp on the style. If you have a theme - maintain that here. Add your monogram or a touch of your color to bump up the presentation of your favorite foods.

Rustic Chic

A huge trend in weddings right now is rustic chic. Think buffet tables or family style dining. You can serve more organic or locally sourced items and decorate with burlap and other natural elements.

The Great Gatsby

Even before the movie buzz, art deco and vintage styles were really popular. Now, the 1920s are having an even bigger influence. This can work indoors or you can go for a garden party theme with tea sandwiches, champagne, and champagne towers.

A Touch of Home

With so many people moving for jobs and such - a lot of people want to incorporate a touch of home. From the south? Try adding sweet tea and cornbread to your menu. If you are from New England you could serve clam chowder and lobster rolls.

Have a snack

After all that dancing and drinking, why not offer your guests some of your favorite late night snacks. Think pizza, tacos, or a sundae bar.

Cheers!

Beverage stations are huge! You could create your own signature cocktail, a coffee or tea station, flavored lemonades, or infused water. If you are having a rustic wedding - don't forget the mason jars!