DIY:
“Do it yourself” not only saves money but adds a personal touch. With the recovering economy, brides will be seeking the biggest bang for their buck.

Eco Friendly weddings:
Recycled paper for invitations and programs, Charity donations instead of traditional wedding favors. Also remember to donate your flowers to Perenity and they will be distributed to hospice patients.

Colors:
Bold colors and color combinations. Some of the popular color combinations include Navy & Fuchsia, Garnet & Tangerine, Lemon & Celadon, and Lavender, Cream & Chocolate and Blush & mauve. Other popular colors include red, yellow & teal. Black and white is still very popular. Just be sure to add a punch of color like teal or fuchsia. Light green goes with just about every color.

Research:
Refer to the latest bridal magazines & bridal websites & blogs for new dress styles, fun favors and ways to make your wedding one-of-a-kind and to find out what’s hot and what’s not!

Wedding Gowns:
All about texture. Rich soft textures such as organza and tulle paired with lace. Cap sleeves for a vintage look.

Vintage, Retro and Timeless Classics:
The theme and the past become more interesting as it is recreated in the present time. Incorporate personal family heirlooms such as a broach on your bouquet, non-traditional veils and a vintage or heirloom hairpiece. Also, family antiques such as tea pots can be incorporated into centerpieces. With a modern twist, everything that’s old is new again.

Centerpieces:
Instead of traditional florals, incorporate floating candles, floating flowers, branches, and crystals. Be creative and have fun!

Make it personal:
Think about weddings you have attended. What made them special and memorable? By incorporating your personal style and favorite things that you and your fiancé share, you can create your one-of-a-kind wedding! Incorporate things you & your fiancé love to do, eat, etc. into your theme, décor, favors, etc. If you are into hiking and outdoor activities, create a nature theme. If you enjoy movies together, create a movie theme complete with movie ticket style invitations and a red carpet entrance to the reception. If cotton candy is your favorite snack to share, then give it away as favors. Having a creative wedding planner can help make your ideas become reality!

Hire a professional wedding coordinator before you make any plans!
You could spend 250 hours or more planning your wedding. Many couples have careers or are in school and just don’t have time to meet with vendor after vendor not knowing in advance whether or not they are within their budget or will deliver the service they are expecting. A professional wedding planner will help you organize your dream wedding and direct you to vendors that are within your budget and will meet and hopefully exceed your expectations.

Wedding coordinators have experience in negotiating contracts, managing timelines and budgets as well as offering creating ideas for invitations and décor.

Most importantly, you, your mother, family and friends should enjoy your special day. Don’t make them work! Too many times, I’ve heard from brides and especially mother’s of brides say if they could have done one thing differently, it would have been to hire a professional wedding coordinator right from the start!