Designing Your Perfect Wedding

If wedding bells are in your future, it’s never too early to start planning a perfect on-trend wedding. Customize the details to fit your perfect style starting with the engagement and ending with the honeymoon.

Engagement

Getting engaged is an exciting time! Even though the when and where of popping the question may be a mystery to the bride-to-be, most couples have talked about marriage before the ring ever enters the picture. If you have a dream engagement plan, be sure to share it with your partner because, it turns out, men aren’t mind readers. Don’t go into too much detail, but it’s okay to share a special wish like you’ve always wanted to be proposed to at sunset or it’s important that the groom talks to your dad first. Some brides might be sad if there aren’t friends there to celebrate while others would prefer something more intimate just for the two you. Of course, you should look at plenty of engagement rings, so your partner knows your style. Radiant cut diamonds are increasing in popularity, but if that’s not what you want, make sure to voice your opinion.

Bachelorette weekends are getting more low key as people want to avoid large crowds. Many brides are opting for a smaller group of girlfriends hanging out in a rental house. Bridal parties are rediscovering the fun of party games and just relaxing in a beautiful locale.

Wedding Clothes

Remember when everyone had to have a strapless wedding dress? You can still have one if you want, but the current style is trending in other directions. Backless wedding dresses are currently in fashion, and let’s face it, it would nearly be impossible to go strapless and backless. A really fun trend in dress design in shoulder capes. Think Princess Leia or Greek goddess only more modern. You can’t help but float down the aisle with a small cape delicately floating in your wake. Another style popping up is flexible pieces like skirts that can be removed after the ceremony revealing a romper or short skirt for the reception.

Penguin tuxedos are losing favor to lush suit colors like blue, burgundy and dark green. If you’re looking for your guy to stay traditional, consider giving him the option of a gray suit. Some brides and grooms are letting their attendants choose their own clothes within a color palette. Just be aware that pastel blue doesn’t mean the same thing to everybody. Make sure you give yourself time to veto outfits that don’t quite fit the bill.

Flowers

In the past years, many brides have requested cascading flower arrangements in white. The new trend is moving towards smaller brighter bouquets. Brides are looking beyond the two-toned palette of blush and bashful and embracing a vibrant mix of yellows, blues, pinks and oranges. Some brides are even renting silk flowers as a way to save money and be more conscious of how wasteful it is to toss floral arrangements after one night.

Food

Buffets are quickly becoming a thing of the past which puts some brides and grooms in a financial bind as plated dinners cost more. Some options to save money include inviting fewer people to your reception or getting married at a non-traditional time. Breakfast and lunch catering tend to be less expensive than dinner catering. Go a step further and get married mid-afternoon and offer a cocktail hour reception only.

Decorations

Decorations are trending towards simple rather than over the top, but that does not mean they are less beautiful. Acrylic is playing its part this season. Acrylic vases with a single beautiful flowering branch mean no one’s view is obstructed. Acrylic cake plates add height without fussiness. Dried flowers, simply arranged, take the place of overworked frilly arrangements.

Once all the planning and “I dos” are over with, it will be time to relax on your honeymoon whether it’s at an all-inclusive resort or a rustic cabin in the woods or simply back to your shared home. Keep your eye on the prize of your new life together to help guide you through all your wedding decisions.