2016 Wedding Trends (Cakes!)

As a wedding planner I have the opportunity to experience a lot of new and exciting things with my couples.  Between you and me, one of my favorite parts is the cake tasting!!  Different flavors, fillings and icing combinations for my couples to choose from and of course I have to taste to make sure they are making the right choice. For 2016 brides are doing all sorts of unique and fun things with their cakes!

1. Buttercream, Buttercream, Buttercream-  Fondant will always be the standard to create cakes that require a lot of details and structure, but buttercream wins the day!  Brides are starting to move toward using designs that are buttercream friendly and cake designers are creating masterpieces and such smooth clean lines with buttercream.  Most importantly it tastes great!
   

   

    

    

   2.Naked Cakes-  This is exactly what is says!  The cake is naked, instead of covering up the outside of the cake with buttercream and/or fondant brides are opting to leave the cake “naked”.  This creates a more rustic and earthly feel that will fit with brides that are going for that look for their wedding day.

   

   

   

   

   3. Hand Painted Cakes-  These are truly works of art!  Almost too beautiful to eat…almost.  This is work well for a bride that has a hand painted invitation, they can carry the design on to the cake.

   

   

   

   

   4. Sugar Flowers-  Sugar flowers have been around a long time. They were made popular by the sugar flower master Sylvia Weinstock, her sugar flower creations are legendary.  Brides are using sugar flowers a little differently, instead of large amounts of flowers they are using one to two large flowers as statement pieces on their cakes.

   

   

   What are you doing to make your wedding cake unique?

-Make it Simple and Chic!

2016 Wedding Trends (Food…Glorious Food!)

One of the most important parts of planning your wedding is the Food!!! You have to make sure you and your guests have a great meal to eat before dancing and celebrating for the rest of the night. In 2016 there are a few new food trends that are very exciting.

1. Customized Family Style- A new version to family style dining is emerging on the scene.  It is creating station at each table for the guests to build their own food items independently of the other tables. It allows you to get to know everyone at your table and essentially be a “family”
   

   

   
2. Introducing Traditional/Heritage dishes-  Instead of sticking with your normal chicken/beef or fish dish, couples are including dishes that are representative of their heritage.  If you are from the  Carribbean it could be patties, roti and fried plantains.  If you are from the UK you would incorporate fish and chips, or maybe if you are from Nigeria you would have jollof rice.  This would be introduced as a fusion meal with a chicken or beef dish.
   

   

   

   
3. Mini food and drink pairings-  They have been around for a few years now, but couples are now using them more during the cocktail hour and after the reception as a midnight snack.
   

   

   

   

How are you incorporating food trends into your wedding?

-Make it Simple and Chic!

2016 Wedding Trends (Drinks!)

Greetings and Salutations!

We continue our review of new and fun trends for the 2016 wedding season.  When I sit down with my clients to discuss their vision for the wedding, they are usually unclear about flowers and decor.  The one item that they are almost never unclear on is DRINKS!!  Whether you drink alcohol or not everyone has a clear idea of what they want for their cocktail hour and reception.  So let’s explore some of the trends for 2016

1. Personalizing the Cocktail hour-  Having his and her’s drinks have been around for a while but this trend is getting an upgrade!  Instead of just having her favorite drink his favorite drink, clients are wanting to tell a story with their beverages.  It can be a Mint Julep from their first time at the Kentucky Derby, or a rum punch  from their trip to Barbados.  The are including the story to allow guests to enjoy the whole experience.
2. Mixology-  Creating unique and interesting cocktails for your guests using a professional mixologist is becoming extremely popular.  Couples are no longer looking for a bartender, they want someone who knows their drinks and can create magic in a glass.
   

   

   
3. Drink Stations and Beer Gardens-  Customization and options are huge for 2016 and your drinks are no exception.  A popular trend is creating a beer, tequila or whiskey garden along with a martini bar and allow your guests to create their own signature drinks.
   

   
4. Adult popsicles- I am based in Texas and for those of you who are not native Texans you have not had the opportunity to experience one of our Texas summers.  Coincidentally summer is also peak wedding season, so it is not uncommon for it to be over 90 degrees on wedding day.  This is why I am extremely excited for this trend!!!  Adult popsicles are a way to enjoy to cooling goodness that you remember as a kid with a kick of a little something extra! Vodka Popsicles, Mojito Snow cones, the possibilities are endless!
   

   

   

   

 

What are some drink trends that you are incorporating in your wedding?

-Make it Simple and Chic !

2016 Wedding Trends (Stationery)

When I work with my clients, on of my favorite things to design, outside of the event, is the wedding stationery!! Save the dates, invitations, menu cards, place cards, programs are the glue that ties the whole event together.  They can set the tone for your guests as they plan for your wedding.

For 2016 brides are leaning toward a few trendy details:

1. Shimmer and Glitter-  Add a little elegance and whimsy to your invites.  Gold glitter is incredibly popular this year
   

   
2. Multiple fonts- Gone are the days of uniformed traditional invitations.  Couples are adding their personality to their invites by way of fonts in different shapes and sizes
   

   
3. Hand Painting-  To add an additional element of customization, couples are adding hand painted invitations.  These are scenes from their relationship or a preparation for things to come.
   

   

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How are your adding customization to your invitations?  I would love to see pictures!

-Make it Simple and Chic!

2016 Wedding Trends (Floral and Decor)

So, you’ve booked your venue and now it is time to customize it to create the wedding, that is representative of your and your fiance. If you have a wedding planner, then it is time to talk about floral and decor!!! All the pretty stuff!!!

For 2016 the trends for floral and decor and pretty interesting:

1.  Seasonal flowers-  Instead of using the traditional roses or orchids, brides are looking at the flowers that are currently in season and are native to their area. 
2. Tone on Tone- Instead of incorporating several different colors, they are sticking to one color palette and using several different tones.  For instance, pastels or jewel tone
   

   
3. Using food items as a part of your centerpieces-  Use herbs like mint or rosemary, incorporating coffee beans and one of my personal favorites, succulents. This creates a unique presentation and allows you to incorporate more of you and your fiance into the wedding.
   

   
4. Non-Uniform Centerpieces-  Gone are the days of the uniformed centerpieces.  For 2016 it’s ok to incorporate a high,mid and low centerpiece.  You can even mix it up with different styles of centerpieces.
   

   

   

   What is your favorite floral or decor trend?

-Make it Simple and Chic !

 

 

2016 Wedding Trends (Venue/Decor)

Happy New Year!!

New year, new goals and more importantly new trends with weddings!!! If you are newly engaged or planning your wedding for 2016 its always good to know about all things new with weddings. For the month of January I will introduce you to the newest trends….one topic at a time.

Congratulations you are engaged…..what is the first thing you want to find……Your Venue!!!!

According to Bridalguide.com couples are looking for several items in their venue selection:

1. Customized experience-  Gone are the wedding in a box (cookie cutter) venues. Couples want to be able to add personal touches to their wedding. This means they are looking for venues with versatility, that can be transformed into exactly what they would like to experience. A warehouse or a barn is always a great choice!
   

   
2. Exotic Feeling-  They were engaged in Italy or their favorite place is Austin for the food trucks.  Couples want to add items to their wedding that are a reminder of different important locations in their relationship.
   

   
3. Lighting-Love is in the air and couples want to have a romantic feeling to their reception.  In order to achieve this they are adding lighting.. Perimeter lighting, exposed lighting by way of Edison bulbs and of course candles…lots of candles!
   

   
4. Nontraditional Seating-  No one wants a stuffy reception.  Its important for guests to be able to interact with each other and feel comfortable at the reception.  So instead of the traditional rounds, couples are incorporating long king’s tables and creating lounges for their guests to enjoy.
   

   

I would like to hear from you….How are you incorporating 2016 trends into your wedding planning?

-Make it Simple and Chic

Highlights from the Spring and Fall 2016 Bridal Fashion Shows! Part 2

I thought I could get all my favorites into one post but sadly that isn’t the case so you get to enjoy a second dose of beautiful gowns!  Let me know your favorites!

1. Hayley Paige (Images from The Knot)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2. Berta (Images from Munaluchi Bride)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3. Inbal Dror (Images from Brides.com)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

-Make it Simple and Chic!

Highlights from the Spring and Fall 2016 Bridal Fashion Shows! Part 1

As a wedding planner we have our favorite times of the year.  For some it is wedding season, for others, engagement season, I really like both of them but I love, love, love New York Bridal Market!!! It is the Fashion week of the wedding world.  Designers showcase their new gowns for the upcoming season along with new trends and all sorts of wonderful goodies.  I didn’t have the opportunity to attend but I did attend virtually and I have a list of my favorites to share with you!  Enjoy!!!

1. Galia Lahav (Images from The Cut)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2. Neem Khan (Images from The Cut)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3. Romona Keveza (Images from The Cut)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What are your favorites?  I would love to know!

-Make it Simple and Chic!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3. Romona Keveza (Images from The Cut)

 

 

 

Modern and Minimal Wedding Centerpices

I came across this photo (it is not my work), as an illustration of non floral wedding reception decor. The candles create a romantic atmosphere, that is clean but is still very beautiful. A suggestion would be to add framed photos from the couple that they have taken during their relationship.  This can give their guests a look into their personal lives and their experiences.

-Make it Simple and Chic

Don’t Let Pinterest Suck the Creativity out of your Wedding Day!

So I’m sure we have all taken those “five” minutes to look at Pinterest just to check out a new recipe, outfit or for a great laugh in the humor section.  In my case it turns out to be more like 30 minutes……….

That is not my problem, my problem is that Pinterest is sucking the creativity out of brides daily! Your wedding day is an incredibly important day in your life, do you want it to look like 20 other couples?  Do you want to post your pictures and have someone tell you that they went to a wedding just last week or last month that was almost identical to yours?

So the logical question is…But I like the photos, why can’t I use them for my wedding?   NOOOOOOO!!!!

Here are few simple guidelines to help you add personalized touches to your wedding day…

1. Sit down and make a list of memorable moments that you and your fiance have shared.  Once you have 5- 10 moments, edit it to your top five and incorporate those elements into your wedding day. They can even set the theme for your day.  For example:  A couple that met in New York on a subway, can use the New York and the subway as a theme for their wedding and it creates a great story to tell their guests throughout the evening.

2. If the theme of your wedding it not remotely related to your day to day life, it is not for you.  For example, I have never owned cowboy boots, didn’t ride a horse until last year and I am allergic to hay bales.  There is no way I would plan a burlap and lace, shabby chic cowboy themed wedding for myself.  It would be a total misrepresentation of who I am and what I like. Be true to you and your fiance, don’t try to create a day that is based on nothing that you enjoy

3. Be realistic about your budget.  Not everyone can afford the celebrity wedding, but you can create a wedding that is beautiful, simple and chic, in addition to having what is important.  Fiance, family and friends are what make the day amazing, not going into large amounts of debt to create something that you will enjoy for only a few hours. Working with an experienced wedding professional will allow you to create that day and still be able to enjoy it.

-Make it Simple and Chic