10 Of The Hottest New Wedding Trends For 2015

Check out this great article by Lauren of TheKnot.com -- there's nothing that I need to say in addition to it except ... have fun planning your special day and enjoy the moment!


By Lauren Kay for TheKnot.com
We don't have a crystal ball but we do have our pulse on what's hot in the world of weddings. From Wild West weddings on the ranch to bridal jumpsuits and GoPro wedding videos, here's what's new for 2015.

Luna Photo; Theo Milo Photography; The Nichols Photography; The Nichols Photography; Artistrie Co.; Theo Milo Photography
Wild West Weddings
Weddings are headed west -- at least in style and design. The big theme of the year is inspired by ranches and lots of leather accents. The details are personal and elevated, but the party has a fun, relaxed vibe. A rustic ranch sets the scene for details like antler motifs, distressed lounges with cowhide rugs and wildflower bouquets. Mix in leather elements to contrast the soft and romantic wedding details in accents like the napkin belly band. Guests can sip on specialty craft beers or mix their own heirloom bourbon cocktails in a copper mug. Your attire can echo the Wild West look in a long-sleeve dress with subtle lace embellishments and an ethereal illusion neckline. Look to designers like Reem Acra, Maggie Sottero and Temperley London for ideas.

Casey Clark Photography; Carolyn Scott Photography; onelove photography; Brooke Schwab; Brooke Schwab; Brooke Schwab; Rebekah Murray Photography
More from The Knot: Flower girl duties in detail
Peace, Love and Macrame
If your style is totally laid-back and casual, use boho-chic music festivals, like Coachella, to inspire your wedding. Think: a backyard or open-field setting, complete with kitschy details like striped tepees, cocktail hour lounges and picnic-style dining. Keep the colors bright and festive, yet earthy (try sunny yellow and teal paired with terra-cotta). Must-have elements include hand-drawn maps with your invitations and fun, not fussy, wording on your invites (instead of "accept" write "you in?") to really drive home your theme. For the fashion, a gauzy and modern take on the bell-sleeve wedding dress evokes a '70s, Woodstock vibe. Intentionally mismatched bridesmaid dresses will keep the look effortless and easy.

Deb Shields Photography
Drone Wedding Photos and GoPro Videos
If you want a view of your wedding from every angle imaginable then try this trend. Some photographers are getting in on the action by using drones to capture aerial shots, like the view of your ceremony from overhead and the amazing scenery. Videographers are doing it too by bringing along GoPro cameras to the wedding in addition to their video cameras. The cool part about these is that they can be attached to a "selfie stick" to get ultra-creative shots of you and your guests on the dance floor and record your guests' candid reactions as they enter the reception.

Katelyn James Photography
Bridesmaids Are Off the Hook -- There's An App for That!
You don't need to get all of your bridesmaids together to tie bows on wedding favors anymore. Instead, lots of couples are enlisting wedding planning help through apps like TaskRabbit to take on any small to-dos, TouristEye to help plan the honeymoon itinerary, and (ahem) The Knot Wedding Planner app to find and get in touch with all of the right wedding pros. Being a wedding guest is easier this year too. All of the major registries make it easy to buy gifts straight from your phone, and Uber and Lyft ensure guests don't have trouble finding a ride at the end of the night.
More from The Knot: 12 ways to ruin a wedding

Readyluck; Natalie Franke Photography; Jenny DeMarco Photography; RHM Photography
Foodie Installations
Food and drink are taking center stage at weddings this year in an outrageous way. We're talking hanging salad stations, doughnut dessert walls that double as escort cards and beer-garden-inspired stations, complete with beer steins made of ice. You could ask your caterer to help you come up with creative ideas or follow what a few innovative couples' lead and actually hire a food stylist to dream up something over-the-top.

Kurt Wilberding; Kurt Wilberding; Maria Valentino/MCV Photo
Bridal Jumpsuits and Statement-Making Separates
This season's runway wedding dress designs are more playful and dressed down. Jumpsuits, separates and menswear-inspired styles, like these ones by Houghton, Delphine Manivet and Theia are giving the traditional bridal look a new edge that's a bit celebrity inspired. Remember Olivia Palermo's chic shorts with a tulle overlay and Solange Knowles' several jumpsuits? If that's too edgy, then look to the latest accessory trends, which involve bold add-ons such as top hats, ear cuffs and lace gloves.

Sergey Green Photography
Unexpected Wedding Venues
More couples will look to unexpected spots for their wedding venue, like castles, private estates, museums and even caves (yep, you read that right -- the one in Bowling Green, Kentucky, is crazy-beautiful). The best part about a unique venue choice is you don't have to go overboard on all the décor -- you can let the space speak for itself. Keep in mind that if you go this way, the logistics may be trickier than they would in a traditional wedding venue.

Jeff Tisman Photography; Cyn Kain Photography; Ashley Garmon Photographers; Steve Steinhardt Photography; Abby Jiu Photography

Royal Color Palettes
Marsala, Pantone's Color of the Year, set the tone for 2015's wedding hues. It's a rich wine red that's sophisticated, stylish and versatile. Pair marsala with dusty blue for a pretty, romantic feel (imagine marsala centerpieces paired with blue velvet linens), while a rose gold and marsala palette is rich and glamorous (think: rose gold foil font on a marsala card stock).
Bonus: Flowers, like dahlias and peonies, grow naturally in this hot hue, and it's a flattering color for your bridesmaids to wear if you want to make a statement.

Alea Lovely
The Third Dress
Why have one dress when you can have three? We've heard of brides changing their dress for the reception or late night for the after-party. Now, a few fashion-forward brides are actually choosing three different gowns for each part of the day. Imagine a ball gown for the ceremony, a sleek sheath for the reception and then a short, feathery minidress for the after-party. It sounds like a lot, but for some brides who just can't decide, this is a fun trend to try.

Shea Christine; Victor Sizemore Photography; Steve Steinhardt Photography; KT Merry Photography; Jen Fariello Photography; Megan Moura Photography
A White-Glove Comeback
Casual weddings have reigned for the past five-plus years. But we love that some couples are taking their wedding style in the very opposite direction with lots of opulent details, like a champagne tower, multitier cake and dramatic entrance. If you really want to go over-the-top, take a page from the new Cinderella movie and actually have it in a castle (a few of our favorite castles and estates are the Biltmore Estate, Oheka Castle and Hearst Castle). Even if your wedding won't be in a castle, you could still add formality to it with touches like hand-delivered invitations and valets to escort guests to their seats at the reception. This is your chance to go all out and wear a big, white ball gown and even a crown. Guys can get fancy too in three-piece suits.

Honoring Missing Loved Ones at Your Wedding

Sometimes it's really hard to know what to do about a loved one that isn't able to attend your wedding for various reasons. Maybe that can't make the trip due to finances, ill health, or they have passed on. This article points out some really great ways of still having that person "present" on your special day, even if they can't be there physically. Check it out!

7 Ways to Honor Missing Loved Ones at Your Wedding, Whether They've Passed Away or Just Can't Be There 

By Kim Fusaro

Obviously you want to be surrounded by everyone you love on your wedding day, so it sucks when that just can't happen. Here are seven ways to honor the wedding guests who are there in spirit:
Leave a "reserved" seat for missing guests.
In the photo above, there's a computer in front of a beautifully framed photo. (I'm assuming the plan was to Skype in a grandma who couldn't travel.) I think the substantial photo frame is key, so the photo is heavy enough that it won't blow away pre-ceremony. If you're going to Skype, make sure you test, test, and retest everything beforehand. It sucks to watch a bride and groom sweat when the connection's not working.

Give them a shout-out in the program.
Briefly mention that you're celebrating in your hearts with relatives who can't be there. Brevity is key, though. If you write a whole page about your late grandpa, it's just going to bring people down.

Ask your officiant to say a few words.
Again, ask him to keep it short and sweet—and remember, this is a HAPPY occasion.

Display a few of their favorite things.
If the grandma in the photo above had passed away, it would be nice to display a bouquet of her favorite flowers in lieu of the laptop. Or if an extra-special great-aunt had a go-to snack, leave a small bowl of gummy bears (or whatever) on the cocktail-hour tables, with a discreet note letting people know that they were Aunt Judy's favorite.

Include them in photo displays.
If you're displaying photos from your parents' weddings, go ahead and include photos from several generations.

Mention them in your speech.
If you're going to thank your guests with a speech, say a line or two about missing loved ones, but again, keep it brief. A recently deceased relative will already be the elephant in the room, especially if the circumstances of the death were especially sad. There's no need to dress the elephant in a sequined gown and shine a spotlight on him, if that makes sense.

Make a donation in their honor.
Rather than give your guests a silly trinket as a wedding favor, mention on the program that in lieu of favors, a donation is being in honor of Grandma Lynn to the American Cancer Society. Again, I'd keep the note discreet. I once went to a wedding where there was a paragraph-long note on every place setting explaining that a donation had been made in honor of a bridesmaid's baby who had passed away. Of course, it's amazing that the bride and groom made the donation, but when the guests were feeling super-celebratory after the ceremony, having a tearjerker note at every seat definitely brought everyone down.

 

What to Wear to a Wedding

I thought that this article of 8 Rules on What to Wear to a Wedding as kinda cute. It's funny, yet gives you some great points. Check it out below:

by Julia Friedman

@PoolsOfJewels

WPA Pool/Getty Images News/Getty Images Last year, TheKnot.com (part of XO Group Inc.) surveyed approximately 13,000 American brides and grooms who were married in 2013. The results, compiled into their Real Weddings Study, revealed some staggering figures.

Did you know, for example, that the average cost of a wedding nowadays is nearly $30,000? (And that doesn’t even include the honeymoon.) Invitations alone can run around $500. And the cake? That’ll be another $500. On average, flowers and decorations amount to over $2,000. Same goes for the band and also for the photographer.

Here’s another one: The average amount of money that a bride spends on her wedding dress is $1,281. That’s a slight increase from 2012’s average of $1,211 and definitely more than what most of us are paying in rent.

What these numbers from The Knot’s survey tell us is that weddings are not cheap, so if you’re invited to one, you should put in some effort, too. That not only means RSVPing on time, sending a gift from the registry, and trying not to get too wasted at the open bar, but also showing up dressed appropriately — no matter how many eligible single folks are alleged to be there.
Since we’re in the thick of wedding season, how about a quick refresher on wedding dress code etiquette? I reached out to our friends at The Knot for their expert advice and here’s what some of their editorial staff had to say on the subject:

1. There Should Only Be One White Dress In The Room 

If there’s one thing to take away from how not to dress at a wedding, it’s that wearing white (or ivory or champagne, for that matter) is a big no-no. While not all brides are wearing white these days, it’s better to be safe than sorry. “Don’t take any chances wearing a white dress (no matter how casual it is), unless the bride specifically asks guests to wear white,” says Ivy Jacobson, an assistant editor at TheKnot.com. “Save it for another fabulous summer party!”

2. Remember The Rule of One

Showing too much skin is another faux pas at weddings. Despite how awesome you look and however many hours you’ve spent toning and tanning, the bride is going to want all eyes on her. That being said, it’s OK to accentuate your favorite asset. “[Your outfit] can have one sexy element like a plunging neckline, short hemline, cut out, low back, or a body con fit, but no more than one,” says Simone Hill, TheKnot.com’s assistant editor. “It’s a different story if you’re hitting the club, but a wedding is not the club no matter how low you’re planning to get on the dance floor.”

3. Accessorize Appropriately 

“Cleavage is not an accessory,” says Rebecca Dolgin, The Knot’s Editor-In-Chief. Let’s leave it at that.  

4. Read The Invitation 

You’ve marked the date on your calendar, booked a room at the recommended hotel, and made your travel plans, but did you notice where the wedding is going to be? I’m not talking about the city, but the actual venue. Paying attention to these details should hopefully answer any questions about what you should wear. “Look to the invitation for clues like ‘semi-formal,’ ‘beach chic,’ or ‘black tie,’ but read between the lines,” says Lauren Kay, The Knot’s style editor. “If the ceremony is at a church, you’ll need a pashmina to tone down your barely-there backless dress. If you’re still stumped, ask yourself this: If you met anyone tonight—your grandmother’s second cousin, the man of your dreams, a future employer—would you want to be wearing that dress?” I think the last part of this tip is good advice whether you’re at a wedding or not. It’s a small world, after all.

5. Be Color Conscious 

This next tip, also from Hill, is one that I’m sure most of us have never thought about, but it’s something to be aware of nonetheless. “As far as color goes I actually try to avoid any solid color dresses in popular bridesmaid dress colors like coral, purple, navy, and gray for fear that I’ll accidentally match the bridesmaids and then everyone will ask if I’m in the bridal party when I’m not,” she says. “This one is a little overly paranoid, but I really like prints and bizarre colors anyway so it doesn’t limit me too much.” It could be hard to avoid matching the bridesmaids if you don’t have intel on their dresses before the wedding, but Hill suggests that “another way to avoid this is to add a belt or crop jacket to a dress so that it doesn’t look bridesmaid-y if you’re not in the bridal party.”

6. Better To Be Over-Dressed Than Under

There’ll be plenty of opportunities to wear flip flops and cutoffs this summer, but a wedding is not one of them. “If the invite wording says the dress code is ‘casual,’ that still means absolutely no jeans, shorts, or tank tops,” says Samantha Roberts, TheKnot.com’s assistant editor. “Think a summer sundress or a pair of nice pants and blouse!”

7. Don’t Steal The Show

This next tip comes from Jamie Miles, TheKnot.com’s assistant managing editor. She emphasizes some of the earlier points and reminds us that there are going to be a ton of pictures taken during the night — either by a professional photographer or via guests’ smartphones — so it’s important to dress appropriately. Let the bride stand out in her wedding photos. “If you’re attending a black-tie wedding, it’s particularly important to go long and whatever you do, don’t wear a super short, leggy cocktail dress,” she says. “You don’t want to steal attention from the bride, or show too much skin in the formal photos.”

8. Have Confidence In Yourself

It’s not your day, but that’s no reason not to be yourself. If you try to stick to some of the guidelines above then you should be all set. Hill offers one last piece of advice: “It’s really a balancing act of being yourself and looking and feeling confident while not terribly offending anyone.”

Summer Wedding Trends 2014!

Summer Wedding Trends!

1.    The Colors

The trend for 2014 Summer Weddings seems to be very soft light pastel colors; the most popular being the light pink, gray, and green or mint.  Brides should keep it simple and allow the romance to speak for itself.  These colors really resemble a fairy tale environment, and bring a calm and pleasant feel to the wedding.  It’s all about romance this season, and what better to accentuate a majority of outdoor weddings then soft floral colors.  Rather than bold colors, couples should focus on embellishments for their weddings and details in order to really dazzle.

2.    The Details

Sparkle and shine will take your summer wedding to the next level this season! Pearls, sequins, and rhinestones are a huge trend this summer.  Everything from embellishing wedding dresses, to sequined bridesmaids, to my personal preference, adding details to decorations.  The soft gold and sparkles continue to add to the romantic fairy tale feel, and allow the bride to literally sparkle.  Whether it is a daytime or nighttime wedding, this attention to detail will emphasize various pieces of jewelry and will add that extra twinkle to the occasion.

3.    The Bride

Popular dress trends for 2014 summer weddings really depend on the location for the wedding, but a lot of prominent designers recommend romantic flowy dresses that make it easy to add embellishments.   Another idea that adds individuality and creativity for this summer’s brides is not sticking to a white wedding dresses.  Many designers have been adding cream colored and ivory dresses to their collections.  Bows have also been a reoccuring trend this season, it really accentuates the details on the dresses and ties in the color schemes nicely.  If a bride is looking for a more ballgown wedding dress for their summer wedding, they should focus on lace and toole, another popular choice from the runway.

4.    The Groom

Tan suits are the theme for the groom’s attire this season!  Keeping with the light fairy tale look, tan or cream colored suits and tuxedos keep with the fresh summer theme.  It is a great way to keep the wedding classy while not going overboard.  If the bride decides to go with a cream or more ivory wedding dress, another reoccurring trend for this summer’s weddings is a crisp tuxedo with a bowtie.  In this case the groom will want to wear a darker suit with the lighter pastel color flowers to tie in the theme.

5.    My Recommendations

My final thoughts to blow your guests out of the water and make your day perfect are to keep it simple and clean, and take the time to focus on the small aspects.  At the end of the day everyone will be there to support the couple, and with the right service and DJ, nothing will go wrong! 

Don’t forget, if you are still looking for the perfect wedding officiant for your summer wedding, don’t hesitate to call Rev. Dr. Angela (562)209-2083, or email her at wedding@blessings-all-around.com

Majestic Purple: Wedding Inspiration Board

 Another Great Wedding Inspiration Board by MagnetStreet http://www.magnetstreet.com


Color Monday: Pantone's Radiant Orchid

Have you warmed up to the idea of incorporating Pantone’s Radiant Orchid {aka “Color of the Year”} into your 2014 wedding? I have to admit, this pretty purple is really starting to grow on me. Kind of like the super hero of hues, Radiant Orchid is warm and cool at the same time; plus, it looks great on most skin tones, hair and eyes! It feels fresh, modern and fun–especially in a gradient like this *adorable* bride’s ombre’ wedding dress and the Watercolor Ombre Wedding Invitation shown below. It’s a flexible color too… Keep a sassy {yet sophisticated} monochromatic look with a variety of purple tints, or go straight to the other side of the color wheel and contrast Radiant Orchid with an equally lively green. Any way you look at it, Radiant Orchid is a charming choice for 2014.

Tell us, what do you think about this high-spirited purple? 
- See more at: http://www.magnetstreet.com/wedding-blog/radiant-orchid-wedding-inspiration#sthash.NZy6qVxW.dpuf