Wedding Trends

Traditionally, a bride had pretty fixed rules when it came to choosing her maid or matron of honor. The role was generally given to the sister of the bride (the one closest in age). If she had no sister, the maid of honor had to be single.

But its a whole new era and bridal trends continue to evolve. This means a bride can ask any relative or friend to serve this crucial role. This may include a parent, a grandparent or even a close male friend. If a bride if confused or conflicted with the choice, she can choose more than one bridesmaid.

This makes more sense. For most brides, the choice of a bridesmaid is a “from the heart” choice: she wants that faithful and loving “bestie” to be by her side on this pivotal day, tradition be damned, right? (Practically speaking, a bridesmaid is required to perform a wide range of bridal tasks so its also a smart idea of pick that loved one who is capable of performing those duties.)

As bridal norms continue to loosen and expand in scope, it’s good to know that personal choice is the main reason to choose the right maid of honor.

Before, being chosen to take part in a bridal party didn’t always inspire pure joy. Most potential party members realized that they’d have to put out a lot of time, effort and money (on top of wearing a questionably fashionable bridesmaid dress, for the women).

But as more millennials marry, it’s no surprise that they’re choosing smaller bridal parties. (They’re a pragmatic bunch, those 20-somethings. They realize that a smaller bridal party means less hassle and less money.)

According to Martha Stewart Weddings:

In recent years, we’ve seen brides with huge bridal parties. The largest one in 2017 tallied up to thirteen ‘maids! But Kara Delay of Love This Day Events has predicted that brides will choose smaller groups—made up of a single maid of honor or just one or two bridesmaids—in 2018.

There’s also been a trend toward more transparency in the process. Bridal party members are told up front what is expected of them, but not demanded. Members can now participate how they sit, financially and personally. This makes for a more relaxed process…and a more relaxed wedding in the long run.

When you think groom at a wedding, undoubtedly you see him dressed like this, right?

But since Spring is bursting onto the scene, grooms are now encouraged to think outside the standard black tux or suit.

Why not, right? If a bride is wearing the most expensive dress of her life, shouldn’t a groom kick it up a notch a little?

2016 wedding trends are displaying more and more men in colorful (or white) wear for their big day. And we couldn’t be happier. We love Spring weddings draped in color and embracing the beauty of the season or the rich vibrancy of their surroundings. Here are some great examples, found in Bridal Guide.

Photo Credit: Allyson Wiley Photography

Matching the backdrop perfectly. Photo Credit: Victor Sizemore Photography

A casual, beachy look for the groom. Found at Alicia’s and the Formal House.

It’s a certain type of couple that go for winter weddings, especially those in those area where that white fluffy icy stuff falls from the sky (we live in Scottsdale, AZ; we forget the name). But one thing for sure? Winter weddings add a certain beauty that’s completely undeniable. Its a symbolic reminder that love burns bright even during the coldest, darkest hours. And heck…it’s just plain pretty.

Photo: Benj Haisch

Photo: The Light and Color

Photo: Paper Antler

Photo: Benj Haisch

Check out more amazing winter wedding shots here!

It’s refreshing to see that romance is back and better than ever. This HuffPo article postulates that the success of Great Gatsby has had some influence but whatever the case, the classic and ornate bridal looks are front stage this summer.

1. Pink is back! Do you already feel like a blushing bride? Carry that sweet love over to your color scheme, says Tara Guérard, the event designer behind ultra-luxe Soirée in Charleston and New York. “It’s the nudes, the blushes, the peaches — not Pepto Bismol pink!” she announces.

2. The return to romance ushers in a new love for the formality of days gone by. Think white-gloved waiters and big band dancing, crystal candlesticks and gold-rimmed china. One major bridal inspiration for the return to tradition comes from Hollywood. “It’s the look of ‘The Great Gatsby,’” says Beth Helmsetter of Beth Helmsetter Events in Los Angeles. Her brides are still falling hard for the bubbly, approachable elegance of the Roaring Twenties.

3. Pattern is making a new play but throw out the hard-edged looks. “Chevron was big last year,” says Tara, “but now I’m seeing trellis-patterns, bold stripes and florals.”

4. Lush, soft, Exquisitely romantic — the flower of the year is the many-petaled tree peony, says New York’s Ariella Chezar, whose work has been seen at the White House. Amber Gustafson of Los Angeles’s Amber Events picks a similar bloom — the sweet-smelling garden rose. Find out which flowers are in season for your wedding here.

5. The flower garland is back in a big way. Ariella loves citrus garlands for bars and over doorways — lemons, limes, oranges on the stem. “And fern garlands are really beautiful. I love them down the center of a long table.”
Read more here!