Top 10 Wedding Trends for 2010...

I am so excited to begin this series. I love weddings, I cry at every one. There is no greater day than when two hearts are joined as one. Over the next week or so we will be looking at various aspects of weddings from upcoming trends, traditions, themed weddings, budget ins and outs, wedding planning and we will finish it up with where to find all your wedding needs on Etsy!!

To start off our wedding series we are going to look at the Top 10 Wedding Trends for 2010:

1. Retro - Chic Weddings: Retro style weddings ~ such as at a hotel, in your parents' backyard or even at a restaurant ~ are huge right now. A wedding filled with vintage details, can make for a meaningful heirloom-filled back-in-the-day vibe and the decor options are limitless.

2. Dinner Focused Receptions: Say goodbye to informal buffet lines and light hors d'oeuvres stations and welcome back the sit down reception dinner ~ but with a twist. The twist is called Familystyle. Dinner is served by platters being placed in the centre of the table and guests help themselves. To achieve a level of comfort among your guests, order starter plates of hors d'oeuvres to get guests munching and chatting and then choose a dinner menu of the meat and potatoes variety. Do it this way and you'll encourage conversation and create a more intimate atmosphere.

3. Buttercream for Icing: Fondant is falling behind due to the taste, but buttercream is making a huge comeback in the market. Most cake designers can smooth out buttercream so that it looks like fondant but the taste is so creamy and decadent. Overall, buttercream is a much better flavour and has more natural ingredients. Also, some designers charge alot less for buttercream. Another trend with respect to wedding cakes is the absence of the traditional bride and groom cake toppers which are being replaced with items such the first letters of the bride and groom's names.

4. Wedding Favours: Personalized favours are back in a big way. Guests always notice when couples don't put alot of thought into the favour. Most couples are thinking outside the box by getting favours that are useful to their guests thus by keeping with the growing "eco-friendly" aspect. Also, by purchasing their favours from local artists to support their own communities.

5. Local Wedding Destinations: The popular "destination" wedding will remain high on most couples priority list, but couples are selecting locations that are within driving distance. This way couples can create a "wedding weekend". As well, having a more local wedding will allow more guests to attend and again it supports their local economy.

6. Eco-Friendly or "Green" Weddings: Couples want an "eco-friendly" wedding. They are making small changes, but getting big results. Recommendations for a "green" wedding are: a) the venue is cleaned with green cleaning products; b) all lighting should be LED; c) have the caterer/chef prepare food using local and organic ingredients; d) food leftovers should be composted; and e) all stationery should be printed on recycled paper.

7. Video and Digital New Age Ideas: Everyone has seen the photo/video montages of your childhood's during dinner, but the next phase in video at your event comes in several different forms. Wedding ceremonies are being broadcast on large screens for better viewing from the back of the venue; also, they are broadcast over the internet to guests who are unable to attend the event. The photographer and videographer are also setting up cranes with cameras and projecting the event as it unfolds on screens around the dance floor.

8. The Bride's Veil: Back in fashion is the vintage looking "Birdcage" veil. This veil combines a jeweled clip or feathered headpiece with netting that only covers your face. Wearing one of these veils allows you to have some dramatic glamour and feel like a bride but it is a more fun look and less hassling than a long traditional veil.

9. Hand-Tied Bouquets: This is becoming very popular. Hand-tied bouquets look fresher and natural. They are perfect for outdoor or garden weddings. They are also less expensive because they take less time to arrange and put together. As well, hand-tied bouquets are easier to preserve, as this is a another trend of today's bride. You can dry the bouquet upside down in a dark place. As the flowers dry, spray the flowers with silica gel or shellac for protection.

10. Donations to Charity: Many couples today already have a house set up. Therefore, they do not need flatware or sheets. Instead of registering for gifts, couples are requesting that donations be made to one of their favourite charities ie: Humane Society, Red Cross, American/Canadian Cancer Society etc.

So, there you have it, the Top 10 Wedding Trends for 2010. Weddings are very individual and unique. I don't think I have been to one that is the same as another. Of the top ten trends, I must say that #7 Video and Digital New Age Ideas was one I have not seen before. I will have to mention this to our Pastor, he is very technologically new age and would probably love to have that type of service available.

Thanks so much for checking in to read up on the newest trends for our wedding couples today. Be sure to join me tomorrow for Something Old, Something New...Traditions of the Modern Couple.

Cheers and Blessings,