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Wow, it’s hard to believe that soon enough a new year will be upon us and with that new year, we’ll see all sorts of new trends for the wedding world.  Weddings are affected in big ways and in small ways every year.  Even though for the most part, weddings stay the same, there are changes in details that create a big difference and make the wedding current.  One such aspect of weddings that relies on subtle changes for big effect is the wedding dress. 

Wedding dresses for the most part remain white (or some shade thereof), long, and elegant.  But what changes can be made to 2010 wedding dresses to make them stand out this year?  Funny you should ask.  Here are a few such changes that made waves at New York’s fashion week and that will make all wedding gowns this year scream 2010!

• Ruffles – Ruffles this year will adorn dresses of all shapes and sizes.  From the hemlines to the bodice, we will see lots of examples of ruffles.  Full skirts will be available with either horizontal tiers or vertical ruffles.  Bodices, jackets, sleeves, and hemlines will be accentuated with a simple ruffling along the edge only.  We may even see some ruffling on veils!

Jessica McClintock - Style: Rebecca 54203  

Oscar de la Renta  – 2010 collection 

• Crystal beading – recently replaced by simple gowns with little or no embroidery, crystal accents will once again dominate wedding gown runways giving the dresses a lot more pizzaz than we have seen in recent years.

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• Gathering or Pleating -  leaving simpler gowns behind, designers have come up with full ball gown skirts with lots of gathering or pleating.  Fabrics will not be left to simply hang.  They will be folded and tucked in such a way that the skirt of the dress holds all the drama of the attire.

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• Full skirts – big skirts are back bringing with them the drama and romance of yesteryear.  Fun!
• Heavy Fabrics – Although chiffon and organza and tulle will still be necessary to create the ruffles on many wedding dresses this year, heavy fabrics like satin and taffeta will be required to create the full ball gown skirts.
• Asymmetry – this trend is not new for 2010 but one shoulder dresses and other asymmetrical styles will still be very hot for the new season.

Vera Wang – 2010 collection

These are just a few of the subtle changes we can expect in the line up for 2010 wedding dresses.  If none of these really suit your style, don’t worry.  Designers are still keeping some old favourites around; so, you’re sure to find something that is just right!

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A wedding is a moment.  A special moment in time when two people publicly declare their love and commitment to one another.  This moment is a ceremony;  it’s a vow and a celebration. 

For anyone attending a wedding, there are great parts, boring intervals and instances they really could have done without.  Today, let’s talk about the part that gets me every time: the first dance.

The first dance is one of those wedding instances that really stands out.  It’s a glimpse into the couple’s life.  They are finally relaxed now that the ceremony is over and they have had their speeches and toasts. The only wedding related responsibility is to have the first dance to herald the beginning of the celebration.

We now get to see the real couple sharing an intimate moment in a not so intimate environment.  Don’t forget this is probably the first time during the whole day that the couple has had to talk to just one another and to take a moment to realize that this is it….”we’re married.” (begin oohs and aahs here)

Since the first dance is so important to the couple and to the onset of the wedding’s festivities, how do you pick the right song to dance to?  You don’t.  There is no right or wrong in this case.  You simply pick a song that speaks to you both and that represents the love you share.

Having said this however, I have to add that although your song is the one that suits you, the couple, the best, it may not be your song exclusively.  As I recently found out while I was reading the top wedding songs in Canada list on www.bride.ca, I noticed that not only is my and my husband’s fist song there, it is actually still in the top ten some fifteen years later!!!  And it had already been around for a couple of decades already by the time we danced to it…wow! 

In any case, I still love the song we chose (Fool’s Rush In – Elvis Presley).  It spoke to us while we were dating, it reaffirmed our love during our first dance and it still moves us every time we hear it.  That is the testament of a tried and true first dance song…..

Your first dance and song, if chosen wisely, will move not only you and your spouse but your guests as well and will truly inspire everyone to enjoy the rest of the night’s celebration, with an added touch of love in the air!

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Who doesn’t love a cupcake?  They are tasty and cute and all that delicious icing makes them so pretty to look at.  Cupcakes have always been a childhood favourite for birthdays and special treats but more and more, cupcakes have been taking centre stage at weddings, serving as centrepiece decor and as the wedding cake itself.

Why are so many people turning to cupcakes as a wedding cake alternative? 

• Well, for one, cupcakes can be personalized.  So, technically, each guest could have their own personal cupcake.  Of course, that can be unrealistic if you are having a huge wedding but for a smaller affair, it can be easily done.
• Cupcakes are also very economical.  Although, their design can become quite elaborate and therefore, more expensive, in general, you can keep costs down by just adorning them with pretty icing.  The actual baking costs of the cupcakes are far less than an actual wedding cake.
• You don’t have to cut cupcakes in order to serve them.  As a result, the staff at your reception venue have very little to do in terms of “serving” the cake.  With a traditional wedding cake, the venue would charge for the cutting and serving of cake to the guests.  With cupcakes, you can have them available for guests to take directly from the cake table.  No serving necessary.
• They are different!  Most guests expect to see a wedding cake at the reception but cupcakes offer a new twist on an old favourite.  It adds a unique element to your wedding.
• They can double as centrepieces!  Wow!  A two for one deal…instead of having a traditional cake table, you can opt to have cupcakes arranged in the centre of each table as the centrepiece.  This eliminates the need to make a separate floral or other centrepiece purchase…smart and again UNIQUE!
• They are so pretty!!!!  I don’t know about you but I just love looking at cupcakes with all that decadent icing on them.  Yum, yum…they will definitely add a little extra pizzaz to your wedding decor.   
• They are really trendy.  Although they are simple to make, easy on the wallet, and full of sugary goodness, wedding cupcakes are currently all the rage. 

Cupcakes are slowly but surely replacing traditional views on what a wedding cake should be.  They are fun and economical and they work for both casual affairs as well as high end events.  They are perfect for outdoor weddings as well.  They are a perfect way around the traditional, fussy wedding cake and add a touch of fun to an otherwise boring tradition…

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Whenever a wedding is being planned, the couple usually concentrates on things like the clothing, the flowers, the music, the food and of course, the party.  In all the wedding excitement, we often forget that this day is about two people publicly announcing their declaration of love for each other and their commitment to devote the rest of their lives to one another.  That’s a HUGE deal, isn’t it.  So, with this in mind, shouldn’t we be paying as much attention to the part of the day that is solely about this declaration of love and commitment?  In other words, let’s talk about the ceremony…

• Location- For most couples, the ceremony location depends greatly on whether or not the respective families have a designated place of worship.  If so, that place usually ends up being the default location for their ceremony.  For others, however, the location may not be so obvious.  Perhaps, you are of different faiths and need to have the ceremony in a faith neutral location.  Or, you may have a place in mind that means something very special to the two of you and would stand as a perfect symbol of your love during your ceremony.              Whatever the case may be, ceremony locations add to the day’s romance.   After all, it is the place you will have  your first kiss as husband and wife and the place you will first walk hand in hand as a married couple.    For this reason, let the location stand not only as a symbol but make it stand out as the focal point of the romance behind this relationship. 
• Ambiance – Give your ceremony location all the help it needs when creating the perfect romantic backdrop for your “I do’s”.   Candlelight is a popular and effective tool in creating a special ambience, as are flowers and background music.  Just because the ceremony is also the shortest part of the your wedding, it needn’t be neglected when it comes to the important details.
• Aisle Runner - A bride always stands out when she walks down the aisle but why not make that walk even more special by having an aisle runner mark her way to the man she’ll be spending her life with.  It’s symbolic and special, signifying to all in attendance that this path is reserved for the honoured couple.  Perhaps, a monogramed aisle runner can later be taken to the reception for your guests to sign commemorating your first steps as husband and wife.  What a special keepsake!
• Vows – If allowed, write your own vows and make the ceremony truly one of a kind!
• Details – Make the ceremony a little different than your usual event by adding your own twists.  For example, instead of having the bridesmaids walk to the “alter”, have them walk half way down the aisle and have each usher walk half way down the aisle from the alter to pick up his respective bridesmaid.  How chivalrous!  Plus, throw your bouquet at the end of the ceremony to the crowd at large.  Whoever catches it, truly is the one for whom love awaits!

Basically, the wedding should be about the ceremony and about the bride and groom.  Take a little time out of your party planning to add some touches to this special moment.  It will make it all the more unforgettable for you and for your guests!

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Couples are always looking for something unique to add to their table decor in the form of a centrepiece (centerpiece for our U.S. cousins).  Some are looking for the “in” flower arrangement, or the “in” candle coordination, while others are looking for something non traditional or not normally seen. 

In looking for something unique, non traditional, and attention grabbing, I recently stumbled across this idea and thought it would be perfect for a bride or groom searching for that centrepiece with a “je ne sais quois” quality.

What is it you ask?  OK..here goes.  Instead of numbering your tables, consider naming each table after a decade, for example, the forties, the fifties, the sixties etc.  Then, as a a centrepiece, assemble an assortment of “retro” or decade appropriate items to commemorate that decade.

Each decade had its own flavour, colour, and sound.  Add all these things together and you get a truly notable centrepiece.  

Add some trivia elements to each one as well and now you’ve also created a little pastime for your guests while they await the dinner service…  Plus, think of how much fun everyone will have going through the items in your creations.  Choose edible items from each decade and allow the guests to sample treats of yesteryear throughout the evening.  Or, use some retro items as favours.  You could even choose music from each decade to call each table up to a buffet dinner or to the receiving line.

The “50’s”

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The “70’s”

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The “80’s”

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As is the case with every new season and every new year, there is a new trend that will either make your style look modern and edgy or just outdated and boring.  The 2009 wedding season brings with it many styles that we are revisiting with a more fresh and updated approach.  Here are some examples:

Hair Accessories - Having a little something in your hair is something fairly common amongst brides but this year the hair accessory IS by far the hottest trend…and it’s all in the details!  The season’s freshest accessories are intricate but also delicate.  They combine metalwork with  embroidery, and crystal shaped into flowers, hearts and wings.

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Keeping it Real – Got short hair?  Forget about adding extensions to your hair for a long wedding look.  2009 is all about natural beauty and sex appeal.  Your short hair will have to be worn short… Spice up your short locks with a hair accessory or a tiara!

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It’s all in the Curl – Got long hair?  Use long barrel curlers to give your locks a long way look.  Add some texturizing product to avoid your style from looking too done up and away you go!

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Loosen up a Little -  In 2009, we will see a lot of classic hairstyles and up dos with a more relaxed twist.  What does this mean?  Well, take your favourite “Audrey Hepburn” up do and loosen it up.  Don’t make your hair look stiff or too prim and proper.  

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When thinking about your hairstyle for your wedding, keep in mind that you want to achieve a look that is sexy, yet comfortable.  You’ll have to wear it all day and smile a lot in it, so, make sure it moves when you do and it doesn’t have a million bobby pins digging into your scalp all night…OUCH!!!         

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When times are tough and everyone is watching every penny, women often sacrifice various personal luxuries, including  their hair maitenance, to save some cash.  Choosing a less fussy look means fewer visits to the salon and as a result, a few more pennies in your pocket. 

Having said that, however, great wedding hair is still a very necessary expense.  It will top off (literally and figuratively) your whole ensemble. 

But, the new reality in weddings is that of a more efficient event all together.  Whether it be for financial reasons, for environmental concerns or simply for keeping in step with the general mood, we are returning to classic looks in our hair, in our gowns, and in our decor.    Long gone are the free wheeling days of the ’80’s and ’90’s when the dress was big and the hair even bigger!  Nowadays, we appreciate clean lines, quality fabrics and hair that actually puts our best face forward.

Don’t worry about having to sacrifice style in order to put on a thrifty wedding.  Simply eliminate the excesses, streamline your look and that of your decor and voila, a beautiful event at a fraction of the price! 

Here are some cost saving examples:

• Pick a hairstyle that is easy to wear but also easy to put together.  Remember, the more complicated the look, the longer it takes your stylist to create, and therefore, the more it will cost you. 
• Also, for your wedding decor, get a simple, yet elegant floral arrangement for each table and use chair covers.  The covers alone will instantly transform your room and any other decor you use will just be extra.  It will be pretty but really, unnecessary. 
• And for your dress, choose a quality fabric but try to stay away from something that has a lot of beading.  Beading takes the gown maker added time to add to the dress which results in a higher price.  

Follow some of these simple yet effective tools and your wedding will not only be chic but will also leave you and your future spouse with a little extra spending money for your honeymoon.

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With every season that passes and each new year that comes along, so do new trends in the bridal industry.  There are new wedding dresses, new “in” colours, and new décor options.  More tradition based services, like bridal registries, are less likely to see major changes but more and more, we are noticing new trends where they are involved too.

The bridal registry is by no means a “must do” item on your wedding planning list but it is extremely useful.  For one, it eliminates the possibility of receiving items you don’t want or don’t need and secondly, the chances of receiving multiples of particular items decrease considerably.

Traditionally, prior to the wedding, the bride and groom will visit their favourite store/s and make a list of items they hope to receive as wedding gifts.  The guests are then alerted to the existence of said registry on the invitation (bridal shower and wedding).  Recently, however, we have seen a shift in tradition when it comes to the registry mainly because of the couple itself.  For example, in many cases nowadays, couples have been together for many years prior to getting married and have accumulated most of the household items newlyweds normally require.  Plus, the average age of the bride and groom is older than 15 or 20 years ago; therefore, the older the couple, the more likely it is that they have much of their own “stuff” to bring into the marriage and don’t rely on wedding gifts to get started. 

Taking all of this into consideration, what does a couple do when they are faced with receiving gifts they really don’t need?  Well, many are turning their attention to charity.  They register their names with an organization that will accept donations on the bride and groom’s behalf from the guests.  All the money the guests put in goes directly to that charity; the guests receive a tax deduction and everyone has done something they feel proud of.  How chic!

A wonderful example of one such registry is that of Canuck Place Children’s Hospice (British Columbia).  Canuck Place is an organization dedicated to offering specialized pediatric palliative care for children living with life-threatening illness.  They also offer support for their families throughout British Columbia.

Setting up a traditional gift registry, takes time, planning and coordinating.  However, setting one up with an organization like Canuck Place is really a two step process.  Couples create a personal page (http://tinyurl.com/preciouspage) with their photo and a message.  They then notify their guests (by email or on the invitation) of the link.  The guests would then “gift” the couple by way of a donation directly through that personal page.  Easy and stress free for all involved!

For guests that end up donating through the general donation page instead of the couple’s personal page, the bride and groom will later receive notification of the donation from the organization itself.

Guest favours, too, are a tradition that many couples hold dear and although it isn’t a wedding must, it really is a wedding should.  Guests expect to receive something as a token of the couple’s appreciation.  Since favours are often just a token and rarely something of any real value to the guest, many couples now are opting to make charitable donations in lieu of physical favours. 

How do you handle the donations and still give something to your guests?  Couples are donating the value of what they would have spent on guest favours, times the number of guests to the charity.  Then, a note is placed at each table or at each table setting notifying the guests that a donation has been made in their honour at said charity.  How easy was that?!

Choosing to donate your wedding gifts or wedding guest favours to charity is an excellent way to give back to your community.  You have been blessed with the privilege of finding that one special person to spend your life with.  Why not pay that blessing forward by giving to someone who could really use a little extra support?    

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I heard a bird chirping today…can it be true?  Yes, I think it’s almost here!  Spring is almost sprung.  And so, like every year, thousands of spring brides are gearing up for their big day.  With this thought in mind, I thought I would get you into the spirit of a spring wedding with a few helpful tips to make your wedding really stand out!   

• Colour - Spring equals fresh, new and happy.  Keep this feeling going throughout your wedding day with lots of vibrant colours.  Your bridesmaids dresses and your decor can be decked out in colours that are both bright and energetic colours.  Even you, the bride, can play along by adding a hint of said colour in your accessories, like a ribbon on your shoes. 

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• Flowers – Spring is the best time of year to get your “pick” of the seasons best flowers.  After all, isn’t spring all about the flowers and the gardens…  Plus, so many beautiful varieties are available in really brilliant colours!  Take a field trip to a local garden centre to get inspired before narrowing down your faves…  Keep in mind, it may be best to stay away from overly scented flowers.  Many guests may be allergic, plus the scent can get overwhelming and annoying as the night goes on.

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• Food – Spring evenings can still be quite chilly; so, it isn’t out of the question to include basic comfort foods, like roasts to your menu, but offset that with some fresh foods as well.  Talk to your caterer about how you can include some fresh spring choices to your menu (veggies and fruit).
• Gown Accessories – Since spring days are obviously warmer than winter ones, most brides tend to opt for thinner fabrics which is fabulous except for one thing: it still gets cold, especially at night.  With this in mind, do yourself and your bridesmaids a favour and splurge on beautiful pashminas for all.  Not only will they be useful when the temperature drops during the day but also, they will make great bridesmaids gifts for your gals…love it!

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• Venue - With the weather getting warmer during the spring months, you now have the option of booking a venue that does offer a small outdoor area adjacent to the indoor facility.  This is great for guests that want a breath of fresh air during the course of the evening.  Also, many guests will appreciate having somewhere to sit and smoke or to share a drink with someone quietly away from the festivities.

Your options for hosting a memorable spring wedding are many.  Spring is a great time of year to herald in a new beginning and that is exactly what you are doing by formalizing your union now.  In keeping with the new, remember to keep your decor fresh, and light.  Your guests, like you, are in the mood for warmth, fun and frivolity since the “heaviness” of winter is finally behind all of us. 

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Once in a while you come across one of those great wedding trends that has to be shared.  This one I came across quite by accident and instantly fell in love with it!  It’s a storybook photo album, a hardcover (paperback available too) coffee table book of your favourite photos.  The production is so professional you would think it was published by a major publishing company. 

What I especially like about this trend is that couples can have pictures of their courtship and life together formatted into one of these books which, then, can double as a guest signing book at your reception.  Reminiscent of a high school year book, it contains pages allocated for guests to sign or you can simply have them sign wherever they wish throughout the pages. 

How cool and how nice to finally be getting away from those little white guest books.  Although they did serve their purpose over the years, they are quite drab and do very little to liven up your reception’s entrance; whereas one of these “storybooks” would definitely get people talking.   After all, don’t all of us want a little peek inside the happy couple’s life….?  Plus, it makes the wedding come alive right away as the event becomes all the more personal.  And, what can be more social than sharing memorable photos with friends and family!

But this trend doesn’t have to end at the entrance.  You can have books made for each set of parents, for your bridal party or simply for the two of you.   

Luckily for you Vancouver brides, there is at least one company here that specializes in these books…  The folks from Photos Bound in North Vancouver not only offer up favours (Favour-it Momentos)  that are personalized to match the couples they represent but they also create stunning “coffee table books of your life“ for any occasion at very reasonable prices.  (Don’t fret if you don’t happen to be in Vancouver as they will ship anywhere!!!) Whether you have a series of very old photos or a bunch of digital files to work with,  Stephani and crew will deliver a product that will continue to ignite conversations long after the event is over.  From what I understand, their website is currently under construction but a simple query to steph@favour-it.ca or a phone call to 604-787-7610  will get you on your way to showcasing and immortalizing your love story.

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