Fabulous Wedding Dresses!

I absolutely love what is coming for the 2012 wedding season! So many textures, layers and of course colour!  Lace is bigger than ever, and modern sheath is making an entry into this seasons wedding fashion!!! Wedding dresses have become so playful and really attempt to push the envelope; making it possible for any bride to find somthing that suites both her personality and budget. 

Some of the hot trends for wedding gowns this upcoming season have been reinvented and to create timless pieces that have modern flare. We all know Kate Middltons Royal wedding dress very well and were quite shocked to see a piece that was so traditional in many ways, but was also very modern. The definition of form and strength of lines were very apparent in her dress, and were married quite successfully to the traditional lace and sleaves. So it comes as no surprise that this style is perpahs the most popular and desirable for new brides. 

 Lace has always been popular for weddings, it is a beautiful combination of fragility and complexity. As an alternative to full sleeves, capped sleeves are back in!

 

 Lace has always been popular for weddings, it is a beautiful combination of fragility and complexity. As an alternative to full sleeves, capped sleeves are back in!

As mentioned in the previous blog post regarding hot colour trends, dresses that have accents of black are in high demand this season. They are sophisticated and eye catching due to the contrast between the white and black. Consider whether you want the black details to be the focal point of your dress or simply the form and white or Ivory colour to be, as the black can be quite powerful and can really stand out.  I have a feeling that this particular style will be around for a while. 

 This leads us into the next trend which is my personal favourite; colour! A coloured dress comes off as being "tacky" or "distracting", but when the right colour is chosen any wedding gown can be beautiful and certainly match the brides personality and personal style. Try not to go too bold, as you would want the colour to be tastful and to not distract entirely from the readiance of a newlywed bride. 

Blushes, greens, greys and golds are all in demand this season, and when tastfully completed with accessories, they create a beautifulcomposition that demonstrates fashion, taste, personality and above all radiance.

 Gold dresses deserve a paragraph all of their own for a number of reasons. The first being that gold is a reoccuring colour used for weddings. It was worn in the middle ages for wedding gowns and has repeated many times over. Socondly, gold is deffinetly a neutral, like white and ivory, but of course has much more flare. White and ivory tend to have more pressence because they are naturally so bright, but gold has the sparkle. Thirdly, gold is a classic, it is very high class and is very hollywood. When paired with white pearls or chunky diamonds and crystals you can successfully reintroduce white and classics hues to the ansemble. 

 This leads us into the next big trend which is Hollywood glam. Through maintaining art deco forms, shapes and styles in any wedding piece you have successfully recreated a classic hollywood inspired ansemble. However, this season is marked by both classic and modern hollywood styles. Both are unique and classy, that have a remarkable cultural flare! Hollywood is a very North American style that is well known through old films, but over the years has transformed into a type of glamorous that is very revealing andf sexy; it celebrate women's beautiful, unique and desirable features. 

 Layers and textures are very important for this season, they are adding form, volume and shape to any piece, and therefore successfully creating visual interest. Truly unqiue style that are not commonly found or seen are hitting the runways and aisles this upcoming year. Feathers and horsehair trims are only two of the ways that texture and volume are being integrated into wedding style. Illusion necklines is the other trend which deffinelty adds visual interest as it drapes any body with a light layer of fabric that mutes skin and leads the eye to visually interesting aspects of a dress, the accessories and of course to the brides blushing face.

Hopfully this inspires you when you do your dress shopping. Keep in mind visual interest, texture, volume, and colour when doing your browsing this season. Fond somthing that truly suites your personality and personal style. It is the one dress that you will always remember and treasure, so make it count!

Colour Trends | For the Current Year and Forward

 It is important to know the current and past trends within all industries; the event industry is no different. Trends are influential and fit a timeline. Many trends, especially colour, repeat over time and become reinvented images of a time period. Colour is a foundation for any event; it is from which the creativity flows and a personal relationship with a colour or any combination of colours is established. Explore the colours of 2012 and let your ideas Flourish into new memories and exciting celebrations.

The List for the current colour trends are as follows:

Turquoise |Good Fortune

This colour is understandably popular as the Tiffany’s theme has increased significantly over the last few years. Turquoise has an elegant quality that is likely influenced in part by the reputation that is associated with Tiffany jewellery. Aside, turquoise is a stone which constantly finds itself in high demand, as it comes back into fashion so often. Turquoise is associated with being “the holy stone” and has been regarded as a bringer of good fortune and a gemstone of the peoples. So to utilize the stones’ beautiful colour for an event seems quite fitting; especially for a wedding which celebrates a couple’s love for one another. 

To highlight this colour for an event, consider using peacock feathers. The feather has undertones of blue, green and browns which really emphasize the blue-green colour of Turquoise. Another way to add emphasis to this colour is by adding gems to the theme. Complimenting turquoise with pearls, diamonds or beads emphasizes what Tiffany & Co. Has been doing for years-- creating luxury. 

Coral | Mmm...

Coral comes in a variety of shades because actual coral is never like another.  So do not worry about making your shades match entirely. Different shades of the colour create depth and interest in ways that appeal to people. It is a naturally unique quality that can be easily translated through your event. 

This particular colour is so warm and fun, it is perfect for a spring or summer event. This colour can easily be combined and accented with other colours such as teal, yellow, other shades of pink or red to emphasize a theme, or to enhance a fun atmosphere. 

Coral can be incorporated very easily into foods and beverages. Try creating signature desserts or drinks to serve at your event. There are many pink wines and champagnes out there which can be a great addition to any drink recipe. Red fruits when combined with banana or pineapple create a tasty smoothie or homemade sorbet; great for serving at any function or party. Stimulate your guests visually as well as physically through taste. 

Black & White | Timeless Classics

A black and white wedding is classic and beautiful; a theme and colour scheme that keeps reappearing in the trends list. A good balance between white and black throughout the entire event can appear fun, elegant and modern. 

A trend which has become very apparent with wedding gown design is a bright white dress that is beautifully detailed with black sashes, bows, flowers or lace. It pushes the envelope of fashion while still maintaining an eloquent appearance; slightly untraditional, but still beautiful. Black has always been a slimming colour and popular with women’s’ fashion. It is a colour that is both fashion-forward and timeless. White has always represented purity and innocence throughout wedding history.  A bride wears it in the modern world as a symbol of her dedication and commitment to her partner.  

Yellow | Hope

Yellow is the most visible colour and therefore the most-attention seeking colour. If you want to wow your guests than yellow is a great choice. While keeping moderation in mind, yellow can be very playful, whimsical and eclectic. 

Historically yellow represents hope. Yellow ribbons placed on trees or front porches during the first and Second World War represented family’s hopes that their loved ones would return safely. So yellow is a suitable colour for military families or those who have relatives living in various places around the world that experience hardship or conflict. 

For any event yellow when combined with white, grey or black can be very elegant and clean. A good contrast of colours combined with clean lines and geometric forms can create a very modern feel that can easily emphasize a theme or venue. 

Fuchsia | Naturally Beautiful

This colour is named after the Fuchsia plant, which has a pink-purple hue to a pink-red hue. There are different variations of this particular colour, but dominantly the combination of red and pink create the blend that is well known in fashion and design. This palette has been popular for events of all sorts many times over. This colour is very versatile and can be utilized to complete either a sophisticated or a fun and playful look. 

The colour can be introduced into any theme or palette easily. Many flowers naturally have a fuchsia hue and therefore make a great addition to centre pieces or other decor. A unique way to add colour to your event is through the use of fabrics. If you are planning an outdoor wedding, consider making a tent using fabric that is a range of variations of your colour scheme. If cost is an issue, rather than renting chair covers, use fabric around the backs of your guest’s chairs to make a statement.

Deep Red (Carmine)| Stimulation & Romance

Traditional known as Carmine, this Ruby colour is a shade of red that has become popular for events; especially weddings. Red is the colour of love and therefore truly celebrates a couple’s commitment to each other through marriage. 

Red is a stimulating colour that is emotionally intense. Many clubs utilize the psychology of red to encourage people to move and let their wild side out. In the design world, red is traditionally used as an accent colour because it is so strong. So when using this hue for an event, make sure that the colour is used to influence the moods and actions which are desired. 

Red is a beautiful colour which is often used during certain times of year or for certain themes. Winter and autumn have traditionally been the seasons in which Reds are part of the colour scheme.  In the winter, red combined with colours such as fresh whites and sparkling gold or silver make a beautiful backdrop for a room full of warmth and love. In the autumn, oranges, yellows and browns mixed with reds mimic the natural colours of the season.  With these hues one can really create a natural theme for their special day. For both seasons, bringing the outdoors inside can influence the usage of eco friendly materials as well as fresh organic foods.

Slate Grey | Untraditional Elegance

This colour palette is not very traditional but is very beautiful, and elegant. The look that has been provided is very beautiful and extravagant in appearance. Jewels, gems and natural hues are accents that can be utilized to further accentuate the palette. Modern forms, shapes and textures only enhance this look. 

Flowers should be non traditional, simple and natural. Adding cotton, baby’s breath and other botanicals that do not have large flowers would add volume and texture to any arrangement, and can prove to be more cost effective. 

Consider using backdrops. Many weddings use fog machines with lighting to set a mood or to create focus on a couple for their first dance. As a change, consider using this for your ceremony and make the experience dramatic and unique. 

Purple & Latte | Royalty & Luxury

Variations of purple have always been popular as a part of a colour scheme. Usually purple is accompanied by another colour to compliment its beauty as well as to make it less feminine. Past purple colour schemes also included greens, yellows, and dark browns. This year Latte is the accompanying colour to purple and is quite elegant in appearance. Purple is one of those colours that are very versatile, it can appear elegant and sophisticated when accompanied with a shade, or neutral colour, while it appears fun with bright and playful colours. 

Purple has been known as a royal colour and therefore is luxurious and sophisticated; it has traditionally been associated with wealth. Not many plants in the world are naturally purple in colour, so sometimes purple can appear artificial. If a bride wants to avoid this, then she needs to do her research and determine which combination of flowers she will use to avoid using dyes, sprays or other forms of pigmentation.

 

Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed and Something not so Blue

We have always loved the idea of making use of old used items to create something brand new. Reusing items the have been kept in the family is a brilliant idea. It practically covers all of the requirements from that old saying "Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, and Something Blue". 

Every family has old cherished pieces that have been passed on through generations. A great way to make use of old traditions, and remember passed loved ones on any special occasion is to incorporate them into your special day. China, vases, jewelery, linens, and photos are great ways to decorate your wedding  while celebrating the generations who brought you into the world and got you to where you are. 

 

Glass and Candles

When planning my own wedding and working around a budget, candles became the focus of decor and centre pieces. Candles are easy to come by and exist in a variety of colours, shapes, sizes, textures and designs. They are beautiful and more importantly inexpensive! Depending on the venue candles can be used in a variety of ways. Hurricanes, lanterns, floating, candleabras, and votives are a beautiful way to illuminate a space and set a mood for fun and romantic settings. 

I came across a photo not too long ago where a wedding used candles much in the same way that I had planned. However, instead of renting or collecting hurricanes and votives, make use of some antique, unused or mix mached wine and water glasses! When used as a pillar for candles they create quite a statement. 

Colour can easily be incorporated through the use of  flowers under the goblet as seen in the image which I found. Another way that colour can be incorporated is through the use of coloured candles. For added colour, texture or detail, items such as feathers, grasses or perhaps even paint can add the colour where needed ; these ideas could contribute and even enhance the theme of your event.