Hot Trends in 2010 - The Mini Dress

To kick off the summer, we have decided to feature this year’s top wedding trends. Check daily for new trends that will assist you and making your wedding stylish and fabulous! We will cover almost every aspect of weddings from wardrobe to stationary without forgetting colors and entertainment. There’s no going wrong with these surefire HOT trends!

ENJOY!

#1 The mini dress

The hot new look for the 2010 bride is strutting the mini-dress! These shorter versions of a traditional bridal gown are fun and appropriate for many wedding styles. Whether you are having a modern, funky ceremony and reception or celebrating your nuptials with a vintage flair, these dresses will set the tone. As well, if you are getting married in a cathedral or wanting to stick to a more traditional ceremony, show your daring side with a cute mini-dress during the reception!

Wedding Reception Lighting: An Essential Ingredient

After years of planning weddings and events, I have learned that nothing can make or break an event like lighting – yet many don’t give it a second thought. In my opinion, illumination is the single most transformative element in any space, and professional planners often encourage clients to set aside part of their budget for a lighting package. These days there are so many options, from the most basic to the most extravagant. We try to stress to our brides that you don’t need a big budget to create a fabulous wedding - and lighting is a perfect example of how that idea comes into play.

On a limited budget, you might use string lights or simple pinspots (small bright spotlights directed on the tables to highlight centerpieces). Paper lanterns and candles are also quite romantic and inexpensive. While they sound simple, in the hands of a talented designer these small elements can pack a lot of pow.  Brides can opt for a more exciting installation of colored washes or break-up patterns —stationary lights that are fitted with a gobo, a disk cut with a specific pattern that becomes the projection. This kind of lighting is set in an elevated position on freestanding trusses or metal columns that are provided and installed by the lighting company. Some venues have rigging points, allowing lighting vendors to hang lights without a truss.

While gorgeous, break-up projections don’t necessarily break the bank. If a couple wants to save money, a break-up over reception tables or a lounge or cocktail area will be less expensive than pinspotting each table because it involves many fewer fixtures. Less fixtures = less labor = less money.

At the end of the day, wedding lighting can truly set the entire tone of the event, and it should not be disregarded. As with any vendor, professional planners often stick with lighting designers that understand their vision and requirements, and brides can benefit greatly from that relationship. If you go it alone, take the lighting as seriously as you do your invitations, cake, attire, catering, and so forth. You will not regret it!

2010 Wedding Trends: 5 Vibrant Summer Wedding Color Combinations

With the resurgence of sunshine and warm days, summer is looming in the near future. And of course, that means summer weddings . . . and more appropriately, vibrant summer wedding colors! With the prospect of bare-shoulders and eye-catching hues, summer brings along with it a plethora of exciting options in wedding decorations, wedding fashion and other summer wedding style options fit for the season. The brilliant colors of blooming flowers, gorgeous sunsets, and relaxing seasides all provide heaps of inspiration and options for a fantastic wedding color scheme. Here, we've studied the Pantone Fashion Color Report and selected five of our favorite vibrant summer wedding color combinations for this 2010 summer wedding season.


1. Main Color: Pink Champagne (soft pink)

Complimentary Colors: Light gray and chocolate brown

While this color combination isn't seen all too often, the soft hues and dynamic statements of these contrasting colors work well together to create a unique and complementary feel. Pink roses in silver vases are an updated option for a classic bouquet and brown ribbons or napkins can create a retro-inspired tablescape. This summer wedding color combination is perfect for a quaint church fete with an outdoor reception, complete with a cute pink drink and lots of dancing!

2. Main Color: Deep Navy

Complimentary Colors: Aurora Yellow and Aquarium Blue

In a strictly nautical theme, these summer wedding colors are a omnipresent force in the color scheme for this season and are a great option for a beach-themed wedding, whether on or off the sand. These colors scream summer with a classic feel and are an adorable option for bridesmaid's (sun)dresses and wedding accessories that will never go out of style. There are tons of resources from which to draw inspiration to create a great wedding with this color scheme. From sailboats to sandals and seagulls to seashells, summer favorites abound.

3. Main Color: Gold

Complimentary Colors: Pink Champagne and Fusion Coral

Taking inspiration from watercolor sunsets and glittery champagne, this color combination can be a truly magnificent and elegant option for an outdoor wedding at dusk. With fireflies, floating lanterns, and twirling dresses, this selection evokes a romantic, almost Shakespearean-like feel. A wedding by these colors, nothing could ever be as sweet!

4. Main Color: Deep Violet (Indigo)

Complimentary Colors: Navy and Fuchsia

Make your wedding unforgettable with the boldest shades of summer. A cathedral wedding laden with heaps of cosmos flowers, irises, and star gazer lilies is a veritable fairy tale haven for romance. These shades are the perfect option for making statement bouquets and incorporating pops of color in a tasteful manner, such as with wedding decorations /accessories like a cute ballet flat or unexpected invitations.

5. Main Color: Turquoise

Complimentary Colors: Tuscany Beige and Marigold Yellow

Of course, the opulence of summer's sunsets and greenery are perfect inspiration for an outdoor garden wedding. These summer wedding colors emulate the impression of the illuminating sun and can create an inviting, cheery, and carefree atmosphere. Consider the use of depression glass, ribbons, or parasols to create a Gatsby-like garden party feel. Pinwheels and bold, statement jewelry are great wedding accessory options and are also a fun way to incorporate the elements of summer.

Article courtesy of Perfect Wedding Guide.

The Wedding Industry's First Charity

The Wedding Industry now has its very own charity, Wish Upon A Wedding, which grants wedding wishes all across America.  As the World’s first nonprofit wedding wish granting organization, Wish Upon a Wedding provides weddings at destinations across the United States for individuals facing life-threatening illness. It is a chance for couples to enjoy a very special day, without any thoughts of existing health issues, while surrounded by their closest family and friends.

By celebrating the courage & spirit of these couples, they help create lasting memories that will be cherished for years to come. It is their hope that others facing similar situations will find hope, strength, and the promise of eternal love.

Officially launched in January of 2010, Wish Upon a Wedding currently has 15 chapters to serve Wish Applicants. They service couples residing in or wishing to get married within 300 miles of any one of their chapter locations. Now on to the great news, Wish Upon A Wedding now has a chapter right in Washington, DC.  The DC Chapter will represent DC, MD and VA. 

Wish Upon A Wedding DC will be hosting an ultra chic cocktail party on June 27, 2010 from 3pm-6pm at the 201 Lounge in DC.  Please join us as we come together for a worthy cause and celebrate the launch of the DC Chapter.  If interested please RSVP at http://www.wishuponaweddngdc.eventbrite.com/ and for more information on Wish Upon A Wedding, go to http://www.wishuponawedding.org/.

Truly Inspired

After meeting with clients we love to create inspiration boards to assist in bringing the vision to reality.  We met with a fabulous couple and here is what we came up with after meeting with them.  You never know what direction we're going in, but this is what we came up with.

Pink & Orange by MemorableMo

Old Hollywood Glam Inspiration Board

We're always looking for inspiration boards for our brides and this is one of our favorites....Old Hollywood, brides loves this theme.

1st Annual Stand Up....Beauty Lounge Charity Event

We've been working really hard on our 1st Annual Charity Event for House Of Ruth and it has been alot of work.  We had a few delays due to the disasters in Haiti and Chili but we are now working diligently on our event.  This will be an exclusive event to help celebrate domestic abuse survivors and the power of women to band together to Break the Silence, Break the Cycle and Save Live.

Here's an inspiration board to give you an idea as to what we're going for at the Beauty Lounge Event....

So that's what we're going for anf we hope to see all of you out and support the House Of Ruth Maryland, Inc.  So here's the link to register:: donate:: purchase tickets.