GSS’s Top Wedding Trends :: 2010

We  have taken the liberty of researching the emerging trends for weddings in 2010.  Here’s what we have found:

• Smarter Budgeting:  The recession that has hit our economy has affected most of us these days… So gone are the days of frivolous spending on lavish, outrageous weddings.  Many engaged couples are becoming more and more budget conscious and refusing to go into debt for their wedding.  We agree with this trend whole-heartedly.  (We applaud these couples for their responsibility!) Come up with a reasonable, reachable budget for your wedding and stick to it.  Most couples can foresee their engagement, so start saving when you begin to talk about getting engaged.  
• Turquoise:  Pantone has chosen turquoise to be the big color of 2010.  They predict that we will begin seeing this color everywhere you look… clothing, interiors, and especially weddings.  Turquoise can create the feeling of serenity and relaxation and is perfect for spring, summer, and destination weddings.

• Memories:  This is one of the best trends on this list, in our opinion.  Couples are scaling back on floral and other frivolous decor items and opting to spend more on their photography and videography.  This is wonderful because when all is said and done and you are now officially Mr. & Mrs.,  you can look back on the day and relive it as many times as you want.  Photography and Videography is not an expense, it’s an investment.  With that said, in order to get your money’s worth, make sure you do your research and interview a few photographers and videographers before signing a contract.  You want to make sure they have a good track record (they’re dependable and past clients rave about their work) and that they mesh with your personalities.  You want someone who can see the “true you” and know how to showcase you.
• Props:  This one isn’t all that new.  We saw this trend emerge in full force in 2009, but we had such a good time with it, that we’re sure it will stick around.  Props are being used in engagement and bridal sessions, and not to mention in the wedding itself.  Such props include, but are not limited to:  fake mustaches, bicycles, oversized picture frames, balloons, and fun hats.

• Mismatched Bridesmaids Dresses:  Again, not entirely new to 2010, but a fabulous trend.  Let’s face it, your bridesmaids are not all the same size and shape.  So that single dress you picked out for all of them to wear may not look so great on some.  Allow your girls the freedom to pick the style of dress they wear, and maybe even the color.  Most weddings are not completely monochromatic.  They usually have around two contrasting, but complimenting colors or various shades of a single color.  Set boundaries if you like, such as length and colors, and allow them to have fun and pick a style that’s  flattering for themselves.  In the end, they may be able to wear their dress again or more importantly, they may actually even WANT to wear it again!

• Not-So-Far Away Destination Weddings:  We’re definitely a fan of destination weddings.  Especially because depending on the destination you choose and the location, the venue may have all-inclusive packages.  In fact, some places such as RIU, Sandals, and Dreams offer a FREE wedding package included with your stay.   However, again, due to the current state of the economy, couples are opting for a destination a little closer to home.  There are a myriad of unbelievably beautiful places in the continental United States to travel to get married…. Savannah, GA… Seaside, FL… Southern California… Miami, FL…. Hilton Head, SC… Austin, TX…  Just to name a few.  By keeping it within the continental states, it allows your guests the option to drive and save money.  You could keep your guest list a little smaller and use that money to create a fun wedding weekend for your guests! 
• Friday or Sunday Wedding Dates:  Don’t get upset just yet, Saturday is still the most popular day to get married.  But a lot of venues offer significant discounts to couples who choose to get married on a Friday or Sunday.  This is another way to save money in one area in order to use it in another.  Or maybe the venue of your dreams is just not within your budget on a Saturday, but if you book on a Friday or Sunday, it would be.  It’s definitely something to consider…
• Internet Wedding Planning (DIY Wedding Planning):  With the tremendous amount of helpful wedding websites and blogs (GSS Included!!!), it makes planning your wedding by yourself a much easier task.  A bride can find almost anything she needs online to plan her wedding.  Side Note:  However, even though the Internet can aid you in planning every detail up to the wedding, we HIGHLY recommend hiring at least a “Day Of” wedding planner.  We suggest scaling back on other areas of your wedding, if need be, in order to make this happen… You could get married on a Friday or Sunday as mentioned above, or make your own favors, centerpieces, or invitations… There are ways to scrounge up enough money to hire a planner.  Trust us, having a wedding planner on your big day is 110% worth the money.  If a problem arises, which chances are at least one will, your planner will handle it with grace while you’re relaxing and enjoying every minute of your big day.  Trust us, GSS’s Tamra learned this the hard way and that’s why we’re preaching to you.
• Getting Married at Home:  Although backyard weddings aren’t always less expensive, it absolutely gives your wedding a more personal touch.   Everyone feels more comfortable and at ease at home, so why not have your wedding there? 

• Personalized Wedding Favors:  Personal wedding favors can come in a variety of shapes and sizes.  These can be made by you…  Maybe you’re known for your baking or cooking skills.  Make cookies and bag them up nicely or whip up some homemade jam in your favorite flavor.  Or maybe there’s something local that you want to share with your guests.  We’ve even seen a couple who had a local winery bottle their favorite wine in small bottles and personalize them  with a custom label.  The couple then added a tag to the bottle that requested the guest to have a toast to them on one their one year anniversary.  Also, charitable donations are always an extremely personal wedding favor.  Maybe you’ve lost a loved one to Cancer or Alzheimer’s.  In lue of a box of chocolates that means little to your guests, make a donation to a charity of your choice in honor of your lost loved one(s).  Photo Booths are also a wonderful personalized wedding favor.  Guests get a fun strip of photos to remember the wedding by and you get a copy for you to remember your guests by! Personalized wedding favors make so much more of an impact on your guests than anything you can buy at a store.

• Video DJs:  Move over regular DJ with their flashing lights and disco ball… Video DJs are becoming a new and hot trend for wedding receptions,  allowing your dance party to dance not only to the beat of the music, but also allowing them to dance along with the visuals of the music videos.
• Shorter Engagements: We all know that the standard engagement period lasts a year, giving ample time to plan your wedding.  This time frame is not obligatory but can can help relieve the stress, by spreading out the tasks and the expenses and give you a little more time to save money.  However, a wedding can be planned in less than a year and we’re seeing this trend grow.  A shorter engagement means that you don’t overwhelm yourself with trying to plan the perfect wedding, and often means that you spend less money on unnecessary things. 
• Tea-Length and Shorter Wedding Dresses:  With the increasing trend in all things vintage, retro, and old Hollywood glam in weddings, tea-length and shorter wedding dresses are making their way back into the wedding scene with great popularity.   These fun and flirty dresses bring you back to the day when Audrey Hepburn and Marilyn Monroe ruled the day!

• Day After Wedding Shoots:  Your wedding day tends to fly by not leaving much time to take all of  the much treasured pictures you want.  That’s where “Day After” shoots step in.  You get to get all glammed up and slide into your stunning dress all over again.  You could get a little more funky for this shoot than you would on your wedding day… add a smokier eye to your makeup, big colored accessories, brightly colored shoes, and add all kinds of fun props.  This is your time to shine and really let loose!

Credits: (In order, Left to Right, Top to Bottom)

Prop Images:  Mark Brooke Photographers, Perez Photography,  Mark Brooke Photographers, Jill Thomas Photography, Boutwell Studios

Mismatched Bridesmaids Images:  Emily Photo, Rose & Ruby, Michele M. Waite, Stephanie Williams Photography

Backyard Wedding Images:  Allison Davis Photography

Personalized Wedding Favor Images:  Portland Photo Booths, Charlotte Geary Photography, Charlotte Geary Photography, The Knot, Steven Myers Photography

Tea-Length Dresses Images:  Stephanie James Couture

Day After Images:  Sarah Maren Photography

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