When it comes to today’s weddings, each one is has an air of excitement about it and is as unique as the couple hosting them.  No two are ever alike and making fabulous memories is a top priority. When all is said and done, the bride and groom want to look back on a beautiful celebration, filled with joy, emotion and sincerity and they will do it their own way.

This season, brides and grooms are as creative as ever as they continue to put their fingerprint on their special day.  They are willing to pay for what they want and theme receptions are increasing in popularity. They will splurge on the details of the day, with specific luxe items like gorgeous decor  with draped fabric, a colour wash of lighting or photo booths, custom favours and other innovative features, that are reflective of their personality as a couple.

Weddings are sweet and filled with excitement and surprise. Sentimental touches like embroidery are being sought out by the couple. Brides are having their name and wedding date displayed on the inside of their gown as their “something blue,” while grooms are having their monogram done on their shirt sleeve. Some of them are also writing “I Do” and other heartfelt messages on the bottom of their shoes, which brings a smile to their guests, during the ceremony.

 

Unique venues continue to be sought out, both in the city as well as in the country.  More couples are taking their wedding ceremony and reception outdoors, hosting them in tents, barns and vineyard locations. They are adding contemporary lounge furniture and elegant chandeliers to the stunning backdrop of nature to make their environment unique, sophisticated and comfortable for their guests.

 

Rustic and vintage weddings are still popular, but in 2014 “being glamorous” will shine through. Black and white receptions will be in vogue this season with gold, silver and crystals setting the tone as strong accents.  Elegance is back, with sparkling fabrics and pops of hot colour, as weddings revert back to being both more formal as well as more sophisticated. Black tie is returning with the reemerging popularity of The Great Gatsby and the 1920’s decade. 

 

Colour in 2014 is bold and vivid, paired with soft pastels in the same palette. Dazzling blue has been named the colour of the year by the Pantone Colour Institute.  Radiant Orchid and Violet Tulip are new incarnations of purple, a shade that continues its status as one of the most popular wedding colours. Cayenne Pepper, a rich hue, pairs with a softer Celosia Orange, while Hemlock and Paloma Green complement one another.

This season, you’ll find a huge selection of wedding gowns to choose from. They range from the very simple to ruffles on top of ruffles, but many are very similar to a certain style that a princess named Kate wore in 2011. Sleeves are back with beautiful lace trimmed, feminine cuffs. Gowns are encrusted with rhinestones, beautiful sashes and eye-catching and detailed backs.

 

Dessert bars continue to wow guests; they add colour and sweetness to the post-dinner fare. The wedding cake remains a focal point of the reception, but it is sharing space with elaborately iced cupcakes, the increasingly popular macaron, cake pops with sprinkles and breathtaking cookies.  

In this era of social media, wedding photos can be uploaded by guests within seconds of the couple saying their vows.  Some couples are reluctant to have them shared before they have seen them, while others have no problem with the immediacy of modern technology. For those couples who want to review their images before they are posted, this is causing some controversy –do they ask their guests to relinquish the use of their mobile devices during the ceremony and what will their reaction be? Some planners are suggesting that a note be enclosed with the invitation to say that the ceremony will be unplugged.

The most innovative idea that you may see at a 2014 reception is a charging station for cell phones tablets and other mobile devices. It’s a great idea and a thoughtful convenience for those in attendance, considering that a guest may be away from home, for a prolonged period of time.

While the world of weddings has evolved in recent years with many different ideas, they are still very much the same. It is the sharing of a love story and the beginning of a life together. The wedding party stands with the couple at the ceremony. The bride carries the flowers and rings are exchanged. Friends and family gather to witness the nuptials and to share in the happiness.

No matter what type of wedding  may be in the planning, vintage, modern, traditional, or classic, anything goes. It’s the details that make all the difference!

Copyright © 2013  by Sheryl Davies,  Publisher, The Wedding Guide Windsor|Essex County