Sticking to Wedding Trends

As a professional in the wedding industry, it is important for me to know what the new and upcoming trends are for the wedding season. However, I never force these trends upon my clients. I definitely will provide them with new ideas to take their wedding decorations to the next level. However, I never discourage them from planning and decorating the wedding of their dreams. Recently, I had a client say to me that they want a candy buffet, but they also know it is “sooooo 2009.” I said to them “Sooooo what?! You didn’t get married in 2009, so this is your chance in 2011.”

Here are some suggestions I have to 2011 brides:
1. Color – Choose the color that you have always imagined your wedding to be. There are no rules or restrictions to this. It is your wedding and you can have fall colors for a winter wedding, winter colors for a spring wedding, or an all black wedding in the summer. It is your day and you can design it any way you want.

2. Décor Elements – During initial discussions, clients often tell me that they want white polyster chair covers and colored chair sash tied in a bow. Then they ask me “Is that look still IN?” or “Is it OK to want that look?” I tell them it is OK to want that look. However, if they want a little bit of a twist to that look, we can change the color of the chair cover or tie the chair sash differently. It is OK to love the favorite look or to create a new twist on it.

3. Overall Look – Now that you have chosen everything to your liking, it is important to tie the look together to avoid having your wedding look like a hodgepodge scrapbook. (Don’t get me wrong, I love scrapbooking.) A great way to tie everything together is to use an overall theme or color family. I say color family because it provides the design more depth. Also, you won’t have to stress over everything matching exactly!

4. Trends – I know that the first thing brides purchase after getting engaged is not their dress, it is a good stack of wedding magazines. This is a perfect way to start getting ideas on design and trends. I want to stress that it is OK to follow all of the 2011 wedding trends as long as it is what you want for your wedding. Do not think you need to follow these trends because well, your wedding is in 2011.

5. Have Fun – The guests you have invited are (most likely) people you love and want to share this special day with. They are going to think your wedding is beautiful because it is a reflection of you.

If you would like to see some 2011 wedding trends, check it out at Savvy Scoop! Here are some inspiration pictures of Real Weddings from the Knot. (Blog posts are always more interesting with pictures!)

Bridal Fantasy Pictures

Last week, I attended the Calgary Bridal Fantasy fair with the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation. We were there together to promote the "Kiss for a Cure" program and the "Pinky Swear Wedding Decorating Packages." The booth was designed and all rental items were sponsored by Wishahmon-Wedding Creations. Here are the pictures of the booth for those that were not able to come by. Huge thank you to the brides that stopped by to say Hi!

(I have included a before picture of the booth too! I love before and after pictures!)

Bridal Fantasy Calgary

I am UBER organized. People that have been following this blog, know me, or have worked with me can confirm this. Which leads me to my current frustration – my blogs entries are going to be all out of order! Now, instead of whining about it, I will be doing the next best thing – blogging despite it not being in my ideal order. Here is the first one.

This Sunday, January 16, 2011, Bridal Fantasy Calgary: The Boutique Bridal Show will be at the Telus Convention Center (120 – 9 Avenue SE). Wishahmon – Wedding Creations will be at the Bridal Fantasy with the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation to promote ideas on how brides can design the wedding of their dreams and contribute to finding a cure for breast cancer.

The Foundation will be promoting their program called “Kiss for a Cure.” Instead of clinking glasses for the happy couple to kiss, guests would make a donation to the Foundation. The happy couple can also make a donation to the Foundation in lieu of wedding favors.

Wishahmon will be designing the booth to give brides and grooms a visual on how this program can be incorporated into their wedding design. Wishahmon will also be promoting the “Pinky Swear Wedding Decorating” packages. $150.00 will be donated to the Foundation by Wishahmon for every decorating package sold. Brides that sign up for the “Kiss for a Cure” program on Sunday will be entitled to $150.00 off their decorating package. A total of $300 will be donated by Wishahmon to the Foundation.

At Bridal Fantasy, brides will see an amazing fashion show and theatrical production featuring the latest trends in flowers, tuxedos, gowns, destination wear, hair and make-up. Brides have the opportunity to win over $75,000 in prizes and the chance to win the Fantasy Wedding Package. This year's fantasy wedding package includes prizes from all of our sponsors and features a Fantasy One Week Honeymoon to Jamaica courtesy of AMA Travel, Air Canada Vacations and Sandals Resort. Brides will also receive a FREE Bridal Fantasy Wedding Planner & Survival Guide (a $14.95 value) and a FREE copy of the newest issue of the Bridal Fantasy Magazine (a $6.95 value).

Tickets are only $20. You can buy tickets online, at any Derks location, or at the door. Doors for the morning show open at 10:30 am with the fashion show at 12:30 pm, while the afternoon show is at 1:30 pm with the fashion show at 3:00 pm.

If you are planning on going to Bridal Fantasy Calgary, please take the time to drop by our booth to say hi and to learn about these wonderful programs! I hope to see you all there!

Happy 2011!!

For those that have been reading this blog all along (thank you!!) will know that I don’t make New Year’s Resolutions. The main reason is because I don’t keep them past January 7th. (As long as I don’t add 10 extra pounds each year, I am not going to make the same resolution to lose the last 10 pounds.) Rather than making resolutions, I opt to learn something new each year.

Last year, I learned a little bit about photography. I wasn’t able to fit any photography courses into my schedule last year but I read lots and learned from other photographers. I also quickly learned how expensive photography can become. I personally feel that I have come a long way! The pictures of the Fall themed wedding at Cochrane Ranche House in my portfolio was taken by yours truly. Regular blog readers will be able to judge whether my photography skills have improved as I have been blogging about random pictures I have taken in 2010.

This year I am going to learn about giving back. Although I am not “rich” by any means, I do feel fortunate for all that I have. I would love to give back to organizations that are dear to my heart. Hopefully, my small efforts and contributions will be part of something big. Wish me luck!