{Back 2 Wedding Basics} Hot Wedding Fashion Trends

The Association of Bridal Consultants holds monthly, annual and national conferences for local planners and vendors. These meetings bring together HOT new ideas and fabulous vendors that my brides love choosing over and over again.

Wedding Gowns

Top priority-always looking amazing in your wedding dress. Pam Hardy, co-owner of Almond Tree Wedding Boutique commented that one strap sleeves "golden age of Hollywood" are filtering their way into bride's hearts. Brides are wanting to keep it simple. Keeping it classic on your wedding day may be a look you are aiming for. Many brides are veering away from the strapless look and adding sleeves or a partial jacket. The hardest part when shopping is finding your size if you're larger than size 12. Do your research on the type of dress you like and call the boutique prior to your visit to check for larger sizes.

Bridemaid Dresses

Keeping it short is how many bridesmaids are wearing their dresses. Sticking with the eco-friendly notion in shopping, girls are still looking for bridesmaid dresses that can be worn again. Not necessarily for the next friends wedding but out-on-the-town. Gorgeous silk fabrics like those found at Twirl Boutique keep many bridesmaids very happy. This includes dressing up the waist area with special belts and broaches.  

                                             

To Veil or Not To Veil

Do you have your something borrowed or something old? Consider a vintage feather hair piece in lieu of a veil if you are looking for a classic look. In some cases, see if you mom or sister (in-law's) have a veil to borrow for your day. The nice part about finding your wedding dress so early (7 months or earlier) is many shops include your veil for free. Check out the deals you can but don't settle on anything that doesn't leave you with a glowing feeling. Try on your hair accessory and dress together with your shoes.

Take it all in. This look will mark the beginning of your new life.

Venue Me || How to Choose Your Venue

Time is ticking on finding the perfect wedding venue. No one said this would be an easy task. On another thought, you really may have no clue what to do when it comes to scouting out a venue and figuring out the next steps. I’m here to tell you that this is your first step after the engagement because your entire wedding hinges on the location of your ceremony and reception (of course, this is easier when both at same location). The venue sets the tone and allows you to select colors, styles, and food choices that fit your preferences.


Close To Home

Choosing a venue close to home saves time and money. This allows you to closely monitor all the special details and take tours of the venue open houses. This is a great way to select local vendors and have a green, eco-friendly wedding. Arizona also provides gorgeous sunsets and many fine venues that range from reception only sites to full-service resorts. Some venues require your vendor choices be selected from a preapproved list. This may help you find ease at “shopping” at once but may limit your favorite photographer that you can’t live without.

Stateside Selections

In all its beautiful colors and landscape, Arizona does miss the unmistakable beachside views that you yearn to see in your pictures. You may find wish to for a beach wedding soaking up the rays on the beach. Take a weekend trip six months or more prior to wedding to meet with potential vendors. Contact area venues for their vendor recommendations as this will be a current referral (vendor lists are seldom updated online).

Tropical or International Calling Card

The economy is not the only factor driving this exciting romance getaway. Your friends and family play a large part in attendance on your day. Determine if your friends and family will need a passport and/or visa for your destination wedding. I strongly recommend using a travel planner for booking hotel and flights. The Swine Flu was a big roadblock for weddings and honeymooners in 2009 causing resort closures all over. Be prepared for any unexplained natural or biomedical disaster and renovations that may leave you stranded. Destination weddings can truly be a breathtaking and magical experience for you and your guests when planned out.

Stay tuned for the BLUEman coming up on Monday at 3:33 p.m.

Also, don't forget to enter the Blissful Blueprint Contest. There is about 2 weeks left until we select 3 lucky brides!

Your Wedding || Eco-Friendly

Staying in touch with things that matter like the environment is more important than ever. There are so many ways that we can all do our part to recycle and there are ways you didn’t even realize. Making a smaller carbon footprint by using products that use fewer resources is ideal. Think about what things you could do to make your wedding better for the environment.

Here are a few ideas:

Invitations –

• Choose invitations and paper products with 35% - 100% recycled post consumer parts
• Decide on organic style materials for invite

Veils –

• Borrowed veils from family or friends also ties into your “Something borrowed….”
• Capture the essence of your style by reusing lace from older veils

Flowers –

• Choosing florists with local growers can help minimize the extra costs to you and the environment
• Silk or dried flowers is another way to do your part
  

Favors –

• Sending your guests home with seeds to grow their own tree (http://www.greenworldproject.net/)
• Provide a donation in your guests name for a charity (http://www.americanforests.org/)

Dress

• Organic Cotton – great choice for hot summer days in Arizona
• Vintage – a chic look that’s always in style (http://tinyurl.com/yktqtsf )

Transportation

• Choose a horse drawn carriage to arrive at your ceremony
• Arrive in style with a hybrid limo

Catering

• Choose a dinner menu of organic products with flair and taste
• Choose a catering company that recognizes eco friendly business practices