Events Blog

Another ball has dropped and 2012 is upon us; Happy New Year!  However the ball in Times Square wasn't the only bling to be seen this past week.  With the holidays comes a whirlwind of wedding proposals. Research indicates that over 1/3 of all engagements in the U.S. happen between Thanksgiving & New Year's Eve. All of those engagements bring new trends and ideas for 2012 weddings.  This wedding season it's all about natural decor, illusion necklines and having fun.

   Tree bark, natural colors and leaves.  It might seem like we are talking about a nature painting but in fact, wedding centerpieces are the topic here.  Many brides are using potted plants (which can double as take home favors) as centerpiece mainstays.  Greens and leaves are also very popular, especially given their very reasonable price and durability. Finally don't forget to mismatch.  Centerpieces that don't all look the same are hot, hot, hot. So, don't forget to use different flower types, colors or even elevation levels to make your centerpieces stand out.

   It may have started with the royal wedding but the illusion neckline has now made it's way to the trend meter.  2012 wedding dresses are all about personal style and wearing what you, as a bride, look good in and are comfortable with.  The illusion neckline can make what was a strapless dress or open back, a bit easier to wear for the common bride. After all, confidence is the most important accessory for any woman.  When you feel good in what you are wearing, it shines through.

   The proof is on YouTube and it can be seen on invitations and in reception themes;  brides and grooms want to have fun at their wedding!  Forget the stuffy events of the past; brides want to dance down the aisle to R&B favorites, grooms want to dawn sneakers and bust a move into their reception, forget the formal menu and bring in food trucks with burgers and fries.  It's all about being fun, unforgettable and fancy free. After all this is your big day and it should be your style.  Make it fun, make it creative and most important make it your own!

I have to share a secret with all of you.  One of my favorite parts of the wedding reception is the cocktail hour.  I know what you are going to say, that it sounds crazy.  Most people feel that the cocktail hour is simply the buffer time between the ceremony and the reception. It’s misconceptions like that which have led the cocktail hour to lose face in the whole planning process! Cocktail hour is sometimes overlooked in the hustle and bustle of planning the intricate details of the reception dinner.  I say let’s spotlight the cocktail hour!  When it comes to this little hour between the ceremony and reception – I say the possibilities are endless!

            I have two words for you; cocktail couches.  One of the biggest crazes in weddings right now is very informal, creative and trendy seating.  For many high-end events that means custom chairs and tables for the reception.  For brides on a budget however, why not transmit that tend to a smaller scale at the cocktail hour? By creating impromptu seating arrangements with couches, big, comfy chairs, or lots of pillows in colors of your choosing, guests get the feeling of a happy hour atmosphere.  South Florida has several rental companies that are offering custom chairs and tables to spice up any event.

            Attention brides…the cocktail hour does not have to have the same theme as your reception or any other part of your wedding! There is a huge misconception that everything in a wedding has to be matchy-matchy.  That is not at all the case.  Anything goes in today’s wedding, including having two totally different themes; one for your cocktail hour and one for your reception.  This is a great idea for the brides who didn’t have the budget necessary to pull off their original idea, brides who found two really good theme ideas and had a hard time choosing or brides who want a formal reception and a very fun and informal cocktail.  Some of my favorite ideas from recent events include; creating an outdoor lawn game area for guests to play during their cocktail hour, a Hawaiian themed cocktail hour where everyone had to drink Hawaiian inspired drinks out of coconut shells and the very cool 80’s inspired cocktail hour where guests were invited to sport gummy bracelets and dance to Madonna songs. Whatever you them – remember it’s your event, have fun with it and most importantly, don’t forget about that little hour between the ceremony and the dinner, it’s got a lot to offer.  Contact us today if you need help with your cocktail hour or any other part of your event!