It's wedding season and we've got the inside scoop on what's in and what's out. Of course, there are choices upon choices when you break things down into each finer detail - what dress will you choose? Which flowers match your vision best? And what about the food and drinks you'll serve? But taking a look at the bigger picture, we're seeing that this wedding season is trending toward “traditional meets contemporary” in ways that combine the fun and classic beauty of a traditional wedding with a modern twist. While every couple will have specific ideas and interests that reflect their own lifestyles and personalities, this year gives extra permission for doing things your own way. Making your special day different and unique is what it's all about. The door is wide open for more personal choices, not just traditional expectations. Another trend for this year is sustainability. Buying locally and utilizing seasonal products like fruit and flowers is a popular route for the betrothed this season. When choosing vendors, people are opting for local fan favorites rather than flying someone in for the big day. We've pulled together a few insights on popular aspects of a wedding so you can see if these modern twists are meant to be on your special day. Dress Styles Whether you are planning a small intimate gathering or going all out with the reception of the year, there are great trendy styles to choose from when it comes to your dress. Either way, embracing and loving your unique silhouette is key to finding the best look. This year we'll see fashions that are simple, yet elegant, and leaning towards a vintage feel…but with a twist. Dropped waists and corset bodices reminiscent of lingerie styles highlight the feminine form and will be showing up in more dress shops around the country. A few touches of lace will also be making an appearance, creating a timeless yet modern statement. Slip dresses and silky fabrics fit in well with this trend too. If a fuller, ball gown skirt is more your style, tulle is still a beautiful look that adds flow to any wedding dress choice. Removable layers are also becoming more prevalent so brides can quickly adjust to the after party without the fuss of extra dresses or alterations. Bows are popular this year as well. More people have been opting to add cute bows to their hairstyles, but these are crossing over into the world of fashion. You may see more bows on the backs of dresses as opposed to classic buttons. When it comes to the color of the dress, although traditional white is always on the table, an alternative this year is a subtle off-white or even a soft hint of color under the tulle. The most common color popping up in this way is a soft baby pink. Whichever style you choose, there are ways to make it modern or “trendy.” What it really comes down to is that you should feel beautiful on your wedding day. Whichever style, whichever color - dress in what makes you feel best because self confidence never goes out of style. Flowers Flowers are another area of personal preference but this wedding season's color seems to be leaning toward “Peach Fuzz.” It's a soft, peachy-pink hue that can blend easily with most other color schemes and is light and simple, yet elegant. This color can be found in a variety of flowers too so you may still get your top pick of florals, and in a trendy color to boot! With the focus on sustainability this year, foraged flowers that look as though they came from a wild forest are another option for a unique display of bouquet and floral arrangements. When considering which flowers to choose, selections that are “in season” locally are a good choice. Whether you're looking for a more natural look or love to see bright bold colors on your big day, flowers bring that festive look to any wedding. Anthurium, Baby's Breath, garden roses, grasses, and non-floral elements like fabric can work well together for a timeless look. Having petite wedding bouquets has become more popular too and more couples are opting to save the tall, standout arrangements for pops of color in strategic places in the venue. Think entryway columns or a floral arch for the ceremony. Tabletop decorations however are moving away from flowers, and we're seeing other options like electric candles or leafy greens instead. If flowers are your choice then consider using mixed vases to add a unique flair to your arrangements. For example, if you want to use pottery to hold the flowers, choose a variety of designs, but all in a pottery medium. Glass canning-type jars are taking a back seat to other vase options this season. Rustic, shabby-chic weddings are still very much “in” but we're softening a lot of the elements these days. Instead of large jars, small glass vases or mini-jars are taking the spotlight. Another choice is wispy long stem flowers, rather than full packed arrangements. By adding a little greenery to that bouquet, you can create a clean, simplified look that still stands out in your wedding photos. Decorations It's time to think outside the box for decorations. Where we would typically see bold decor from the ground up, we're turning things upside down - literally! Decorations that hang from the ceiling above the dance floor or tables add dimension to the venue. These could be lights or floral elements. Think about how you can decorate in places besides just the table centerpieces, entryways, and the altar. One more decorative change for this year comes in the form of curves. For example, instead of placing tables in rows, style them in a gentle curved pattern and use circles and curves with table runners to maintain the theme. Instead of a straight aisle leading up to the ceremony space, consider a curvy meandering path. You can also have the ceremony surrounded by chairs in a circle. Even squiggly signage can add to the curvy consistency of the wedding setting, rather than block type lettering. Themed weddings are popping up this season too, highlighting things that cater to the couples personalities or lifestyles, like a Western theme. A note to add here is that Western is not the same as a rustic or country theme. Western is more like cowboy hats, fringe, and cow hides-oh my! Rustic tends to lean more towards hay bales for seating, wildflowers, lace, and shabby-chic wood accents. If you're planning what kind of gift to give your guests for sharing this special day with you, remember to think about sustainability! Avoid things in plastic. Something like a package of perennial wildflower seeds lets guests participate in the hope of “forever” by planting flowers that will continue to bloom year after year. These can be put into paper envelopes or a small biodegradable plant pot. Menus and Sweets Personalized menus that are meaningful to the couple say something about carrying their past into the future together. Some of their family recipes, comfort foods, and childhood favorites can be a fun way to pull it all together. Although plated dinners are still popular, you'll also see an increase in grazing tables and build your own taco bars, nacho stations, and individual servings. Everyone likes snacks their own way, and on their own time! Again, remember to think sustainable and go with local foods that are in season as much as possible. Share your vision with your catering manager and we will assist with execution! A common trend this year, not only on the social scene in general, but also at weddings is the zero proof cocktails and mocktails. Personal preference will determine what you want to do when it comes to serving beverages to your guests. While an open bar has long been the running theme for weddings, more people are opting for a sober ceremony or drink limits for guests. Our standard bars include mocktail selections and we happily create mocktails to reflect the theme or color scheme of any event. As for the traditional tiered cake and cutting ceremony, another option this wedding season tends to be using smaller cakes as table decorations. Guests can be included in the cake cutting and everyone participates Instead of one central cake and cake table. Different dessert options besides cake are as varied as the imagination allows. Pie, tarts, cookies, donuts or lemon bars are just a few ideas. Make selections depending on whether it's an indoor or outdoor wedding and depending on the weather. An ice cream cake may sound delicious and refreshing, but kept out on a hot day during a summer wedding and you'll be serving your guests a puddle of sugary, dairy soup instead. Opt for an attended ice cream station with fun toppings instead, if ice cream is a must! Traditions A few long standing traditions are losing ground. One of those things is throwing rice as the newly married couple departs from the wedding. The times have trended toward couples staying longer at the reception and cherishing that special time with friends and family. When it does come time to say goodbye and goodnight, it is more common to see a sparkler send off, throwing sustainably made confetti (usually hole punched from leaves) or an aisle of glow sticks as guests cheer the new couple on. The sweetheart table where the couple sit separately from the guests is a matter of preference. Some weddings still have the table of honor for the sweetheart couple, but others are doing away with it in favor of sharing their space with guests. It is also becoming more common for guests to make their way to the sweetheart table, if it's there, to mingle, rather than the couple making the rounds to each guest. You can probably think of specific traditions that your family holds dear, but if those expectations aren't for you, it's okay to let them go. Every wedding should always be whatever the couple wants it to be. Trends are options and suggestions, but ultimately, it's YOUR day. Make it a day to remember and make it the day you want. Contact the Salem Convention Center today, for a team that stands behind what is most important to you & making a memorable day for your guests!
