Bridal Fashion Spring 2013

Great news! Andrea has found her wedding dress! She was on a trip down to Florida to visit her maid of honor Jessica and they found "THE ONE." I can't give out any details just in case Jason decides to take a peek around the blog. So it will have to be a surprise for everyone. But, in the spirit of finding the perfect dress, I thought this would be a great opportunity to check out some of the wedding dress trends for the Spring!

1. Color. Color is looking like it will remain in the forefront of wedding fashion trends this year. White is losing its grip on bridal dresses. Vera Wang has been experimenting with colorful wedding dresses for years, and this spring her red wedding gowns, first launched last fall, are still on top. Soft pinks and blues are also captivating brides-to-be, who are choosing their favorite color, or a color that best suits their skin tone. Not everyone looks fantastic in white so this trend is working to the advantage of many brides. It also adds a sense of uniqueness and memorability to the wedding in general.

2. Lace. The comeback of lace in wedding gowns can be attributed to one major fashion icon. When the Duchess of Cambridge married Prince William, she reminded brides worldwide of the beautiful elegance of lace. Almost two years later, her gown continues to influence wedding gown styles, as lace remains one of the top choices for bridal gowns. Designers have been incorporating a “nouveau lace” in which the art is in the patterns of lace, from delicate, small lace patterning to larger, more graphic florals. The result gives their gown creations a classic, vintage touch with a modern design.

3. Peplums. The basic definition of a peplum is a short flared ruffle that is typically attached to the waist of a jacket or blouse. Wedding dress designers have incorporated this classic feature into their fashion for this season. Peplum are a look from another era, ultra feminine and perfect for the most feminine bridal gowns. The peplum skirt extends from the waist over the hips to create a classic couture effect. The peplum can also be manipulated to create a draped effect or a softer; more structured look straight out of glamorous 1930s Hollywood.

4. Portrait Backs   A portrait back wedding dress can offer a little extra surprise, particularly when the bride is walking down the aisle and her wedding guests get their first glimpse. This season, the back of the wedding dress is just as important as the front. Designers have softened the focus on bare skin with sheer panels of tulle, re-worked lace, and keyhole closings. While the emphasis is still on the bride from reverse, it's with more romance than seduction that she holds our attention.

Looks like we have another great bridal fashion season on our hands. I'm looking forward to the bridal showcases I'm going to in Orlando, FL and Charleston, SC in February! So, Now that Andrea has found her perfect dress, that is one more thing we can cross off our to-do list. Stay up to date with the planning of Andrea and Jason's wedding under the "Current Projects" tab!

"I'm really not a cake person....."

I've run into more than a few people who just do not like cake. (And sometimes sweets in general) Which can make choosing a wedding cake (or wedding dessert) difficult. The tradition of wedding cakes have been present at wedding ceremonies for centuries. They were not always the focus of the event and often came in different forms, like pies or bread. The modern wedding cake as we know it now originated at the wedding of Prince Leopold, Duke of Albany, in 1882. Today, there are many creative substitutions for traditional wedding cake. Here we will weigh in the options

The Tiered Cupcakes
For someone who likes cake but wants to be a bit non-traditional the wedding cupcakes are a good option. They are easy to serve and very customizable. There's something so whimsically childlike about unwrapping a cupcake. And that's what people both love and hate about wedding cupcakes – are they fun and familiar or too casual and unsophisticated? If you're having a formal wedding, you may want to stick with a grand and formal wedding cake. If your wedding guests are traditional people, they might think cupcakes are too casual, or worse, cheap. But if you're having a relaxed reception where fun is the primary goal, tell everyone to be a kid again and grab a cupcake.

Now for the hard core, absolutely hate (or are allergic to) cake, people there are plenty of other option that are just as tasty.

Dessert Shots

Petite Parfaits (dessert shots) are a sleek and stylish desert option. Parfaits by definition include multiple layers, for pleasing contrasts in flavor and texture.The flavor possibilities can range from fudge and caramel to no-bake cheesecake and key lime pie. Only a few bites big, they're just enough to satisfy everyone's sweet tooth.

 


Fruit Desserts

These are a deceptively simple dessert choice guaranteed to wow your wedding guests. From a sweet berry cream delight to the tasty fruit tart, these desserts could be the answer to your dessert dilemma. The beauty of these desserts lies in their simplicity.You could also provide your guests a dipping station or fondue fountain for fruits like strawberries, pineapples, rasberries, banannas, and apples. Guests can choose to dip their favorite fruit in dark or white chocolate sauce, whipped cream, and sugar.

              

Ice Cream Sundae Bar

Ice cream sundaes are a lot of fun and a great alternative to cake. Most ice cream sundaes are really about the toppings, so you don’t necessarily need to have a huge variety of ice cream flavors on hand. You would do just fine to have only chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry. The flavors could either be presented in large bowls with scoops, or you might find it neater to have pre-scooped dishes set out from which guests can choose. Just be sure that you keep the ice cream nice and cold so that it does not get soupy before everyone gets a chance to get their dessert. Decorate your ice cream sundae bar to coordinate with the rest of your wedding reception decor. If you are having a country style wedding, set up the station on an old wooden table decorated with handmade fabric bunting flags. For a more formal wedding, use elegant crystal bowls to hold toppings. If your style is retro chic, create an ice cream sundae bar with the vibe of a 1950′s soda fountain, complete with a server dressed like a soda jerk.

 

Dessert table

One of the best ways to satisfy everyone (if you have a lot of picky eaters) it to have a dessert table. If you are trying to save money while planning your wedding reception, consider having one of these. A dessert bar could potentially replace having a full size wedding cake. (you can have a smaller one to cut or none at all)  Wedding sweets to stock your dessert bar cost much less than having full size wedding cake plus the cake cutting fee. This buffet would include sweets such as cupcakes, chocolates, fruits, cake pops, and candy. They could be arranged in a pleasingly aesthetic way to incorporate the wedding decor and colors. 

 

A Change Will Do You Good......

Happy New Year everyone!! Some of you may notice that my blog has had a complete make over! The most obvious change being that my company has a new name. Something Blue Signature Events! Everything from Lasting Memories By Design is still here. So don't panic if you bookmarked your favorite pictures from the Inspirations page. It is still there... promise. Our Pinterest and Facebook pages have been updated as well. Our new Facebook URL is http://www.facebook.com/SomethinBlueSignatureEvents and I finally added a "Follow me on Pinterest" button on the blog!  You have no idea how long I have been trying to figure that one out. lol Some more design changes may happen along the way but the major turn overs are complete. What a way to start the new year! I want to thank you all for your continuing interest and support. Special shout out to my Pinterest followers. You guys are awesome! 
2013 is already looking like a very exciting year. I am going to the Bridal Showcase at Walt Disney World in Febuary. David Tutera is going to be the guest speaker. I'm VERY excited about that! Of course, we have the Maroun/Spiskey wedding in October. And hopefully, very soon, I will have an announcement of a location change! So be sure to subscribe or check back for updates, planning insights, and great inspirations for your next event! Until then, I wish all of you a great 2013!