TheKnot.com released a few surveys and trend reports ahead of the 2014 wedding season. It's already common for brides-to-be to plan their weddings with apps, checklists, Pinterest boards and other virtual helpers, but what exactly are they "pinning" that's new? Here's a look at some of the top wedding trends for 2014, per theKnot.com's press release:
Woodland Weddings
The big wedding theme this year looks rustic and natural with sophisticated, glam accents, like the weddings of Sean Parker and Kate Bosworth. The centerpieces are branchy and green with lots of lush flowers and a pop of sparkle. For fashion, brides will don long wedding veils and dresses with ethereal lace and floral embellishments. A fun animal motif printed on everything from the invites to the ceremony programs, escort cards and more pulls the look together.
Looks like I'll be adding a few "animal motif" invitations to my new sample list!
Please Don’t Instagram My Wedding
Many couples don’t like the idea of guests attached to their phones throughout the ceremony and reception and are opting for unplugged weddings, a la Michael Jordan’s recent wedding in Palm Beach, Florida. From providing a phone check at the door to adding a note in their wedding websites or ceremony programs asking guests to refrain from taking photos or video, couples are stepping away from social media at their weddings.
I know I would prefer to have my guests unplugged... enjoy the wedding yourself... not through the lens of technology.
#SuperCharged Guests
This is literally the opposite of the unplugged wedding. If brides want their guests capturing the entire wedding day via a custom hashtag, they’ll ensure their phones stay charged all night with charging stations at the reception. These chic charging stations don’t have to look like an airport kiosk; brides are dressing up tall cocktail tables with pretty linens and having florists create small flatbeds of roses or wheatgrass with little flowers and cords popping up.
All-Nighter Weddings
Couples these days like to party more than ever, and want their weddings to last as long as possible. Enter the all-nighter wedding. Once the reception ends, the party continues. Couples keep the fun going by changing up the style and vibe and moving the party into another room or even an alternate venue. The after-party even has a completely different décor look with couture late-night comfort food bites and custom drink pairings. One big important to-do for those taking this route: arrange for transportation home or back to the hotel so that none of the guests drive home afterwards.
I know I couldn't have done this one... I was exhausted after all of that planning!!
Jeweled Necklines
The bridal fashion runways were full of simple, classic wedding dresses with added sparkle along the neckline -- from sheer illusion necklines with small beading to larger embroidered rhinestones and crystals. Picture the gorgeous looks of Lake Bell and Christina Ricci’s wedding dresses. And since most wedding photos are taken from the waist up, sparkly or unique details are best captured on the neckline or around the waist of the wedding dress.
I wonder if I could add a hint of sparkle to some new samples... strategically placed rhinestones?
Trash-the-Dress Backlash
There’s a counter-revolution going on in wedding photography and videography. Instead of trash-the-dress sessions (where brides spend a day with their photographer taking fun shots “trashing” their gown in the mud or a nearby lake), formal portraiture is back in style. The Southern bridal portrait tradition is going mainstream, as are formal bridal party portraits and family shots too – sometimes even sans smile!
Well that sounds boring... but oh well, it's your memories!
Brights Are Back
Gone are the days of all-white weddings. This year, big pops of bright hues are back for wedding color palettes. We’re not talking about a rainbow of color here. The idea is to take a neutral, muted palette, like whites, ivories and metallic gold, and to add a bold color like poppy red, tangerine or indigo blue. Brides will infuse color into those big details that everyone will see, from a pop of color in all of your florals and incredible colorful sugar flowers to bright nail polish to match.
Excited about this one - I'm already planning a "Sunshine Yellow" sample!
The Year of the Flower
While flowers tend to show up in 99 percent of weddings, this year, floral arrangements are getting a serious upgrade. Think oversized cascade bridal bouquets and elaborate flower installations that hang over the dance floor. Flowers are being woven into the décor more than ever by draping elaborate displays over tables, having fresh flower ceremony arches, decking out cake canopies with flowers and displaying escort cards and seating arrangements on a fresh flower wall. Don’t be surprised if you even see a confetti cannon shooting rose petals during the couple’s grand exit.
I feature real, dried flowers on some of my invitations... they turn out very delicate and unique!
Long Live the Photo Booth
Photo booths are nothing new for weddings. We’ve seen them evolve from vintage photo booths with monogrammed photo strips as favors to point-and-shoot booths that project guests’ photos in real time over the dance floor. Enter the slow-motion video booth. Using a special infrared camera, a videographer creates an amazing keepsake.
The Dream of the ’90s Is Alive
The ’90s are back in a big way – from the ready-to-wear fashion runways to home design trends and even Billboard’s “The Hot 100” music list. Plus, the ’90s were the party decade, so it may not be surprising to hear that ’90s-inspired details are on trend for weddings this year. We’re talking temporary tattoo wedding favors, hip hop music groups or even break dancers to entertain guests while the band or DJ takes a break, and crop-top wedding dresses.
Can't wait to develop some new invitation lines that can help brides of 2014 share their journey of love with the world!
