Out With the Old…

I don’t know about you, but I’m finding it hard to believe that another year has zoomed by (although I must confess we started planning our 2010 Bridal Guide issues back in June!). With a new year and a new decade on the horizon I started to think about the many ways weddings have changed over the years. We’ve seen the celebrations become much more personal as couples express their individual styles and honor their cultural backgrounds. And weddings have definitely loosened up as evidenced by the popular You Tube video—that soon made national news—featuring a wedding party dancing and rockin’ down the aisle. So, as the year comes to a close here’s my own Top Ten list of 2009 wedding trends that will undoubtedly continue well into 2010:

Downsized Weddings: The economy took its toll as couples sought ways to have a dream wedding without going into debt. Many cut back on the guest list or stayed away from a Saturday night sit-down dinner (the most popular and expensive reception). Instead they married on a Friday evening or on a Sunday or even planned a cocktail-hour reception to help cut costs.
Personalizing: This trend started years ago but is a mainstay in wedding planning. From naming tables after favorite movies, to a special groom’s cake reflecting his top sports team to theme-weddings, couples love to make their weddings unique, special and one-of-a-kind.
DIY: Lots of brides love the do-it-yourself aspect of a wedding. They can be creative, put their own stamp on things and save some money in the process! Whether it’s designing their own invitations or creating napkin rings and favors, the DIY Bride is definitely out there.
Entertainment: Receptions are a lot more now than the toasts, dinner, dancing and cake cutting. Couples want to make it fun for their guests by providing unexpected surprises. They may hire singers or dancers to perform or rent a photo booth or caricaturist.
Destination Weddings: Not everyone will plan a wedding on a tropical island, but destination weddings also include celebrations in the USA where guests and family members must travel some distance. These three-day affairs usually include a welcome party, rehearsal dinner, some sort of group activity and a day-after brunch. Lots of planning, lots of details and a whole lot of fun for everyone.
The After Party: Ah yes, after all that planning who wants the party to end? No worries, there’s always the after party! At many weddings, a chic lounge area is created with a nightclub atmosphere where the die-hards can gather to celebrate into the wee hours (or they can just move on to the hotel’s bar and lounge). Whatever the venue, the after party rocks.
Let’s Dance: OK, maybe it’s all those TV shows like “Dancing with the Stars” or “So, You Think You Can Dance?” that has America channeling their inner Fred and Ginger, but the first dance is often a real production number as couples dutifully take dance lessons and practice their moves so they can dazzle the crowd. And do they ever! Plus, the wedding party will often participate in a group choreography number (“Thriller” anyone?) that’s sure to bring down the house.
Two-Gown Wedding: It’s so hard to find that dream dress isn’t it? But what if you find two dream dresses? Well, it seems that many brides (if their budget allows) will opt for a second dress. They may wear one for the ceremony and another for the reception or purchase a shorter dress for the rehearsal dinner. With so many gorgeous gowns to choose from, it’s no wonder.
Giving Back: This is truly one of my favorite trends. I love when a couple’s favor is a donation to their favorite charity or if they donate their flowers and centerpieces to a hospital or nursing home or even give the dress to a charitable organization so some other less-fortunate bride can feel like a princess. And socially conscious couples that “go green” are seeking out eco-friendly elements of the wedding. Kudos to all of you who do your part to help make things better and brighter for others.
The Mini-Moon: With tighter budgets and time constraints, many couples decide to postpone their honeymoons until they’ve either saved enough money to afford their destination or can find the time needed for a lengthier stay. Instead, they’ll go on a mini-moon after the wedding and take a few days at a B&B or nearby Inn to kickback and relax.

So, there you have it, my Top 10 Wedding Trends for 2009. I can hardly wait to see what goes on in 2010 as all you creative couples surprise us with your fabulous weddings. In the meantime, Happy New Year to you and your loved ones, and all my best wishes for good health, good times and good fortune in the coming year.

Posted by Diane at 4:10 p.m.