Branding Your Wedding

            Branding is becoming a new trend in the wedding industry, although, it’s really an old idea with a new name.  The idea is to discover a design idea that will become synonymous with your wedding.  It will appear over and over.  An image will emerge that every guest will instantly associate with your wedding.

            Your brand should be something that reflects the personality of you and your husband-to-be as a couple.  It may take into consideration where you are from, what you do for a living, where you like to travel, your hobbies, or the timing of your wedding (season, holidays).

            Lots of time a brand includes or features a monogram.  But, it doesn't have to.  It can be any design--even a photo.  The key is to find as many ways as possible to use your brand.  If it only shows up on the invitation, it isn't a brand.  But, if you use it on your invitation, on your ceremony program, on the menu card, on the welcome poster, on the guests' favors--NOW you have a brand!

            The brand should be unique to you and in every detail reflect your style. @http://weddingsinfullbloom.com/brand-your-wedding-like-a-pro.html

1012 Wedding Trend #10

Trend #10:  And the color of the year is…Tangerine Tango.  Pantone and David’s Bridal will make this color easy to find.  The excitement of a bright orange color will be a lot of fun to work with as you plan your wedding.  Amp it up by combining it with bright yellow or purple or tone it down by using it with peach or pale green.

2012 Wedding Trends #9

Trend #9:  Hanging wedding décor will transform your venue, giving you the complete floor to ceiling ambience that will take your guests’ breath away.  Whether you use lights or flowers or ribbons or paper lanterns, the unexpected delight of décor suspended in the air will take your look from ordinary to spectacular. See some great ideas @http://www.bellethemagazine.com/2011/04/wedding-trends-hanging-wedding-decor.html

Trend #8:  Carnations will become a trendy flower in weddings.  Because of their ruffled tightly compacted petals, many carnations pressed together create the look of one giant flower, whether a bouquet, in a box or as a flower ball.  The less expensive cost of carnations also makes them a winner in 2012.

Trend #7:  Non-traditional food will be served in keeping with the “club wedding reception” style.  Think food you can eat while standing or sitting on a sofa.  There will be lots of food so your guests will not be leaving hungry, but it will be served in smaller portions.   Don’t expect this to be less-expensive, just different.  At a wedding that Blush coordinated last November, the couple served small kabobs, paper cones of fish and chips, sliders, swedish meatballs, tenderloin on a stick, mini salads and cupcakes to name just a few of the items.

Trend #6:  Club atmosphere receptions will become more common as sofas, benches, ottomans and highboys replace the traditional dinner tables.  The dance floor becomes the centerpiece and the guests anticipate a party rather than a sit-down banquet. Replacing the tradition dinner table furniture with high and low cabaret tables and upholstered benches and chairs will not necessarily be easy or cheap.  You may have to look for an unusual venue.  In Milwaukee, you may consider: 



Wild Earth Dining Room Potawatami Casino http://www.paysbig.com/catering/event-venues/



The Coast Restaurant Zilli Hospitality Group http://www.coastrestaurant.com/



Wedding Trends 2012 #5

Trend #5:    Full-scale themes, not just a color palette will define weddings in 2012.  Popular themes include vintage, rustic, shabby chic and exotic, but your wedding theme should reflect your tastes and interests and be interesting or fun for your wedding guests. http://www.weddingthemeideas.net/

A good way to get started with a wedding theme is to make a list of words that fit your theme.  Below are some examples for the themes I've listed. 

Vintage:  of old, recognized, and enduring interest, importance, or quality : classic

WORD LIST: lace, crystal, gold, dried flowers, antiques, feathers, wine, velvet, brooches, pearls, damask, ivory....

Rustic:  of, relating to, or suitable for the country : rural 

WORD LIST:  homemade, natural wood, out-of-doors, jars, trees, straw, wild flowers, fruits and vegetables, baskets....

Shabby Chic:  a faddishly popular quality or appeal; faded from wear; functional while being beautiful and comfortable: cottage style

WORD LIST:  doilies, re-purposed house-hold items, ribbons, eclectic arrangements, roses, picture frames, china....

Exotic: of foreign origin or character; strikingly unusual in effect or appearance: ethnic

WORD LIST:  bright colors, canopies, orchids, bird of paradise flowers, leis, ivory, statues, intense lighting effects, incense....

Wedding Trends 2012 #4

Trend #4:  Fabric inspired cakes.  Whether lace or ruffles or draped satin, the wedding cakes will take on the look of the bride’s gown.  On the inside, the cake flavors will be unusual. 



Lisa Kattmann



Elizabeth's Cake Emporium





sweetapolita.com





           Lisa Kattmann

Wedding Trends 2012 #3

Trend #3:  Rainbow colors for the gowns of the bridesmaids.  The colors may literally cover the rainbow, or focus on shades of just 2 or 3 colors, but each bridesmaid will wear a different color, paired with colorful flowers and décor. This probably works best if the dresses are the same or a very similar style.  If each bridesmaid has a different color and a different style, it will likely look unplanned (a sort of "wear whatever you want" look).  What you can do is choose a color or shade that is complimentary to each bridesmaid's coloring.  The bouquets could be identical using all of the colors of all the dresses, or each bridesmaid could carry a dress-matching bouquet. Take this a step further and have the reception tables in the same rainbow of colors.

Wedding Trends 2012 #2

Trend #2:  Illusion necklines in which a sheer and often embellished layer of fabric veils the skin above the otherwise strapless gown.  A nod to Kate Middleton, the more modest look will replace the “hey, look at my boobs” dresses that have been in fashion for a decade.  Check out all the amazing looks @http://www.onewed.com/blog/savvy-scoop/category/wedding-dresses/2011/06/07/top-10-illusion-neckline-wedding-dresses/

Wedding Trends 2012 #1

Trend #1:  Sequins, those shiny little discs that haven’t been around for decades will make their return.  Picture them subtly color on color on clothing and table linens or standing out in silver or gold for nonstop sparkle.  Read more about it and see more pictures @http://www.bellethemagazine.com/2011/08/wedding-trends-return-of-sequins.html