Transcending Traditions

by Julia Lucia

One topic that some seem to shy away from covering, yet in my opinion needs the most exposure, is the topic of how to handle divorced families at weddings. What is the proper etiquette that goes into such a complex subject? This is something that hits home for me and that I have done a great amount of personal research on.  Dealing with this type of situation can prove to be a huge, unpleasant tasks for some families.   Depending on the state of relationships, whether parents are on speaking terms or not, whether the respective boyfriends or girlfriends, second husbands or wives will be present, there are some standby tips to consider when handling such a situation.  Let’s start with the Ceremony.

Traditionally the father walks the bride down the aisle.  What if the bride also has a stepfather? This situation has multiple solutions.  The first tip is that if the biological father still has a good relationship with the bride, usually that is who does the honors.  If the stepfather has held a prominent role in her life, some brides choose to have both men walk her down the aisle.  An alternative is to have both biological parents walk her down the aisle.  Or if tensions are high and a decision really cannot be civilly made, the bride could consider having a brother or close male friend give her away.

Next is seating for the ceremony.  A neat idea that seems to be catching on is having the guests sit wherever they would like and not designating them to a specific side.  This option seems to be ideal for a divorced family, allowing possible awkward confrontations to be avoided between ex-family members.  Also, it is a nice way to symbolize the bride and grooms’ families joining together as one family.  Often times, however, the traditional style of seating works out just fine: A bride’s side and a groom’s side.  This should be okay due to the short duration of the ceremony, as compared to the reception, as well as the difference in expected social interactions.  Usually, during the ceremony itself, there is no need for social interaction between people. When planning the reception, try to keep those who may be unconformable seeing one another apart; different tables, different sides of the room, etc.  However, it is  not your responsibility to keep them apart all night, as long as you do not seat them next to one another, your hands should be washed clean of the situation after they sit down.

The same type of discretion may be used while deciding who contributes to the costs of the wedding, who dances with the bride or groom for the father/daughter or mother/groom dance, who hosts the wedding shower, who sits in the front row at the ceremony, etc.  If so needed, it may be a good idea to hire a security guard, even if not for physical enforcement, just so disgruntled family members know that you mean business about keeping things peaceful.  Although these decisions may seem impossible and may be followed with backlash from family members, as I like to stress, the day is about the Bride and Groom.  If family members are not shy about voicing their opinions, stress the fact the it is YOUR day. Don’t be afraid to make a script for yourself of how to diplomatically deal with these potential situations. For example: “I appreciate you giving your opinion however [Groom's name] and I have already made a decision about that topic and are confident in the way it will turn out.” or “Although I understand your concern, this day is not about the past, it is about the making of a new future.”

One thing a bride might want to consider is to shy away from confiding in biased family members about this topic, such as parents, aunts and uncles, or grandparents.  I would advise to ask for advice from someone else that is close to you, a friend, an unbiased cousin, someone whom you consider to be a mentor or role model. Even though each situation is different depending on the dynamics of the  family and the current standings of the relationship, don’t be afraid to ask for advice; they may have had to deal with a situation similar before. There is also an abundance of tips and information on the internet and in wedding books on the topic of how to deal with a divorced family.  The main theme of the day is love; stand your ground and be confident in your choices.

Photos are from Traditions’ stock of photos from various photographers that we have worked with. If there are are photos in particular you like and would like more information about, please email Julia at jlucia@traditionsresort.com to inquire.

by Julia Lucia    

Shoes! They are one of the most basic items of clothing, but can also be one of the hardest apparel choices for formal events; especially your Wedding day.  Not only are brides focusing on the comfort aspect, but many fashonistas are choosing to make bold statements with their wedding shoes. As seen in the ending scene of the movie Sex and the City, Carrie Bradshaw wears a beautiful pair of rich sapphire blue Manolo Blahnik shoes with her understated ivory wedding suit.  Brides are making similar choices that correspond to their color schemes or simply just make a statement. Whether it’s the color, high heel height, amount of sparkle, or a fashion-forward design, many brides are embracing the trend of high fashion shoes on their wedding day.

http://www.greggophotography.com/index.html

As far as the style of the shoe is concerned, currently, the hottest trends include pumps and platforms. A formal dress code classic, the high-heeled sandal, is losing its presence and cute peep-toe pumps are beginning to replace them.  The classic sateen material is still often used, however, with the movement towards heavily embellished and lace shoes, there have been additions to the materials used.  For the more traditional at heart, white, ivory, silver and gold are the standby colors.  For the more adventurous at heart: animal print, scalloped details, big buckles, big bows, and bright colors such as bright pink, green, blue, yellow, and purple have all been seen! A style that was worth mentioning was featured in a backyard barn wedding featured in the Summer 2012 edition of The Knot: the bridesmaids wore rain boots. I personally find this to be a charming and understated way to catch the attention of guests and make a statement.  Rain boots have gained popularity over the past years in day-to-day fashion, so it only makes sense for the wedding world to pick up on the trend!

Because of their frequent work with Traditions Brides, our resident wedding experts, Candace and Bridget, have great advice for brides on staying comfortable throughout the day! One of my favorite tips they have is to not be afraid of trying a non-traditional shoe such as a flip-flop or even a pair of sneakers.  However, if you’re short like me, I understand why the height of your shoe may be important; to resolve that issue one of my favorite styles fit the job perfectly – the wedge.  The wedge shoe provides more support than a stiletto heel while avoiding the issue of sinking into the ground during pictures. Another great piece of advice is to make sure there are flats or sandals to change into, not only for the bride but also for the mothers of the bride and groom and the bridesmaids.  A cute trend that has developed is to provide a basket full of all different sized flip flops right next to the dance floor for guests to find some relief.

If sandals or flip-flops are your first choice, you don’t have to settle for the bland store bought style.  Go to your local arts and crafts store and add lace or ribbon or different sparkly embellishments; another great way to personalize your wedding day.  This could also be a gift to your bridesmaids or a fun pre-wedding event; you and your bridesmaids can decorate the shoes all together. Now that the initial style of the shoe has been determined, the actual comfort aspect comes into play.  To avoid sweating and slipping in the shoe, baby powder is a great solution.  To avoid blisters, Dr. Scholl’s Rub Relief works great.  The decision of shoe does not have to be difficult.  With so many choices out there today fashionistas don’t have to sacrifice style for comfort.

What do you get when you combine lace, floral applique`, layers, tulle, and capped sleeves?; the new wedding dress styles trending in 2012.  The return to romance and elegance has inspired designs that have a vintage feel yet a modern flare. Material, shape and style, decoration, length, are all elements to be taken into account for.  With the changing locations and themes of weddings, there is a dress category specifically tailored for your vision.  As mentioned in one of Transcending Traditions very first articles, personalization is the central theme for weddings this year; the choice in wedding dresses happily follows that idea.  Custom made wedding dresses, drastic alterations and reconstructions, as well as designs that are unique to one bride have become a major player in the game of finding the right dress.  Weddings have become part of pop culture due to the numerous TV shows such as Say Yes to the Dress and Four Weddings on TLC.  Frequently, these TV shows mention how finding “the right dress” is like “finding the right man”; when you find “the one” you just know.

The emphasis on the dress has created an unbelievable amount of hype around the choice and also has transformed the purchase of the wedding dress into one of the major purchases of the entire wedding itself.  With the inundation of resources brides have to find the dress, it is no wonder why the process has begun to take months on end.  One of my personal favorite resources is the bridal magazine.  When leafing through all of the current bridal magazines there are a handful of styles that you can find in almost every single magazine.  Let’s start with the popular materials that have been featured.  Lace is one of the vintage aspects that have an added modern flare.  Some women feel that lace is too reminiscent to their grandmother’s antique tablecloth, however with modern twists, lace has become in trend for not just wedding dresses but in the current fashion trends across every market.  Taffeta, Chiffon, and Tulle have all been traditionally the materials for dresses and have stayed popular.  Taffeta is often times associated with “Traditional” style weddings, Chiffon is the material of choice for “Coastal and Beach” weddings, and Tulle has been popular for “Mod” style weddings – usually taking on ballerina inspired shapes.

Next comes one of the vastest categories in wedding dresses; the shape and style.  Empire waistlines, fit and flare, and A-line are all styles that we have seen in the past. One new style that designers have been returning to is the full bodied skirt and the lace paneled corset boddess.  With the overall shape picked out, next comes the neckline.  To have straps or not to have straps, that is the question.  In the past few years we have seen a resurgence of strapless gowns, some with a sweetheart neckline, some with a crumb catcher applique, or some that go straight across the chest.  However, one of the newest styles seen is sleeves, often times subtly crafted with lace or tulle.  We have seen all different lengths; capped sleeves which are a personal favorite, ¾ length sleeves or even full length sleeves. Sleeves are most often seen on vintage inspired gowns that boast a modern styled and cut back.  Very popular with the designer label Allure Couture, gowns have been featuring conservative fronts with high necklines or long sleeves with a modern and edgy back, most times being “cut out” or “plunging”.

Last but certainly not least to be featured is the decoration and the different aesthetic flares.  As mentioned previously, floral appliques have been on almost all styles of gowns, not just the lace ones.  This versatile growing trend can feature just one flower, for example on the side or on the back, or the entire dress could be covered; floral designs add a feminine touch that doesn’t have to be over the top.  One trend that has been given a modern flare is featuring a large amount of “sparkle”.  If the budget allows, many brides have been springing for Swarovski Crystal embellishments.  Most often times seen adorning the boddess and bustline, some brides choose to have the crystals sporadically sewn giving way to an omnipresent sparkle; when the bride moves and the light hits the crystals just right.  Some of the most avant-garde trends include folds, layers, and ruffles that are often time seen adorning and creating the full bodied skirts.

Although the hunt for the perfect wedding dress can be quite the task, it is important to go into it with an open mind and an open heart.  As with a lot of things, try not to make up your mind on one specific style or material before actually trying others; when you slip into these gorgeous gowns they may just surprise you (for better or for worse!).  And as I have mentioned before, keep in mind the most important thing about your wedding day – the love and commitment between you and your hubby-to-be.  Don’t allow infamous wedding dress politics to get in the way of this fantastic process, it is, most of the time, a once in a lifetime experience.

by Julia Lucia

Among the many decisions newly engaged couples have to make, picking out the wedding and reception venues can be either the easiest or the hardest.   For some couples their places of worship have always been the choice destination for the ceremony, others choose their backyards or even a local banquet hall; all of which have been seen as the “traditional” choices for ceremonies.  For the more nontraditional couples, destination weddings have become extremely popular.  Next the decision of one venue, for both the Ceremony and Reception, or two venues, one venue for each, is to be decided.

Turks & Caicos

Country Clubs, Wineries, Mansions, Gardens, and Yachts are currently trending for the most popular “nontraditional” wedding locales. All of which often times can host both the nuptials and the celebration.  With the current push towards rustic and vintage themes in weddings, Wineries, Barns, Mansions and Gardens have gained in popularity as the setting for these visionary themes.  Gardens have the potential of providing a picturesque landscape that enchants the guests; while mansions can serve as a flashback to “the old days.” Couples have been highlighting rustic aspects of these settings by using twine, sticks and twigs, and vines as decorative elements.  For obvious reasons, especially here in the northeast, these types of weddings have been seen during the late summer and fall months; taking advantage of the beautifully colored and lush leaves.   To complement the current trending theme of “Glamour” – yachts provide the perfect luxurious backdrop in which one would envision.  The top locations for destination weddings right now take us a little further south into the areas of Bermuda, Mexico, Barbados, Turks and Caicos, and Hawaii.  Although beach weddings have been maintained their popularity as the choice destination wedding, medieval castles, gardens, and ruins have also been gaining in popularity. Places such as Florence, Italy; Tuscany, Italy, Paris, France, have all seen an increase in the number of weddings “destination” weddings they host each year.

Ballroom at Traditions at the Glen

At Traditions we offer a location where all of your wedding needs can be taken care of; the bridal shower, rehearsal dinner, wedding ceremony and reception, accommodations for guests, as well as all of the Spa Services needed for that special day.  Locations such as Traditions have been gaining in popularity not just because of the convenience for the couple and for the guests, but also because special packages are often times offered and very budget friendly; as compared to having to book to venues as well as accommodations for the wedding night.  With such a vast variety of choices for you to choose from, it is understandable why this decision can be vexing.  However, with careful planning and deliberation, the perfect venue will reveal itself to you in perfect timing for your wedding.

by: Julia Lucia

Have you ever wondered where some customary wedding traditions such as the old saying “Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue…” come from?  This phrase is believed to have originated during the Victorian era as a way to ensure good luck for the newlyweds and actually has one more line: “ And a silver sixpence in her shoe.” The Something Old is supposed to represent the continuity of the bride’s family as well as the past moving to the future.  The Something New is to symbolize the optimism for the newlyweds’ future life together.  Something Borrowed is usually an item from a family member or friend who is happily married.  Their happiness is then “passed on” to the bride and groom.  Lastly, the Something Blue represents the love, modesty, and fidelity of the Bride.  The “forgotten” line of this phrase, the silver sixpence in the bride’s shoe, represents wealth and financial security.  Some brides decide to follow every aspect of this tradition, some follow just some, and some choose not to follow it at all.  For those whom decide to follow the tradition, the choices of objects for each category have been becoming more and more creative.

Courtesy of Traditions at the Glen

When planning how to go about keeping with tradition, many brides have stuck to certain “old” items.  Often times Brides will fulfill both the “Something Old” and the “Something Borrowed” with either antique jewelry or accessory from a family member or friend. Other popular items for the something old have been purchasing a vintage accessory such as a hair pin or purse or even using vintage style cars for transportation.  With the “Vintage Glamour” themed wedding gaining in popularity, the “something old” aspect has actually become quite trendy as people are choosing to have lace accents, antique centerpieces, or even vintage glassware.

Something new seems to be the easiest because most things for a wedding are bought brand new:  Cake toppers, the rings, and the dress are just some items that are typically bought as new.  If not, they can be used as the old or borrowed!  Some brides will buy new jewelry specifically for the Wedding day; the braver at heart will choose to try out a new color of eyeshadow or a new shade of lipstick.  A lot of brides are choosing to use lingerie as something new or even the key to a new home hidden in the bouquet somewhere! The something borrowed is often times the most sentimental part of this proverb.  A nice place to start looking for things to borrow is within your own family.  Grandparents, parents, aunts, and uncles, are all typical people to borrow items from.  Some women choose to wear a grandmother’s piece of jewelry, a headpiece of your mother, a handkerchief of your father wrapped around the bouquet, or even your sister or best friend’s shoes!

Courtesy of Traditions at the Glen

The something blue leaves the most room for creativity.  Brides have been choosing quite frequently to accessorize with blue items such as nail polish, lingerie, garters, ribbon around the bouquet, or even their shoes! If you’re looking for bold statements, a blue sash around the dress, a signature cocktail with blue liquor, or even blue centerpieces are all ideas. If the budget allows, Swarovski crystal accents add a slightly blue hue to any item that they are added to; flower bouquets, the wedding dress, centerpieces, there are many items then lend themselves to be adorned with the Swarovski crystals.  If looking for a more prominent splash of blue in the flower bouquets or arrangements, forget- me- not flowers are delicate and beautifully blue.  Clearly if blue is part of your wedding scheme this is one element that you will not need to worry about.  The color blue has been associated with love and fidelity in ancient Rome as well as with traditional iconography in Christianity.  There was another proverb that some followed was “Marry in blue, lover be true.”

If your family has never carried on this tradition or it is not one that interests you, don’t be afraid to start your own! A location, a theme, a piece of clothing (i.e. dress, gloves), or even a special song could all be made into new traditions that you define yourself.  Here at Traditions at the Glen, our motto is “Where old traditions continue and new ones begin”.  This phrase holds an abundance of truth! We have had couples who have their engagement party here, have their wedding here, and then go on to have anniversary parties, baby showers, baby’s first birthday parties, and so on.  We offer facilities to cater to all times in life – especially the memory making ones. We truly are a place where old traditions continued and new traditions made every day.

by Julia Lucia

After the initial fairytale feeling of the proposal fades away, for some, the most overwhelming part commences: the planning.  Whether you are like me and have had your wedding planned since you were 10 years old, or you are someone who has never thought about it, having a checklist or guidelines to follow can help out exponentially. The first and most elementary way to achieve this is to designate a special “wedding folder” or “wedding binder”; this will provide one centralized place for all of the information to be kept.  Next, a suggestion would be to divide either the folder or binder into categories: Budget, Wedding Venue, Reception Venue, Food, Decoration, Entertainment, Color Schemes/Themes, Photographer/Videographer, Invitations, Flowers, Guest List,  Vows, WHEW! There is a whole list of things to organize.  In the first stages of planning, especially if you are starting completely from scratch, having a designated spot for each topic’s information will make it easier to compare choices within each industry as well as competitive prices.

First and foremost, this day is a celebration of the love and commitment between the bride and groom; therefore it should be about them. It is important for the couple to plan the day with themselves in mind and avoid planning it for others.  Let’s start with establishing a budget.  Next to establishing the date and time, this is the most important thing. Knowing your limits will allow you to make responsible decisions and avoid getting in over your head with wedding expenses.  Couples today are lucky to have access to so much information at their fingertips; through the internet as well as the immense amount of insight available at Bridal shows.  These are fabulous events that bring together all types of wedding vendors and provide an endless amount of ideas.  Not too shortly after the date is set, the guest list should be compiled, the “save-the-date” cards should be sent and ceremony/reception venues should be contacted and reserved.  These are the first obstacles to overcome before you can proceed.

Courtesy of Traditions at the Glen

Food, Decoration, Entertainment, Photographer, Florist, and Officiant should start to be a focus of interest.  This is when the binder comes in handy because it will allow you to organize all of your research and time that you put into selecting each one of these vendors.  At this point, when the menu is being deciphered, it is important to remember those guests that may have specific needs: food allergies, specific diets (such as gluten-free or vegetarian), or providing sparkling cider for those who may not drink alcohol.  Although still relatively far away, ten to eight months before the big day is when the official reserving and bookings of the vendors should be made, along with the ordering of the dress. Next comes the ordering or making of the invitations, registering for gifts, and ordering the wedding rings.  At this point, the wedding is only just around the corner! As the big day nears, roughly 4 months before is when the bridal party should decide what they will be wearing: picking out the style of tuxedos and the bridesmaids dresses.  This is also the time when the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner should be scheduled. One thing to consider is planning a brunch for the families and bridal party the morning after the wedding; this however does not need to be a huge production – these are usually small intimate gatherings.

The two month mark is when it’s time to mail the invitations and check into the requirement for the marriage license. With six weeks remaining, you will want to print the programs, write your vows and pick out/purchase/make bridal party gifts. One thing to keep in mind is the “Thank You” notes.  Now is the time to pick them out and start compiling a list of recipients based off of RSVPs.  The last couple of weeks are crunch time! But it does not have to feel like a panicked blur – mostly everything has already been finished!  This is when a shot list should be given to the photographer, the final dress fitting , get the marriage license, submit the playlist to the entertainment, confirm vendor details, submit the final guest count as well as getting the place cards all set. This is the time for the administrative details to be worked out.  Another great idea is to ask for volunteers to take home the gifts, mementos, and any remaining food after the reception.  This will allow the couple to truly have no worries on their big day.   This is also a good time to break in those wedding shoes to make sure your feet stay comfortable throughout the day. The day before the wedding it’s important to confirm all of the details (pickup times and locations) as well as taking care of any beauty business such as manicures, pedicures, and waxing.

Courtesy of Traditions at the Glen

Our Resident Wedding Experts, Candace Jones and Bridget VanKuren, compiled a list of tips and advice for brides who are in the planning process: 1.  Take into consideration the elderly guests of your wedding; seating them where they can see the bride and groom easily and also have easy accessibility to restroom facilities or exits.  2. Designating certain people to take care of important things such as: overseeing the money box/gifts and removing it from the reception area once all the guests have arrived and of course the rings.  3. When planning with your photographer, make sure you get the rights to your photos to avoid any extra charge for prints.  4. Do not forget that many venues allow you to develop a payment plan prior to your wedding so once the big day comes you do not have to deal with the stress of a huge bill.  5. Ask a friend to be the “runner” for the day – someone who tends to the wedding party’s needs and providing support such as getting water or snacks for the you and the bridal party when getting ready for the ceremony.  By taking these strategically organized steps, staying organized and doing your research, your big day should go flawlessly.  But, don’t forget that if something doesn’t go “according to plan” – no one else will know except you – so don’t sweat it!

by Julia Lucia

When you hear the word Honeymoon what immediately comes to mind? Along with the increase in couples’ creativity when planning their weddings, the choices in honeymoon destinations have also been becoming more unique.  Although many purse strings are tightening, there are fun, affordable choices that will not leave you feeling as if they had to settle on their destination.  If the expense of the trip is not an issue, there are still new, exciting, and innovative ideas that have been trending and will be seen this year. Although the traditional honeymoon is taken within the first couple weeks of marriage it does not need to be a sacrifice of time out of the couples’ daily lives. More and more couples have been choosing, depending on financing the trip and work schedules, to take a long weekend away instead of a full week.  There are plenty of romantic, fun, affordable ideas and destinations for the newlyweds to enjoy.  One trend that is being seen is staying close to home.

Lake Placid, NY

Ski resorts, beaches, inns, mountains, wineries, historical sites, etc, the US offers so many great attractions that make the perfect honeymoon spot.  In New York alone there are beautiful lakes and lodges such as in Lake Placid, which was just recently featured in the Winter 2012 edition of Martha Stewart Weddings.

Lake Placid (pictured above) offers a breathtaking backdrop to numerous activities that would appeal to any couple; a genuinely rustic and elegant experience.  For the thrill seekers there is the site of the 1980 Winter Olympics, Whiteface Resort, with the fully functioning Olympic bobsled track.  For the tamer at heart there are multiple scenic lodges to relax in while enjoying a warm beverage by the fire. If mountains do not suit you, there is a plethora of wineries in the Finger Lakes region of Western New York. To add to this growing list, there are charming ski resorts in the beautiful mountainous areas of both the Poconos (which is located just over the New York/Pennsylvania Border) and the Adirondacks.  For the metropolitan crowd, our state is the home of what is arguably one of the most exciting cities in the world; New York City. Choose from one of the numerous hotels and you are able to enjoy shopping, site seeing, theater, sports, famous restaurants, the list goes on.

The Glen at Traditions

A wedding can be an enormous financial strain and for some couples a honeymoon simply is not feasible. The somewhat stigmatized “staycation” is a perfect solution. Get away from every day stress and escape to a local Resort and Spa such as Traditions where you are able to enjoy the beautiful Glen (depending on the season), golf, the full service Spa, as well as many other features.  This notion of a “staycation” has become a large trend for those couples who simply cannot afford an extravagant honeymoon; yet it still offers a romantic and intimate escape.

For those beach going enthusiasts, Key West, Florida is a “hot” honeymoon destination in 2012.  USNews.com described it as a “relaxed yet unexpected seaside adventure.”  This location allows the newlyweds to spend days soaking up the sun on the beach while offering an abundance of restaurants and bars to spend the evening hours in.  For those couples looking for an alternative and unique honeymoon experience, Charleston, NC, has been cited as a “hot spot” for honeymoons in 2012.  Charleston, North Carolina isn’t the first place someone thinks of when the word honeymoon is said, however, this charming town offers all of the class and charisma that is affiliated with a traditional southern belle. This town is rich with history, boasting cobblestone walkways as well as traditional mansions and appealing restaurants.

If the happy couple is venturing abroad there has been an influx of buzz around the beautiful city of Florence located in the region of Tuscany, Italy.  There honestly could be an entire article just featuring this one destination – not only because of the city’s amazing history but because of the endless possibilities and experiences the city has to offer.  Just to name a few, the couple is able to see Michelangelo’s masterpiece “The David”and enjoy the beautiful architecture in “The Piazza Del Duomo”, or the “Boboli Gardens.”  There are endless possibilities, in which the growing popularity of the “nontraditional” locations seems to be proving.  Whether finances or the time taken out of everyday life are a concern, the most important thing is the celebration of the couple’s new life together; whether it’s across the seas or right in your home town.

by Julia Lucia

Cocktail hours have become almost as large of an event as the reception itself; often times featuring an independent menu for both food and drinks. As with most elements of weddings, the cocktail hour has been infused with a myriad of design ideas and trends. This time is really for your guests to relax and socialize before the rest of the night commences.  Let’s start with the drinks themselves; after all, it is called the cocktail hour.   Many couples have been choosing to feature a custom drink unique to their names or wedding theme.  Or, if the couple decides to have the well-known trend of having champagne for the toasts, there are various ways to elegantly display the full glasses of bubbly: One display technique that has been trendy is the “champagne tree”, where wide rimmed glasses are strategically placed atop one another (pictured below).

To complement these drinks, the couples often choose gourmet “snacks”; bite-sized and finger foods are the key words in this situation.  Some couples choose to have tables in which these small treats are displayed or they are butlered amongst the guests.  Often times, the menus feature “miniature” versions of well-known dishes such as: bite-sized “BLTs on small crostata bread” with fresh gourmet ingredients or even “miniature cheesecakes.” The more adventurous couples often times choose to serve nontraditional eats such as:  “herbed plantains” or “salad on a stick.”

Are you hungry yet? Well you definitely will be after this next portion: the meal.  There has been an evolution in trend-setting dinner styles.  From “Buffets”, to “Sit-Down”, to the newest trend of “Stations” there is a definite decision to be made.  Some budget-conscious couples are even choosing to, depending on the time of day their reception is taking place, offer a menu of strictly hors d’oeuvres.  The “Buffet” style dinner is pretty self-explanatory and is one of the most recognizable trends in wedding meals.  There are tips to make the lines go smoothly and reduce traffic to ensure happy and satisfied guests; for example, having two banquet tables on opposite sides of the room with identical food, creating essentially 4 lines (one on each side of the table) instead of just 1 or 2.  The next style to discuss is the “Sit-down” style which has been very popular.  There is the classic check box on the RSVP card indicating the desired meal;  these pre-made dishes allow the couple to have complete control over the combination of foods their guests are being served. Some couples decide to serve their meals “Family Style” – bringing out larger portions to each table in which their guests will pass around the dish they would like; as if at a family dinner table.  This allows them to choose from a plethora of food options without having to decide months in advance.  The newest trend that seems to be catching on is the “Station Dinner”.  This style is seen among the more “social” groups where couples have stations such as “chicken”, “pasta”, “taco”, etc., which allows the guests to choose the food that best suits their taste preference.  This style helps to diminish the pressure of “proper dinner etiquette.”

Now we arrive at the sweetest part of the reception: the desserts/confections.  There is a relatively new trend of having a candy buffet that corresponds to the theme and/or color scheme of the wedding.  This is yet another example of personalization of the reception which allows the guests to have a fun treat.  Cupcakes have swept the dessert world within the past few years; a dessert that lends itself to be tailored to the couple’s preferences.  These displays can be beautifully constructed and have been, at times, preferred over the traditional wedding cake.  Along the same lines, custom shapes of cakes that are adorned with designs and ornamental pieces have been gaining popularity.  Fitting in with this individuality, couples have been experimenting with flavors: such as espresso and hazelnut. However, if cake isn’t what the couple is looking for, some opt to go with custom desserts that are displayed on a dessert “table”.  This allows the guests to choose which, if any, they would like to enjoy.  A nice trend to go along with the desert table is to have a small cake, in addition to the dessert, enabling the couple to perform the traditional “cutting of the cake” (pictured above); this idea combines the traditional with the novel.

One aspect that goes hand and hand with the traditional significance given to the wedding cake itself is the choice of “cake topper.”  The traditional choice has always been a woman in white, a man in black, posed as if they were at the altar.  Within the past few years we have seen a revolution in choices for cake toppers.  Some are comical with the figures posed as if the bride is dragging the groom down the aisle; others are more unique. Many figures other than humans have been trending, such as: animals, flowers, or “his and her” beach chairs. Depending on the personality of the couple and the theme of the wedding, cake toppers have created a whole new element of personalization.

Courtesy of Traditions at the Glen Hotel and Resort

To go hand in hand with personalization, wedding themes have become all the rage; and we’re not just talking about color schemes.  The forecasted trendy themes for 2012 have been said to be: Vintage Glamour, Rustic, Garden, Beach, Winter Wonderland, and Sparkling Diamonds. As a component to these custom themes, couples have been choosing to have similar yet not quite congruent centerpieces on each table; using the same color scheme or style vessel, but changing minute details. Or, if the couple  desires unvarying centerpieces, the choice of table shape has been a hot topic of discussion.  There has been an increase in couples using square tables or even long rectangular banquet tables.  In some cases,  a combination of circular and square tables has been chosen, while keeping everything else (the color scheme, centerpiece, chair style, etc.) the same. The myriad of elements that can be tweaked are endless.  There has even been a growing trend in decorative seating (pictured below) that is complemented with more of an understated tablescape.

Courtesy of Traditions at the Glen Hotel and Resort

In addition to personalization, budget friendly understated weddings are on the rise as well.   The club of budget conscious couples seems to be gaining in membership as economic flexibility lessens and the emphasis of having a memorable “big” day gains.  However, a lot of couples have turned to both environmentally conscious and budget conscious options (often times being one in the same).  The happy couples have been involving themselves in every aspect proving the projects to have more meaning than just the “do-it-yourself” wedding. Often times showcasing their individual creativity by creating decorations such as centerpieces, place cards, and even invitations.  Using eco-friendly resources and buying locally, specifically for the fresh flower bouquets, has been popular for this group as well.

The central theme seen throughout recent trends has strongly leaned towards the individualization of weddings and the construction of the reception becoming a true representation of the newly married couple. However, with all of this being said, traditional weddings are still often seen and enjoyed.  No wedding trend is better than the other because it’s just that – a trend, which will most likely come and go.  Timeless traditions are the number one choice for a handful of couples and still leave room for personalization of the small details.  Like with most things in life, it’s about finding a balance between the timeless and the unique.