Will you be getting engaged over the holidays? As you begin to plan you 2010 wedding keep in mind these top trends you’ll see next spring and summer.

1. Basics
Wedding details will be the center of attention this year. It will be the base of the event, not the drama or opulence of the evening. Consider spending more on the lasting memories than the showmanship of the event. Spend a bit more than the average budget allowance on photography rather than abundant floral. Or think about a longer stay on your honeymoon and a little less of a party at the reception and you’ll be thankful for your decision in the end.

2. Home / Backyard Weddings
Intimate and personal affairs at home are becoming very popular and bigger than ever. It’s really the essence of a personalized wedding day experience.
Smaller size guest lists, more intimate settings, grass roots weddings, elegant and detail driven, but in no way small on what counts.

3. Buttercream for Icing
Fondant is falling behind (due to the taste), but buttercream is making a huge comeback in the market. Most cake designers can smooth out buttercream so that it looks like fondant but the taste is so creamy and decedent. Overall, buttercream is a much better flavor, and has more natural ingredients. Some designers charge a lot less for buttercream.

4. Wedding Favors
Personalized favors are back in a big way. Guests always notice when couples don’t put a lot of thought into the favor. Show how grateful you both are to those in attendance. Think outside the box. – local artisans, locally grown products and personal mementos.

5. Local Wedding Destinations|
The popular destination wedding will remain high on most couples priority list, but couples are selecting locations that are within driving distance. This way couples can create a wedding weekend. Having a more local wedding will not only allow all guests to attend, it supports the local economy and helps the environment.

6. Colors
Monochromatic palettes – single color bunches. Vibrant shades of orange, green, yellow, and pink. Metallic colors such as gold, silver, copper, and pewter are still very popular. Black is always in for weddings, mostly attire.

7. Green Weddings
Couples want an “eco-friendly” wedding. They are making small changes, but getting big results. We are recommending the venue to clean the property with green cleaning products, all lighting should be LED, and all food leftovers should be composted. Also, having the caterer/Chef prepare food using local and organic ingredients. All stationary should be printed on recycled paper.

8. Video and Digital New-Age Ideas
Everyone has seen the photo /video montages of your childhoods during dinner, but the next phase in video at your event comes in several different forms. Wedding ceremonies are being broadcasted on screens for better viewing from the back of the venue; also they are sent over the internet to guests who cannot attend the event. Time lapse photography is being shot and integrated into video for current day montages of you and your fiancé. The photographer and Videographer are setting up cranes with cameras and projecting the event as it unfolds on screens around the dance floor.

9. HD Video
Videographers have already switched to hi-def camera equipment. Next year all or most will make such a transition, making HD and even Blu Ray the norm in wedding videography. Upgrade now and be thankful for the quality later. This also means smaller cameras on site and less infringement into your event, all around a better option on the big day.

10. Visual Combinations – “Fusion”
Professional grade still photo cameras like the Canon 5D Mark II DSLR have been released with HD video capabilities. It is a great idea to have both services at your wedding to capture every moment of the big day. Tech-savvy brides looking for a new experience, may like to experiment with a visual professional (videographer or photographer) who has this technology. In the future, you will begin to see an emergence of two-in-one companies.

I also saw this and thought it was cool. It’s a merit badge book for grown-up girls. Since I used to be a girlscout and love trying new things, I thought it was cool. Check out the link and it shows some of the badges (including knitting, quilt making, travel, and different life lessons). And I guess one of the women involved with the idea died in 9/11 so some of the proceeds go toward something in her memory (at least that’s what it said on the back). I just thought it was cool. I might have to add that one to my collection. I wonder which badges I would already qualify for? Here’s another good one for those of you looking to learn PhotoShop: Photoshop CS / CS2 Wow! Book. I would have loved to get it, but it was not within a price range I can afford right now (B&N wanted $59.99). It looks amazing and very easy to understand. Previously I had always liked the Scott Kelby books, but the only ones I have are dealing strictly with photos… this book covers those and then some. It gets rave reviews from people too. It will also make it into my collection soon. I need to learn Illustrator too, so maybe this one too. I also really like the Visual Quickstart Guides for many computer programs, so I’m not sure which is better. Anyway, that’s it for my book reviews right now. More later.

Here they are. I know I may be spoiling the fun for people to get them in the mail, but I wanted you to be looking for them. We handed out five or six and David mailed about sixty for me on Tuesday. We still have another handful to go but do not have addresses. So please, if you are one of David’s friends, e-mail him the addresses we are lacking. And please do not get upset if you read this blog and do not get one… it is mostly family and just a few friends, as well as a few friends of the parents. We both come from really big families and had to draw several lines that we did not want to (like no coworkers, for example, and no “and guest” unless we knew that someone was seriously dating). Keep in mind that even with restrictions we had just over 200 and that’s a lot! And we have already heard from a few people abroad that cannot make it, which makes us sad, but we understand. We’ll take lots of pictures!

What’s funny is that people we hardly know invite themselves to our wedding. Just because we mention we are getting married, does not imply that you are coming if I don’t even know your last name or have only known you for less than a few months. Please people, this is stressful enough. I just find people very amusing… and then I have to ask myself if I have ever done that. Hmmm… don’t think so though.

And for any crafty people wondering: Bazzil black textured cardstock, cream and tanish cardstock, photo paper, Xyron 510 laminate machine, magnetic business cards (that’s right! It will stick to the fridge!), elmer’s glue dots and applicator (so cool – get one), and “Garamond” and “Scriptina” fonts.

Holiday Inn
775 North Street
Auburn, New York
#315-253-4531

$89.99 for Standard Room (2 beds)
$99.99 for King Room
Cut-off date:  August 2, 2007

Tell them you are in the Culver/Dessis party and let them know if it is for Sunday night, Monday night or both. They only reserve 10 rooms at a time for the block, but they will increase that number as it gets closer if needed. If you have already called and reserved and the rate they set aside for me is better, just call and have it switched to our party and they can change it.

   

I also like this little purse to keep important stuff for the day in: f05_13846_champ.jpg. You wear it on your wrist (it’s small), and it is so cute. I fell in love with it. Isn’t it adorable? And so perfect for the type of event we are having.

I think this option is quite beautiful. Do you think the flowers would stay and not wilt over the course of the evening? I’m not even sure what type of flowers these are… gardenias? Anyone? Anyone?

How about for the bridesmaids? Bridesmaids (Beth, Adele, Vanessa), please comment if you get on here. Should I let them get their hair done how they want or should they all wear it in a similar fashion? I figure we will all get our hair done together that day. I think my mom already talked to our local hair dresser about coming to the Holiday Inn near the site and I don’t think she wanted to do that (which is understandable since she’d have to lug a bunch of stuff). Although, we only live 25 minutes away… not that big of a deal to drive. Anyway, just thought I would post this up and solicit ideas from everyone.

We fell in love with the place and felt it gave us the “feel” that we wanted, an outdoor landscape that was beautiful overlooking the lake, and provided a covered ballroom and dining room area in case of bad weather without having to rent tents. Wouldn’t you agree? I couldn’t ask for a better setting for the reception following the ceremony.

We have many ideas and think it can be so beautiful and magical. We want white lights in the trees, hanging lanterns, lit luminari pathways, etc. To me it is the perfect location… and it took a lot of deliberating because I didn’t want it to be stressful on anyone. In the end, I just couldn’t help it. That’s why we rented it for 2 days so that Sunday can be a prep day and the rehearsal dinner, so then it is not a total waste of money.

We’re excited and hope you are too!

So I throw it out to everyone else out there? Do you think it is sloppy or inappropriate (be honest here – your opinion counts and I will not be mad if you go against me)?

I’m just so tired of having to argue what I want at every turn! I’ve had the same argument over spending money on a veil (I think it is pointless to spend that much on a bunch of toole)… or over the fact that having hors’duerves off nice paper napkins is cheesy (so instead my family should spend all night doing dishes? – this was an arguement a few weeks ago when my mom wanted to cater ourselves)… or blah blah blah blah blah. WHO’S WEDDING IS THIS? I’m beginning to wonder why we’re bothering.

I guess I’m sloppy and cheesy. And heck, I thought I was simplifying to make it fun for all involved and letting everyone be comfortable and relaxed… GOD FORBID that happen!