As the new year arrives, a lot of lists start popping up. Lists of things we aren't going to do (over-eat, over-spend) or try to do (workout, get organized, spend more time with family). As a business owner, we make lists of our own. As an industry expert... there are a number of lists that start hitting the web. The top colors, the top trends, what is completely "OUT"... and each must be taken with a grain of salt. Sometimes, the lists are identical. Other times they are contradictory. For example - One list says that Grey is the New Black.... and another says Black is the New Black (Grey is out)... I suppose in Arkansas, we take a while to get around to things, so don't take these too personally if you have things on your MUST have for your 2011 wedding and they happen to be on the NO NO list....

 What's Hot and what's Not Out for 2011? Here are the lists according to OneWed.com, and my own two cents about that:

What's Hot

1. Sophisticated Elegance - I am a fan. This is closer to my personal asthetic. Timeless beauty. Classic, undated style. 15 years down the road, do you want to look like your wedding day was Grace Kelly/Audrey Hepburn - still beautiful even after all the time has passed - or Madonna circa 1984?

2. Outdoor Venues -Outdoors can be beautiful, as long as you have a plan for the weather. The other part of this trend is having your wedding and reception in the same venue. Allowing your guests to enjoy your day without having to find parking twice is a great thing! Not to mention the ease of potentially using some of your decor twice - repurposing and using the cocktail hour to convert a room from "I do" to "Let's Do This" requires a great team of vendors and a MASTER of logistics on your side!

3. Grey is the new black, crazy for navy - I get it. The royal wedding will be influencing trends all year. The Prince will be wed in Navy. Guests in England traditionally wear grey morning coats. I see where this is coming from. I personally LIKE this idea. I wasn't on board with the white tux, but I like that guys can have more personality than just a black tux. 

4. Mad for Metalics & Bold Color Palettes Shimmery Champagne, Glistening Gold, Shining Silver... I love this new "bling"! And I lovev bold color, so to pop a bright hue next to champagne, I'm on board!

5. Big Ball Gowns are Back- Even before this list came out, I can already tell you.... my brides this year are definitely embracing the ball gown. And the "NEW" ballgown is so far from the ballgowns I remember. They are gorgeously embellished with ruffles, and tulle... the RIGHT ballgown looks amazing - just know what you need to look for based on your body type... pulling just any old ballgown off the rack won't look right.

6. Grooms in Style (Drop the chucks, get smart looking shoes. Long ties are replaced by bow ties.) Ok, I'll admit it. I have mixed feelings about this one.... When groomsmen started wearing chucks in place of the traditional tux shoe, I was all over it. But looking back, I think it was my inner Breakfast Club busting through... doing that heel-toe-heel-toe dance on top of the bookshelves... it was a quirky way to bring out the personality of an anti-establishment for the right couple.... and then it became what EVERY couple was doing.... which defeats the purpose, don't you think? Bow ties.... ooh. it takes a special kind of man to pull that off. So we shall see. 

7. Wedding invitations go Green GOOD. We should all try to keep the environment in mind. Now there are a LOT of alternatives to a "virtual invite" than simply email an eVite. Coordinating wedding websites in your style... Not to go against my friends and vendors in the printing industry, but sometimes things like that silly inner envelope.... I mean really? A tree for that?

8. Luxurious Textures, from dress to tablescape I've always been a lover of texture and fabrics... something beyond the standard white poly linen.... makes such an impact on your design!

9. Ethnic Influences, Cultural Wedding Details - Absolutely! bring in your own personal heritage. Your grandparents would love it. The most memorable weddings I have been to brought out something from their culture. Remember - you want your guests to know something about you as a couple... not just "wedding in a box" - he does, she does, kiss and cake.

10. Revved up wedding receptions - The party won't stop.... I've actually had a bride and groom plan two receptions... Part one for the family, those who would appreciate the traditional... and part two with live bands, lots of beer, and dancing into the wee hours. After every wedding I hear the guests planning on the after party... "let's go to Sticky's"... sometimes, its Let's go back to the Peabody, or the Capitol Hotel. One of the newest trends I saw in the Catering world was the "Truck" arriving at the after party. There are a lot of options for mobile catering, beyond the taco stands you see pop up in parking lots around town. Why not call in a Hot Dog Vendor? Or an Ice Cream truck for those late night snacks?

What's Not

1. Mustache on a stick

 Seriously? this must have been a regional thing, that Or I have lived under a rock... I don't think I've seen this outside of the Klosowsky's family fun photos... (didn't realize they might have been on to something...)

2. Cupcakes - They are delicious. Don't get me wrong. I did enjoy having a variety to chose from as opposed to some fondant covered tower.... but I will admit, they made me feel like I was at a birthday party. Cupcakes and balloons, in my opinion... are just not on the wedding level...

 

3. Over the top dessert bars - This one... I'm kind of sad about. I like having the mousse in a spoon with a little raspberry on top... or a minature cheese cake. Because when I only had "a bite".... then I didn't feel as guilty. And I will admit, I never kept up with how MANY "just a bites" I had... so I probably defeated the purpose! Again, I will be using these in other events... they are perfectly suited for certain situations!

4. Candy Bars - I don't care what you say. I like candy. And I like being able to pick out my favor... jordan almonds? no thank you! Gobstoppers and an assortment of my favorite candy from childhood that I haven't seen in years... absolutely! But that is just me. I won't force it on you. (Just know that I always sing "The CandyMan Can" from the original Willy Wonka when I see one... -the scene where he's on the library style ladder surrounded by tins and tins of candy.... ooh heaven)

5. Pickup Skirts on wedding gowns - Ok, please don't hurt me, or hold it against me if you have this skirt... or just love this skirt. But I always thought it looked like a wedding cake. I'm glad this is going away. 

6. Glamorizing Bridezilla - I will believe this when I see this. Reality TV loves to make people look like monsters, and people who watch reality tv... well, they eat it up! I have noticed a shift in the wedding programs. Even though Uverse seems to think I don't need weTV, I beg to disagree. I think the past few years and the downturned economy has put a reality check on the temper tantrum throwing bride. The fact that the day is about their love for their fiancee is no longer overshadowed by the need to upstage what "Stacy" did at her wedding...

7. Rustic Chic - Again, just like the chucks... I think this is perfect for a certain bride. But if you are like me, and would rather get a root canal than camp... then don't tell me you want a rustic chic wedding... it doesn't match who you are. Just because something is "IN" or "OUT" doesn't mean it is "YOU". That being said, I think it is a beautiful concept to work with...

8. Cleavage I don't know who said wedding dresses should plunge to your navel, exposing all of your goodies. I don't know why it had to be said to cover it up... but there you go. It is official. Put the girls away until your honeymoon!

9. Crazy Wedding Reception Dances AWE. This, I love. I love the surprise. It's another way to put your stamp on a wedding reception. But only if it is authentically you. If you both are wall-huggers at a party, or find yourself glued to a barstool when the band plays your favorite song... you probably don't need to break out in the robot. 

10. Matchy Matchy- Head to toe matching bridesmaids... snooze. Pick a nuetral dress, and bring your wedding color in with flowers and accessories. Or let them bring in their own style with shoes. 

 Any way you slice it, all "trends" should be taken with a grain of salt. If it is a perfect reflection of you and your spouse, then throw caution to the wind and do YOU. Or hire a planner who can help you take your style and give it a modern twist. I always say, a theme doesn't have to slap you in the face. If you like peacock and its overdone.... let me show you a different way to SEE a peacock. I don't have to have a bird climb up the side of the cake for you to notice what we are going for. 

Source:One Wed