It’s the biggest show of the year for the Bridal Industry as a whole, New York Bridal Fashion Week!  This huge event brings designers, buyers and stylists from everywhere to check out the lastest fashions by the best designers out there.

Pink seems to be the color of the season, I imagine Reese Witherspoon’s March wedding and her blush colored dress had something to do with that trend.  As far as style, the bubble hem seems to be quite popular with the designers this year.  Here are some pics from the show…..

Vera Wang


Monique Lhuillier


Marchesa


Carolina Herrera


Reem Acra


Oscar de la Renta


Kenneth Pool


Lela Rose


Douglas Hannant


Christos


Amsale


Badgely Mischka

Check out www.bridesclub.com for a bridal salon near you that carries your favorite designer and latest in fashions.

One of the first questions us women tend to ask ourselves when planning our wedding is “What are my colors going to be!”.  Sometimes we’ll go with our favorite colors, maybe we’ll get some input from our fiancé but a lot of times, we just want to know what’s in this year!  What are the newest trends?

2011 seems to be bringing fun, bright, playful colors to popularity for the year’s weddings.  Vivid colors like honeysuckle, oasis blue and coral tones are taking the spotlight for the new year.

So break out your color wheel and take yourself down to the nearest party rental store and bridal salon to start picking out your colors!

In the Seattle area check out:

Proms & Promises – www.promspromises.com

La Belle Reve – www.labellereve.com

Grand Event Rentals – www.grandrents.com

In Hawaii you need to see:

Princess Brides – www.hawaiiprincessbrides.com

Anne Namba Designs – www.annenamba.com

Mila Niko Bridal – www.milaniko.com

Hawaii Tents & Events – www.hawaiitents.com

With winter weddings at the doorstep, we begin to look to the year ahead. Yes, it’s that time of year when preparations for summer weddings begin. So what will be the trends this time around? What will the best of 2011 have to offer? After considerable research,  I find two words that are inevitably in every conversation I see. They are unavoidable. Romantic and Whimsical. That’s right, if you thought the old fashioned romantic wedding was a thing of the past, then think again.

So let’s take a closer look at what that means exactly.

Décor

Heavy on flowers and lighting/candles. The easiest way to have a romantic wedding is to have it look romantic.

Colors

Here is where the whimsy takes center stage. Most experts believe 2011 will be a season of very bright colors-  turquoises, oranges, lilac etc. But don’t lose hope if that just doesn’t appeal to you; simple black and white will also be big.

Gowns

Gowns tend to be a little bit trickier because there won’t be one single trend. However, in the interest of our romantic style wedding, one continuing trend with be gowns featuring layers of tulle and organza. Volume and layers with texture remain big.

For all your planning needs, visit the BridesClub vendor page and select your city.  http://www.bridesclub.com/wedding/ or come to a Wedding Expo http://www.bridesclub.com/bridal-shows/ 

At the Fall Wedding Expos we noticed many beautiful colors highlighted in booths for the upcoming Fall and Winter Wedding Season. Deep Red, Teal, Violet, Mocha, and Sage to name a few.

Here are some things to consider when choosing the color for your wedding!

The colors you choose for your wedding day set the style and tone for your entire event. You can use color in your bridesmaids’ dresses, decorations, cake, favors, flowers, accessories, table linens and even the invitations! Choose colors you love, but also consider the following:

Where is the wedding and reception? Choose colors that complement the setting. Consider the carpeting, drapery and decor, etc.

What mood do you want to create? Vibrant colors add drama, while soft colors evoke a more romantic atmosphere.

What time of year will you marry? The season may influence your color scheme. Spring and summer colors tend to be lighter, while fall and winter colors are generally darker.

For more information on colors and linen rentals, etc go to www.bridesclub.com

If you have attended a wedding recently, chances are you noticed the popular trend among bridesmaids. More now than ever, bridesmaids are wearing dresses in different styles or colors and more brides are starting to choose this option for their attendants. 

There are several reasons why this new trend is catching on.

1) If bridesmaids are given the option to choose their own gown, chances are they’ll love it and be able to wear it again in the future. This gets rid of having several bridesmaid dresses hanging in our closets from past weddings.

2) It’s difficult for a bride to choose one dress style that will look good on several different ladies with varying shapes.  So choosing their own dress makes sense as far as everyone feeling good about their look on that day!

3) Maybe most important, it’s one less decision for the bride to make during what ends up a very stressful time. 

So under the new trend brides will choose a color theme or style and send their attendants out to search for a dress on their own. 

Finally, if bridesmaids are to pay for their own dresses, the bride can feel better about the expense their honored attendees will be purchasing for their wedding day.

For the easiest solution for un-matching bridesmaid dresses, shop through a bridal company where you will find the best selection.  The bride can choose the fabric and color, and bridesmaids can simply choose their favorite style. 

The trend for un-matching bridesmaid dresses can be a positive experience for everyone involved.

From the Staff of Bridesclub.com

When you think “wedding” are your images more traditional or do they run to the latest trends? Whatever flavor wedding is in your future, our bridal specialists can help with advice to make every aspect of your wedding, whether traditional or trendy, sing your special song.

Follow along to get up to date on some of the trends that are sweeping the wedding industry.

Inviting Change

Dare to be different! More and more bridal couples are looking to fashion for inspiration for their wedding invitations, going “Couture”. Jon Lacar of Evergreen Invitations, www.evergreeninvitations.com explains this trend:

Couture, a term originally stemmed from the fashion world, basically means custom designing using unique and high-end materials. These are not your ordinary paper invites. A typical couture invitation can include rhinestone buckles, crystal embellishments, designer papers, and rich fabrics. They are also usually housed in a luxurious stationery box or enclosure. The greatest part is that there are limitless custom design options and the outcome is having a beautiful keepsake to serve as a memento for the special event. A step further also goes into the type of printing such as using letterpress (impression text) or thermography (raised text). All of these put together make an invitation that is exclusive, unique, and eye-catching.

Brides and grooms who want to take their invitations a step up to the next level will enjoy what couture invitations has to offer. Couture invitations can serve a wide variety of tastes. For example, a beach wedding would extend its theme into the invitations by including embellishments such as seashells and starfish accessories, whereas an elegant affair will call for rhinestone jewels and sumptuous ribbons. An invitation using these little hints gives the guests a feel for the atmosphere and a exciting glimpse of your special day.

The prior mentality that invitations will just be thrown away are no longer amongst today’s brides and grooms. Attention to finer design details in a couture invitation will make your guests feel as if they were receiving a gift as well. Brides and grooms are often on the hunt for something new, unique, and different. Custom designed couture invitations will provide just that. They definitely will stand out compared to commonplace invitations and give your big day a special feel.

Fresh and Fierce

A couple of different trends are emerging in bridal makeup — some brides are turning to Permanent Cosmetics for a perfectly fresh look, while others are are going for a dra- matic wedding day look. Who says you can’t do both?

Heather Heen, of Delish Make-up Artistry www.delishhawaii.com, brings the drama:

Who says that bridal make-up has to be soft and simple???…

Many modern brides are stepping away from traditional wedding styles and seeking out a more edgy, fashion forward look for their big day. The latest and hottest bridal make-up trends are shifting from the fresh face, subtle eyes and soft lips look, to more smokey eyes, bold lips and contoured cheeks. Not only are we noticing more requests for dramatic make-up and hair styles, but also a huge increase in theme weddings and trash the dress shoots. What used to be a rare wedding twist is now becoming more common than ever. As more and more brides are feeling the urge to do something bold and different, we find that many of them are looking to incorporate more of their own signature style in hopes of making their wedding day one of a kind.

If you’re not into drama, don’t worry. Edine Swain, of Face-It Permanent Make Up Center www.faceitsalon.com can make your dream of a perfect, fresh face come true. And she’s offering a free consultation to boot:

Want your make up to be perfect on your wedding day? Permanent Cosmetics is the answer! Appling a very natural coloring is the basic foundation of make up application. Having a thin liner at the base of your eyelashes, softly shadowed eyebrows or lightly pink kissed lips will set you free. Free from the feeling of than blah look. Through advanced application the basic make up is so natural looking you will feel beautiful & confident Your new husband will never know- He’ll just think you look fabulous all the time!

Technology has brought the permanent cosmetics industry to it’s highest level. The time to invest in it isnow! Colors stay true and fade with in 5 years. So don’t worry about being committed for life to your make up. Be committed to your husband instead. Permanent Cosmetics is the make up of the future. And the future is here. Please call our office, 808.488-3310, for your complimentary consultation to see if it’s right for you.

Favorite Things, A Bit of This and That

You want your wedding day to be memorable, not just for you, for your guests as well. Sumptuous nibbles or take away centerpieces will give your guests a reason to remember.

Menehune Mac, www.menehunemac.com, offers this helpful advice:

Finding just the right wedding favor in a sea of same old, same old can be a difficult task. Lucky for us, chocolates are still the #1 choice followed by nibbler size cookies, gourmet salts, couture cupcakes and loose leaf teas.

Go Green! Editable items in “green” containers are huge this year. Reusable cloth bags, handkerchief wraps and recyclable containers are eco-friendly and make thoughtful mementos.

Couples are also incorporating locally grown foods into their buffet tables and search for wedding products and services in their area to support the local economy.

Go Bold! Don’t be afraid to try hues of hot pink, apple green or vibrant orange in your favor boxes, bows and decorations. Bold colors will make your pictures pop and tablescape romantic and elegant.

Use wedding trends as ideas not rules. It’s your wedding day, do what you want and be creative.

Blending traditional with trendy is giving new flair to 1,001 crane cases. Faith Miho, of DSM Custom Wedding Designs www.dsmcustomweddingdesigns.com, explains:

It has been four years since we started doing the 1,001 origami crane cases and we have gotten so many positive feedbacks from it. Couples today are looking for something unique and different for their weddings. Some have heard from their parents of how the cranes were strung up on the guava branches at weddings. And now the tradition has been brought back for the next generation to revive and renew. The origami paper comes in many different colors and we have found that placing the one bird that is folded by the groom in the middle of the case using a different color, is quite popular with today’s couples.

The designs have been along the Japanese flavor similar to temples. The products have primarily incorporated solid surfacing and wood. Combinations of these products, various other materials, and colors will be coming out in the near future.

New designs in the works will include Japanese pagodas, toriis, stone lanterns, yakudoshi (40th birthday) and kanreki (60th birthday) pieces and lastly, the much asked for shadow boxes. We look forward to a busy and exciting year full fo fresh and new ideas!

So now you’ve gotten ideas for the happy couple and some guest favors. Here’s another idea from Claire Honda- Amimoto of Alohi Mana’o, Inc. www.alohimanao.com:

Living in Hawaii all our lives, we have seen the wonderful blending of cultures that make our islands unique to the rest of the world. With that in mind, we decided to seek out what makes our island so beautiful from these blend of cultures, and have hand picked unique products that would most likely appeal to the local consumer.

‘Alohi Mana’o, meaning “Bright Ideas” in Hawaiian, is a fairly new business that my husband Roger and I started, specializing in bringing unique products to the islands.

Our most popular item by far, has been our Washi Asian table lamps. Washi is a type of paper imported from Japan, usually screen printed by hand, with beautiful, intricate designs. Many brides have started choosing our lamps as wedding centerpieces. Our lamps are very affordable and practical! Many couples love the idea that their guests can take the centerpiece home and keep it as a lasting memory. The lamps give off a soft illumination, symbolizing the warmth of the wedding couple’s love.

Whole Lotta Love

Shopping for lingerie for most women is not a problem. But what if you’re not runway model thin? The choices in the past for women sizes 14 and above have run the gamut of bad to worse. Things are changing and Kimo Olds of Hawaiian Nights Lingerie has the low down:

In the past, there weren’t many lingerie selections available for plus-size women. With today’s “average” woman being a size 12 and above, trends have definitely changed. Companies are recognizing the need for lingerie that is sexy, flattering and feminine for full- figure women. Gone are the days of frumpy, oversized, unflattering lingerie.

Lingerie is not just for the bedroom anymore either. Corsets can be paired with slacks or skirts and matching corsets and skirts make a flirty and fun statement. Trends and designs may change but a woman’s need to express her sexuality and femininity should not. Hawaiian Nights Lingerie is definitely bringing “sexy back” for full-figure women.

Flowers, Baubles & Beads

Floral arrangements have come along way, and now can include feathers, beads, rhinestones and other “bling” that adds texture and color.

Terrie, of Terrie Easley Designs www.easleydesigns.com, shares some of the trends she’s seeing:

No matter the circumstances, weddings still are visions that a Bride and Groom have had for years as to what that special day will be like when it becomes a reality. Especially the Bride! It must be her dream day from the beginning to the end with the groom’s favorite part being…”the ultimate honeymoon.” When there is a budget established, it is sometimes altered when an idea is introduced that seems to “just be too good to pass up”.

There are so many new items on the wedding market. The wristlet bands are with beads, crystals, pearls, and rhinestones. The boutonnieres have pewter, or metal holders as does the bouquet holders. New types of ribbons, new arbors and arches made of bamboo or willow are choices of many couples getting married outdoors.

Being in business for 30 some years, I can honestly say that though there are newer trends, the old traditional with just a touch of new ideas is still the choice of most couples when it comes to floral designs. It comes full circle as most things do.

Wendy Balidoy of Spinning W.E.B. Florist, www.spinningwebflorist.com, offers more:

Well…there are alot of new trends that we are seeing, and of course, everyone wants the most bang for their buck. Black seems to be BIG…..black rocks lining pathways… black chandeliers suspended above, black vases, black accents in bouquets…. and feathers, lots of feathers! Peacock feathers, which look fantastic with black accents are in demand. White ostrich plumes are also very popular.

Brides are looking for options rather than the “rose”, we found that green cymbidiums were in for the past two years…but this year and for next year..its calla lilies!

Large vase rentals are very popular, especially for our destination brides who want “the look” but do not want the hassle of lugging them home…. These large vases can be a dual purpose expense.

They can line the isle to the alter, and be quickly moved to the guest tables during the reception or couple’s cocktail hour.

Light it UP!

Floral arrangements add beauty and romance to a wedding and the reception, but what if you want something …. well, something MORE? You light it.

Terrie Easley provides some details:

There is a service that has come up recently that is growing in the industry of weddings and events. The Backdrop and lighting for the reception ballroom is now on the list of “must have”. The backdrop and the colored lighting add an ambiance truly to be remembered. This backdrop is usually behind the headtable or wherever the most attention will be focused. With crystals, mirrors, beads, or even feathers hanging from the draping, it looks glorious with lighting directed from below to illuminate the “bling” even more.

The lighting can be of the wedding color as can the beads or feathers. The ballroom lights can be dimmed to make the lighting even more spectacular when the guests walk in. Day weddings can still use backdrops/ draping with the beading, crystals, etc. showing as gloriously behind an elegantly floral decked headtable.

Gone are the lattice screens, the potted plants and nothings…the backdrop is here and a growing demand.

Joseph Ho of Mystical Sounds Productions, www.mysticalsoundsproduction.com, has been doing ex- tensive research in order to bring the best lighting solutions to Hawaii. Joseph explains:

If you watch the Oxygen Channel now days, whenever there is a popular wedding planner involved, they always have to have lighting effects to create the mood for the event. In fact, the lighting is probably more important than the flowers now days because with the right lighting, you can feel the energy of the room.

Most companies are getting into up-lighting because of the demand. We’ve looked at what’s out there in Hawaii and we’ve noticed that not all lighting is created equal. Light but no energy. So, last year, we went to 8 different manufactures in China and looked at all the new products. We are working with a factory that provided lighting for the 2008 China Olympics and they have designed the lighting to my specifications.

All our lighting is specially designed for Mystical Sounds. Our LED Up-lighting is the brightest in the state of Hawaii. It is 10X brighter than any LED lighting in the market. Now, not only you can see the LED lighting, but you can also feel the lighting. With LED lighting we can create any color you want instantly, in any room.