Something Old, Something New

Brides, grooms, and guests will love these festive yet budget-friendly wedding gifts

There’s no doubt that this year’s brides will stick to that timeless phrase, “something old, something new” when planning their weddings. Nowadays, there’s no shame in keeping a close eye on the pocketbook, even when it concerns the “big day.”

The hottest trend for 2009, according to gift companies, bloggers, and event planners, is to keep weddings inexpensive and add charm with do-it-yourself details. And as Janel Kaden, art director at giftwrap company Jillson & Roberts, points out, there are ample resources available for ideas. Magazines such as Real Simple and Martha Stewart Weddings as some of her favorites. “I tell all my brides there is no excuse for a visually boring wedding, no matter what the budget is,” says Janel.

Keeping costs down
Indeed, lavish, over-the-top weddings are becoming less popular; according to The Wedding Report (www.theweddingreport.com), a wedding statistics and market research company, the average cost of a wedding in 2008 was $21,814, which is 24 percent less than the cost in 2007.

Many couples are cutting costs by reducing the number of invitees. Brenda Boyer, a marketing representative at Carlson Craft, says, “The wedding invitation orders we are seeing have the average order size becoming slightly smaller as bridal couples choose to have smaller, more intimate celebrations with fewer guests.” Brenda says the company is also seeing more orders for its Seal N’ Send wedding invitations, which combine the invitation and response postcard on one sheet of paper folded together without an envelope. This keeps postage costs to a minimum.

Other companies, such as Bella Ink Designs, are putting handmade touches on invitations without using expensive printing processes. Heather Fiala, studio/marketing director at Bella Ink Designs, says, “In this economy, we believe that brides still want a sophisticated look for their wedding stationery without the luxe price tag. Luckily, brides are able to have an elegant invitation printed without the bells and whistles, like thermography, and still get a high-end look and feel.”

Color trends
Many brides are indecisive when it comes to color combinations. Keep things simple for her by offering the classics—along with a few surprising shades.

Janel from Jillson & Roberts says, “Weddings will always be painted with elegant whites, soft blue hues, and classic silver and golds, but don’t be alarmed if the bride is wearing bright-magenta, polka-dotted Betsey Johnson wedges under her silk gown! Within the boundaries of classic comfort is room for the unexpected, colorful flash of personality in today’s weddings.”

Brenda From Carlson Crafts says that purple is making a big comeback in terms of out-of-the-ordinary colors. Although mocha-brown continues to be one of the most-selected options at Carlson Crafts, Brenda says, “We are seeing higher demand for ensembles with yellows and shades of gray. Gray may sound boring, but the new slate and pewter paper colors are anything but.”

Special touches
Shel Leshner, sales & marketing director at Ivy Lane, says the company has seen a big surge in design talent since it recently acquired Jamie Lynn and partnered with Beverly Clark. “We’re taking the best of both companies and offering more designs and ideas. We now have the elegant tradition of Beverly Clark and the more contemporary feel of Jamie Lynn.”

Shel says there are items that appeal to everyone. The company now has ethnic and themed cake toppers, including interracial relationship couples and even a cowboy/cowgirl couple.

One of Shel’s favorite items, which demonstates the company’s diverse offerings, is a small, pink purse just for the flower girl. “I can’t help but smile every time I see it because I can just picture a little girl holding it proudly at the wedding she’s a part of.”

When it comes to wedding favors and gifts, what’s most important is choosing something with personal value. And of course, current colors and designs are a must when it comes to stationery and table decorations. Keep our featured items in mind when stocking your store for wedding season.

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