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Brides and grooms say “I do” to wedding gifts packed with personality
With wedding season just around the corner, it’s time to revamp your store’s gift selection. By exploring non-traditional options, you can help make the celebration even more memorable for couples. Brides and grooms are seeking lighthearted favors and focusing on do-it-yourself touches that let them put their own spin on the big day. Concurrently, wedding guests want fun, contemporary gifts they can give to the newly married pair. We talked with experts about important trends and concepts retailers will want to keep in mind when stocking their shops this spring and summer.
You're Invited
Stationery motifs, colors and textures often take their cue from fashion, and the upcoming 2010 designs will be no exception. Cheryl Jablow, founder of Social Frog Designs, an event-consulting and invitation company, says that, like runway looks, next year’s stationery will be globally inspired. “Brides are inspired by bold Moroccan, Mexican and Indian colors and patterns,” she says. “Colors such as gold, red, green and magenta with intricate cultural patterns, backgrounds and borders make for festive invitations.”
Purple continues to be popular in all shades and can set a different mood depending on what colors it is paired with. “Many brides are enjoying the use of lavender, raspberry, plum and other hues of purple in their correspondence designs,” says Cheryl. “A contemporary pairing is plum and pewter. Accents of yellow, orange, turquoise or green are current favorites.”
Architectural creations of major fashion houses are translating into stationery designs, too. “Forget flat cards; correspondence pieces that have an extra dimension add interest and surprise for guests,” says Cheryl. “Favorite styles among brides are pocket-style invitations, invitation sleeves, boxes, folios and ribbon closures. Classic correspondence pieces are being dressed up with unique materials and tiny, luxurious embellishments such as sparkly crystals for a touch of bling. Patterned envelope liners, satin ribbon, personal monograms and custom seals lend a special touch.”
Another en vogue finish, according to Liz Libre, founder of stationer Linda & Harriett (718/789-0307), is letterpress. This printing treatment is making its mark on save-the-dates, invitations, programs, place cards, menus and more. The trend has a homemade feel that complements the motif that many couples want.
“I would describe the most desired look to be vintage-modern,” says Liz. “The brides and grooms that come to us want something personal. And that personal touch usually involves it being a bit more fun. They don’t want the wedding invitations their parents had. They want something that speaks to them while still making sense to their guests of all ages.”
Because save-the-dates are the first tangible item wedding guests receive, they are a great opportunity for personal expression. “Most of the time, we like to encourage playing up the location to get their guests excited about being in a city or near the ocean or in the backyard you grew up in,” says Liz. “And because [the couple] chose the location, it reflects their personality.”
Alyse Liebowitz, owner of 3 Chicks That Click Photography, says couples she photographs do indeed have fun with location and themes. “For a beach theme, the invitations arrived in little glass bottles with sand in them and a rolled parchment,” she says. “The tables had shells and beach glass on them, and the cake looked like a giant sand castle with brown-sugar frosting.” Inspired by weddings she shoots, Alyse says her own upcoming wedding will have a travel theme. “The table place cards are luggage tags, and they will be on little easels. The tags will have the name of a place my fiancé and I have traveled to. At the table, there will be a framed photo of the place instead of floral centerpieces.”
Overall, the trend is to be eclectic and make your wedding paper goods your own, says Meredith S. Tomasulo, founder of Elegant Engagements. “Monograms are still in, but couples are also adding a slogan, poem verse or quotation to elements of their wedding,” she says. “This can be seen on the invitation, program, favor containers and cocktail napkins. I have seen Dave Matthews song lyrics on cake boxes (‘Life is short but sweet for certain’) and Shakespeare verses on invitations (‘Journeys end in lovers meeting’). I also have some clients that are putting ‘Did you know...’ information on cocktail napkins — they’re great conversation starters and really get the guests to know about both the bride and groom.”
Blushing Brides
Brights, neutrals and unexpected combinations: Wedding-industry experts say all will be gracing chapels during next year’s ceremonies.
“I think the big colors for 2010 are going to be what I call blush or buff colors: light peaches, corals, pinks and beiges,” says Sacha Patires, event planner at Whimsical-Weddings.com. “I think black will still be in but will be mixed with the pale colors instead of bright pops of color.”
Liz of Linda & Harriett says green will be a hit. “I think pops of bright colors will continue to be popular. Spring is the season for renewal, so green is always a great color for spring weddings. And tones of greens are particularly fresh: aqua and emerald, moss and sea-glass blue — mixed with ivory and splashes of Tiffany Blue.”
At The Vibe Agency, an event-planning company, monochromatic palettes reign supreme year-round. “This doesn’t mean muted colors — just single color bunches,” says Valerie Bihet, director. “Vibrant colors include orange, green, yellow and pink. The comeback in 2010 will be bright orange; this works marvelously when combined with softer peach tones. You can tie peach gift boxes with orange ribbons; you can also add tiger lilies and orange gerbers into the bridal bouquets.”
Valerie says couples shouldn’t rule out metallics and cooler tones for spring and summer. “Popular metal colors include gold, silver, copper and pewter. And though gray is the new black, black is definitely still popular, with black accessories and flowers being the latest trend for 2010. You can use black table linens and black roses; for an even more sophisticated look, one can use the combination of white and black.”
Brides are no longer afraid of color experimentation, agrees Sara Gaum, owner of VendorBar.com, an online event-planning source. “After years of creams, blushes and chocolate browns, brides have finally gotten more comfortable with the idea of bright, bold colors. Brides are incorporating more jewel tones into their weddings, much like fashion from 2008. Whether they’ll pick up on the neon trend of 2009, I have yet to see.”
We Are Gathered Here Today
From television shows such as TLC’s Say Yes To The Dress to the annual wedding produced by the Today Show on NBC, engaged couples draw inspiration from various media outlets. Most recently, the viral online video of one Minnesota couple’s wedding party dancing down the aisle to Chris Brown’s hit song “Forever” encouraged couples worldwide to add personality to their ceremonies.
A new multi-platform media company, Get Married, serves as a meeting place where users can trade ideas, discover resources and connect with others. Comprising a television series on Lifetime, a website (GetMarried.com) and a magazine, the company provides an easy, organized experience for its users, says Jill Meister, editor in chief of GetMarried.com.
“All our platforms work together and drive one another back to our website, where we have a lot of different communities for vendors and brides,” says Jill, who explains that GetMarried.com streams video from the television series, and the television series correlates with sections the editors put together in the magazine. “It’s a massive forum of tips and experts that all work pretty independently, but collectively they reach a targeted audience and provide inspiration. We provide a fresh voice in the wedding industry and offer professionals a platform to showcase their expertise.”
The main trend among brides using GetMarried.com is saving money; this is especially important to couples footing the bill for their weddings. “We did a survey recently that found that 63 percent of brides are paying for some portion of their wedding,” says Jill. “It’s not just an emotional investment right now — it’s also a financial one.” As women have entered the business world during the past decades, she adds, they have become experts at applying their career talents to their wedding planning and negotiating deals for their own events. “Brides should list their priorities ahead of time. Once they know what they want, they can make their dream weddings happen. They have to stay optimistic even on a budget and welcome the challenge.”
The financial factor is what has driven couples to pursue cost-effective options and adhere to the enormously popular (and charming) do-it-yourself trend. “The YouTube video is the perfect example of a couple who found a budget-savvy way to add a personal touch to their wedding,” says Jill. “They made it completely their own. It let guests know who they are and created something memorable — and it didn’t cost them anything.”
When asked whether she thinks weddings are becoming more casual and celebratory as opposed to traditional and serious, Jill says couples aren’t necessarily going one way or the other. “It’s not to say that people are making their weddings more casual — they just may not have the budget for impressive details. Instead they’re focusing on pulling at the heartstrings of guests and thinking of ways to really express their personalities.”
Keep reading for other tips we gathered from industry experts — you’ll find that you can apply their insider ideas to your own store.
More Tips From The Pros
“The monogram-themed wedding is one of the most popular ways to add your own special touch to many different aspects of your wedding. Monograms are being used to decorate cakes, invitations and gift bags.” –Kerrie DiStanlo, owner of Polka Dot Paper Shop
“The greatest trend this year, and hopefully for the next many years, is turning your wedding into something more by hiring vendors that donate to an amazing charity. It really gives your wedding meaning.” –Barbie Hull, founder of Get Hitched, Give Hope
“I see simplicity being a trend. Gone with the opulent, intricate, over-the-top stuff. I think, due to the recession, people are going to make things simple but great. Not necessarily modern — just simple and streamlined.
“I also think that we will see more home, country and garden-party weddings. Floral trends will follow with this theme; daisies and roses will most likely be popular choices.
“A cake buffet with an assortment of cakes, pies and tarts will be a hot trend. All things homemade will be popular.” –Sacha Patires, event planner at Whimsical-Weddings.com
“If my practice is any barometer, there is definitely a trend toward wedding ceremonies that are unique to the couple and include elements special to them.
“I encourage my couples to think of their ceremony as a gift to their guests, not just a gateway to the reception. I’ve done weddings in Yankee Stadium, in the middle of an apple orchard, on the Appalachian Trail and at a dairy farm. It’s all defined by the couple’s wishes and personality.
“The YouTube video that showed the bride and groom dancing down the aisle set a completely different tone to the wedding and gave a sense to the guests that this wedding was not going to be dull and predictable. I’ve had brides arrive in sports cars and roar up to the end of the aisle. I’ve had couples recess to Depeche Mode. I’ve had them vow to put down the toilet seat and stop cheering for the Mets. It’s all great, and they should all know that their ceremony isn’t just a requirement; it’s a chance for them to show their style and inspire their guests.”–Celia Milton, wedding pastor/celebrant/marriage officiant
“The top five trends for weddings I’ve seen in 2009 are unusual cake toppers, homespun glamour, laser-cut invitations, big reveals at the altar and secondhand dresses.” –Tara Wilson, president of Tara Wilson Events
“I think we will see an increase in at-home weddings; they feel more personal and less ostentatious.
“I am seeing more and more couples that want to introduce green elements to their weddings. Some couples set the tone right from the start with the invitation by using something eco-friendly, such as recycled paper, seeded paper or tree-free paper. Instead of centerpieces of cut flowers, some couples opt to display perennials that can later by replanted. Many couples are forgoing traditional favors for greener options, such as soy candles.
“A groom’s cake is traditionally found in Southern weddings but is showing up more in the Northeast. The cakes depict their favorite sports, teams, activities and hobbies.
“Thanks to all of the dance shows on television, more couples are taking dance lessons and having their first dances choreographed.
“Celebrities have been wearing retro veils, which means we are likely to see more on our brides. They can combine a jeweled clip or feathered headpiece with netting that only covers the face. A bride can be glamorous and fun and express her unique style.
“The 2010 bridal runway featured dresses with metallic fabric, contrasting colors, ruffles and statement pieces such as feathers, flowers and jewels.”–Melisa Imberman, president of The Event Of A Lifetime
“Many trends have been sparked by the enormous number of wedding blogs at the moment. Brides read them feverishly and want their weddings featured on them much in the same way that they used to send [announcements] in to major newspapers. Blogs are showcasing lots of handcrafted items. Very artistic engagement shoots are popular, too, nearly upstaging the wedding photography in some cases.
“Save-the-dates are another big deal. Although traditionally reserved for destination weddings or those that fall on or near holidays, they are an inexpensive way of setting the tone for the entire event well in advance.
“Cupcakes hang on to the trend scene, and now things like cupcake toppers and flags are widely available to adorn them. Flowers have been popular as cake toppers for years, but now handcrafted toppers designed to look like the couple are huge.” –Lisa Marie Rovito, founder of Orange & Blossom online wedding
boutique
“The biggest trend I see for recent brides is all about being soft and simple. From colors to textures to elements involved, this season’s brides want that Hepburn-like femininity. I see a lot of them wanting everything in hues of pinks, champagne, cream, whites and mochas. It’s all about the authenticity of real, seasonal flowers in soft shades — not the funky, trendy flowers that have ruled the trends the past couple of years.”–Laura Clare, designer for Laura Clare Floral Designs & Event Décor
“Couples are registering for organic and bamboo bedding. Recycled drinking glasses and driftwood/root bowls are the most popular kitchen items. My husband and I received a fabulous recycled-cotton hammock for our wedding — perfect for summer.
“As far as gifts to guests, there is a shift to local delicacies (maple syrup in Vermont, barbecue sauce in the South). These are nice because they do not have to be transported as far, so they have a smaller carbon footprint and give a wedding local flavor.”–Kate L. Harrison, founder and CEO of The Green Bride Guide (www.thegreenbrideguide.com)
“Wedding colors are being inspired by the faintest, pale-green Dior dress Sarah Jessica Parker wore to the Oscars. Other popular color schemes for spring/summer 2010 are lime green and fuschia, platinum and yellow, yellow and taupe, and Versailles blue and moss green.”–Mindy Weiss, owner of Mindy Weiss Party Consultants“One of the trends we are seeing is a continuation of last year’s hot trend: creating a brand for your wedding. A wedding that has been successfully branded reflects the style and personality of the bride and groom and allows the wedding guests to feel more connected to the experience. We are observing customers taking an idea or theme that best represents them and extending it across each wedding element. A wedding brand is ultimately a reflection of the couple and should capture the joy and excitement of the event as well as the style of that couple. Many of our brides and grooms decide to carry their wedding brand into their wedding website, and in doing so, choose to incorporate the colors of their wedding theme. The wedding industry is thriving, despite the economy, and wedding website usage continues to grow.” –Amy Ruocco, president and CEO of Wedding Window Inc.
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