A Wedding Planner’s List of 2010 Wedding Trends

Thank you to Brandi Hamerstone, an amazing wedding planner and owner of All Events Planned, for sharing with us her thorough list of 2010 wedding trends!

Wedding  Planners

I know I might end up sounding biased on this one, but wedding planners seem to be a hit in 2010.  Not just full planning packages, people of all budgets and all service levels are seeking out planners to fit their needs.  I don’t know many weddings being planned without SOME level of assistance from a planner.

Wedding Cakes

I’m happy to report that fondant is going away and buttercream is back and better than ever.  After too many appointments with brides trying to explain that fondant does not taste even half as good as it looks, they are all heading back to the ever-popular buttercream, phew!

Bridesmaid Dresses

Matching color, but not matching style bridesmaid dresses.  Brides are now just giving a few specifications to their bridal party (blues, nothing above the knee or backless) and letting them make the choice of the dress.  This always seems to end in a huge success.  Your bridal party tends to be friends that think JUST like you so you end up with different, fun styles of dresses that still fit with your perfect wedding day style.

Dessert at the Reception

Dessert Buffets.  Finally, the bride and groom “get it” and their traditional parents have accepted that the cake isn’t usually a big hit at the wedding.  Candy bars have gone away (phew) and now dessert bars with wonderful, colorful and elegant varieties of miniature desserts are making their entrance.  Yummy!

Favors Are So Last Season

Favors are no longer favorite.  So many couples are using the money that would be spent on favors to donate to their favorite cause or to a different cause based on the passion of each of their guest.  While choosing a foundation that best represents every individual takes lots of time, the bride and groom feel good about doing something special for their guest while helping out those in need.

Photography

Memories are made in pictures.  Finally, finally the bride and groom are understanding the importance of good pictures.  Good pictures, not staged, not poorly lit, not portraits, just GOOD pictures.  The skill level of some photographers is well beyond that of even the greatest hobbyist that the money you spend will always be worth it.  Uncle Jim might love taking pictures, but he can’t convey the elegance, emotion, love and celebration through photos like a good wedding photographer can.

The Guest Book

Guest book changes are coming in 2010.  I am not seeing the generic white book with the “classic” white pen in stand at the sign in table.  Now there are memory stones, photo journals, photo booth books and even the engagement book as the signing book.  They are all great changes and fun ideas from the bland and basic book of past generations.