Text by Mandy J Osbourne
Wedding Consultant, Events Etcetera

From the flowers, to the veil, to the bridesmaids, everything in a wedding ceremony is based on a past custom. As times go on, traditional customs also take on new and modern twists. Today, many brides want their wedding to be filled with tradition, but also want their special day to be unique and tailored just to them. More than ever, we are seeing couples taking an old tradition and putting a spin on it; making it one-of-a-kind. Couples are becoming creative and introducing new and exciting points of interest in their particular ceremonies. As times change, trends change as well. The year 2003 is starting out to be full of new trends and ideas, giving couples many different choices and options to making their big day the most spectacular day of their lives.

BEFORE THE WEDDING
With the advancement of technology and the invasion of the home computer, many couples are opting to use online gift registries. Not only does it save time for the bride and groom, but also keeps the process of buying a gift easy for the guests. They can browse the registries, buy the gift, and have it sent to the couple, all from the comfort of their own home. This also saves out-of-town guests the trouble of having another package to carry. With the price of weddings becoming higher and higher, couples are looking for ways to cut back on expenses. A great new trend to help accomplish this is to create a casual rehearsal dinner. Many are incorporating themes and having the party right in their backyard. Some great ideas are a beach party, a barbeque, or a Mexican fiesta.

Another hot new trend to consider when choosing a photographer is a new style of wedding photography, one called photojournalistic photography. This style incorporates fewer posed pictures and more candid shots. This allows the bride and groom to get a full idea of the atmosphere that they created for their wedding day. Some couples even choose to hire a standard wedding photographer, along with a photojournalist so that they get every aspect of the big day.

THE WEDDING
While traditional churches still, and will always, remain popular, more couples are trying out different and unique locations. Many are incorporating nature such as gardens, vineyards, parks, and the beach. Others are choosing to integrate local landmarks such as monuments, libraries, downtown rooftops, and museums. A trend that is continuously growing in popularity is to have a more intimate wedding. Some couples feel that it is more meaningful to share their special day with only family and close friends. Having fewer people also allows the bride and groom more time to spend with each person throughout the night. Some are even writing personal notes to their guests at their place settings, creating a special rapport between them and the couple.
Wedding parties are also getting smaller, with just one or two attendants for the bride and groom. This helps relieve stress for the couple of who to include and who to leave out. Also, more and more couples are writing their own vows, giving the ceremony a personal and intimate touch. We are seeing many new variations on the old tradition of having the father escort the bride down the aisle. Many brides choose to have their mother, mother and father together, or father and stepfather accompany them. Some brides are even choosing to walk alone and have the groom meet them halfway. There are many new modifications with the bridal gown, incorporating new trends and traditional style. This year, the emphasis is on the fabric. Keep it simple, yet very rich and lush. Sleeveless and strapless gowns are still all the rage. Jeweled headpieces such as tiaras are huge this season, but remember to keep it simple and elegant and not gaudy. We are also seeing a rapid growth in personalizing the bridal party's attire. Many brides-maids are choosing their own dress to fit their style, all in the same color.

Flowers are becoming much more natural looking this year, creating a very soft and elegant look. Many brides are choosing to go with hand tied bouquets. They look very fresh and natural, and are also less expensive. We are also seeing many more brides incorporate bright colors into their bouquets, instead of the traditional white. A huge new trend with brides is to place two special flowers in your bouquet. On the way down the aisle, the bride offers one flower to her mother, and on the way back up; she offers the other flower to her new mother-in-law.

THE RECEPTION
Since the reception is truly the life of the party, couples want to make it just that: a party! Several couples are making their reception much more "guest friendly," and want them to have a good time instead of just coming to a wedding. A great new way to accomplish this is to arrange for someone to make a presentation about the bride and groom while everyone is waiting for their arrival at the reception site. It could be a video, a slide show, or a display of pictures of the happy couple. It will keep the guests entertained while the bridal party is having pictures made. It can also serve a dual purpose as entertainment at the rehearsal dinner, since the bridal party will not see it the day of the wedding.

A rising trend in choosing your food is to go with a buffet of comfort food. Beef Wellington is quite popular, along with a grilled combo of poultry and fish. While meat and potatoes will always remain prominent, we are also seeing a growing trend towards more exotic flare. Different options include sushi appetizers, an Asian grill station, or a Mexican bar.

There is a rising trend in music this year to use a harpist or a string quartet for the ceremony. However, during the reception, many are switching to a DJ. While bands were predominantly popular during the 1980s and early 1990s, DJs have been gaining increasing popularity in the new millennium. DJs give the bride and groom the ability to choose the songs for the duration of the night, and the choices are less limited than with a band. Those that are choosing to stick with a band are leaning toward Big Band and lounge music (such as the Rat Pack).

While head tables remain abundant for the bridal party, a new trend is to split the party up. This can be achieved in a number of ways. The bride and groom can opt for a simple "Sweetheart Table" that is just for the two of them. This allows the bridal party to sit with their companions. Also, we are seeing the bridal party (including the bride and groom) sit- ting in round tables in the same area of the room. Again, this method can provide seating for the members of the party and their dates.

Couples are also getting creative with the favors for their guests. New trends include: personalized chocolates (Godiva and Hershey offer customized lines), personalized flower seed bags, personalized cigars, and even small, personalized cake boxes guests can use for leftover cake. Finding something unique to you is the key. Guests are also being asked to contribute to a "Wish Tree." Placing a paper leaf at each seat gives the guests an opportunity to create a personal message to the bride and groom. They can then place the leaves in a designated area or put them on a simulated tree.

There is also a rise in new and different ideas for the reception. A great new trend is the use of fireworks to announce the couple as they arrive. This will create a very memorable moment for the couple and their guests. Another interesting idea is to create a special "kids' table." It can be used as an area for the kids to participate in their own activities such as games or coloring books. It is a great way to keep the kids occupied while the adults enjoy the reception.

Whether you choose to use new trends or traditional styles, remember that it is your day and make it special for you. Your guests will be happy just to share the joy of the day with you. Whatever you choose, it will be a wonderful night to remember!