This Season's Exciting Trends (May, 2004)

Color, color, color! That’s what today’s brides are going for. No longer content with the pastels and monochromatic look of last year, the 2004 bride boldly expresses her love of vivid hues. From bridesmaid’s attire to floral centerpieces, colors abound. Hot pink is in. So is brilliant turquoise. Or, if out-of-the-ordinary colors strike your fancy, think bright yellow complimented with apple green. Perfect for that spring or summer wedding.

Bridal gowns are strapless or off-the-shoulder with little cap sleeves. Rich luxurious fabrics make the gown; beading, embroidery and lace add the exquisite detail to create a fabulous look. For additional glamour, think tiaras or comb headpieces to secure the veil. The jeweled tones and iridescent crystals enhance your radiance.

But today’s bride isn’t limiting herself to just wearing a wedding gown on her special day. Many brides are changing out of their formal ceremony gown and slipping into a gown/dress that’s more casual and relaxed for the wedding reception. Plus, it saves that special wedding gown from potential stains and spills.

Rather than just having an open bar, signature drinks are making the rounds. Choose a special cocktail or mixed drink that reflects your personality and style and have it served during the reception. It’s guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser.

Centerpieces no longer have to match. Today’s arrangements are big, bold, and wild with the colors harmonizing one another while creating drama to the room. Themes are in and it’s OK to have fun with it! One bride, a collector of antique wedding dolls, personalized her centerpieces by incorporating a bridal doll in each one. In addition to being unique, it also proved to be a great icebreaker as guests roamed from one table to another just to look at the different dolls in the centerpieces.

It’s anything goes when it comes to wedding cakes. Modern brides and grooms aren’t shy in opting for geometric shapes or tall tiers. From sugary flowers to fondant icing to chocolate cake with raspberry filling, have fun “mixing and matching” cake flavors, fillings, and icings to satisfy everyone’s sweet tooth.

“Going-away bags” are replacing party favors. Rather than the ho-hum Jordan almonds wrapped in netting at each place setting, guests are being handed little bags of treats as they leave. The bags are filled with goodies - from monogrammed cookies with the happy couple’s initials on them to Godiva chocolates. Just make sure that you have enough on hand. Unlike party favors that are often forgotten on the table, these little bags are popular and each guest wants one of their own.