2011 Wedding Trends Report... Straight from Summer Watkins of Grey Likes Weddings

If you haven't checked out Greylikesweddings lately, you might have missed something super swell!  At the ABC-OC meeting last week, Summer Watkins, of Greylikesweddings, talked about the 2011 Trends in Weddings. 

Biggest upcoming trends are: 

1) Back to Basics~ A Return to the Classics... STUNNING. Timeless, Classic, Feminine Looks.  Incredible Live Bands.  Classic Cakes. 

2)  Color Statements in a New Way ~  Neutral Palattes with a Pop of Color. Fashion Forward Design.  Statement Pieces on Brides and Bridal Party... Necklaces (think SHORT, BIG, THICK, CHUNKY) and FINALLY!  For the Bridesmaids out there... Your Own Choice of Dress in a Particular Color.
3)  Didn't your Mom always tell you, "Make new friends, but keep the old ?"    Perfection here in the OC.  Check out Found Vintage Rentals  for the perfect combination of New and Old Decor for your Event.  Jeni Maus has created a one- of- a- kind Vintage Rental Company... here in the OC  (had lunch with her today..:)  ) She definitely knows how to mix the old with the new  ... and how to create your perfect event.

Wednesday Wedding Etiquette... New Trends in Wedding Cakes ~ Emily- 1957 to Peggy today

Wednesday Wedding Etiquette Review with Natalie...
A cup of coffee and two of my favorite Etiquette bBooks in  my hands!

LET'S TALK CAKES!

Emily Post 1957.."Wedding cake is an essential of every wedding reception.  Black fruit cake is traditional, and most expensive.  Also used are light fruit cake and pound cake..."

Peggy Post 2006..."One Cake, Two Cakes... Red Cake, Blue Cake... Fake Cake, No Cake."  "Among the oldest wedding traditions is the cake- almost certainly because wheat and other grains... are universal symbold of fertility." 

Natalie 2011...Let's create your perfect dessert station.... cake and all! I love to refer incredible cake vendors to you. Check out RAISE THE CAKE for the latest trends in incredible cake stands to complete your dessert station.

MY COMMENTARY?  LET'S CREATE YOUR PERFECT DESSERT! 

Oui Oui! Paris! What Better Way to Inspire your French Themed Wedding than to Send your Planner to France?

Starting my year off in Paris and Nice!  Oui.  One form of art always inspires another... In this case, Architecture gave me some inspiration for Wedding Design...check out these door shots  from my January soiree.  I'm always in search of inspirations, and .. I'm INSPIRED!  Can you imagine using a similar shaped door for your backdrop of your ceremony?  Entrance to your room?  Engagement Photo Shoot?

Parisan Doors to Flats along the Seine... Check out this Gal that I caught on her daily walk!

Wednesday Wedding Etiquette from Emily and Peggy

More news from Emily Post's Etiquette 1957... The Classic.
 Peggy Post 2010....Wedding Etiquette....The Updated Classic
 From 1957 to 2010, much has changed.  WOW!.
1957 by Emily Post: "From the moment the bride and groom start off on their wedding trip, all the expenditure becomes his."
2006 by Peggy Post (Emily Post's Great Grandaughter-in-Law): "Traditional Division of Costs..."Expenses of Honeymoon"  No mention of "all expenditures becoming his.   Good news for the Groom!

Wedding Wire Bride's Choice Winner~ SUPER SWELL!

Just heard that we've received the Bride's Choice Award for 2011!  Honored to be part of that group of professionals....top 5 % of Wedding Wire Professionals in the country.

  What does it mean to you?  Instead of tooting my own horn, I cut and pasted the information right from their Website. 
"WeddingWire is honored to celebrate the success of our top-rated wedding professionals within the WeddingWire Community," said Timothy Chi, CEO, WeddingWire.
"Over the past three years, the Bride's Choice Awards™ program has afforded WeddingWire, and the bridal community, the opportunity to recognize those professionals for their unparalleled service and commitment to the wedding industry. We applaud the 2011 winners for their professionalism and dedication to enhancing the wedding planning experience for couples throughout the prior year."