2012 Wedding Trends

While doing some browsing, I came across this article and thought it was very interesting.  I especially loved the engraved plates that I pictured below.  Hope you enjoy it!


article courtesy of The Wedding Salon


Cookie-Cupcakes, Natural Accents, Colors of the Rainbow, Attention to Detail & Fashion Inspired Weddings, Amongst the Hottest Trends for 2012 Chicago, IL (October, 2011) 

Chicago, IL (October, 2011) --- Brides' fantasy weddings came to life at The Wedding Salon at The W City Center. The nation’s premier luxury bridal event showcased the hottest trends for 2012 including Nature Inspired Accents, Attention to Detail and Wedding Trends Straight from the Paris Runway. 

• "We were thrilled at the success of The Wedding Salon in Chicago and the trends that were unveiled for the upcoming year!  The Chicago Market came together for one night, showcasing incredible fashion-forward trends," says Wedding Salon Founder and renowned Celebrity Event Planner, Tatiana Byron.  

The ultimate trend for weddings will be looking to nature and the local landscape for reception tables. Chicago's finest event designers showcased reception décor inspired by nature. Telluride looked to the Colorado landscape pulling birch wood accents for a natural wedding look.  Additional décor trends for 2012 include elevated centerpieces inspired by architecture and mismatched looks incorporated into table design. 

Jenny Yoo wowed brides with a couture bridal and bridesmaid fashion show showcasing the trend of colors of the rainbow with teal, yellows and greens gracing bridesmaids on the runway. For the bride, Jenny Yoo unveiled a classic collection for 2012 with fitted looks accessorized to perfection. 

New attention to detail and simplicity will also be a key factor in the upcoming year. From flowerless canopies, showcasing nothing but rich, flowing linen and velvet runners, weddings will showcase regal linens in new and inspired ways. Couples will add detail to their wedding in never-before seen ways showcasing their individual style. Yanni Design Studio unveiled the new trend of etching menus onto charger plates for the bride & groom to keep as memorabilia.

Photo courtesy of Real Life Weddings

The Candy Bar trend of previous seasons will shift towards cookies in 2012 with the introduction of cookie– cupcake towers by Cookies by Joey.  Engaged couples enjoyed this never-before seen cookie cupcake with stacked cookies in cupcake liners topped with freshly made buttercream & flowers for a new alternative to the wedding cake.  A twist on traditional cakes, Oak Mill Bakery revealed that brides are no longer looking to the wedding gown for inspiration for the wedding cake; instead they are modeling cakes after their favorite couture designer. Wildflour Bakery also looked to fashion by recreating hand-painted silk flowers and origami flowers on their delicious exotic flavored cakes. 

Showing that a beach honeymoon will never go out of style, The Wedding Salon featured the biggest names in Destination Weddings and Honeymoons including St. Regis Bora Bora, The St. Lucia Tourism Board and The Mexico Tourism Board highlighting Puerta Vallarta & Cancun as the ultimate go-to destinations in 2012. http://www.weddingsalon.com/index.php

Up Coming Bay Area Wedding Events

In a few months time, wedding season will be gearing up.  Here are a few shows and websites that can help you plan your perfect dream wedding!


***Wedding Faire and Symposium
"The Wedding Faire has been coming to the Santa Clara Convention Center since 1986. Brides can shop, watch fabulous fashion shows, attend informational workshops and plan their weddings! The Wedding Faire offers everything to Plan the Perfect Wedding! Local and national retailers and services will have booth displays. There are fashion shows and Wedding Workshops throughout the day. The first 250 Brides each day will receive a Savings Booklet from local Bay Area Wedding merchants. Arrive early to register and win fantastic Wedding Prize Giveaways!"

Friday Thru Sunday January 6-8, 2012

Admission: $12
Located at the Santa Clara Convention Center

Modern Luxury Weddings

Filled with spectacular decor, innovative floral, sensational tastings, and inspiration galore, The Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco invites you to meet with the bay area’s most celebrated and sought-after wedding professionals. Vera Wang runway shows highlight the season’s most fabulous wedding gowns. Enjoy the complimentary Beauty Bar, champagne and tastings plus the first 100 brides will receive a Swag Bag.

Sunday January 8, 2012 

Located at the Ritz-Carlton in SF


***The Lab

“A not-so-ordinary bridal experience to immerse yourself in creative inspiration to define your wedding style.  Are you ready for some chemistry? The Lab is a handpicked collection of some of the top trend-setting wedding industry professionals Northern California has to offer. It’s designed to be an experience for couples seeking vendors, inspiration, and style definition for their wedding day. The Lab won’t have typical vendor booths or pushy salespeople. Instead, in a laid-back setting, couples will experience inspiration boards brought to life, sips and bites from some of the best caterers, sweet and treats from top dessert designers, a vendor library, a non-traditional runway show, and one heck of a party to round out the night.”

Saturday January 14, 2012

Admission: $25 (group rates available)
Located at Cline Cellars


***Napa Valley Bridal Show
The 8th Annual NAPA VALLEY BRIDAL SHOW. Plan your entire Wine Country Wedding in one location where the finest wedding professionals will be found. Check out the latest fashions and register for incredible prizes.”
Sunday January 22, 2012 11am-4pm
Admission: $10
Located at Embassy Suites, Napa Valley

SF Wedding Fair

Sip chilled flutes of Domaine Chandon while sampling the newest trends in hors d’oeuvres and wedding cakes. Luxuriously stroll by 70 exhibits featuring the elite of Bay Area wedding professionals. View stunning couture fashions modeled throughout the afternoon.

Attention Grooms… Drop by the gentlemen’s lounge for scores, snacks and cold beer!

Sunday January 22, 2012 11am-4pm

Located at the Four Seasons Hotel

Modern Bridal

View the most incredible photography, breathtaking floral designs, and fabulous samples as you stroll through our aisles to find the right wedding professionals to make your wedding day vision a reality. Experience spectacular runway shows, view unique caterers, sensational jewelry, incredible photography and all you’ll need to make your wedding day the celebration of a lifetime

Sunday January 15, 2012 at the Pleasanton Hilton

Sunday January 22, 2010 at the Claremont Resort & Spa, Berkeley

I Do Venues

An insiders view to the venues serving California.

San Mateo County Hidden Gem

The Pulgas Water Temple in San Mateo County, is a small, unique, gorgeous wedding venue that I came across a few months ago located at 80 Canada Road in Woodside, California.

  It was built in the 1930s by architect William G. Merchant to commemorate the 1934 completion of the Hetch Hetchy Aqueduct.  Here are some specifics on having your wedding ceremony at this location:

Guest Count:  100 guests max, with limited parking

Available times:  April to October 9:30-11:30 or 1:30-3:30.  2 hours maximum which includes set up and tear down.

Price:  $150 non-refundable

Limitations:  The site does not allow rehearsals on the property.  The site is closed on Sundays.  To have amplification or any other electric needs, you must bring a 150 foot extension cord.  They do not have their own chairs so you must rent them.

All in all, its a gorgeous venue for a low budget, quick wedding ceremony and definitely something to look into.  For more information, you can call them at 650-872-5900 or visit the site here.  Here are a few pictures:

Six Degrees of Separation

Head over to Kunde Family Estate Winery and check out the scenes of the film Bottle Shock.  While you are there, bring a picnic lunch and sit in the expansive courtyard of the winery before heading in to taste the wine.  You can also make arrangements to do the Mountain Top Tasting that leaves every hour between 11:30am and 2:30pm for $30 per person.  They also offer horse back riding tours through Triple Creek Horse Outfit.

This is also a great venue for events.  There are several different options to choose from including the Dunfillian Ruins,  the Wine Aging Caves and The Mountain Top.  Guest count can be anywhere from 30-250 people depending on the site you choose.  Kunde has their own event staff who will work hard to give you your dream event.

There is limited to no electricity in most of the sites and you will have to arrange for transportation from the parking lot to the location you choose.

For a Hollywood feel or if you are into barbecues, check out the Boot Hill site where Bottle Shock was filmed.

The wine is decent and priced well.  As with many of the wineries, beer and Kunde wines are the only alcoholic beverages allowed.

A French Chateau in California

Heading back up the Sonoma valley towards Healdsburg and Calistoga, you find several large vineyards and castle-like tasting rooms. One of which is Chateau St. Jean.  Located at the base of Sugerloaf Ridge, the setting is picturesque and the mediterranean style gardens are stunning.  It definitely took my breath away.  The Chateau was built in the 1920s as a summer home for Ernest and Maude Goff who made their fortune in iron mining and lumber.  Its now home to the vineyards tasting rooms and event venue.

They have several labeled varieties of grape vines that you can walk through including the gardens.  So many amazing photo opportunities at this venue!

The venue can hold up to 150 guests, any additional guests require permission and add a $25/guest charge.  Rental for the site is from $1500 (Mon-Thurs/ 20 guests) to $12,000 (ceremony and reception/ 150 guests).  The site requires an event planner from a preferred list that you can request with the wedding packet.  There are four venue options:  The Chateaus dining room (24 guests), The Chateau Patio (36 guests), the Visitor Center (100 guests), and the Chateau Front Lawn (400+guests).  Events can be held until 10:30pm, but there is a amplification cut off time of 10pm.

I must admit, I wasn't a big fan of their wine, however they did have some nice whites which is important to any bride...if you spill it won't show up on the dress!

Chateau St. Jean is a breathtaking venue with lots of amazing photo opportunities.  Definitely check it out!

A taste of Tuscany

If you like a Tuscan setting, you will love Viansa Winery.  Located closer to the San Francisco side of Sonoma, its set on top of a hill over looking the valley.

Viansa can hold anywhere from 2-125 guests and has several location options.  Luscious Tuscan courtyards are scattered throughout the site and a beautiful lawn with a bocce ball court is a great location for a summer time reception.  The candle lit wine-cellar is also available for ceremonies and receptions and opens up onto the lower courtyard.

I was very impressed by the choices on the menu and it was one of the only venues I visited in Sonoma that allows an open bar.  In the wedding packet, they also offer add-ons such as: espresso bars, a photo booth, s'more bars, kids entertainment bags, and their market place will give you discounts on wedding favors. Renting the venue runs from $3000 on weekdays to $10,000 on Saturdays and you get a discount on their wine.  I enjoyed their 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon from the Sonoma Valley

They offer a full event staff so there is no need to hire an outside wedding planner, unless you wanted to hire me, of course!

It was a beautiful venue and they offer so many ways to really make your event personal to you.  Check out their Facebook page for more pictures on the different weddings they have had including a Brazilian wedding.

Next stop...

Our next stop on the Sonoma valley tour is the St. Francis Winery located in Kenwood, California.  This mission styled winery has breath taking views of Hood Mountain and the valley.  The ceremony site is on the lush green lawn surrounded by the vineyard.  The reception hall is in the Dining Room which opens up to a stone patio or can be closed and cozy with a tile-lined fireplace.

The venue holds up to 150 guests or 200 if the ceremony is not on site.  Prices range from $6,000-$9,000 depending on the date.  You have complete run of the grounds from 6pm-11pm and can keep partying past midnight, for an added fee.  St. Francis does require employment of a coordinator from A Dream Wedding and exclusive use of St. Francis wines, which are, in my opinion, pretty tasty.

Private events can range from 20-220 guests.  Its a great location to have small corporate meetings or even a family reunion!

I'd give this venue 3 out of 5 stars.  Its easy to get to, charming, the staff was pretty friendly and its fairly reasonable price-wise for this area.  Definitely a place to stop and visit and consider for your event!

Destination Wedding Guide

Destination weddings are usually very intimate and low stress, but there are still a lot of things to think about while going through the planning process.   Here are a few tips from the mind of a wedding planner (and the internet):

Hire a Local Event Planner:  Hiring a local planner who knows the area and will have references for vendors isn’t necessary but it is probably the easiest way to plan your destination wedding.  They know the area, will have references and know which vendors to work with and which to avoid and they can handle all the to do items that require an in person touch.  To find a planner, visit TheKnot.com or other wedding planning sites.

Create a website:  Having a website will keep your guest in the loop.  If you decide to go all digital, it can also save you money on printing invitations. Places likeThe Knot or Wedding Tracker have some great features for a customizable wedding website.  However, its good to remember that there are some folks out there who are digitally impaired and will need some sort of paper invitation or a push to get on the digital wave.

Save the Date cards:  Save the Date cards are extremely important in a destination wedding.  You want to give your guests enough notice to plan their trip and book their flight and hotels in advance.  The usual time line for “Save the Dates” is four to six months.  

Think of the guests:  I know its not number one on your priority list since it is in fact your day, but little touches like having a list of “Things to do” for your guests makes your wedding memorable for everyone.  Research the local attractions around the wedding site and include them in your invitations. 

Transportation and lodging:  A transportation plan is very helpful, especially for a beach or tropical wedding.  Look into renting a shuttle to take guests from their hotel to the wedding site and back.  Also, a list of hotels and other places to stay are very helpful.  Look into booking a block of hotel rooms at a discounted rate and let your guests know how to get in on the deal.  

After Wedding Receptions:  A great way to continue the party and include friends or co-workers that couldn’t make it to the wedding is to have a reception at home.  They can be as low key or fancy as you want them to be.  It all depends on your tastes and budgets!  

Gifts:  Extra luggage is expensive now-a-days.  If you are registered anywhere, make sure guests know how to get those gifts to you.  Whether its sending the gift to your home or just getting a gift card to the stores you are registered at.  Other options are to have guests donate to your honey moon fund  or to a non-profit organization that the two of you feel strongly about. 

Insurance:  Tropical destination weddings could mean hurricane’s or other inclement weather and can you trust the airlines with your gown? Um...probably not so much.  Several sites suggest wedding insurance. A few places that offer insurance are WedSafe or WedSure.  For more information on wedding insurance go here or here

Check it out:  If finances allow, a quick vacation to visit your destination will help you get a feel for the big day.  Before you go, have a list of action items like:  finding a venue, a florist, an officiant, catering if its needed, etc.  Make sure to try different restaurants in the area and find the one that will suit you best for a reception.

Weddings at Sea:  If you aren’t big on planning everything and searching tirelessly for respected vendors in your destination, consider a cruise.  These are typically all inclusive and the price can’t be beat.  

Tweeting and Other Social Media Uses:

I will be talking more about Social Media in wedding and event planning in a later post, but social media is a great tool for destination weddings so I decided to touch on it in this post.  For guests that aren’t able to make it to the big event, you can have a live streaming feed using tools like UStream.  Update the guests with a link to the live feed, and your friends and family can watch the ceremony and even parts of the reception like the toasts, or first dance.  You could also set up a Twitter account to allow friends and family to send you there well-wishes from afar or even upload pictures they take during the day.  For something fun at the reception, have a tweeting station set up with a projector and screen so all the well-wishes and photos of the day can be viewed by everyone.  If you don’t want to bring all that equipment with you, find a local place that will rent it out or see if your venue has it on hand.