2024 Wedding Trends

2024 is fresh and new for couples planning their weddings with the Pantone Color of the year being Peach Fuzz. This lovely pastel works beautifully with earthy tones or for a more dramatic look, pair it with plum shades and deep reds.

So what trends are coming forward in 2024? We’ve all seen disposable cameras at weddings and this trend continues in 2024. This provides the bride and groom with candid pictures taken by their family, friends and guests. What’s not to like?

It’s the year of the “mini”. Mini dresses, down sized floral bouquets, small cakes, a small wedding party, and even after parties. Even with a “mini” wedding, you’ll have a beautiful day surrounded by the people who love and support you.

Over the top entertainment is live and well for weddings. Whether it’s a live band, caricaturists (which are pretty fabulous and can double as favors) or live painters commemorating your wedding day, these types of entertainment makes it on the list for 2024.

Drone photography is at an all time high. Photographers and videographers have moved in this direction as part of their services for several years now. Drone photography provides an aerial perspective of your wedding, your venue and even your guests. Your photographer captures the close ups, intimate and formal photos of the day. Whether you use a drone for your pictures or a traditional photographer, both are priceless for lasting memories of your special day.

Specialized cocktails are definitely a hit, but what if you can’t decide on one drink? Here you have the opportunity to offer a Cocktail Menu for your guests. Whether its a custom named drink or simply specialized cocktail options, your guests will rave about the options. But we don’t stop there. As the night comes to a close, late night snacks are always a hit. Options include food trucks for almost any type of food you’re craving (tacos, pizzas, fair foods, cotton candy or donuts), a french fry bar (Parmesan/truffle, garlic, etc) or a warm pretzels stand. What’s your favorite craving after a night of celebrating?

Textured cakes for the win! Textured cakes are a definite must have this wedding season. From ruffles of your (or mom’s) wedding gown to its lace or your grandma’s china pattern, textured cakes are here. Being creative is the best part of this wedding trend for 2024. Your bakery has the tools and talent to make your ideas possible.

Let’s make your exit unforgettable. We’ve all seen or been a part of the sparkler exit at the end of a night of celebration for the happy couple. However, cold fireworks are very popular and step up the old sparkler exit. This works great if your ceremony and reception are completely indoor. Laser shows are also a great way to bring your celebration to an end and allows for an exciting exit. Either way, it makes for an unforgettable exit.

No matter how you celebrate your wedding day, you’ve made lasting memories for a lifetime!

Happy planning.

Mary Homer, Fairy Tale Weddings by Mary

http://www.fairytaleweddingsbymary.com

Contributions courtesy of Wedding Wire.

Christmas in July – Say What?

The month of July is “Christmas in July” and you’ll find many associated sales right now. You may think, “What does that have to do with weddings? I’m not having a wedding in November or December”. We all know weddings can be expensive. Let me just say, don’t let this idea deter you from finding great discounts for your wedding needs. This is the PERFECT time to look for discounts on everything from your wedding dress, ceremony and reception supplies/decor, bridal party gifts and anything wedding!

photo credits: Wax Apothecary

Online sales for weddings are at an all time high. Many “go to” sites include Amazon, which has very competitive pricing. However, be sure to check out Table Cloth Factory (www.tableclothsfactory.com) for linens and chair covers; EFavor Mart (www.efavormart.com) for many different wedding products; Webstaurant Store (www.webstaurantstore.com) where you’ll find bulk reception products (very nontraditional I know); and Save on Crafts (www.save-on-crafts.com) for decor options. There’s so many online wedding product sites now, so be sure to search for your particular needs and you may be surprised at what you’ll find.

photo credits: Brides

If you’re budget conscious (as most of us are these days) be sure to search online for discount codes too. Doing a little on-line searching may find you the best deals ever. Finally, don’t forget about Etsy (www.Etsy.com). The talent available on this site is unbelievable and sellers do occasionally offer discounts.

Be sure to remember to shop local and small businesses in your area. Even small businesses provide discounts and you’re supporting your local economy.

Happy Shopping!

Fairy Tale Weddings by Mary – Mary Homer, PWP

2023 Wedding Trends

2023 wedding trends are off to a great start! You’ll be seeing many new ideas and inspiration throughout the wedding industry. With the Pantone Color of the year for 2023 being Magenta, wedding decor will include vibrant colors including wedding palettes of textures, furniture, and fashion. A lovely way to bring in color to your design include florals, guests place settings, dance floors, stationary and wedding dresses (yes…floral wedding gowns). The sky’s the limit.

Lighting will be a creative opportunity to provide unique installed light fixtures that elevate and transform your space into a memorable decor element.

Micro weddings continue to be very popular and will continue to do so. Micro weddings are like having a dinner party for a small number of guests, with tablescapes that can be fun, eclectic and custom from your dinnerware to stunning florals and furniture settings.

(courtesy of Pretty Little Vintage Company)

Over the top “After Parties” are popular with custom espresso martini bars, 3D and 360 photo booths, pop up lounges for a club feel and even aerial dancers.

Architectural and interior design elements like wood and textures will enhance your event space for a unique style and vibe, whether your vision is rustic or elegant.

Food is always an area where I encourage our couples to explore as there are so many options other than the traditional wedding menu(rubbery chicken is never a favorite). Farm to table is very popular as they source locally for fresh ingredients. Caterers and chefs are able to customize your menu to your particular taste and liking.

Fun food elements include nostalgia food like your school favorites of mini grilled cheese and tomato bisque soup combos, truffle french fries, a tasty version of Monte Cristo sandwich wedges and mini pastry mac-n-cheese. Comfort food is always a crowd pleaser and that’s just the hors d’oeuvres!

A fine dinning experience would include elegant created menus of braised short ribs and french onion soup boule. Elevated from the traditional hors d’oeuvres of bacon wrapped scallops and lobster roll.

(courtesy of Pretty Little Vintage Company)

Dessert is always a great way to wrap up a celebration. Butter cream painted cakes are very popular, which elevate the traditional wedding cake. Creativity and color are the key. Don’t overlook dessert tables, which have been popular for awhile and will continue to be so. A dessert table allows you to have an array of options, options and more options for your guests. You’ll be sure to find one of your favorite sweet treats from candy apples and donuts displays to mini desserts. There are options galore.

(courtesy of Making with Megan)

Signature drinks are a fun way to infuse your personality. One of our favorite signature drinks was a “Candy Apple” (red wine and cherry sparkling cider) which worked perfectly with the vineyard setting for our couples wedding celebration. What’s your favorite drink? It can easily be worked into a signature drink for you.

As we move forward in the 2023 wedding season, you’ll see couples personalizing their big day, as it should be. This celebration is the perfect opportunity to make memories that last a life time. Happy planning!

Mary Homer

Fairy Tale Weddings by Mary

http://www.fairytaleweddingsbymary.com

(Contributing partner – The Bride)

(Photo Credits – Pretty Little Vintage Company, Making with Megan)

Last Minute Valentines Day Gifts

courtesy of Bubble & Sweet

Valentines day is only days away. Do you have special plans with your sweetheart? Have you shopped for that “perfect” gift?

If not, we have some last minute ideas for your sweetheart:

• Candy and flowers is an easy way to go, but how about a box of french macaroons? Pretty in pink and drizzled with chocolate. Sounds yummy already!
• Chocolate bombs are the trend right now, with mini marshmallows hidden inside when it melts over hot milk. Surprise, surprise.
• There’s nothing more personal than a love note…..written from your heart. You’ll make your sweethearts heart full and gushing.
• Never underestimate the power of rose petals and candles. It sets the perfect aviance for love and happiness.

In this time of pandemic, remember the ones you love and to say “I love you” every day.

Happy Valentines Day!

Mary Homer, Fairy Tale Weddings by Mary

http://www.fairytaleweddingsbymary.com

2021 Pantone Color of the Year

Every year Pantone chooses a color for the ear. It’s typically the “it” color for weddings, celebrations, and design. This year, 2021’s color is Ultimate Grey. You may ask, why? You should look at grey as a neutral color, like beige or white. Grey works with almost every other color on the color wheel. It’s also very popular right now in room designs and furniture. My own office is painted grey (surprise it’s the 2021 color of the year).

In planning your wedding, 2020 was a difficult year. Many weddings were canceled due to the pandemic or were down sized to micro weddings. However I’m convinced 2021 will be a much better year for brides and grooms. Grey decor and brides maid dresses will pop up for sure this wedding season. Use a pink sash or belt (or any color from your wedding color scheme) and you’ve transformed a simple grey gown into something special. But how else do use this color and what colors compliment this color?

When planning your wedding decor, using grey in your color scheme is fairly easy. Grey compliments pinks, greens, purples and even reds. It compliments most of the colors on the color wheel. You’ll find grey in table linens and runners/sashes for your guests tables and chairs. You can bring it in to your floral centerpieces with lambs ear filler and additional decor with pops of grey. Grey makes for a wonderful foundation to build your color scheme while making your wedding feel like you and your personality. Be creative. You may be surprised at the outcome and very, very happy you did.

Happy planning!

Fairy Tale Weddings by Mary

http://www.fairytaleweddingsbymary.com

Home Weddings vs Covid 19

We’ve all been impacted by the current pandemic involving Covid 19. However, remember we will celebrate again! Venues, dress shops, bakeries and all your wedding vendors will reopen. You can’t cancel LOVE! So let’s talk about “Plan B”.

You’ve planned your wedding packed full of fun and personality, down to the very last detail, ensuring your ceremony and reception will be a wonderful experience for your guests. Then everything closed and we had a “stay at home” order for essentially everyone near and far. Now what do you do with all those plans you worked so hard on? Do you postpone our wedding and reschedule? After all, no one plans fore a pandemic.

Consideration now moves to home weddings, especially if you have a back yard that is lush and park like. How do you pivot from a large, lavish celebration to an intimate home wedding?

First, I want you to know that you shouldn’t underestimate what you can do with a home wedding. The sky’s truly the limit. It will still be a great experience for your guests. However, here is where the real work begins if a home wedding is in your future:

1. Choose a new wedding date, even if it’s not your typical Saturday or Sunday. Midweek wedding dates are becoming popular and may make more sense for you and your guests.
2. Whether your backyard is large or small, you’ll need to revisit your guests list, as any location needs to be consider for maximum occupancy and comfort. No One envisions having to revisit their guests list; however our current times will likely require you to do so. So your guests list that was originally 100, 200 or even 300+ guests simply won’t be possible in a smaller space. This will be difficult, however remember many guests who were traveling distances or have compromised immune systems may not be able to attend at this point. Who do you want and need at your celebration? Additionally, be sure to check the local guidelines in your area to ensure you are in compliance.
3. Once you finalize your guests list, you’ll ant to coordinate with your vendors to determine who and what you’ll still need. You may need to revise y our contracts to add or remove services. If you’re working with a wedding planner, he/she will be your liaison with your vendors, handling any changes as needed. Remember your vendors are here to help you through the process, despite any changes.
4. Even though things may be a bit different now,, things will be okay. This is a celebration about you as a couple and your love for one another. Don’t sweat the small stuff (or the big stuff for that matter). So when you’re overwhelmed, which is to be expect and completely normal, take a deep breath and remember you are not in this along. You have vendors who will be there for you and if you have a wedding planner, he/she will be your rock, your sounding board and full of ideas to re-imagine this exceptional day for your.
5. Don’t be afraid to add a virtual component to your wedding ceremony, so guests who you couldn’t invite are able to share in your wedding day. Weddings may change a bit now, but people love to be a part of a love story and YOURS is the most important to them.
6. Self care at this point needs to be a priority. Enjoy a glass of wine with your BFF (even if it’s a Zoom call for now), share your concerns with your planner, family or friends so you have it off your chest (you’ll be surprised how much better you’ll feel) or exercise (whether gyms are open or not at this point). Taking care of YOU is a priority.
7. Lastly, don’t forget to relax and ENJOY your wedding day! Your wedding comes and goes in 4-6 hours but your love for one another will last a life time.

Happy planning during these changing times!

Mary Homer

Fairy Tale Weddings by Mary

http://www.fairytaleweddingsbymary.com

For the Love of Penguins

Have you ever wondered what do penguins know about love? Let me tell you…they know quite a bit and we could learn a lot from them.

Penguins will quite often dance for joy at the sight of their LOVED one.(Thus the wonderful movie Happy Feet comes to mind)

Penguins aren’t shy about sharing their love and will often sing their love for each other. Just like people in a lasting relationship, they find that hanging out with their partner or loved one is one of the greatest joy in life.

Did you know that Penguins stay with their mate for life? When Penguins find their soul mate, they stay their entire life with them, to the end. Penguins are monogamous, just like humans. They mate for life.

We show our affection for our spouse or girlfriend/boyfriend by kissing.  Penguins do the same thing, only with their beaks. They rub their beaks on their mate or preen their mates feathers as a sign of love.  Just like you or me, they close their eyes when they kiss.

So let’s love like a Penguin.  Love for life. Kiss with your eyes closed.

Mary Homer

Fairy Tale Weddings by Mary

http://www.fairytaleweddingsbymary.com

 

 

Favorite Valentine Gifts

What’s your FAVORITE Valentine gift?  Is is a red heart shaped box of chocolates?  Or does your special someone give you a special piece of jewelry to show his love and appreciation?

The most popular gifts include:

• Chocolates (candy makes the top of the list)
• Hallmark greeting card (full of sentiment and emotion)
• Going out for dinner or a movie (a little alone time never hurts)
• Flowers, particularly red roses are the flower of choice at this time of year, however tulips are becoming popular
• Jewelry rounds out the top 5 Valentine gifts (a sure winner for any special girl in your life)

Thoughtful and romantic Valentine gifts are perfect for your wife or girlfriend, but don’t forget your mom, daughter(s) or a special friend or family member.  Remember Valentines day isn’t about gifts, but about spending time with the ones you love.

Wishing you a fabulous Valentine Day my friends!

Mary Homer

Fairy Tale Weddings by Mary

http://www.fairytaleweddingsbymary.com

 

Top 8 Wedding Trends in 2019

The 2019 Wedding Season is in full gear and so are this years wedding trends. Here are the top 8 wedding trends we see for the upcoming season.

Cakes and desserts will have an artistic flair to their edible displays.  Macaroon towers provides height and drama while Croquembouche is elegant and enticing.  And let’s not forget the ever favorite cake pop displays, which can be ornate and lavish.  The visual interest will make these displays fun for your guests.

Grazing tables have been around for awhile, however they will become more elaborate.  My favorite include a wonderful array of breads, cheeses, meats, nuts, fruits and some sweet delights for sure.

Interactive Food Stations are staples for any wedding.  Entertaining your guests while they make a choice of food options keeps them engaged and makes their experience memorable.

Floral displays will be dramatic with gold rings and wooden beams.  They add that touch of drama you want for interest and depth.

      courtesy of Pretty Little Vintage Company

Custom signs are always a necessity for your guests.  This includes seating charts and mirrors, letter boards and inspirational escort cards.  Being creative is the best part for brides and grooms, as you get to show your personality.  Our recent clients traveled a lot and chose to use custom postcards for their guests escort cards.  It was personal to the couple and so much fun for their guests.

Copper will be oh so popular this wedding season.  Copper adds a modern touch and is so versatile with so many color schemes, including “Pantone’s Color of the Year” of Coral.  Whether it’s Coral or your favorite shade of Lilac or Pale Pink, Copper has the ability to incorporate itself effortlessly.

Centerpieces in wooden boxes will be popular and are chic.  They are simply so versatile.  They work well with weddings which are elegant, rustic or simply romantic.  They offer natural elements including plants, succulents, flowers, crystals and stones.

Favors are always a question I receive from clients. Should I or shouldn’t I?  Favors are still very popular, in particular edible favors.  Guests love something they can eat and enjoy.  So when thinking of favors don’t be afraid to think outside of the box with options like popcorn, maple syrups, spices, or oils.  Truffles are always a great favor, but thinking outside the box makes that favor fabulous!

So when planning your wedding, be sure it reflects you and is personal.  This is your day to share with family and friends and it should always be about you as a couple.

Happy planning!

Mary Homer

Fairy Tale Weddings and Events – http://www.fairytaleweddingsandeventsbymary.com

*article contributions from WeddingWire

*photo contribution by Pretty Little Vintage Company

 

 

You Can Rent That???

Are you planning a wedding or special event?  Looking for gorgeous, expensive centerpieces but are deterred by the initial sticker shock associated with purchasing each and every one of them? How will you ever afford them?  The answer is rentals.  If you can think of it, someone likely has it for rent, whether it’s centerpieces, stylish or modern furniture, or elegant linens.  Rentals are the perfect option.

(courtesy of Brianna Pisani @ The Pretty Little Vintage Company http://www.prettylittlevintageco.com)

We all know how expensive it can be to purchase a piece of furniture or elaborate linens for the holidays.  So think outside of the box.  What kind of items you may ask?  The sky’s the limit for rentals!  You will find furniture (numerous styles, colors and generations), accessories galore (suitcases, candle holders, pillows, books, boxes, tables and chairs, china, flatware, glassware and chargers to name a few) and lets not forget linens (whether elaborate or simple you will find many, many options).

(Photo courtesy of Alexandra Reed Photography/ Furniture courtesy of The Pretty Little Vintage Company http://www.prettylittlevintageco.com)

There are many companies providing you with the items you may need or want.  Local and out of town companies have a variety of items to view and rent.  So explore your options and if possible be sure to view the items prior to renting them.  This allows you to know the condition the items are in.  If you can’t inspect them, be sure to view a picture of the item and inspect it upon arrival.

This is a field that is growing exponentially. This option will allow you to stretch your budget with fabulous choices.  So be sure to dream big, even on a budget.

Love the photos in this post, be sure to check out http://www.prettylittlevintageco.com.

Happy planning!

Mary Homer – Fairy Tale Weddings & Events

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