Trend: Ombre Wedding Cakes

Photo by Caroline Tran as seen on Elizabeth Anne Designs Blog.

I love using color to help express the style of a wedding and this is such a cool and unique way to do it. It's called Ombre, basically you have colors that look as if they fade into each other which creates a luxurious and unique effect. Here's some amazing Ombre cakes I found. 

As seen in El Paso Wedding Blog. 

As seen on Project Wedding.

As seen on Maggie Austin Cake. 

Cake on the left by Cake Coquette, cake on the right featured on Pinterest. 

Cake by a Swiss bakery called Call Me Cupcake. 

Trend: Mismatched Bridesmaid Dresses

photo courtesy of Once Wed

I love, love, love this idea. No longer do the bridesmaids need to be all matchy, matchy. 

photo courtesy of Meg Perotti 

I know a few bridesmaids who would love to save some $$$ and get a dress they will actually wear again.  

photo courtesy of Meg Perotti

I also love that this allows each bridesmaid to let her true personality shine. 

photo courtesy of Ruffled Blog

From formal, to backyard, to seaside, to ballroom, and even a little bit country; this works for any setting.

photo courtesy of the Natural Wedding Company

And don't just let the ladies have all the fun, let the guys don their own suits, or shirts & suspenders, and let them stand out as bridal party with their bouquets and boutonnières. 

photo courtesy of Green Wedding Shoes

Don't take my word for it, even celebrity's are doing it whether in a real wedding or a not so real wedding. 

courtesy of Once Wed

photo from Sex & The City Movie

Trend: Hay Bale Lounges

(courtesy of Southern Weddings Magazine)

Who says hay is just for horses. Whether it's a true country wedding or at a winery in Malibu or a country club lawn, these lounges will be sure to be talked about. 

(Courtesy of Jodi Miller Photography)

And the great thing is you can dress them up with quilts, fabric, pillows, almost anything. 

(Courtesy of Good! Gracious Events)

(Courtesy of Peacock Feathers)

Trend: Photo Booths Revisited

Who doesn't love a photo booth?? But no longer do you need to pay over $1,000 to bring in the big bulky old-fashioned photo booths, now you can have a truly one of a kind photo booth for hundreds of dollars less. 

Several photographers that I work with and love offer photo booths with or as an add-on to their packages including:

Picotte Weddings, Inc.

Meg Perotti

Heather Kincaid

Palos Studios

These photos are from a recent inspiration shoot I did. The custom backdrop and photography was by Picotte Weddings, Inc.

On tomorrow's post you'll see where you can purchase the mustaches and lips. 

Here is a link to where you can purchase the heart pillow. I love Etsy. 

The bride's dress is an original Alina Pizzano

Boutenniere is by Peony & Plum

Hair & Makeup by Stacy Bisel

Photo Booth Sign by Calligraphy Katrina

Photo Booth & Backdrop by Picotte Weddings, Inc. 

Trend: Save the Date Videos

Save the date! 31 july 2010 from Kishi-Grover on Vimeo.

Trend: Paper Straws

Sarah K Chen Photography

This trend is one that I absolutely adore. 

Beth Helmstetter Events

I suggest to many of my couples to provide pre-ceremony drinks, or even drinks at cocktail hour in large glass dispensers for guests who don't want to wait at the bar but want to quench their thirst. 

Taryn Getting Married

This is an inexpensive and fantastic accessory to add to any beverage display.  

Chara Nicole

And they come in an array of colors, so you're sure to find one to match your color scheme.

Shop Sweet Lulu

You can purchase them at Sweet Lulu and buy them in 12 colors: Red, Orange, Fuchsia, Pink, Yellow, Green, Blue, Grey, Black, Red/Blue, Purple, & Confetti Pastel Dots "new".

Shop Sweet Lulu

A pack of 20 straws is just $4. Now you can't beat that. 

Inspiration: The New Carnation

Now, carnations are not my favorite flower in the world. They often have the conotation of "cheap" or "chincy" written all over them. However, when places together, side by side, in a grouping they can actually look quite fabulous. And because of the fact that they are a more inexpensive flower, you can still get that wow factor you're going for and stay under budget. Now that's some good news.

Here's a gorgeous centerpiece from Nancy Liu Chin.


Here are some great and bright ideas found on The Knot.

Here's a great idea from Martha Stewart...and I love the color combo of aqua and red. Stay tuned for an "Inspiration" blog post on this color combo coming soon...

Here's another spin on the pomander, found at Project Wedding.

These manzanita branches with pomanders could flank the ceremony altar or add a little focal interest to the escort card table. I wouldn't suggest these as centerpieces as they would block your view. This was found on Ashley's Bride Guide.

This amazing masterpiece was created by Beautiful Blooms and wow, what a showpiece!!!

This preppy number was found at DIY Bride.

These pomanders were created by Bouquets of Austin and found on Project Wedding.

These chic and DIY centerpieces are so basic, and there's numerous one's so your guests can take them home as gifts. Found on Brides.com, Photo by Anna Williams.

Here's a modern yet romantic take on carnations, as seen on DIY Bride.

These little gifts can be found in the pages of Brides Magazine.

Another great design from Brides Magazine. This would be great for a bridal shower, baby shower, or a little girls birthday party. So cute.

Now that's how you display escort cards. How simple and chic is this idea from The Knot?

And wow, what a cake. And who else but Martha Stewart would design such a simple and chic masterpiece?

And what a statement. This centerpiece was found at The Knot.

So next time you see carnations...don't just pass them by...get a whole bunch and see what chic ideas you can come up with.

Trend: The New Wedding Shoes

Who says your entire ensemble needs to be white just because your dress is? What better way to include your "something blue"? Or take a cue from your wedding colors and add a little sass and glamour to your white dress! I love all of these colorful wedding shoes, I hope you do to.
Top Row: Jessica Claire Photography
Second Row: Victor Sizemore Photography
Third Row: Jasmine Star Photography
Bottom Row: Drew B Photography