2015 Wedding Trends and Ideas

Researching wedding trends for 2015 has got us beyond, BEYOND excited.  There is no doubt that 2015 is going to be a year full of gorgeous and jaw dropping weddings.  Elegance and understated sophistication will reign supreme.  Expect to see lush florals, gilded decor, and personalized touches from the bride and groom throughout the year.  One thing is for sure, brides and grooms are pulling out all the stops to ensure their guests are having a great time and that their personalities are shining through on their big day.

1) Loose, Organic Florals

 

Velvet and Twine

This unstructured approach to wedding flowers is taking the wedding industry by storm and can be seen in everything from bouquets to table decor.  The idea is to create a just picked from the garden look full of texture, foliage, berries, and romantic stems like garden roses, peonies, ranunculus, and hydrangeas.

2) Crafted Drink Stations

 

The Melideos

 

Oh Its Perfect

Crafted drink stations are all about bringing a signature drink to your wedding. N/A options like decked out water stations and lemonade and iced tea bars are always a popular choice.  Bubbly bars and craft beer stations are also gaining popularity.  These stations have the added benefit of saving you money on your bar budget.  By sticking to just a few select items instead of providing a fully stocked bar, you will save on the unnecessary extras.

3) Unexpected Menu Options and Food Trucks

 

Justin and Mary

Couples are venturing away from candy buffets or dessert bars and instead offering guests a unique twist on appetizers and menu items.  On site food trucks will be seen throughout 2015 and unique food stations such as cheese buffets, bruschetta bars, taco stations, and fruit bars will take the spotlight.

4) Framed Seating Charts

 

Style Me Pretty

Whether written on a vintage mirror or displayed within an ornate picture frame, one thing is for sure, romantic seating displays are a must have in 2015.

5) Long Sleeved Wedding Dresses

 

Mira Zwillinger via SMP

6) Watercolors

 

Grey Likes Weddings

 

Hey Wedding Lady

7) Calligraphy

 

Elizabeth Anne Designs

From painted signs and seating charts to invitations and place cards, hand written calligraphy lends a romantic, personalized and inviting touch to the small details.

8) Gold Decorations

 

Wedding Chicks

Silver is no longer the go to accent color for brides.  Golden, gilded, glittery, and rose gold wedding decorations have taken over and help add warmth to a wedding color palette pairing flawlessly with rustic wood elements and earth tones.

9) Unity Ceremony Alternatives

 

My Wedding Reception Ideas

Forget the typical unity candle ceremony, couples want a more personalized option for their unity ceremony from sand shadow boxes and love letters to wine blending ceremonies.  See 11 Wedding Unity Ceremony Ideas

10) Wreaths, Garland, and Greenery

 

Green Wedding Shoes

 

Brides

2015 will be full of organic details, greenery, and foliage.  Wreaths and garland will be seen on everything from chairbacks and table runners to archways and get away cars.

11) Family Style Seating

 

Supply Paper Co.

Some of the funnest wedding receptions are the ones served family style.  Pass the potatoes please!

12) Taper Candles

 

Style Me Pretty

13) Guest Lounge Areas

 

One Wed

Give your guests an escape from the dance floor with a cozy lounge area where they can sit back and relax for a beat.

14)  Hanging Decorations 

 

Bridal Guide

 

Style Me Pretty

Chandeliers, flowers, lanterns, string lights, and even the table centerpieces themselves are being raised to new heights with this hot trend.

DIY Winter Scene Wedding Favors

We are so excited to feature this week's DIY inspiration.  Adorable winter scene wedding favors.  So easy to put together and super cute (don't you think?).  Great for any winter wedding tablescape whether you are going for a traditional look or a more rustic look.  The best part is your guests will love displaying them in their homes afterwards.  Get the how-to below.

The Supplies

 

- Cedar Branches (or other faux branches)

- Glass Bell Jars - order here

- Antique Love Birds - order here

- Mini Pine Cones

- Fake Snow

- Scissors or Wire Cutters

- Glue Gun and Glue Sticks

- Glass Glue (not shown)

Instructions

Cut off small sections of your cedar branches (we found our craft supplies at Save-on-Crafts).  Arrange them to your liking so that some stand upright and others fan out.  Pay close attention that the cuttings fit inside your glass holder (more info on that later).  Your cuttings should begin to form the support for holding your love birds. Add a bit off hot glue between the cedar cuttings to hold the branches together.  Allow to dry.

Next, arrange your two love birds so they are nested in your cedar setting.  Once you are happy with your arrangement, glue the birds down.  Voila! Next up, fill in any holes or areas that need sprucing with your mini pine cones. Secure with hot glue.  We placed one front and center because they were too adorable to pass up.

Now...before adding your snow, make sure that your scene fits inside your holder.  Test by putting the lid on.  Trim any excess cedar branches if needed.  Once everything is to your liking, finish off your winter scene with a good sprinkling of fake snow.

For assembly, add a dab of hot glue to the bottom of your love bird setting and secure to the base of your holder.  We added extra fake snow to our holder for good measure.  Before adding the glass top, run some Loctite glass glue around the rim, so your snow scene will be forever preserved.  (This will also help guests with transporting their favors home.  Super important to consider).

The Result

 

5 Head Table Wedding Decoration Ideas

The head table is the focal point of any wedding reception.  It surrounds the bride and groom and brings emphasis to the newlyweds.  Whether you decide to stay traditional with your head table decorations or go bold with a statement piece, don't leave your head table to the last decorating decision.  This is your chance to make your wedding decorations shine.  Your head table should tie together the overall theme of your wedding and set the tone of your reception. 

1) Signage

Belle The Magazine / 100 Layer Cake / Blush

A bold statement that is trending with couples.  The use of signage as a statement piece for the head table is a simple and effective way to bring attention to the newlyweds.

2) Family Style Seating

The Knot / Elements of Style / Colin Cowie

Family style seating is the ideal way to provide an intimate atmosphere for guests to mingle and make conversation.  With a family style head table, this relaxed setup also allows the bride and groom the chance to sit next to their close family members instead of just the members of the wedding party.  Be sure and seat the members of your wedding party next to their spouses or dates to ensure everyone is comfortable and relaxed.

3) Sweetheart Table

The Knot / St George Weddings / Wedding Chicks

Take a breather from all the mingling and thank yous with this intimate set up.  Sweetheart tables are making a swift comeback at wedding receptions and give the bride and groom a chance to steal a few moments together alone.

4) Hanging Focal Points

Southern Weddings / Burnett's Boards / Mimosa Flowers / Style Me Pretty

Nothing screams romance and elegance more than hanging wedding decorations.  While it may not be in the budget to hang decorations above every reception table, using them just above the head table is a more affordable splurge.

5) Dressed up Chair Backs

Wedding Chicks / Lacie Hansen Photography / My Wedding Reception Ideas

For those sticking with a traditional head table setup, you can still set the bride and groom apart by dressing up their chairs with decorative chair backs.  This will put the focus on the newlyweds and add a personal touch to the reception decor.

21 Insanely Fun Wedding Ideas

Around here we love anything unique and unexpected.  But with weddings pouring in our inboxes day in and day out, it can be hard to get that Ah Ha moment.  What we really want to say is, Yeeees! That is so awesome! Can we have that at our make believe someday wedding, pretty pleeeease!  We scoured the web and can wholeheartedly say we have found the 21 greatest, insanely fun wedding ideas.  We think you will agree.

 

Cotton Candy Weddings

1) Display Cue Cards at Your Ceremony

 

Buzzfeed

Just plain funny.  Pros: Your guests will undoubtedly get a few laughs.  Cons: The focus may not be entirely on you and your fiance. 

2) Have an Artist Paint Your Ceremony

 

Venue Safari

Wouldn't the picture be great displayed in your home afterwards?  We also love the idea of having caricature sketches done.

 

3) Send Save the Dates that are a Little Cheeky

 

 Inspiring Pretty

4) Opt for an Anniversary Pinata instead of a Traditional Guest Book

 The Knot

How fun would this be to open on your one year anniversary?  Break open a bottle of bubbly and this pinata!

5) Instead of settling for just one angle, find your best side!

 

Huffington Post

6) Give your groom a little something to keep those feet toasty warm

 

 Buy them here

 

 7) And for the bride, a little something blue

 

Southern Weddings

Such a sentimental and personal way to commemorate your wedding day.

8) Send Your Guests Mad Lib RSVP's

Pure

9) Who says flower girls have an age limit?

 

Offbeat Bride

Get your Grandmas to toss the flower petals.  An adorable and fun way to include them in your wedding day!  Photography by  Genevieve Leiper

10) Provide entertainment for guests with nostalgic cootie catchers

 

Buy them here

11) Or display word search napkins at the bar

 

Found on The Knot.  You can also buy word search napkins here.

12) And better yet still, showcase a full size Price is Right Wheel

 

Tulle and Chantilly

13) An old mailbox makes the perfect wedding card box

 

Bridal Musings

14) Serve Your Food Family Style

 

Intimate Weddings

This method of dining is making a comeback for wedding receptions because of its wonderfully intimate feel and budget friendly price tag.

Pros: Budget Friendly, Encourages conversation and interaction among guests, Great option for pot luck style weddings or self-catering bride and grooms.

Cons: Not all caterers offer this dining style so be sure to check beforehand.

15) Instead of a photo booth, set up photo stand-ins

 

Cuts & Stitches

16) Life-Size Jenga is the perfect lawn game

 

Gimme Bar

17)  Give guests hangover helper kits filled with Gatorade, Tylenol, and coupons for McDonald's breakfast

 

Found on Etsy.  You can also buy here.

18) Have a Taco Bar at your reception. (Better yet, just have Chipotle cater your wedding)

 

Pinterest

According to their website, Chipotle can cater up to 200 people in all U.S. locations except New York.  Read more about their catering options here.  To satisfy even the pickiest eaters, we like the idea of setting up a variety of food stations and having an Around the World style menu.

19)  Pick a Side Buttons

  

By The Robinsons

20)  Have a Food Truck at Your Reception

 

Carpe Donut

21) Give your leading ladies a quirky handkerchief (Don't forget one for yourself!)

Kirsten Julia