| From designer touches to destination weddings, | | | | What's old is now new again! Resurging from the |
| these hot and fashionable wedding ideas will make | | | | past is wedding cuisine served family-style. Back in |
| your wedding the most talked about event of the | | | | vogue are comfort foods such as meatloaf, or tri-tip |
| year! | | | | with mashed potatoes, served on platters to guests |
| Social Vignettes | | | | seated on long tables. Reminiscent of holiday |
| Small, intimate areas that are specifically designated | | | | gatherings, this method of dinner service makes for |
| for guests to socialize at your reception, also known | | | | lively dinner conversation. Food stations are another |
| as "social vignettes," are fun and fashionable hot | | | | social food concept. These mini food arenas can be |
| spots. They are an innovative way for family | | | | demonstration or action stations, serving ethnic or |
| members to reconnect and guests to get acquainted. | | | | themed cuisine. |
| Food and/or entertainment activities, such as chic | | | | Destination Weddings |
| lounge areas with port and hand-rolled cigars; ice | | | | Continuing to grow in popularity are destination |
| cream, candy, or dessert bars; or a vintage photo | | | | weddings. Choosing an exotic or romantic setting has |
| booth, are just a few of the social vignettes that | | | | increased 400% in the last 10 years, with 16% of all |
| your guests will love! | | | | couples now planning a wedding from afar. Las |
| Designer Decor | | | | Vegas, Hawaii, and the California Wine Country top |
| Accenting your event space with fun, colorful, and | | | | the list in the U.S. Depending on the locale, and with |
| creative designer touches is a fast- growing trend. | | | | typically less guests to entertain, couples can save |
| Elaborate florals, ambient lighting, textured linens, and | | | | big money on these destination events. Imagine a |
| unique furniture all pay tribute to the couple's personal | | | | ceremony on the beach, sea shells lining the wedding |
| design. Tone-on-tone or big and bold, color is no | | | | aisle, and a barefoot bride and groom saying their |
| longer dictated by the season, with many brides | | | | I-Do's against a stunning sunset backdrop. Or what |
| choosing to decorate the site using the fall palette | | | | about a ceremony in the vineyards surrounded by |
| with hues of red, plum, orange, and yellow. The | | | | grape-laden vines, feasting on fabulous Wine Country |
| always-elegant black and white, accented with a pop | | | | cuisine, paired with award-winning wines, then |
| of red, is another color combo that never loses its | | | | followed by a weekend of wine tasting and hot air |
| allure. | | | | balloon rides! |
| Signature Weddings | | | | Green Weddings |
| Another hot wedding wave is incorporating the | | | | Green weddings are another hot and chic wedding |
| couple's personal hobbies or interests and weaving | | | | trend that won't raise global warming! Environmentally |
| them into the wedding event. For a distinctive effect, | | | | conscious couples are incorporating earth-friendly |
| wedding logos or the couple's monogram are infused | | | | touches into their special day. Selecting caterers who |
| on invitations, menus, programs, and place cards. An | | | | recycle and serve organic, fresh, and locally grown |
| even bolder and brighter statement made by couples | | | | food is an easy choice to save the planet. Other |
| is displaying their personal insignia in lights on the | | | | earth-friendly options include hybrid cars for |
| dance floor! For the bride and groom who are golf | | | | transportation; invitations, menus, and programs |
| enthusiasts, the couple could treat their bridal party | | | | made from recycled paper; giving to charitable |
| to a golf outing, construct a mini putting green at the | | | | organizations in lieu of favors; or using live plants or |
| wedding, present golf balls as guest favors, or even | | | | potted flowers as table centerpieces. |
| use a golf cart as the couple's transportation to and | | | | Use these hot wedding ideas to design a spectacular |
| from the venue. These personal, signature touches | | | | wedding event that will not only signify your personal |
| will make your wedding a one-of-a-kind event. | | | | tastes, but amaze your guests with creativity, pizazz, |
| Wedding Cuisine | | | | and style! |