Absolutely Fabulous Weddings' 2012 Forecast

After much research, our highly anticipated 2012 Wedding Forecast is ready and I can't wait to share this information with all of you.  The newest wedding trends for the upcoming year range from the look of your wedding to the flowers to the food to the favors....everything.  Let's get started.

CATEGORY # 1:  THE LOOK
Color schemes have got back to the classics.  Right now it's the nudes - oyster greys, champagnes, nudes, pinks, pale gold and creams.  With this said, patterns are getting bolder as colors are getting softer.  Linens are heavier and more textured.

Photo credit:  weddingbycolor.com

Luxe Candelabras in any material are in, so.....out with the chunky pillar candles and in with the tapers.  If you are having your ceremony outdoors, hanging chandeliers make a wildly romantic statement.
    
Photo credits here:  stylemepretty.com


CATEGORY # 2:  THE FLOWERS
The flower of the year is the peony, which that is no surprise here but other fabulous flowers for next year are garden roses, ranunculus and frilly carnations, white mini calla lilies and of course the orchid.
  
Photo credit:  stylemepretty.com


The age of the single centerpiece is over.  2012 will be all about collections of containers, flowers and candles on one single tablescape.
  
 
Photo credit:  foreversacredevents.wordpress, elizabethannedesigns.com, scarletpetal.typepad.com

Natural is still new.  Terrariums, which are glass domed arrangements of pebbles, flowers, succulants and found objects such as birds nests and shells are seen everywhere.
  


Photo credit:  stylemepretty.com

CATEGORY #3:  DRINKS
This years three words are the perfect 3 categories to choosing your bar menu.
ARTISNAL:  Specialty drinks designed for your day are never out but the ingredients seem to be a little more intricate.  For example, ingredients like frothy egg whites, elderflower liquor, and unexpected garnishes such as candied ginger or herbs.  Signature drinks always a sophisticated edge to any reception.
      
Photo credit:  bestbeverage.com, theubpost.com, elegantcreationsevents.blogspot.com

TASTINGS:  Plan tasting station style bars.  For example one could be a tequila station and the other could be a scotch station with different selections of these types of liquors.
  
Photo credit:  destinationweddingmag.com, xiamenwave.com


CUSTOM ICE:  As you may know, the quantity and style of ice can either make or break a cocktail so offer up shaved ice, crushed ice and oversized cubes for different drink varieties.
  

Photo credit:  amountainofcrushedice.com

Wine pairings for dinner.  2012's meal isn't just about what's on your plate, it's also about what's in your glass as well.

Photo credit: robbinmontero.com

Category #4:  CAKE COUTURE
**  Cleaner lines and details and of course sugar flowers never go out of style.
    
Photo credit:  pinkcakebox.com, labellz.wordpress.com

**  Cake silhouette.  Right now, each tier is looking different.  Round tiers with a hexagon shape thrown in there or even five inch layers mixed with two inch layers are popular 2012 trends.
    
Photo credit:  cakecentral.com, thetwistedsifter.wordpress.com, cakefiction.com


Category #5:  FAVORS
When it comes to favors, if they're not edible, don't bother.  Candy tables, breakfast snacks, bagels or donuts in boxes are all sure to be a huge hit.
  
Photo credit:  Absolutely Fabulous Weddings

Happy Planning your 2012 Wedding!

Amy Lythgoe, Lead Planner and Event Designer
Absolutely Fabulous Weddings
561-577-6686
amy@fabulousplanner.com
www.fabulousplanner.com

Modern wedding invitations and stationery from The Inspired Note Invitation & Stationery Studio

YAY! More fun wedding invitations to show of from The Inspired Note Invitation and Stationery Studio!  We've gushed about them before and I can't wait to show you four more of my favorite colorful styles ranging from their save the dates to their fabulous wedding invitations.  

(As usual, just click on the picture to learn more about that particular invitation.)

The Inspired Note's colorful wedding invitations are awesome. They're pictured above in deep purple and green (my favorite) but they come in TONS of different colors.  This invite is sure to set the tone for your special day. 

This note is the perfect way to ask your very best girlfriends to share in your special day!

Besides shopping by other wedding stationery, can also shop by category. They have an entire collection of save the dates, custom bridesmaid invitation cards, photo booth cards, seating boards, welcome tags and more! The one picture above is my favorite with it's vibrant color scheme and the use of bold font and bright pink orchids. They also have photo thank you cards of which this one is one is my favorite.

Their black and white invitations would fit in so nicely with a black tie affair, these are seriously some of the coolest invitations I've seen yet.

Even if you don't have a clue what you would like as far as design concepts go, The Inspired Note Invitation & Stationery Studio will work with you and your visions to make sure the end product is just exactly right. For those of you who are a little more indecisive, they offer a service that provides mock-ups of different approaches based on what they've learned from your consultation.

Happy Planning!

Amy Lythgoe

Reception Question: Escort Cards

Q:  "How do I alphabetize the seating cards for couples who don't share the same last name?  Under his name or hers?"  

A:  I am asked this question by every single bride that I work with and I would like to set the record strait on the proper etiquette on this great planning question:  The easiest solution is to provide a card for each guest.  That would certainly eliminate any difficult decisions.  However, this would mean you'd need almost twice the display space, which could pose a problem if your guest list is large.

A more space saving option:  Use a single seating card for each twosome and follow the form you used when addressing your invitations.  If the couple live together or are married, put the woman's name before the man's (and be sure to alphabetize by her last name).  If an established couple does not share an address, however, each should get an individual card, just as they received their own invitation.  If you sent an invitation with an "and Guest" notation, simply ask for the name of the person your friend is inviting before the wedding and make sure the date gets a separate seating card.  And no, it does not matter whether you are closer to one than the other; you should be consistent in how you alphabetize your cards (which means no playing favorites).

Last, don't worry about whether your guests will have trouble figuring out which name to look under; they'll spot the trend quickly enough once they look at the display.

Wedding Program 101

While you'll need to explain all the details about your ceremony, brevity is best.  Here's what to include:
The Ceremony Itinerary
List any musical selections (with composers and performers) and poems and readings (with authors and the names of your readers) in the order in which they will take place.  Include explanations for anything that holds special meaning.

Spiritual Rituals or Traditions
A brief clarification will help guests know what is going during your vow exchange.

The Players
Name everyone participating in the ceremony, from the wedding party and users to the officiant and the parents.  Include every one's full name, their role in the wedding, and if you want, a brief explanation of their relationship to you.

Significant Quotes and Thank-Yous
It's nice to write a thank-you to both sets of parents and to the guests.  And, if there's space and you feel inspired, list a special quote or song lyric.

Remembrance
Some couples choose to pay tribute to deceased loved ones in their program either by listing names under a header, such as "We Remember With Love".  There are no specific rules about how and where in the program this should go, bu a memorial on the back page is appropriate.

A Cover (Optional)
Include your full names, wedding date and location.  if you want to save paper, include this info at the top.

* Monogram Tip - Don't put your new monogram on the program cover, your not married yet.  Just stick to first names.

Ideas For Saving Paper 
Have someone with good penmanship write ceremony details on a large chalk board, over-sized poster boards displayed on easels.
     

By:  Amy Lythgoe
Absolutely Fabulous Weddings
Photo: http://www.etsy.com/people/JessicaLamDesigns
Photo: http://boards.weddingbee.com/topic/programson-chalkboard-hmm

Your Wedding Invitations: How Many and How Much??

I am asked so many different questions with regards to wedding invitations and I wanted to pass along some information for the couples who are starting to think about how much they want to spend and how many they should order.  Before you start shopping for your wedding invites, it will help to know how much you've budgeted and how many you will be needing to order.  That will give you the price range of how much you have to spend per invite.  Here are a few tips to remember:

~ Each couple, whether married or living together will need only one invitation.

~ If you're inviting two people who are a couple but not living together, they may receive only one invitation.

~ A child over sixteen, even if still living with their family, receives a seperate invitation.  If more than one child over sixteen lives in a household, they may receive joint invitations, with the name of the eldest being listed first.

~  Don't forget to order invitations for yourself, your parents, your bridal party, and your officiant.  You'll definitely want keepsakes.

If you've allowed an invitation budget of $450, then you can spend approximately $3.75 per invitation.  Remember, the price includes envelopes and any inserts you order. 

Be prepared to take some time to research lots of different styles of invitations, there are thousands of options available.

By:  Absolutely Fabulous Weddings

Wedding Invitation:  http://www.weddingpaperdivas.com/

Floral Watercolor  Signature White Textured Wedding Invitations

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Say It Loud Stationery

Say It Loud Stationery and Invitations, Inc. specializes in stationery for all occasions! You've got to LOVE their beautiful collection of handmade and unique invitations. Ivey can be reached at: 888-954-3222 or http://www.sayitloudstationery.com/

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