Wedding Reception Cocktail Tables

Cocktail tables are becoming increasingly popular at receptions.  And why not?  They allow a place for guests to set drinks and food, socialize, but they don't take up as much room as the traditional table and chairs.   Lacey at Details Rental in Bryan/College Station, TX, posted some great ideas for decorating cocktail tables on her blog. Check them out!

The End of the Vintage Wedding Trend

It seems that the wedding trend these days is for brides to have something at their wedding that none of the their guests have seen before. One of these latest trends is having a vintage wedding. According to the Huffington Post (not necessarily the experts on wedding trends ) this movement is now coming to an end. It seems as though it just begun! It just goes to show that it is difficult to completely follow what's fashionable in your wedding, especially when you plan a year or two in advance. What may be trendy when you begin the planning of your wedding, may be completely out of style by the time your big day arrives. Also, that one of a kind event that you plan, such as an ice cream sundae bar, may have become a trend by the time your day arrives and it may not be the first time your guests have experienced it. So, plan your nuptials according to your tastes and preferences. Don't let society dictate what transpires at your wedding. I think when you can let go of those expectations, then your wedding truly will be a one of a kind event.

Erin Joyner

Wedding planner and coordinator, College Station/Bryan, TX

Father-Daughter Dance

Many Dads feel self-conscience about the first dance at the reception. They are insecure about their dancing skills. If your Dad falls into that category, show him this video!

Would LOVE to see one of these in College Station at a wedding I am coordinating!

Wedding Gown Trends

Floor length, tea length? Long train, short train? Sleeves or sleeveless? Satin or Silk? White, off white, pink, purple? A-line, mermaid, flared? I'm a bit of an addict when it comes to viewing wedding dresses on line as well as in the bridal magazines at the supermarket. Let's face it. No matter who you are or what your style is, everyone has to admit that wedding dresses are just beautiful! Fads and trends come and go and come back again. Designers continually look for ways to bring that "wow" factor to their line so that brides everywhere will desire his/her gowns over the others. Some brides are searching for a unique style while others wear their mom, aunt or grandmother's dress. I could write about this season's latest trends, which I think are beautiful. However, what came to my mind while thinking about this post is how amazed I am every time I coordinate a wedding at how utterly gorgeous every bride is on her wedding day. It doesn't seem to matter that she is wearing today's style or a trend that some might consider outdated (if there really is an outdated wedding dress style). It's her day, and the dress she chose looks absolutely amazing on her. It's always the perfect style, the ideal color, the most sublime material and the most splendid hair for that bride. It's as if all women have an innate ability to choose the gown that most closely resembles her inner beauty, regardless of the current trends. This is still another aspect of weddings that I love; getting to see the style and preferences of my clients shine through on their special day.

Erin Joyner, WonderfullyWed, College Station coordinator

Vintage Weddings

Vintage Weddings is one of the latest wedding trends. Brides are encouraged to bring back some old fashioned flair for their ceremony. There are several ways to do this: pictures of your grandparents' weddings, birdcage veils for bridesmaids, tea stained invitations, mimicking your dress' lace on your cake. I love these ideas and adore the idea of older fashions making a come back in modern weddings.

The other night, my family was watching "The Sound of Music" and I was

thinking about this classic fad when Georg and Maria tied the knot. Maria's veil was longer than her dress, which is a style I haven't seen in several years. (one of my best friends had this type of veil for her wedding which took place in 1996.) This trend as well as the elogted trains like Princess Diana are two of the most elegant styles in my opinion. I know today's styles are no veil and mermaid style dresses, but I am hopeful that the extended trains and veils will make a comeback soon.

WonderfullyWed, your College Station and Bryan Wedding planner

Cocktail Hour

I love the new trend of having a cocktail hour prior to your reception. I've always been a fan of feeding your guests while they are waiting for you to take your "after ceremony" pictures. At my wedding, we allowed guests to eat while they waited for us and I have had many brides who have a fruit and cheese spread or some other appetizers for guests. It's just nice to let them eat and I think they leave with a better impression of your wedding day. The cocktail hour takes it to a whole new level. I love the idea. You can do so much with that time! The cocktail hour allows you to create a whole new decor (that fits with the overall feel of your ceremony and reception). You could create a theme within the theme of your wedding. What about a tropical getaway? An elegant ballroom? Music and decorations that fit a specific decade? You definitely need bistro tables, no matter what the theme. You could use the cocktail hour as a way to provide different types of food for your guests or just have all your favorite foods served. Guests could get food from a buffet, or be served by wait staff carrying trays for a more elegant feel. The possibilities are endless. Your guests will enjoy themselves, and you can relax and flash that beautiful smile with your husband for those pictures that will last a lifetime.

WonderfullyWed, your College Station and Bryan wedding coordinator

SNOW!

As we are hunkering down at our house, preparing for a few inches of snow, I was reminded of the movie "Father of the Bride". I love that movie! If you remember, the Banks f
amily had ordered swans and tulips for the big event that was to take place at their home. The day of the wedding, it snowed, for the first time in over 20 years! So, the coordinator, Franck, and his people were outside with blow dryers trying to defrost the tulips, and the swans had to be moved from the outside so they wouldn't freeze to death. I started thinking about all the brides and grooms who planned for a wedding this weekend in Bryan/College Station, TX. I doubt they planned on the weather being warm, although in Texas, you never know! But were they planning on SNOW? I doubt it. The meteorologists are anticipating that the snow will melt by tomorrow afternoon, so I'm sure all weddings will go off without a hitch. And hopefully, it will make a fabulous story for their kids and grandkids, just like the tale in "Father of the Bride". I may need to watch that movie again. It's one of my favorites!

Erin Joyner, Wedding Consultant, Bryan/College Station, TX