Check out what our wedding aficionado's big trend predictions are for 2012.
Melissa Perrrotti, Event Director:
End on a personal note: A special way to personalize your wedding and incorporate family tradition: bringing in personal touches, whether it be providing a treasured family chocolate chip cookie recipe for us to bake, wrap up and to offer as a take away at the end of the night or bringing in vegetables from a parent's garden to serve as a crudite display; we can help turn these family treats into something your guests will enjoy.
Different desserts: Not having a traditional wedding cake but offering a dessert bar (made to order ice cream sandwiches are a fun, interactive option) or passed sweets will get guests out of their seats.
A new spin on standard stations: instead of the basic cheese, antipasti or crudite during cocktail hour, try macaroni and cheese or a mashed potato bar with toppings and sauces for guests to mix and match. These are great examples of innovative renditions on classic tastes that people still love, but want to experience in new ways. I also love the idea of a raw bar of remix. Include the well-loved classics like shrimp cocktail, but mix it up with fried oysters, ceviches and hush puppies. How great for a casual summer affair? Or, take an antipasti bar to the next level with hand-pulled fresh mozzarella. Paired with roasted tomatoes, prosciutto, pesto, artisan breads--you'll have guests talking about the bread and cheese at your wedding for years!
Emily Reifel, CPS Events Wedding Planner at The Plaza:
DRESS: Return to Romance- Lace gowns, long gloves and long soft flowing veils are back.
DÉCOR: Out with the new and in with the old- Traditional china and gorgeous candelabras replace white square plates and untraditional centerpieces.
FOOD: Macaroons are the new mini cupcakes. They look lovely as petit fours or can be a pretty passed sweet on the dance floor!
Less is More: Instead of adding more stations, more passed hors d’oeuvres or more specialty cocktails, truly enhancing three stations by adding specialty food items or even having special wine or cocktail pairings at each station can be more impressive than having 6 stations.
MUSIC: Interactive Dance Bands- hire bands that have musicians and singers that will interact with the guests on the dance floor throughout the night!
Michael Russo, Michael Russo Events:
“Watch out simple brides, this year’s hot new trend is anything citrus. From lemon yellow, pastel pink grapefruit or my favorite tangerine!!! Don't be afraid of the bold colors, they can still be arranged with elegance!”
Harriette Rose Katz, Gourmet Advisory Services
“Love & Romance are back in 2012! We are forecasting a very busy year for brides and wedding industry professionals. Brides are looking to include everyone who is important to them on their special day and guests counts are getting higher and higher. As often as possible Brides and Grooms are including children in their ceremony and making sure they have a room with someone to take care of them during the party so that their parents are able to enjoy the celebration!