What's Hot in 2011 - Drink Up!

Taken from Bridal Guide January/February 2011

     The latest cocktail? The pisco sour. "It hit first in San Francisco and it's been catching on all over the place," says Elizabeth Claire of WhoaNelly! Catering in Los Angeles. This year's pick for wine? Rose, says Olivier Cheng of Olivier Cheng Catering and Events in New York City.
     Clink glasses in style with champagne saucers rather than flutes. "They're really cute," Tara says. "You can even do a pyramid of them - that old-school look is so back."
     If you like straight-up, you're in luck. Small-batch distilleries are going to be huge. "Say the couple is from Texas, you could do a tasting of small-batch vodkas from Tito's or Dripping Springs," says Tara. "Or you could do a bourbon-versus-scotch tasting. Or just pick one small-batch liquor that's really special to the couple."

Definite dont's? According to Tara: "Don't arrange platters of food on top of the bar as in a buffet. And don't have red plastic straws at the bar - they're small, but they will ruin your color scheme! Clear acrylic stirrers are so much better." Olivier has his own take on what's out. "Martini bars at weddings are definitely done and finished.

What's Hot in 2011 - How Inviting

Taken from Bridal Guide January/February 2011

In or out? Melinda Morris of Lion in the Sun, a Brooklyn, NY, paperie, has the lowdown on invitations.

• Out! Big ribbons or bows. Poufy invites have had their day.
• In! Luxurious textured papers, such as ultra-thick cotton sheets, natural rice or bamboo papers, and anything with a deckled edge. the paper surprise of the year? Wood veneers mounted on paper for the ultimate rustic look.
• Out! Magnets. They're clichéd and they're expensive.
• In! Calligraphy, and not just for the envelope. Invitations will be hand-lettered, and even slightly splattered. Invitations should look personal, almost as if you took the time to write each one yourself. 
• Out! Satin and silk moray. Instead, envelopes, the back of your invites and even bellybands get a pop of pattern. Choose two different patterns and mix them up: dotted swiss and plaid, anyone?
• In! Letterpress and laser printing. The bold color you can get from offset printing is still strong, but thermography - while always a staple - won't be used much this year.

Personalize! Melinda's pick for the top look in invitations for 2011 are hand-drawn illustrations and watercolors. Whether it's a constellation of small images that tell the story of how you met or one gorgeous illustration that captures the feeling of your day, the most coveted invitations will feature artwork created just for you. One of Melinda's favorites is an image of an elephant walking across the Brooklyn Bridge - created especially for the wedding of an Indian bride.

What's Hot in 2011 - Love In Bloom

Taken from Bridal Guide January/February 2011

     This years favorite flowers? Peonies and anemones. "And in spring, it's cherry blossoms," says florist Sarah Brysk Cohen.
     The trend toward the traditional is in full bloom. "People really want a vintage look," says Sarah. "A lot of people are thinking about a Victorian feel, very personal and bespoke."
      One way to get that classic look? Gorgeous vessels that harken back to the past; milk glass and jadite are popular. "I'm also doing vintage tin vessels," says Sarah, "like Chinese tea tins or vintage tobacco tins. And sometimes wood crates or boxes."
     Everything old is new. Sarah's using baby's breath and carnations - 'flowers my brides used to say "Oh, that's my grandmother's!' " - in new and modern ways. Carnations can be clustered to look like fluttery hydrangea, and baby's breath adds a dreamy look to centerpieces and bouquets.
     Succulents are peeking out from centerpieces. "I've been using them to provide texture and muted color," Sarah says. "We do silver, gray and muted green to go with stylish muted palettes. Conceptually, it's a mismatch to put a traditional flower with nontraditional flowers, but it works."
     Want to try vintage with a twist? Sarah picks terrariums as the alternative centerpiece of choice. "It's a bell jar or an apothecary jar with moss, maidenhair fern and maybe succulents. There may be a little scene inside, like a miniature dollhouse."