Weddings in 2014: Crop-Top Dresses, Instagram Bans, and Parties That Never End
The '90s are baaaack: No, weddings won't resemble a night at "The Peach Pit After Dark," but the 1990s are making a comeback — En Vogue songs on the dance floor, hired break dancing troupes, temporary grunge tattoos as party favors. And this fashion surprise: "Two-piece crop-top wedding gowns will be big," Anja Winikka, site director of theknot.com, tells Yahoo Shine. "Showing a peek of skin can be chic, as long as you have a short torso." Or, opt for a gown with cutout or sheer panels.
Woodland weddings: Never heard of a "Woodland wedding?" Google "Sean Parker" and you'll get the idea. When the Facebook former president got married in June, he threw a multi-million dollar"Lord of the Rings" themed wedding ceremony in Big Sur, Calif., complete with custom-made bridges, an artificial pond, a ruined stone castle, and live bunnies. "Obviously, the average couple won't go so lavish, however, this wedding absolutely kicked off the nature bridal trend," says Winikka. "This year, we'll continue to see dreamy, ethereal, and mystical ceremonies with lots of lush greenery, lace, and floral. " How to exude a fairytale vibe without inflating your budget: Wrap votive candles in birchwood bark, stamp programs and escort cards with woodland animal prints, or use faux-fur table runners (long, thin placemats that run the length of the table) to add texture to your dining room.
Social media bans: "There's been a backlash lately over people overdoing social media at weddings," says Winikka. "Many brides have reported feeling disappointed to look out into a sea of guests who all had their heads down, tweeting and Instagramming." Many couples also want to monitor which photos get posted (no unflattering shots, please!) and post their own favorites later. "There's also this feeling of, 'Hey, we hired a photographer. Relax and enjoy our wedding,'" says Winikka. Some tips for keeping your day insular: "Don't ask the doorman to have people turn off their phones at the door or include a note on your invitations — that might seem aggressive," says Winikka. "It's better to post a polite message on your wedding website or the ceremony programs because that's when people are most likely to reach for their phones."
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Super-charged weddings: "For every couple that wants their privacy, there's another that's itching to broadcast their day," says Winikka. "We call these 'Super charged weddings' because the day is designed to be sharable." To that end, some couples will include a hashtag on their invitations for guests to use when uploading photos (i.e.: #MikeandMelissaWedding") or install cell phone charging stations at tables or behind the bar. "We're also going to see a lot more live-streamed weddings so loved ones abroad can tune in and Tweet buttons installed in photo booths," says Winikka.
The never-ending nuptials: The popularity of destination weddings has given way to the notion of the 24/7 events. "We're going to see more action-packed long wedding weekends," says Winikka. "It makes sense — if guests flew in, you'll want to keep them entertained for as long as possible, be it with a party that ends at 6:00 a.m. or non-stop activities." Give your guests an out, so they don't feel obligated to participate in every organized hike and brunch. "This is important for older folks who may not have the energy to keep up," says Winikka. "You may also want to group all the traditional elements of the ceremony together so no one feels like they're missing out, if they skip an extracurricular activity." And don't forget to arrange for transportation.
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Blingy necklines: Although jewelry will never go out of style, this year is all about the jeweled neckline. "This type of neckline can replace a necklace altogether," says Winikka. "For brides that want a simple dress but don't want to be boring, a beaded or rhinestone neckline makes your look more eye-catching." One tip: Wearing an up-do or your hair pulled back will accentuate the glitter.
Hello, bright colors! "For the past few years, we've seen a rise in muted tones like ivory, blushes, and gold," says Winikka. "The look was very 'Gone With the Wind.'" Now, color is back in a big way, with inspiration boards boasting bold pops of fuchsia, saturated tangerine, and deep indigo. The key to pulling off color is to avoid going overboard. "Don't pick the entire rainbow," she says. "Choose one muted tone and pair it with one bright color as an accent." Example: Gold and poppy red. And be selective about where you use it: Brighten your tables with Kelly-green napkins or border your invites in cobalt blue.
Explosive flowers: "Flowers are wedding staples, but this year, they're getting bigger and more elaborate," says Winikka. "Think overflowing, cascading arrangements that spill over onto the dance floor and ceremony arches or bouquets with long trains." Florists are increasingly being tasked with serving up wild and unpolished arrangements, even instructed to build flower walls. "A good place to feature flowers is right at the entrance," says Winikka. "People are expecting to be impressed when they walk in and have a tendency to survey their surroundings more in the beginning of the evening."
Dramatic photo booths: Long gone are the days when two people crammed into a booth, made funny faces, and received a simple black-and-white strip of images. This year is all about the slow-mo photo booth. "Guests will start entering booths with videographers inside who will direct their photo sessions," says Winikka. "They'll be handed props like hula-hoops or confetti and be asked to perform for the camera." The session will be edited into a slow-mo mini-movie trailer and projected onto the dance floor. Fun!
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