Engagement Ring Trends That Make it Hard to Say No This Holiday

article courtesy of Simply Perfect by Melissa

The hottest trends in engagement rings just in time for engagement season

The holidays boast the highest amount of proposals and engagements compared to any other time of the year. With that in mind, wedding expert Melissa Philips, has put together a list of the hottest engagement ring styles this season.

Melissa's Top Trends in Engagement Rings:

1. 1/2 Carat Blue & White Diamond 14K White Gold Engagement Ring $735
2. 4 Carat Sapphire and Diamond Engagement Ring 14K White Gold $675
3. 1 1/4 Carat Black Diamond 14K White Gold Engagement Ring with Black Rhodium $595
4. 1/2 Carat Pink and White Diamond 14K White Gold Engagement Ring $795

Colored Stones: People are starting to veer away from traditional diamond rings. Colored jewels and gems like ruby, sapphire and emeralds are very popular this season.

Vintage & Antique: Classic styles like princess and halo cuts are timeless. These will always be in style and are in demand this holiday.

Colored Diamonds: Yellow and pink diamonds are becoming extremely popular. Many celebrities and trendsetters have made these types of rings trendy this holiday.

Platinum: Platinum is making a comeback this season. Many people are choosing platinum over white gold despite the higher maintenance that come with it.

Bling in the Band: For those who need a supporting cast for their colored stones, vintage diamonds and colored diamonds, the option of adding stones to the band has really taken off this season as well.

About Simply Perfect: Simply Perfect by Melissa works for and with their customers to deliver exceptional event coordination solutions. The customer focus helps them to understand and deliver your event vision. They offer exceptional service, value, extensive industry knowledge, and quality vendor relationships to create your Simply Perfect event. Their relationships with clients, colleagues, and partners are based on collaboration, communication and integrity. The services Simply Perfect by Melissa offers is a range from complete wedding planning months prior to your wedding day to sudden problems or challenges that occur the day of your wedding.  For more information on Simply Perfect by Melissa visit .

Wedding Gown Trends as the weather is changing

article courtesy of 1-800-Registry

As the weather is changing, so is the "traditional" wedding dress.

In the wedding world, the next few months, from now to Valentine’s Day, are known as “engagement season” so 1-800-Registry, the first full-service wedding advisory for brides and grooms for weddings, honeymoons and now home buying, has compiled a list of the top dress requests they are seeing from their brides.  1-800-Registry’s all-encompassing, personal concierge service has helped hundreds of bride’s choose dress vendors based on their dream dress specifications, making them an expert in the trends field.   

Below are three of the top bridal requests:

Princess Inspired – Though the Royal Wedding was over six months ago, Kate Middleton’s gown is still a top reference for the bride who wants to look like a princess on her big day. Detailed lace from head to toe and a modest neck line is what makes the princess inspired dress so beautiful and classic.

From Wedding Inspirasi - Rosa Clara 2012 advance collection | Aire Barcelona 2010 collection

Unique Colors – The new season of wedding dresses is taking a step toward the modern with new, unique color choices like rose, light peach and now black, thanks to Vera Wang who debuted the new color in her 2012 runway show.

From Wedding Inspirasi - Cotin Sposa 2011 collection | pink ball gown with straps

Multiple Dresses – Many brides are now purchasing additional dresses for their big day. This allows a bride to choose different styles without having to settle on one look from ceremony to reception.

Embellished Belts – If a bold, unique color dress isn’t your dream, a beautifully embellished belt may offer the perfect blend of traditional and modern. Belts this season are vintage inspired, wide and covered in sparkling gems and gorgeous pearls.

From Emici Bridal - a Triple Hera Gemstone Beaded Feathered Chiffon Flower Sash in White or Ivory

-------------------------

About 1-800-Registry:
1-800-Registry is the leader in wedding, honeymoon and registry services and makes it simple for couples to plan their weddings, honeymoons, and important aspects of their future together. The company offers an innovative Reward Dollars program for using select vendors, which can easily add up to thousands of dollars for the couple. In addition to live concierge help available daily, their easy-to-navigate website provides online tools to help couples identify the best options for their wedding and coordinate all the details including florists, photographers, venues, caterers and more. 1-800-Registry also allows for couples to plan the perfect honeymoon or destination wedding, and even finance a dream home with their Reward Dollars. Every vendor on 1-800-Registry is a Bride-Certified Wedding Vendor that has gone through an extensive reference check, ensuring top quality for a bride’s most special day. For information, call 1-800-843-5668 or visit www.1800registry.com.

Bouquet Trends To Make Every Wedding Special

article courtesy of 1-800-Registry

Now that wedding season is in full bloom, here are some bridal bouquet trends from wedding expert Linda Williams, Vice President Marketing, Wedding Services at 1-800-Registry {the first full-service wedding advisory for brides and grooms for weddings and honeymoons}.

Below is a list provided by Linda Williams on some of the latest bridal bouquet trends for the fall wedding season:

One Large Bloom – This season brides are walking down the aisle with bouquets that make a dramatic and elegant statement.  By using only one large bloom, such as peonies or dinner plate dahlias, and minimal green, brides succeed as well as being cost effective, since there’s minimal floral.

Left: Petal and Print {photo by Flutterglass Photography} | Right: Martha Stewart Weddings

One Flower En Masse – This season, as opposed to mixing and matching different floral pieces for bouquets, brides are using one flower grouped together. For example, a bouquet solely of pink roses is both gorgeous as well as being a great statement piece alongside a simple, white gown. In this case, brides are taking the “simple is more” approach.

Click to read more ...

Hot Trends for Fall Weddings

Article Courtesy of Susanna from K.i.s.s. Wedding Ideas

Fabulous fall is upon us, and it's time to fall in love… with all the great new styles, shades and decorations we’re seeing at fall weddings! This season, forget the typical tired old fall fashions – it’s all about hot colors and even hotter ideas. The weather might be cooling off, but the mercury on our trend-ometer is going through the roof!

Fall Wedding Colors
Cool turquoise and sunny yellow might have been the hot choices for summer, but I’m guessing we’re going to see a move towards a much richer palette of jewel tones this season. Think luscious emerald, glittering garnet and rich, romantic ruby. Think dark and delicious and hot, hot, hot!

Fall Themes
Vintage is the catchphrase this season… I’m imagining the Mad Men era, with its elegance and classic charm. Can’t you just picture it? Cigars, whisky bars and sultry tunes – what could be classier? I’d give the bridal party a real 50s look, have some gorgeous pics taken in a classic car, and use real vintage pieces sourced from antique shops or flea markets to create centerpieces and favors. Click here for more fabulous wedding reception decoration ideas.

Food for Thought
Foodies are the new yuppies, I reckon, so you really can’t cut corners on your fall wedding menu. I think there’s going to be an emphasis on seasonal fare and dishes created out of typical fall foods – pumpkin, squash, nuts, apples, and so on. That goes for serving too! I love innovative ways of dishing up each course, and what could be cuter than pumpkin soup in mini hollowed-out pumpkins?

Shabby Chic Centerpieces
Forget perfectly coifed centerpieces – they’re so 2010. Instead, I’m envisioning a move towards a really unique look, a kind of mix-and-match of vases, glass jars and other eclectic finds. The look is funky and unusual and definitely not run-of-the-mill. Best of all? It’s cheaper, and easier. Remember ladies – keep it simple and special. You can’t go wrong.

The great thing about a fall wedding is that you can move away from conventional flowers and really get creative with pumpkins, candles, squashes, sheaves of wheat, nuts and leaves. Looking for inspiration? You’ll find some great fall wedding centerpieces here…

Bridal Looks
Just as vintage style dresses are making a comeback, so too are retro hairstyles and accessories. No more too-tight chignons ladies – the look for fall is long, loose and curly. If you're set on an up-do, make it a simple one… a loose bun with a few curls pulled out is perfect. And who says you need a full-on long veil? I'm anticipating a lot more brides are going to go for chic Art Deco hairpieces, with feathers and pearls and crystals. Classy and contemporary – what’s not to love??

K.i.s.s Wedding Ideas, created by Susanna, is full of inspiration and tips to help you keep it simple and special for perfect weddings on any budget.

Autumn Wedding Trends Not To Be Missed

article courtesy of Simply Perfect by Melissa

Brides will Fall For These Seasonal Must-Dos

Gone are pink carnations, strappy sandals and outdoor weddings and back are cozy, warm colors and foods to give weddings that perfect seasonal touch. Expert Wedding Planner Melissa Phillips of Simply Perfect by Melissa is giving us the latest and greatest of Fall Wedding Trends to look out for:

Pies: Pies are taking over the wedding cake or cupcake trend. Dessert tables will display different seasonal pies for guests to satisfy their sweet tooth.

photo from Jeanne Oliver Designs

Navy + Charcoal: Navy is the new brown and charcoal is the new black. These deep colors will be seen in bridesmaid dresses and wedding color themes alike.  

Metallics: Metallics are taking over accents. Coppers will be seen in shoes, small accents in decorations and more. These accent colors will really tie in with the navy and charcoal.

Soups: People always feel like the first course needs to be a salad, but salads are going by the wayside to make room for seasonal soups. People will also use unique bowls like a mini squash or an apple hollowed out to serve a hearty fall soup in. Many can also opt to serve a smaller soup to accompany a smaller salad.

photo from Food Network

Sleeves: Wedding dresses are going to leave the trend of strapless and spaghetti straps to show more sleeves. Bolero Jackets will also be added to dresses to give off a warmer fall look with a wedding dress. This is a trend we are seeing based on the Royal Wedding this past summer.

photos from bhldn | handmade by fasOla

About Simply Perfect: Simply Perfect by Melissa works for and with their customers to deliver exceptional event coordination solutions. The customer focus helps them to understand and deliver your event vision. They offer exceptional service, value, extensive industry knowledge, and quality vendor relationships to create your Simply Perfect event. Their relationships with clients, colleagues, and partners are based on collaboration, communication and integrity. The services Simply Perfect by Melissa offers is a range from complete wedding planning months prior to your wedding day to sudden problems or challenges that occur the day of your wedding.  For more information on Simply Perfect by Melissa visit www.simplyperfectbymelissa.com.