This article first appeared in the February 7, 2018 issue of The Independent Newspaper
Are you heading down the aisle with your true love this year? I asked bridal experts what the trends are for 2018, from dresses to décor.
In dresses, bridal designers are trading old traditions for something new, according to bridal industry experts Brides and The Knot, which reported from the Fall 2018 Bridal Fashion Week. Some highlights: capes or “capelets” are in, as are pale blue, big bows, higher necklines, and shorter hemlines.
In a bridal wardrobe twist, black is the new white, with designers such as Reem Acra, Kelly Faetanini and Vera Wang showcasing black detail to all black in their dresses. For bridesmaids, the one-color-fits all is passé say experts, and parties are steering more towards mix and match.
For the groom, midnight blue is the new black for tuxedos.
Blue is also showing up in bridal floral arrangements as well, said Laura Petrocelli, CEO of Couture Concepts Inc., a luxury event planning and design company. “I love the Dusty Blue trend; [it gives] the perfect touch of color to a classic all white or blush palette. Couples are not afraid to use and mix multiple bold colors anymore,” she said. Greenery has become the base for many floral arrangements, and organic-style low and lush centerpieces are popular for the reception table, Petrocelli added.
As far as venues are concerned, her clients are moving away from the traditional banquet hall style and craving the flexibility of an indoor/outdoor space. “A tented wedding on an estate on the water gives you the best of both worlds,” she said. “Lucky for us, these types of venues exist right here on the North Fork and in the Hamptons.” Many couples are also saying their vows outside of a church, and writing their own vows, she said.
Jason Bencivenga, owner of Decco and Party Up Productions Inc. a full-service production and DJ company said for wedding receptions, “Rustic is going strong but our brides seem to be adding glam into that.” While he said barns remain on trend, industrial spaces are growing in popularity: “It’s shabby chic.”
Wedding couples today are largely of the Millennial generation, and the bride of 2018 is Instagram and Pinterest oriented when it comes to describing her vision for her wedding, say experts. This love for social media can also be incorporated in other ways. For example, Party Up’s Vogue Booth allows clients to set up an Instagram booth.
For some couples, the best part comes when the heels are off and the tuxedos are on the hanger: the honeymoon. The average budget for the great escape is $8000 to $10,000 said Laura Hanaford, president and CEO of The Trip Trotter, a travel agency part of Tzell Travel Group. However, many couples aren’t setting out on the honeymoon directly after the wedding.
“I’m working with more and more couples who are prolonging their honeymoon for work or financial reasons, or to take advantage of better weather in the destination that they’d like to travel to. Couples feel like they are able to take more time off for their honeymoon than a usual trip and want to take advantage of that,” she said.
The top destination for 2018 for couples booking with The Trip Trotter? Asia. She is already booking clients primarily to Thailand and Bali, Hanaford revealed.
Info and links:
Couture Concepts: 631-239-5142
Party Up Productions: 631-988-9579
The Trip Trotter: thetriptrotter@tzell.com