Wedding Trends for 2007

Have you ever wondered who dictates what is in and what is not for weddings year after year? More than that, who says what should be the trends for weddings as each season arrives? There is no single answer to that question but I do know that there are professionals who make it their mission to predict what will be the trend for weddings at specific periods of time. Take for example the people at The Ritz Carlton, Buckhead in Atlanta, Georgia. Thanks to years and years of experience, they have the skill and talent of foretelling what the trends for weddings are going to be.

Their prediction for this year goes along these lines:

Seating is non-classical
“Traditional rows of chairs are disappearing from many wedding ceremonies,” said Ms. Mullican. “The newest seating is either intimate and lounge-like, such as sofas and cocktail tables, or exudes high design with beautiful Japanese-styled rectangular benches covered in dupioni silk. The fabric has an elegant luster and is available in a variety of brilliant colors.”

A cocktail reception may be held in the same location immediately following the ceremony, since guests may move easily around the informal seating. “Fill the space with hundreds of glowing candles, and the ambiance of the room is extraordinary,” said Ms. Mullican.

The wine of the year: Rosé
The most popular varietal for spring and summer weddings in 2007 is a crisp, dry Rosé. “Don’t confuse this with sweet white zinfandel,” said Ms. Mullican. “There are some excellent, well-priced rosé wines produced in Provence and California, with great versatility for pairing with the lighter menus and seafood that are so appealing in the warmer months.”

Menus are souped up
Whether butler-passed in icy shot glasses and garnished like miniature cocktails at the reception; elegantly served steaming from antique samovars into delicate espresso cups and topped with savory foam; or poured tableside from ceramic vessels into earthenware bowls, soup is the newest comfort food albeit dressed up in finery. “Classically prepared or with an unexpected twist, soup is definitely one of the year’s hottest culinary trends,” said Ms. Mullican.

Desserts are fun and familiar
Dessert bars—carved from ice, dramatically lighted and unveiled late in the evening–brim with miniature cupcakes and crème brûlées in wonderful varieties of flavors; hand dipped chocolate covered “Oreo-styled” cookies; perfectly melted and toasted s’mores; richly-colored fresh berries and tiny sweet cones filled with passion fruit sorbet. “The trend for ‘finger food’ desserts is strong because guests stroll around the room and sample several desserts in a more informal manner,” said Ms. Mullican. “We recommend warm citrus scented Oshibori hand towels are within easy reach.”

Personalized turndown service
“More wedding guests ‘take the elevator home’ and treat themselves to an evening in the hotel,” said Ms. Mullican. “A special wish from the bridal couple placed in the guestroom is a wonderful, personalized touch.” A small card printed with a heartfelt message from the bridal couple, tied with a sprig of lavender, is the perfect touch on crisp white bed linens. Add homemade chocolate chip cookies and a pitcher of ice cold milk for a delightful way to say ‘thank you and sweet dreams’ to everyone sharing the couple’s special celebration that evening.

In short, they are saying that weddings this year are going to be far from traditional. The question is, are you going to go with the trend or not?

The Meanings of Wedding Flowers

Some people have their favorites when it comes to flowers. With these people, choosing the flowers for their wedding ceremony is an easy task – they already know what they want. But how about those who do not favor any flower in particular? How can they choose what flowers to use during the ceremony? One consideration would be the availability of flowers at a certain season. This is something that we talked about in the last post. Another way for you to pick up some ideas on what flowers to use for your wedding would be to know the symbolisms related to certain flowers. Not everybody is aware that certain flowers represent an idea or virtue. So read on and find out what flowers mean.

Acacia Friendship
Acacia, yellow Secret love
Almond (flowering) Hope
Alyssum (sweet) Beauty
Amaranth (globe) Unfading love
Amaryllis Pride, Beauty
Anemone Forsaken
Aster Afterthought

Bachelor’s Button Celibacy
Beech Prosperity
Bell Flowers Gratitude
Birch Meekness

Cactus Warmth
Calla Beauty
Camelia, Red Excellence
Camelia, White Loveliness
Carnation, Red For my poor heart
Cedar Strength
Chrysanthemum,Red I love you
Chrysanthemum, White Truth
Clover Be mine
Coreopsis Always cheerful
Corn Richness
Crocus Youthful gladness

Daffodil Regard
Dahlia Instability
Daisy Innocence

Fennel Worthy of praise
Fern Fascination
Forget me not True Love
French Honeysuckle Rustic Beauty
French Marigold Jealousy
French Willow Bravery

Geranium Melancholy
Geranium, Ivy Bridal Favor
Grapes Abundance
Golden Rod Precaution

Hawthorn Hope
Heliotrope Faithfulness
Hibiscus Delicate beauty
Holly Foresight
Hollyhock Ambition
Honeysuckle Devoted affection
Hyacinth Sport, Game
Hyssop Cleanliness

Iris Message
Ivy Fidelity, Marriage

Jasmine Amiability
Jasmine (yellow) Grace and Elegance
Juniper Protection

Lantana Rigour
Larkspur Lightness
Laurel Glory
Lemon Blossoms Fidelity
Lilac, Purple First Love
Lilac, White Lily, Day Coquetry
Lily, Imperial Majesty
Lily, White Purity. Sweetness
Lily, Yellow Gaiety
Lily of the Valley Return of Happiness
Lotus Eloquence
Lotus Flower Estranged Love
Love in Mist Perplexity
Lupine Imagination

Magnolia Love of Nature
Maple Reserve
Marjoram Blushes
Mint Virtue
Morning Glory Affectation
Myrtle Love
Narcissus Egotism
Nasturtium Patriotism

Oak leaves Bravery
Oleander Beware
Orange Blossoms Purity = loveliness

Palm Victory
Pansy Thoughts
Peach Blossoms I am your captive.
Pear Affection
Pear Tree Comfort
Periwinkle, Blue Early friendship
Periwinkle, White Pleasures of Memory
Phlox Unanimity
Poppy, Red Consolation
Primrose Early Youth

Ranunculus You are radiant with charms
Rose Love
Rose, bridal Happy love
Rose, Bergundy Unconscious Beauty
Rose, Multiflora Grace
Rose, Single Simplicity
Rose, White I am worthy of you.
Rose, Yellow Decrease of Love
Rose, White/Red Unity
Rosebud, red Pure and lovely
Rosebud, White Girlhood

Sage Domestic Virtue
Snapdragon Presumption
Snowdrop Hope
Sorrel Affection
Star of Bethlehem Purity
Stock Lasting Beauty
Sunflower Adoration
Sweet Basil Good Wishes
Sweet Pea Delicate Pleasure
Sycamore Curiosity

Thistle Austerity
Thyme Activity
Trumpet Flower Fame
Tuberose Dangerous Pleasure
Tulip, Red Declaration of Love
Tulip, Variegated Beautiful Eyes
Turnip Charity

Veronica Fidelity
Vine Intoxication
Violet, Blue Faithfulness
Violet, Yellow Happiness

Walnut Intellect
Water Lily Purity of Heart
Willow, Creeping Love Forsaken
Willow, Water Freedom

Hopefully this list will be able to help you decide on the flowers you want to use for your wedding ceremony.