Wedding Trends 5471 views

Puffed sleeves... garters... vol au vents: it's hard to believe that these were all cutting-edge ideas at one time. But while fashions come and go in weddings as in every other area of life, some of today's trends serve a worthwhile purpose: enhancing your big day and giving friends and family something really special to look back on. Wedding planner Bernadette Chapman of Dream Occasions lists some of her favourite current ideas from the world of weddings.

Throughout your engagement, people will have questions about your big day: the wedding venue... the time... the gift list. To preserve your sanity, why not put all this information on your own wedding website? Many companies make it easy for you to set up a site (click here to view the free templates offered by WeddingPath), and it's quick and enjoyable to add updates and photos as you go along.

I've noticed that many brides are turning their backs on simple contemporary floral arrangements and instead ordering flowers in an array of styles and colours. Choosing varying shades of the same colour gives great impact without looking mismatched.

This is one of my favourite subjects, so forgive me if I get carried away!

If your dessert is served with chocolate sauce, why not ask the caterers to add a personal touch by piping your initials on the plate?

Chocolate Fountains have been very popular wedding  fixtures recently, but many brides are now reluctant to book one for fear of ruining their dress. For a similar effect with less mess, why not try 'The Ultimate Chocolate Dipping Experience' from www.hotelchocolat.co.uk? These little trays include biscuits, marshmallows and freeze-dried fruit for dipping in melted white, milk or dark chocolate.

Chocolate dippers make a popular wedding favour, and are great to dunk in tea or coffee. You can buy these from many specialist chocolate companies.

A Picnic is a great alternative to a stand-up drinks reception if the weather's right and your venue has beautiful gardens. Lay rugs out on the grass with small picnic baskets filled with chilled Pimms or champagne, fresh fruit, cheeses and bread. The food can take the place of a starter, leaving you and your guests more time to relax outdoors.

Canapes are always popular with guests, but instead of having them served on regular trays, why not go for something unique? Emma from www.ebeventdesign.co.uk will design eye-catching bespoke canape trays to match your wedding theme or colours.

These are an increasingly popular way for guests to find their seat. Rather than poring over a table plan, each person picks up a card with their name and table number on it. The cards can be laid alphabetically on a table or pegged to a horizontal length of ribbon, 'washing-line'-style. Another possibility is to use scrolls instead of cards.

Small glasses or vases of flowers can be grouped together as a floral centrepiece, with closer inspection revealing that a small tag bearing the name of a female guest is attached to each vase.

Rather than one long buffet table, borrow the favourite American idea of food stations. Each station serves something different: fish, carved meat, pasta or dessert. If you really want to wow your guests, have drink stations too - serving anything from coffee to personalised cocktails.

One of my favourite event stylists, www.mediterraneanoccasions.co.uk, has panels of voile available to use behind the top table or anywhere in your wedding venue you wish to have a focal point. The panels have soft lighting behind them which looks incredibly dramatic at night.

To ensure your cake is a focal point, place it in a central location and really make it stand out. Not only will it look stunning; it will also be in the viewpoint of all your guests, ensuring that photo opportunities are easier to manage. Make sure that the tablecloth reaches the floor and, if possible, have some battery-operated fairy lights or glow sticks underneath for added impact.