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Wedding Trends that went out in 2016

When you plan your wedding details, one aspect to consider is whether it will always seem appealing, or will quickly look dated. There are many trends that often feel outdated in just a few years. Then, there are also others that endure the test of time and end up being classics. These trends are those that have such a strong impact, that they are not easily forgotten nor replaced by new entrees into the scene.

While some of the trends we’ve seen in 2015 and 16 are still going strong, we can see some others fading out gradually. Over the course of this article, we will look at the trends that are no longer as popular as they were when they were first introduced. So, here they are.

Mason Jars

mason jar

Although mason jars continue to be the choice of many brides for serving party favors ranging from preserves to bath scrub, there is a general feeling that it is overused. As a result, guests no longer view this accessory as interesting, and it has definitely lost the appeal it once had. So, if you are considering mason jars for your wedding, it may be a good idea to rethink this option. You can always keep the drama alive by using different containers in various sizes, thus moving away from the monotony of using the same old mason jar everywhere. If you must have glass, you can also consider different finishes such as frosted glass containers, crystal ware or ones with decorative work to add an interesting twist.

Seated dinners

dinner

Although traditional style five-course dinners continue to be seen at traditional weddings, more and more couples are opting for the casual, laid-back and easier buffet meals instead. With the growing popularity of casual and fun wedding themes, this gives couples a better alternative to provide wholesome and interesting dishes with minimum wastage. It also allows them to stick to a smaller budget and still serve interesting fare. Strolling food stations are considered more interesting and allow people the opportunity to walk around and indulge in conversation, thus reducing the formality of the occasion and making it more friendly. This also allows the couple to order less food, as the food isn’t placed at every table and they can safely assume that not everyone will want to try all the dishes. It thus gives them more flexibility in determining the appropriate serving sizes for each item on the menu.

Candy Buffets

candy buffet

First it was the chocolate fountain that came with a bang, and then went out without a trace. Candy buffets are next on this list. What began as a huge trend in 2012, continued to find favor with couples tying the knot in 2013 and 14. Since it’s popularity has dwindled considerably, as it is making fewer appearances nowadays. If you are very fond of this idea, you may like to consider a miniature version of it for your younger guests. Forego it for the older guests, as it needn’t be such a great hit. The more interesting choice would be to opt for a dessert buffet in place of the extensively sweetened candy treats arranged in clear glass bottles. Rather than set one up and spend a huge amount on it, you can pack away a select few candy choices for your party guests in mint tins or personalized favor boxes.

Photo booths

photo-booth-748515_1280

While a classic wedding backdrop is a timeless favorite, the photo booths set up with a range of thrift store finds and props are definitely moving out of the wedding scene. It has been overdone and whatever the theme, dressing up with fake props like glittering sun glasses and feathery stoles, and posing for silly pictures is no longer enjoyed by wedding guests. So, if you have a photo booth on your list of wedding décor accessories, it may be a good idea to cross it out. Or else, at least choose a theme-appropriate design that will do double duty as a beautiful background for your wedding setting.

Chalkboards

chalkboard

Once upon a time, chalkboards were here, there and everywhere you looked. It was almost as though chalkboard was synonymous with anything even remotely rustic. Everything from the wedding menu, to seating arrangements, place cards and even direction signs were all done in chalkboard. What initially entered the wedding scene as an interesting and versatile display element ended up overpowering the rustic scene and becoming too common and no longer interesting. Luckily, that trend has ended as chalkboards are sparingly used today. So, don’t include it in your wedding, unless absolutely necessary. It is better off forming the base for your kitchen pantry list or as the menu sign a cafe. Instead, turn to the classic favorites like printed signs and banners and these will never go out of fashion.

Long veils

veil

A veil may be traditional fare and an easy shortcut to making most dresses fit into classic wedding themes. Nevertheless, the length of the veil has consistently reduced to no longer than arm-length over the years. Bird cage veils are occasionally spotted by brides still going with the vintage wedding themes. Short and sheer veils are also common-place enough. But the royal-length veil and veils that end at the knee or beyond are hardly chosen at all. Many brides even forego the veil entirely, and decorate their hair with pretty headpieces and accessories instead. This allows them to show off the stunning back details of their carefully chosen wedding dress, and may also be more practical and comfortable in an outdoor wedding.

Burlap

burlap table runner

Another close contender of the chalkboard, the burlap was once a must-have at any rustic wedding. It adorned everything from tables, buntings and aisles to bouquets and wedding favor bags. It was so popular, that everyone started associating vintage wedding themes with burlap. And this is probably one of the reasons why it became boring. You should also remember that it is not an element that can just be added anywhere. Distinct in color and with powerful texture, burlap is easily noticeable and cannot be overlooked when added to your wedding scene. Couples always want to incorporate an element of surprise into their weddings, and burlap is anything but unexpected. So, it is no wonder that it is slowly being replaced by newer and more interesting versions in fabric. Now, if you have a shabby chic wedding in mind, you can still execute it to perfection sans the burlap. Turn to distressed wood and lace instead, as these are elements that have stood the test of time.

Bridesmaids in matching dresses

Bold and brave brides set the scene as they deviated from the matching-matching bridesmaid trend, early this decade. This has now taken the bridal fashion world by storm as fewer brides choose the same dress for all their bridesmaids. Accepting the individuality and personal style of each of the girls who stand beside them when they say “I do,” brides now prefer the mix and match style to entirely matching bridesmaid dresses. Expect to see them continue and brides come up with more innovative ideas to choose dress combinations that work together in tandem. The current trend is to choose colors from the same palette or dresses with different features but in the same color. Color block variations of a certain pattern are also a trending favorite.

Pastels   Bridesmaids 6

Image Credits: outreachr.com, via Flickr, CC BY 2.0

There was a time when soft, pretty pastels were the go-to choice for wedding color palettes. It continues to be pleasant, refreshing and definitely spring-time, but it is less favored now. Brides today prefer to choose bolder and more obvious colors for their wedding color palette. With the focus on deeper colors that have a stronger personality, pastels are less popular compared to the time every wedding had a pastel touch to it. If you have your mind set on colors that belong to this spectrum, it is a better idea to limit yourself to one or two colors, and mix it up with bolder hues or neutrals that will not look dated when you go through your wedding album ten years from now.

Long-sleeves

Long-sleeve bridal dresses were in demand in the years following Kate Middleton’s wedding. The interest in this fashion feature continued for a few consecutive years, but now brides are stepping away from it. After the off-the-shoulder style and single strap style that were popular in 2014 and 15, brides are again embracing strapless and sleeveless styles like before. The illusion sleeve however still finds favor with many brides as it is one that camouflages many flaws and enhances the best features of many a bride. Whimsical fluttery sleeves and cap sleeve gowns also are popular choices with brides who wish to cover their neck and shoulders but don’t want to entirely cover up their arms in full-length sleeves.

Towering wedding cakes

There was a time when having a tall and towering wedding cake was compulsory. Intricately designed and taking the theme to the extreme, these cakes were elaborate and huge, and not to mention expensive. Couples these days however opt for style in place of size and like to make a statement with their distinct wedding cake choice. Couples who choose to have towering wedding cakes, do so with a difference. They turn to faux cake layers for the effect and keep the actual cake tiers minimum to save money. The more preferred choice however, is to have a small but beautiful couture cake for the actual cake cutting ceremony. Guests are then served from sheet cakes in the kitchen. This way, there is no compromise on style, but the cost is minimized while the guests still get to eat excellent cake.

Glitter

Glitter RoseImage Credits: Pernilla Rydmark, via Flickr, CC BY 2.0

Bling is no longer stylish. The spotlight instead is on monotone and deep metallic. Glittering details may crop up once in a while, but more and more brides choose to stay away from glittering invitations, backdrops, wedding table décor and anything that is overly glitzy. While casual theme weddings go with fun eclectic combinations in tropical and bright colors, the formal styles choose gold, silver and other metallic colors in accents that are tastefully and proportionally added to the décor. So, stay away from far too much glitter and shine in anything wedding related, as this will soon be a dated look.

Ombre

ombre frill cake

Mostly confined to wedding cakes, ombre was a fashion statement in the last few years. Different colors were played out in varying shades all over cakes, with pinks and reds ruling the scene of ombre cakes. However, it has become a tad boring, and now brides are on the lookout for something different to mark their weddings with. Like we said earlier, the choice is more for artistically designed and detailed cakes that pack a punch, despite their simplicity. If you have your heart set on ombre, you can still confine it to the inside layers of the cake, but leave it off the fondant. The other happening trend that is still largely favored are nude cakes. The refreshing simplicity of their decoration and the natural look seems to have captivated many hearts. This is in stark contrast with elaborate fondant ombre cakes, so you can take a cue from this fact itself.

Can you think of any other trends that will soon be out of weddings entirely, though they were huge favorites initially? If so, do let us know in the comments below.

If you are a bride planning a wedding soon, don’t forget to visit our Best for Bride website to find anything and everything wedding related. With all that you need to realize the perfect wedding under a single roof, you needn’t go searching for it anywhere else. So, come in and take a look today!

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12 wedding favors perfect for Winter weddings

Wedding favors are one of the things that deserve special attention in weddings. These are the items that your guests will take home from your wedding, and so, you should put in some thought when selecting them. Although there are hundreds of options out there, not all of them equally strike a chord with wedding guests. Unless you make sure that the favors you choose are unique and interesting, it is likely that it will simply be tossed away soon enough or forgotten abut entirely.

Since this is now the season for winter weddings, we think it is only appropriate to look at favors which are great for weddings this time of year. After all, no longer are weddings confined to the warm, sunny months of the year. With more and more couples choosing to tie the knot in the cooler fall and cold, cold winter, everything from wedding dresses to wedding favors need to be defined for these weddings. So, join us, as we take a look at what is hot in wedding favors and make your pick.

1.Cocoa in a cup

cocoa

Who wouldn’t love to sip on good quality hot cocoa in the cold winter months? Gift your guests a sachet of great quality hot cocoa in a beautiful mug or cup, and it will be a wedding favor that they will definitely use at least once. To make sure that your gift is entirely unique, we suggest choosing an interesting mug or cup for your favor. Either customize it to match the theme of your party, or add your initials or message line to the gift. Otherwise choose a contemporary design, like this beautiful Swish cup and saucer set from Best for Bride, which is bound to impress anyone. The unusual design makes it an attractive display piece that is also practical.

2.Snowflake wine stopper

snowflake wine stopper

Snowflakes are one of the most delightful icons of winter, and snowflake designs never cease to impress. With your wedding being during the holiday season, your guests will love this snowflake wine stopper that they can use to cork up their favorite wine bottle. Don’t you think it’ll make an interesting display element, when they place their wine bottle with this interesting stopper on their table? The chrome and aluminum metal plating gives it a sleek and flawless finish, while the rubber gasket makes sure the contents of the bottle are airtight and fresh. Although a small gift, it is one that your guests will undoubtedly appreciate. You can be certain that this beautiful stopper will find its way to your wedding guests feast tables every Christmas.

3.Wedding Carriage Candles

cinderella candle

As the days grow shorter and the nights darker, you can never have enough candles to warm your homes. So, this is the perfect time to gift candles as everyone will love them this time of year. And when it is one that is as exquisitely crafted as this Cinderella wedding carriage candle, it will be particularly favored. A beautiful design in white and silver, it is a perfect icon that reminds us of the nostalgic love story of the fairy-tale princess Cinderella and her Prince Charming. This candle favor will be a whimsical gift perfect to be displayed at your guest’s homes during the holiday season. Whether you have a fairy-tale theme castle wedding or a traditional style vintage wedding, this is a perfect wedding favor that will easily match either of them.

4.Winter Finery Chocolate bar

winter chocolate

Who doesn’t love chocolate? This beautiful winter finery chocolate bar is nut-free and features a beautiful snowflake design on the cover in the color you choose. Personalized wedding favors have an added charm, and these winter chocolate bars can be customized with the name of the couple as well as their wedding date on them. An additional attraction is that the chocolate wrapper color can be chosen to match the color of your wedding palette, and this makes sure it blends well and adds the perfect punch of color to your dessert buffet. You can also choose to display them at each place setting if you do not have a dessert bar. It is an edible wedding favor that will be enjoyed by your guests and since it is nut-free, it is suitable for almost everyone. The younger guests at your wedding, will be especially thrilled. The wrapper design emphasizes the seasonal element at your wedding, and this in itself will make sure it is noticed.

5.Fancy Popcorn

popcorn

Perfect for a casual wedding, your guests will love to munch on freshly popped corn at your wedding ceremony. Set up a fresh pop corn machine at your reception venue, and serve flavored and plain pop corn to your guests in these custom-created novelty pop corn cartons. The design is unusually attractive, spicing up the overall look of the tasty treat. If you have young children at your wedding, this is bound to be a favorite with them. A separate section that is set up to entertain kids would be a lot more attractive with the simple addition of a fresh popcorn machine. Why, you can even expect to see the adults queuing up to pick a popcorn carton! After all, popcorn is a perfect snack for any weather, and is specially welcoming in the colder months. If you would rather have your guests save the popcorn for munching on at home, you can have filled cartons wrapped in plastic and sent home, so they can enjoy it on the way back or after they are home from your wedding.

6.Mini-pie packaging kits

mini pies

If you want your guests to take some sweet indulgence home from your blessed wedding, pack them off with individual mini-pies packed elegantly in these adorable mini-pie packaging kits. Small bite-sized pies that are just perfect for one person, these pies will be the perfect snack to enjoy at home after a long drive in the cold weather. Ask your baker to whip up the delicious pies in the flavors that you love, and share them with the guests who made your wedding day so special. These packaging kits come with the boxes, twines and tags that will allow you to easily assemble your party favors within no time.

7.Mini marmalade or preserve bottles

preserve jar

Holiday season is the perfect time to indulge in good-quality marmalade and preserves. So, you can be certain that a mini jar of tasty preserve will be well appreciated by your winter wedding guests. Serve it up in style in beautiful glass bottles with wire snaps to secure it and keep it airtight. These mini glass bottles from Best for Bride make the ideal choice for this type of wedding favor. You can personalize it to perfectly match the theme of your wedding party with wedding stickers and tags created for your special day. Wrap it up with a silk ribbon or tie a pretty twine around it for the finishing touches. Add a sweet thank you note with your initials and wedding date, and it is all set to be taken home. To order this for your wedding, check out this link. You needn’t look elsewhere for the essential stationary to dress up your gift.

8.Rustic wood pencils

 

As the weather becomes chilly, everyone dreams of bundling up in front of a roaring fireplace. Too bad that there are few log fires burnt these days. Nevertheless, you can bring forth the memories of piles of logs stacked up to burn and warm the entire house, with the next best thing possible – rustic wood pencils. Perfect little gifts that can be used to play paper games or even sign your guest book with, these unusual looking pencils will definitely be loved by every one of your guests. Their rough and authentic look make them a beautiful addition at any winter wedding, although they are specially suited for a vintage theme or nature-inspired wedding theme. Each pencil has been created from neem and comes pre-sharpened in standard size.

9.Personalized glass globes

glass globes

The possibilities of personalizing these glass globes to make them unique and well-received wedding favor are endless. Either fill them up with beautiful flowers, feathers, crystals or candles and use them as part of the centerpieces on your reception tables. Otherwise, pack them in plastic wrap for a wonderful takeaway gift. Your guests can either place them on their mantels or tables as a decorative display, or hang them up as an attractive ornament in their home. Either way, it is a gift that is just perfect to be used in their home décor at Christmas time, and will be a regular at their homes once they receive it. Don’t forget to add a short and sweet thank you note on your custom created wedding stationery to complete the effect.

10.Mini lovebird snowglobes

snowglobes

Another ornament that will easily be a part of your your guest’s regular Christmas decorations, these lovebird snow globes are elegant and interesting. A pair of pretty white love birds snuggling together make a meaningful gift for your wedding, and it will also serve your guests well as a paperweight for all times or a festival ornament every year. The beauty of this wedding favor is that the snowy white color is ideal for any winter wedding theme and color palette. And don’t forget the little dose of magic that it will add to your reception tables.

11.Lip balm with custom covers

lip balm

Chapped lips will no longer be an issue for your guests this winter, with your thoughtful wedding favor in the form of these lip balms. Choose the lip balm cover in the color combination you like, from the available wrapper choices, and customize it further with your initials and wedding date. The chap sticks have an attractive vanilla scented flavor, and will be favored by one and all equally. Just the right size to easily fit into a pocket or purse, your guests will find it practical to carry it around and use at all times.

12.Mason jars packed with goodies

mason jar

The humble mason jar is one of the most versatile wedding favor carriers you can come across. Whether you choose to fill it with preserves, candy or other goodies, it will look beautiful and be useful to your guests. For your winter wedding, how about filling it with holiday candy or treats? Or for a special pampering touch fill each jar with scented sugar scrub and your guests can indulge in a sweet bath on their next day off. With so many options to choose from, you will not have trouble finding the perfect filler for your wedding theme. Top it off with a sticky cover label in your color theme and add a thank you note to the side, tied on with twine or ribbon, and you have a beautiful and practical favor to gift.

This is only the tip of the iceberg. At Best for Bride, we have hundreds of wedding favors for you to choose from. Browse through the immense variety of options we have, by clicking on this link and you are bound to find every wedding favor you could possibly imagine. What is more, with customization options and all DIY stationery essentials as well, you will have no trouble planning and making your wedding favors come to life. For more wedding tips and advice, keep visiting us at Best for Bride.

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