David Tutera

David Tutera

Who doesn’t love David!

Creator & Star of the hit TV show, My Fair Wedding and Celebrity Wedding planner Extraordinaire, David Tutera, gave the Event Planning insider magazine, Event Solutions,  his take on what’s Hot for 2012!

Deep Colors- I predict lots of Red & Eggplant – striking rich colors for a very romantic combination

Jewel Tone Tablescape

Personalization – Couples are really starting to add their own personalities into their wedding. And just like William and Kate’s fun getaway car, I see this trend continuing in everything from eclectic menus to hiring specialty entertainment like an aerial bartender.

Sleeves- Following the recent Royal wedding craze, I see lots of lace and sleeves for future bridal fashion inspiration.

Costume Change – My Brides now love multiple dresses. A more traditional Bridal gown for ceremony, then a long white dress for dinner, and then a really fun, fabulous, often shorter piece for dancing.

Convertible Gown from the Martina Liana Collection

Convertible Gown from the Martina Liana Collection

Family Style Service – Serving food Family style, in a variety of large platters placed directly where guests can help themselves is becoming a preferred way to add a more intimate, relaxed ambiance to even the most High-end Weddings

Metallics – To add a  luxurious, luminous touch to weddings, I expect to see metallics everywhere from floral vessels to printed materials to the Cake.

Golden Mehndi Cake, Custom Design Catering by Serafina

Golden Mehndi Cake, Custom Design Catering by Serafina

Unique Juxtaposition- To create a surprising Wow-factor, couples are starting to turn to interesting combinations of styles; for example, using lush Florals in a sparse, museum or loft-like location, or even creating a garden setting in an unexpected location like a beach.

Dramatic & Modern lighting at the Neo-Gothic Angel Orensanz Foundation

Dramatic & Modern lighting at the Neo-Gothic Angel Orensanz Foundation

Destination Ceremonies – Instead of asking an entire guest list to fly to fly to a remote location, many couples are now hosting small Destination Ceremonies for only their closest family and friends (often airing live on the web for those who cannot attend) then throwing the reception closer to home at a later date to celebrate with everyone.

I really look forward to getting more of David’s insight into Fabulous Events when he returns as a Featured speaker in Event Solutions magazine in 2012!

Check out the top 24 Most Beautiful Cakes in America, as per the Editors of Brides Magazine.

Some of these cakes were absolutely magnificent!

Others…I have to admit, I just don’t see it…

My personal favorites:

Peony Wedding Cake

A Miche Bacher and Nanao Anton creation

inspired by a Yumi Katsura gown

featuring a pretty peony.

Love the mix of modern and romantic!

Erica O'Brien's homage to Jonathan Adler

Erica O’Brien’s Vintage styling, based off the marriage of two iconic Jonathan Adler designs: an airbrushed wallpaper pattern and a starburst mirror frame with an embossed monogram. Adorable!

For inspiration, Eileen Gray looked to the effervescence of champagne, as well as an embellished sweater from her own closet.Amazing technique, and IMHO an absolute bargain for a Fondant cake with gelatin flowers, at only $8.50 per slice

Eileen Gray’s Sparkles & Sequins

Who wouldn’t want a solid gold wedding cake?

In this beauty, Deborah Lauren paired the luster of an Indian sari with a classic peony crafted from sugar.

Stunning!

Which one was your favorite?

Cake Design:

Couture cakes continue to be a favorite of Brides and their Guests.

Fashion based -Haute Couture- designs resemble luxurious fabrics,

and are rich in textures, colors and adorned with details like pearls & gems.

Pearl Flower

Opulence – thanks to the beloved Royal couple, William & Kate, we all want a touch of regal elegance!

Along side these decadent creations, you’ll find the Minimalist, where less is more.

Cakes will be blank canvases where cake artists along with the Happy Couple, let their imagination take over and anything goes, even an intriguing graphic!

Ultra Romantic. Vintage. Romance will never go out of style and inspiration can be had from all things meaningful…your beloved wedding gown, a beautiful china pattern, grandma’s brooch, invitations, fabrics, nature…

Look for cakes that are mostly neutral, but rich with vibrant colors. White or monochrome designs are chic and sophisticated, while a touch of black gives the cake a sleek modern look. Hand painted accents and details are HOT!

Flowers:

Bridal bouquet of Peonies, Ranunculus, Vanda orchids, and Gloriosa Lilies by Flora Bella, FloraBellaStudio.com, Photo by Michael Hendrickson

For the On-Trend Bride, Hydrangeas, Roses, and Calla Lilies are passé, replaced with more “modern” flowers like Magnolias, Wild Roses, Tulips, Ranunculus and Peonies. Whites, soft pinks, and jewel tones will be standouts.

Height:

Taller cakes make a strong appearance. Oversized, or double height tiers are used to create a non-traditional look. Whether as a juxtaposition of one tier in a classic cake, or used in every tier, they create a cake that makes a bold statement!

Flavors:

Red velvet was The Flavor amongst couples in 2011.

In 2012, enter more exotic, and fresher flavors.

Passionfruit

Vibrant Chai, Pomegranate, Passion fruit, Wild berries & Fig will stimulate your palette! It’s your wedding, make it reflect who you are as a couple!

Lemon Cake with Passion Fruit Curd and Cloud Filling

Colors:

Cool pairings continue with combos like Coral & Hot Pink. With Neutrals & romance big on the scene, so are tranquil, soothing color combos, such as beige and pale blue.

Mendhi Spring Cake

Delphinium Blue Ruffle Cake

Beyond the Wedding Cake:
Grooms cakes have become an essential part of the dessert course, going beyond sports-themed treats and becoming nearly as elaborate as the primary wedding cake. Want to impress your guests? Offer them anything on a stick! Full-on Dessert tables are another major trend this year, with the appearance of grand displays of patisseries like French Macarons, home-style pies, cupcakes, and mini-dessert treats.

Mini Dessert Display

The Good Night Station. At receptions end, many couples are incorporating additional good night treats for their guests’ enjoyment either as favors or in addition to.

The Krispy Kreme Donut favor send-off (a trend set by Gwen Steffani,) still remains popular, but there are many variations on this theme. For several years running, the biggest trend has been the Candy bar and Viennese buffet. Color coordinated to match your wedding, you can include all your favorites, capitalize on your theme, and Guests love them! Who wouldn’t appreciate such a thoughtful send-off?

Classically, a Good Night Station will include a display of fresh hot coffee, hot tea or an ice cold bottle of water together with a small favor bag of cookies or chocolates. This works year round by changing from a hot-to-cold beverage & seasonal treats. Think mini donuts and a Gourmet hot chocolate station in the Fall or for a Summer, ice cream sandwiches and lemonade. For couples having a Saturday evening reception, you can include the early edition of the Sunday paper.

Coffee and Doughnut Good Night Station

2012 Wedding themes

All-out themes are back in 2012! Embrace your theme and incorporate it into everything from your wedding invitations to your wedding favors. Just make sure to keep it YOU and your theme will work!

Temple Beth El

Temple Beth El’s newly renovated facility is stunning! It has two spacious ballrooms, built in lighting elements and gorgeous Wood detailing & Jerusalem stone throughout. And you don’t have to be a member to hold an affair there.

Here’s a link to their facility brochure:

http://www.beth-el.com/customers/108010716302234/filemanager/TBE_Facility_Brochure_4_13_11.pdf

Or contact Denise Troutman, Facility & Events Coordinator
704-749-3055
dtroutman@beth-el.com

She is amazingly helpful and professional and can answer any  questions you may have!

Check out these pictures of their Grand Atrium & the Levine Social Hall!

Temple Beth El Atrium

Temple Beth El Sandra & Leon Levine Social Hall

A special Thank You goes out to Cathy Terry from Charlotte Perfect Wedding Guide, who has been just amazing throughout! If you haven’t already seen their website, check it out here:

http://charlotte.perfectweddingguide.com/

There is a ton of valuable info for Brides!

So, as we’ve been  trying to figure out what aspects of our business to showcase – which dummy cakes (essentially styrofoam blocks covered in icing and designed to look like the real thing) to make/bring, which pictures to put on the slideshow, what samples to give out, what to write on our brochures…it occurs to me that at the heart of the Bridal industry, are professionals trying to figure out What Do Brides Really Want?

It’s certainly been a while since I’ve been a Bride, but as a Cake Designer/Caterer, I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know quite a few.

Here are a few of my thoughts about What Brides Want at their Wedding and from their Wedding Pro’s…

IDEAS – While some Brides have definite ideas about every aspect of their Special Day, most have very few concrete ideas. Very often they’ll say “I want everyone to have a good time”, but have no concept as to how that will happen at their wedding! Brides are on the lookout for something that strikes a chord within, something that makes them say, Yes, that’s what I want!

TO FEEL SPECIAL – Brides want to be treated as special as they feel. This is (hopefully) a once-in-a-lifetime event and one that many Brides have dreamed of  since girlhood.  Brides want to feel as though you care about the wedding almost as much as they do, and they want everything to be perfect!

LUXURY/EXTRAVAGANCE – Thank you Royal Wedding! Opulence is in, but most of us don’t live a very Opulent life. Weddings are the one area where its not just okay to go over the top, it’s expected! Give them permission to be extravagant! But Brides often want Luxury, even when its not in their budget. Help them find cost effective ways to incorporate some of their ideas.

EASE -  Brides are busy! They are juggling wedding plans, a career/school, family, friends, and let’s not forget a Fiance! Brides want to get things done and checked off their mile long TO DO list! They want to have the answers they need easily accessible- like prices – to make decisions now. They don’t  have time to waste, going back and forth. Try to anticipate questions they may have as well as offering suggestions that will help them be prepared -maybe a checklist of items they’ll need to make arrangements for, like the return of the cake stand or flowers for the cake table. Don’t forget to outline services you can do for them that will save them precious time!

PERSONALIZATION – Brides want unique, different, but still THEM. Most Brides don’t want cookie cutter weddings. They are eager to find ways to incorporate personal touches that their guests will recognize as coming from the heart. Be up on the latest trends so you can suggest interesting ideas that will make their Wedding stand out from the rest.

In the next several months, I will be doing a series of posts focusing on individual Wedding Professionals.  In addition to featuring Company profiles, you’ll find helpful tips and advice from them on dealing with vendors, tricks of the trade and HOT new trends in their field. Check back often!

I’d love to hear your ideas, so please comment

Brides….Tell us what YOU want…