The Unveils the Top 10 Trends in Weddings for 2015

Online wedding resource and mobile app, today released its annualWedding Trends Report, including the top 10 trends in weddings for the coming year. From Coachella-esque festival inspired weddings with macrame ceremony backdrops and bohemian influences to luxurious, white tie elements, the trends for 2015 weddings are clever, personalized twists on traditions.

"Couples are finding wedding inspiration literally everywhere—celebrity weddings, music festivals and fashion runway shows, and they're infusing their personalities into all aspects of the wedding. This year, it will include fashion-forward jumpsuits instead of traditional wedding dresses, unique wedding venues or a return to formality with opulent, dramatic details," says Rebecca Dolgin, Editor-in-Chief, The Knot.  "Couples are embracing technology, using drones for aerial photos, GoPro cameras, and selfie sticks, as well as to mobile apps like The Knot Wedding Planner App, TaskRabbit, registry managers and honeymoon itineraries."

Drone Wedding Photos and GoPro Videos

If you want a view of your wedding from every angle imaginable then try this trend. Some photographers are getting in on the action by using drones to capture aerial shots, like the view of your ceremony from overhead and the amazing scenery. Videographers are doing it too by bringing along GoPro cameras to the wedding in addition to their video cameras. The cool part about these is that they can be attached to a "selfie stick" to get ultra-creative shots of you and your guests on the dance floor and record your guests' candid reactions as they enter the reception.

Bridesmaids Are Off the Hook -- There's An App for That!

You don't need to get all of your bridesmaids together to tie bows on wedding favors anymore. Instead, lots of couples are enlisting wedding planning help through apps like TaskRabbit to take on any small to-dos, TouristEye to help plan the honeymoon itinerary, and (ahem) The Knot Wedding Planner app to find and get in touch with all of the right wedding professionals. Being a wedding guest is easier this year too. All of the major registries make it easy to buy gifts straight from your smartphone, and car service apps like Uber and Lyft ensure guests can find a safe ride home at the end of the reception.

Wild West Weddings

The big theme of the year is inspired by ranches and lots of leather accents. The details are personal and elevated, but the party has a fun, relaxed vibe. A rustic ranch sets the scene for details like antler motifs, distressed lounges with cowhide rugs and wildflower bouquets. Mix in leather elements to contrast the soft and romantic wedding details in accents like the napkin belly band. Guests can sip on specialty craft beers or mix their own heirloom bourbon cocktails in a copper mug. Your attire can echo the Wild West look in a long-sleeve dress with subtle lace cheap bridal dresses embellishments and an ethereal illusion neckline.

Foodie Installations

Food and drink are taking center stage at weddings this year in an outrageous way. We're talking hanging salad stations, doughnut dessert walls that double as escort cards and beer-garden-inspired stations, complete with beer steins made of ice. You could ask your caterer to help you come up with creative ideas or hire a food stylist to dream up something over-the-top.

Wedding Jumpsuits and Statement-Making Separates and Accessories

Wedding dress designers like Houghton, Delphine Manivet and Theia are giving the traditional dress a new edge that is celebrity inspired. Remember Olivia Palermo's chic shorts with a tulle overlay and Solange Knowles' jumpsuits? If that's too much of a departure from tradition, brides can look to the latest accessory trends, which involve bold add-ons such as top hats, ear cuffs and lace gloves.

Unexpected Wedding Venues

More couples in 2015 will look to unexpected locations for their wedding venue, like castles, private estates, museums and even caves (yep, you read that right -- the one in Bowling Green, Kentucky, is crazy-beautiful). The best part about a unique venue choice is you don't have to go overboard on all the decor -- you can let the space speak for itself. Keep in mind that if you go this way, the logistics may be trickier than in a traditional wedding venue.

Royal Color Palettes

Marsala, Pantone's Color of the Year, set the tone for 2015's wedding hues. It's a rich wine-inspired red that is sophisticated, stylish and versatile. Pair marsala with dusty blue for a pretty, romantic feel (imagine marsala centerpieces paired with blue velvet linens), while a rose gold and marsala palette is rich and glamorous (think: rose gold foil font on a marsala card stock). Bonus: Flowers, like dahlias and peonies, grow naturally in this hot hue, and it's a flattering color for your bridesmaids to wear if you want to make a statement.

The Third Dress

Why have one dress when you can have three? We've heard of brides changing their affordable bridesmaid dresses for the reception or late night for the after-party. Now, fashion-forward brides are choosing three different gowns for each part of the day: a ball gown for the ceremony, a sleek sheath for the reception, and then a short, feathery minidress for the after-party.

A White-Glove Comeback

Casual weddings have reigned for more than five years. However, this changes in 2015 as couples are take their wedding style in the very opposite direction with opulent details, like a champagne tower, multitier cake and a dramatic entrance. If you really want to go over-the-top, take a page from the new Cinderella movie and actually have it in a castle (a few of our favorite castles and estates are the Biltmore Estate, Oheka Castle and Hearst Castle). Even if your wedding won't be in a castle, you could still add formality to it with touches like hand-delivered invitations and valets to escort guests to their seats at the reception. This is your chance to go all out and wear a big, white ball gown and even a crown. Guys can get fancy too in three-piece suits.

Peace, Love and Macrame

Blame all the fashion coverage at Coachella for the excitement here. If your style is totally laid-back and casual, use boho-chic music festivals, like Coachella, to inspire your wedding. Think: a backyard or open-field setting, complete with kitschy details like striped tepees, cocktail hour lounges and picnic-style dining. Keep the colors bright and festive, yet earthy (try sunny yellow and teal paired with terra-cotta). Must-have elements include hand-drawn maps with your invitations and fun, not fussy, wording on your invites (instead of "accept" write "you in?") to really drive home your theme. For the fashion, a gauzy and modern take on the bell-sleeve wedding dress evokes a '70s, Woodstock vibe. Intentionally mismatched bridesmaid dresses will keep the look effortless and easy.

About The Gudeer.comThe Knot is the nation's leading wedding resource, reaching nearly every couple in America through the #1 wedding website, TheKnot.com; mobile apps, The Knot national and local wedding magazines; The Knot book series; syndicated columns in newspapers nationwide. The Knot is the flagship brand of XO Group Inc. (NYSE: XOXO; http://www.xogroupinc.com), the premier consumer internet and media company devoted to weddings, pregnancy and everything in between, providing young couples with the trusted information, products and advice they need to guide them through the most transformative events of their lives. Follow The Knot on Twitter @TheKnot.

Forward Looking Statements 
This release may contain projections or other forward-looking statements regarding future events or our future financial performance. These statements are only predictions and reflect our current beliefs and expectations. Actual events or results may differ materially from those contained in the projections or forward-looking statements. It is routine for internal projections and expectations to change, and therefore it should be clearly understood that the internal projections and beliefs upon which we base our expectations may change. Although these expectations may change, we will not necessarily inform you if they do or update this release. Please refer to documents we file from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission for a discussion of the risks and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements contained herein. Forward-looking statements in this release are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.

The Best Workout Classes for Brides-to-Be

Photo courtesy of BollyX on Cheapcustomdress.com

Indoor Cycling

FlyWheel, a patented cycling regime that counts NFL players and Hollywood hotties like Sofia Vergara and Jessica Alba as fans, is deserving of its widespread, cultish appeal thanks to fun, yet serious, “dig deep” instructors and one-of-a-kind bikes, each outfitted with a “tech pack” to measure resistance, speed and power. Type-As — we’re looking at you, front row and center — have the option to compete and display numbers on a leader board that flashes your stats for all to see throughout the 45-minute session, during which you’ll pedal through a virtual journey comprising low-resistance flats and higher-resistance hill climbs spiced with sprints and out-of-the-saddle “tap-backs.” As for the rest of us, we can track calories torched, miles peddled and more, privately, on our computerized account or iPhone app.

High Intensity Interval Training

My first Core Fusion barre class left my muscles sore for four days, so news that the brand’s hive mind devised a new class named Core Fusion Extreme was both thrilling and terrifying. Instead of pulses at the barre, we move through five power stations featuring dumbbells, gliders, TRX pulleys and more. We do pushups with dumbbell lifts, we soccer-tap, we squat-jump and bicep-curl, we pant and we sweat — oh, how we sweat! Never has a class left my T-shirt so drenched. Rarely have I felt prouder to make it through a workout. As I walk (slowly) away, I notice some lettering on the studio wall: “Sweat is a river that runs through the soul.” They’re not kidding. 

(Custom Bridesmaid Dresses)Photo courtesy of Exhale Mind Body Spa

CrossFit

Having seen CrossFit Games competitions on TV, I know I’m in for a tough workout. After a demo and run-through of the workout of the day — or WOD — we embark on short but grueling intervals of barbell push-presses, box-jumping, medicine-ball tossing, kettle-bell swinging and more. I scale back where needed, choosing to step rather than jump on and off a 20-inch-high box and using the lightest medicine ball (which was still heavy!) when given a choice. The ambience here is decidedly hardcore, and there are as many guys here as girls — making this a great option if you and your fiancé enjoy working out à deux. 

Barre

Barre-based classes have been sweeping the nation for the last several years, and with good reason: The combination of yoga, Pilates and a soupçon of classic ballet moves like pliés mercilessly zero in on hips, thighs, derrière and abs. That Portland-based Barre3’s first New York City studio is located on a sunny corner in Greenwich Village is fitting. There’s a friendly, welcoming vibe that runs throughout this workout, including loads of positive feedback from the instructor. Expect isometric “holding” positions like lunges and planks coupled with small-range, high-rep moves and deep stretches. I live in fear of ab work, but the lower-back support via the inflatable Barre3 Core Ball makes quick and effective work of the crunches and twists that round out the class. 

Just for BG Brides: Get a 15-day free trial to Barre3 Online, where you'll gain access to over 200 streaming workouts of varying lengths, access to delicious healthy recipes, and more. Use the code B3BRIDALGUIDE atbarre3.com/redeem (offer valid through 9/30/15).

（Custom Made Wedding Dresses）

Photo courtesy of Barre3

Online Classes

There are so many obstacles to getting to the gym: it’s raining, it’s too early, I’m running late, it’s too much money and takes way too much time. Enter Booya Fitness, an online array of New York City boutique fitness and yoga classes at well-below-IRL cost. Founder and fitness enthusiast Prita Kumar curates a growing roster of challenging regimes, each session a doable 30 minutes or less. Workouts are conceived with the at-home exerciser in mind, meaning you need only a small amount of space and minimal (if any) equipment. Standout regimes include the killer drills from Brooklyn Bridge Boot Camp’s Ariane Hundt (studded with jumping jacks and sumo squats) and the bouncy dance cardio workout from Shrink Session’s Erin Stutland.

Money-Saving Tips for Every Type of Wedding Venue

They say location is everything — and when you’re trying to save money on your wedding, it helps to compare your choices. At the same time, remember that your venue will set the tone for your celebration. This guide can help you decide what type of location is best for you in terms of both budget and style.

Ballroom Bash

Photo Credit: Javier Gomez Studios（uk bridesmaid dresses）

Weddings in hotels are popular because out-of-towners won’t have far to go to rest their heads — and because the hotel staff is well versed in receptions. It’s usually a cost-effective choice, but there are some important things to keep in mind.

Make sure everything is included in the fee. “At a hotel, everything should be included — tables, chairs, linens and so on,” says Christine Paul of Christine Paul Events in New York City. “The only items you should pay for are food and beverage.”

Beware of extras, says Jo Ann Woodward of Schwartz & Woodward in Houston, TX. Chair covers and upgraded linens are pretty, but can add up fast — so be sure to prioritize what’s important.

Go seasonal. “Ask the hotel staff what’s considered high season and what’s low,” says Paul. “It will differ depending on the hotel and its location, but if you book at low season, it could save you thousands of dollars.”

Negotiate — before signing a contract. Many hotels offer package deals with set prices, but if you negotiate, you might get even more for your money. Ask for a complimentary wedding-night suite or a free package upgrade. “We often get the couple an extra hour of bar, a champagne toast, suites for both parents or an upgraded menu,” says Laura Weatherly of Engaging Affairs, Inc. in Alexandria, VA.

Seek out any hidden charges. “I’ve seen hotels charge a $6 per person cake-cutting fee,” says Amy Nichols of Amy Nichols Special Events in San Francisco. “The fee may even apply to serving cupcakes!” Politely ask to have these charges waived.

Remember: Taxes and gratuities aren’t usually factored into your original quote either.

Budget Tips for a Beach Wedding

Photo Credit: Sasha Blackburne Photography

Many brides dream about marrying on the beach — what could be more romantic than exchanging vows with the wind in your hair and the sea in the background? It’s a breeze to keep costs down.

Check to see if you need a permit and rental fee. Avoid extra costs — and headaches — by booking a hotel that’s right on the water. “A smaller hotel might throw in the cost of renting the beach when you book your rooms,” says Robinson. “And many times, a wedding-night suite — or an entire honeymoon — is part of the wedding package at a beachfront hotel.”

Keep things casual. “Skip the formality,” says Weatherly. Instead of wearing an expensive beaded dress or ballgown, opt for a simple, sleek sheath and go without a veil.

“If you keep your ceremony short and sweet, you can have guests stand — and cut the cost of chair rentals.” Weatherly also suggests creating a pretty ceremony space by placing an arch in front of the water. But instead of decorating it with pricey flowers, use fabric, ribbon or keep it plain wood. “A more modern, low-key arch won’t take away from the beauty of the beach,” she says. Instead of petals, your flower girl can sprinkle seashells she gathers herself.

“Consider doing a cocktail reception instead of a seated meal, so guests can mingle the entire event,” says Weatherly.

Serve a few signature tropical drinks instead of offering a fully stocked bar.

Keep the wedding cake small, says Robinson. “Have a fire pit set up in the sand and roast marshmallows for s’mores.”

Budget Tips for a Vineyard Wedding

A vineyard setting, with fine food, stunning scenery and, of course, delicious wines, creates a rich, sensory experience. The problem? A potentially high price tag.

(Lace wedding dresses uk)

Photo Credit: Choco Studio

“Keep your guest list as small as possible to ensure an intimate affair,” says Paul. The fewer guests, the easier it is to keep costs low.

Nix the standard full, open bar and stick to wine (and nonalcoholic drinks). “After all, you are at a vineyard,” she says. “You can pair a different wine with each course. It will wow your guests, and actually save you money over a full bar.”

Save on flowers. Because a vineyard is already full of lush trees, you won’t need to go crazy with high-priced floral arrangements. “Enhance the natural beauty; don’t compete with it,” says Nichols. “Keep the floral arrangements low — tall centerpieces start at about $200 each.”

Consider a family-style meal. Set long wooden tables with bowls of food, suggests Arin Robinson of Zinke Design in Tulsa, OK. “As long as you’re serving dishes with fresh vegetables and bright colors, you’ll eliminate the need for centerpieces.”

Recycle. “Wine bottles can double as table numbers and corks as escort cards. Make it a DIY project,” says Robinson.

Money-Saving Ideas for a Restaurant Wedding

Foodie couples may want to get hitched at their favorite restaurant. But if you’re going to “buy out” the place for a night, it will likely cost you big. What to do?

Photo Credit: Allan Zepeda for Mel & Co, courtesy of Brooklyn Winery

Choose the right day. “If the restaurant is always closed on Sundays, they may be willing to waive a buy-out fee and give you use of the whole restaurant if you guarantee a certain dollar amount,” says Paul. “Just as with a hotel, be sure to ask when the busy times are and avoid them.”

Decorate with small, reasonably priced items. “Opt for smaller bud vases as a centerpiece,” says Robinson. “And use the restaurant’s votive candles.”

Have the restaurant create a special wedding menu. “The menu you put together can offer a few options,” says Robinson. “This way you can control your price point for each guest and eliminate surprise add-ons.”

Forgo live entertainment. “Restaurants usually have sound systems that you can use with your iPod,” Nichols says.

Budget Tips for a Backyard Wedding

（Dressmebridal.co.uk）

Photo Credit: Susan Dean Photography

Think an at-home wedding will be cheap? Think again. Your home (or your parents’) has huge sentimental value, but remember it isn’t equipped with most things you’ll need.

Paul recommends saving on something you may not have even considered yet: the water. “Make sure the caterer doesn’t charge you an obscene amount for bottled water,” she says. “Use a water filter and fill pitchers with ice and lemon or lime slices. You’ll save hundreds of dollars on water!”

Robinson suggests giving guests an affordable favor that reminds them of home: “Pick one of Grandma’s favorite recipes and write it on note cards to pass out to guests,” she says. And keep the entertainment simple. “Have a single musician play. By cutting out the other five band members, you cut your cost.”

Decorate with string lights and Mason jars hung with ribbon from tree branches in the yard. Paul recommends: “Mix up different-size lanterns. As day turns to dusk, they’ll create a warm ambience for very little money.”

Budget Tips for a Loft Wedding

City brides love the blank canvas of an urban loft — there’s no ugly carpeting to cover up or gaudy chandeliers to ignore. The problem is, there’s not much else there, either.

Photo Credit: Blueberry Creative on Inspired by This via Lover.ly

Go for a modern look. “If you want anything besides a chic, simple wedding, a loft is not the financially savvy choice,” says Paul. “But if you want a contemporary vibe, it’s fantastic.”

Keep the space clutter-free and embellish with pops of bright, monochromatic flowers.

Decorate with non-floral objects, like DIY paper pinwheels, flowers and origami shapes, says Robinson. Nichols recommends hanging pompoms or lanterns, and filling cylindrical vases with water and floating candles or branches. Use the city as your backdrop: In the daytime, pull the curtains open; at night, let the stars — or the skyline — be on display.

Be selective about vendors. Ask your loft manager for a list of preferred vendors who’ve worked at the site before. “It’s unusual for a loft to have an existing kitchen, so the caterer will have to create one,” says Paul. “Using a caterer who’s experienced with the space will keep your rental fees down, since they’ll know exactly what they need to cater there.”

Ask if you can purchase your own spirits for the reception. Save dough by going through a wholesaler.

Beautiful Blue Vintage Dior Wedding Inspiration from The Love Studio

Ooh today’s wedding inspiration shoot from The Love Studio and  Presh Floral really is something special! Delightfully decadent, in the prettiest palette of dusky blue and abounding in romantic details, lovelies the chic bridal styling and gorgeous details are guaranteed to sweep you off your feet and leave you daydreaming of Paris!.

According to Tanya at Presh Floral the inspiration behind this heavenly shoot stemmed from two sources. The first being the team’s desire to shoot in the stunning new Colette Grand Cafe that recently opened in their home town of Toronto – and with its gorgeous French-chic decor and romantic atmosphere, it is easy to see why it captured their hearts and imaginations!

And their second source of inspiration came after stumbling upon the incredible vintage Christian Dior New Look dress you see before you. Tanya says “We realized that the prom dresses nz was not only a showstopper, but a piece of fashion history. In 1947, Dior brought femininity back to fashion after a period of uninspired war-time styles with his first collection dubbed the “New Look”. Dior, who inherited an intense love of flowers from his gardener mother, wanted his New Look style to make women feel like flowers. He famously once said, “after women, flowers are the most lovely thing God has given the world”. But since the dress was not the traditional white, we opted to take an alternative approach of using the dress as the “something blue”.” And it couldn’t have worked more perfectly!

To complete their uniquely vintage bridal look, the team added some glamour with fabulous era-appropriate gloves, a statement headpiece, vintage heels and refashioned vintage jewellery from Hattitude Jewels. The lush floral design by Presh Floral added romance to the setting by including delicate white blooms like ranunculus, lisianthus, hellebores, delphinium, phlox, and garden roses, whilst the stunning stationary provided by Post Calligraphy and dainty cakes from Steffie’s Sweets & Treats added some sweet sophistication. All together the whole shoot wows with Parisian elegance and busy capturing every beautiful detail was The Love Studio, so sit back and soak up the magic…..

(bridesmaid dresses nz)

(cmdress.co.nz)

A huge thank-you to Tanya and the team for imagining and bringing to life such fabulous inspiration. And special thanks to The Love Studio for not only capturing every gorgeous detail but also for allowing me to share it with you here. You can see more of their wonderful photography here, and you can also follow them on Facebook and Instagram. Oh and do keep an eye out for more of their work appearing here on Chic Vintage Brides soon!

For more beautiful wedding inspiration how about this art deco inspiration full of Gatsby glamour, this elegant Fall affair, this opulent Marsala (Pantone’s colour of the year!) wedding inspiration, or this elegant woodland wedding inspiration. Or for more dusky blue wedding ideas do take a peek at this Provence chic wedding inspiration board and this beach wedding inspiration.

Snippets, Whispers & Ribbons – The Most Stunning Summer Bridal Bouquets

After swooning over those beautiful white florals yesterday’s beautiful dusky blue wedding inspiration shoot – I hope you didn’t miss it, the vintage Dior dress was Audrey chic!, I thought I’d continue the floral theme for our Summer stroll with this week’s Snippets, Whispers & Ribbons featuring the most stunning bridal bouquets simply perfect for a Summer celebration…..

（wedding dresses nz）

1. With the abundance of flowers available in Summer, it’s hard to choose just one or two for your bouquet. And why should you when today’s wild and unstructured bouquets look so fabulous? Mix colours, styles and textures like in this bouquet: lavender, succulents, ranunculus, sweet peas, freesias, it has them all (and more) and isn’t it beautiful!

 Bouquet ~ Verbena Floral Design, Photography ~ Katherine O’Brien via SMP

2. Or add a touch of the unexpected to a more traditional bouquet with some bright summer berries! Strawberries in particular work so well, and imagine being reminded of such a special day every Summer after whenever you eat a strawberry…… plus if you get peckish during the ceremony!

Bouquet ~ The Bouquets of Ascha Jolie, Photography ~ S Leishman via Ruffled(Ball dresses nz)

3. With gardens brimming with blooms, Summer brides literally have their pick of flowers, colours and scents, and how romantic is this pink bouquet of peonies, roses and clematis??…..

Bouquet ~ Katy Bohls, Photography ~ Kristen Kilpatrick via Once Wed

4. There’s something so gorgeous about bouquets the colour of a summer sky, and few flowers come in prettier shades of blue than hydrangeas…..

Bouquet ~ PEONY Art Decoration Studio, Photogrpahy ~ Anastasiya Belik via Burnett’s Boards

5. Few colour combinations scream Summer quite like a lush mix of citrus yellows, oranges and pinks – especially in a posy of poppies as pretty as this one (nope they don’t just come in red!). I love their long bendy stems which always gives them a lovely whimsical unarranged look

Bouquet ~ Shotgun Floral Studio, Photography Joielala via Green Wedding Shoes(Idress.co.nz)

If this post has you yearning for more beautiful blooms then take a look at my bouquet picks for Autumn, Winter & Spring or lose yourself in some of the incredible bouquet recipe shoots I’ve shared.

For more Summer wedding ideas take a peek at these stylish Summer grooms and these pretty Summer wedding colour palettes. Oh and don’t forget you chose this bold and beautiful Summer colour palette for Chic Vintage Bride‘s next wedding inspiration board, so have a look for it on Tuesday!