WEDDING TRENDS 2015 (RELOADED)

Wild west weddings; The theme is western with personalized details inspired by ranches. The vibe is fun and relaxed. Think cowhide rugs and wildflower bouquets mixed in with leather elements to contrast the soft and romantic wedding details. Capture this look in a long sleeved wedding dress.

Use a music festival inspired theme for your wedding like Blankets and Wine ideal for a backyard or open field setting. Think cocktail hour lounges and picnic-style dining. Go with bright, festive yet earthy tones, hand-drawn maps with your invitations and fun,  wording on your invites (instead of "accept" write "you in?") to really drive home your theme. Intentionally mismatched bridesmaid dresses will keep the look effortless and easy.

 Bridal jumpsuits and statement making separates; Wedding dress designs are more playful and dressed down.Designers are coming up with menswear inspired styles that give the traditional bridal look a new edge that's celebrity inspired.

Unexpected wedding venues; More couples are looking at unexpected spots for their wedding venue, like private estates, museums and even parks. The best part about a unique venue choice is you don't have to go overboard on all the décor - you can let the space speak for itself.

Royal color palettes:

MARSALAPANTONE 18-1438
Marsala enriches our mind, body and soul, exuding confidence and stability. Marsala is a subtly seductive shade, one that draws us in
to its embracing warmth.
Leatrice Eiseman Executive Director, Pantone Color Institute

Marsala set the tone for 2015's wedding hues. It's a rich wine red that's sophisticated, stylish and versatile. Pair marsala with dusty blue for a pretty, romantic feel while a rose gold and marsala palette is rich and glamorous.

The Third Dress; Why go for one, when you can have three? Most brides opt for the second dress for the reception, but now most fashion forward brides are choosing three different gowns for each part of the day. It sounds like a lot, but for some brides who just can't decide, this is a fun trend to try.

THE RECEPTION: TO HAVE OR NOT TO HAVE

If your budget is small, tight, meager, or modest and you're trying your best not to involve a committee, you need to be extremely realistic about what's doable. Some of the things that are not, for example is inviting 500 people to your 200K wedding. You want to invite everyone you know but realistically? No bueno, it's not happening. Think small, think tailored, think unique.

So, do you really need to have a reception on a tight budget of say 200K? It is important to realize that receptions are not compulsory. It costs money to feed people and there are no cops or matrimonial gods who are going to hunt you down if a reception is not in your cards. That said, let's get a bit more realistic.

After your wedding ceremony you can have a 'receiving reception' in the same venue, where you and your new spouse meet and greet your guests. A truly "cake and refreshments" affair, where wedding cake and refreshments are on the menu and the time commitment is short (under 2  hours). Or you can opt for bitings and refreshments to suit your budget.

The reception is the one part of the budget which takes the biggest hit and it is to celebrate your marriage. Most people are happy to just share in the day with you, they should be content with whatever you can comfortably offer.

REALITYCHECK

Don’t allow the pressure of creating the “perfect wedding” to keep you from focusing on what really matters. Weddings are a time for celebration, don't lose focus. Engagements on their own are a period to prepare for the expected role changes, don't spend this time arguing and fighting about budgets such that when you do start living together seeds of animosity have already been sown.

Listen to each other, consult and make sure decisions are mutual. Take this time to work on both your communication skills, practice compromise and take time to learn a lot about how your partner handles stress- this no doubt is your mirror into how difficult issues will be handled in your household.

Marriages are sacred, remember they involve making a covenant hence do not forget the spiritual aspect in your walk down 'I DO'. Take advantage of couple's counseling, anything that will draw you closer to your partner spiritually should be taken advantage of.

Do not be too focused on the material- dress, shoes, make up, etc and neglect this marriage you are seeking to build. You could also find a married couple to mentor you or read some of the great marriage books available.

Do yourself a favor, focus on your fiancee and who you want to be in the marriage, and plan more than a wedding day—plan to build a marriage.

THE 'TMT' SYNDROME

"TMT" for too much time. I've met a number of brides getting married later in the year and though it might not be next month; August or December isn't too far off in the wedding planning calendar. This is the time when you lock down your reception venue and start looking at booking churches. There is such a thing as peak months in the wedding calendar, when everyone decides it is their ideal month to say I do hence take advantage of all this time you have.

April, August and December are peak months even for hotels so if you're considering hotel venues, take advantage and book early. Considering hiring a planner? then do so now to give her time to come up with convenient, workable timelines.

Venue selection does not only depend on whether you have the resources hence find out early if the venue you have in mind can accommodate your vision for the day. Enjoying your day also means having a great ride in the wedding planning process. Forget last minute panic and invest your time well picking, choosing and sampling what you want.