June is traditionally the month for weddings and for the next four weeks, Alison Young, a certified wedding consultant will share new trends with readers. She has been certified by Wedding Careers Institute, Inc (WCII). The institute, located in the United States, offers an international training programme for wedding consultants. Ms. Young recently founded 'Jamaica I Do', which plans weddings for couples and assists couples in having their dream wedding without 'breaking the bank.'
LATEST WEDDING TRENDS.
Dress: Glamorous dresses in floor-length styles remain popular for the 2006 wedding season. Brides today are choosing intricate beadwork, lace accents, rhinestone brooches and colours. Overall, this season's fashions are sparkling, romantic and infused with vintage style and charm. Off-the-shoulder styles add to the romance.
Attendants can choose different, complementary dress styles in the same colour, rather than opting for one cookie-cutter outfit.
Bouquets: 90 per cent are hand-tied, where the flowers are gathered together and the stems are wrapped in wide stain ribbon. Beads, brooches, jewels, pearls, charms and monogrammed ribbon can be used to adorn ribbon-wrapped stems.
The most popular and elegant flower selection continues to be the rose. Orchids and colourful lilies represent the trendier choices, as well as arrangements with a more just-picked, casual look.
Unconventional bouquet accents include berries, fruits, pearls, crystals and feathers. Silk flowers are quickly gaining popularity for their versatility and life-like appearance.
Guest List: There is now a trend toward more intimate weddings. Couples are focusing on making the event meaningful. Fewer people mean more time spent with close friends and family. Wedding parties are getting smaller as well, with just one or two attendants each for the bride and groom.
Locations: Couples are looking for charm, character and ambience, when choosing venues to let their personality shine through. Mansions, churches, beaches, country clubs, resorts, hotels and private homes are still the most popular locations for weddings.
Photography: The photo-journalistic approach to wedding photography is a current trend. Requesting some of the photos be black and white is also popular. Some brides request more candid pictures, with the photographer capturing the day's events as they happen.
Bridal attire 8.3
Ceremony Costs 1.6
Ceremony Music 1.55
Photography 5.5
Videography 2.73
Wedding Stationery 4.59
Reception/Entertainment 6.76
Transportation 1.63
Personal Flowers 2.40
Ceremony Flowers 3.45
Reception Rentals 5.58
Reception 42.15
Attendants' Gifts 1.51
Beauty 1.84
Additional Expenses 3.84 per cent
The largest portion of the budget goes to reception related items. By trimming the guest list, the bride can have exactly the wedding she desires, within budget and spend the money on details that are more important.
For further information: email Jamaicaido@hotmail.com
