The top five wedding trends that are ready to be tradition

At the beginning of a year it is common to name the “top trends” for the next 12 months, here is my favorite list for 2012. However I think it is time for some “trends” to take the leap and become traditions. Below is my top five list of those trends:

Charity Favors: Crystal bottle stoppers and seed packets with your wedding date on them can be cute, however in my experience items like this are left behind more than 50% of the time. A charity favor, promotes a good cause and will not be relegated to a junk drawer or worse a garbage can. I really like the I Do Foundation as they make the donation process very easy and also have a huge variety of charitable causes to choose from. You can also go directly to a charity itself, I have clients that will be doing their favors through the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation. Charitable donations in lieu of take home favors is a great way to honor a cause you as a couple support.

Smaller Weddings: The average wedding size for 2011 nationally according to Brides magazine was 152. Smaller weddings can mean a smaller budget, so if your budget is tight the easiest way to cut costs is to cut your guest list. Smaller weddings also allow a more personal experience for you, your wedding party and your guests. Examples include: inviting everyone to the rehearsal dinner, using long dining tables versus traditional round tables and most importantly celebrating with your nearest and dearest friends and family. A past Red Letter bride honored all of her guests by placing two Phalaenopsis orchids at each place-setting. With 70 guests this cost under $150 with 200 guests the cost would have been much more, this simple touch spoke to the personal feel of an intimate wedding.

Personal Details: I really believe this is already a tradition but it is still mentioned as a trend every year. Each couple wants a unique wedding to reflect who they are in personality and style. This can be a custom designed logo like the one below that a past Red Letter couple had used throughout their wedding planning. Other ways to personalize include naming each table after an important part of your lives, a signature drink during cocktails that reflects you as a couple or it can be your beloved pug dog as the ring bearer. The options are endless.

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