New twists to familiar classics are redefining what it means to have a white wedding. Fruity martinis, tapas instead of a wedding banquet and bolero-jacket gowns are among the wedding trends for 2007, according to bridal professionals.
From pink spotlights to red gowns, brides and grooms are bucking the trends and flaunting their individuality.
“Ours was the first generation to plan our own wedding, so a lot of tradition is no longer required. You don’t always have your mom telling you how to plan your wedding anymore, so it gives couples — especially brides — more freedom to have whatever wedding they want,” said Amy McNeil, a 10-year wedding industry professional and a manager at Half Moon Bay Golf Links, an exhibitor at January’s Modern Bride bridal fair in San Francisco.
This year’s trends are building on some of last year’s, with short jackets and boleros gaining in popularity, according to Johanna Kaestner, a Palo Alto wedding consultant and author of “By Recommendation Only,” a wedding-resources guide.
Kaestner, who began her business in 1988 and maintains a Web site, www.byrecommendationonly.com — byreconly.com for short — said ambience, including fine dining experiences with sit-down dinners, paired food and wine, and dessert or sushi-bar experiences where guests can converse, are popular event-design experiences. Pink spotlights to enhance colors and textures and elaborately designed menu cards are also popular.
For gowns, color is in, according to Nicole Lenzen of Tigresse, a San Francisco bridal fair exhibitor. Lenzen designed a red halter top and a white ball-gown skirt for a woman who wanted a red dress to match her garnet ring.
Bridesmaids are also choosing their own dresses, including the color if the bride permits. Many bridesmaids are opting for tea-length dresses that end at the calf. The shorter length makes walking down the aisle easier, and the dress is versatile for wearing on other occasions, she added.
Kaestner said strapless and long, elegant gowns that accentuate the bride’s silhouette are also in.
Multi-ethnic weddings are driving an interest in mixing old and new customs, including globally inspired cuisine, Kaestner said.
City weddings are in, as are destination weddings at the coast or in international locations, she added.
Gone are the staged wedding photos. Inspired by celebrity trends, couples want their wedding memories to reflect affluence and casual grace in a candid, photojournalistic style, Kaestner said.
And technology is in. Couples don’t want to hide their wedding joy behind the covers of a wedding album only. Live broadcasts of the ceremony via the Internet, shot in high definition and recorded in surround sound, are making their way to a wider audience and as keepsakes on DVD and iPod, she said.
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