Browsing CategoryTips & Trends 2019

Tip: Set up a selfie station. Selfie stations are easy (and fun). “It gives guests something else to do besides drink and dance,” says Lubanski. “People really get into it.” A photo booth without walls, selfie stations can be stocked with instant cameras, extra film and a place for guests to display their snapshots. You can also set up with an iPad with a photo-sharing app that allows guest to shoot and share photos in an online wedding album. Props encourage guests to play. Trend: Wedding cakes get natural. The natural trend extends to wedding cakes. “Everything is soft, natural…

Trend: Family-style dining. Family-style dining works with any wedding style. “Friends and family sharing food and eating together fosters togetherness,” says Pifferrer. Remember that family-style dining may be a costlier dining option. “In addition to renting your usual place settings, you increase rental costs by needing additional serving utensils,” says Taranto. The additional cost, however, may be balanced by creating a fun family-centric environment. Tip: A checklist for friends and relatives officiating your wedding. If you’re officiating a friend’s wedding, be prepared. “Make the ceremony your own but work with the couple so they’re not surprised,” says Eric McCallister. “And…

Tip: Read the fine print. Make sure you—and your planner—understand what’s in vendor agreements. “There may be a small clause you miss that becomes a big problem the day of the wedding,” says Zahares. Kara Marshall Patten, director of marketing at Marshall Tent and Event Rental in Kittery, Maine, points out parts of their contracts that customers may miss. “Couples may not notice, for example, that dishes and flatware need to be rinsed before they’re returned to us,” she says. Your planner, caterer and whoever’s orchestrating your day should know that you’ve signed off on all contracts. Trend: Grooms are…

Tip: Create a timeline for your wedding photos. Developing a timeline with your wedding photographer helps them capture amazing photos. “Talk to your photographer about the type of pictures that matter the most to you,” recommends photographer Eric McCallister of Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Include the number of family/group photos you want, specific locations, and the time of your ceremony and reception. A photo timeline is often driven by the the time of day—usually twilight or early dawn—when the light is perfect for capturing a special outdoor shot. “You can’t fake outdoor light,” McCallister says. “If your ceremony or reception is…

Tip: Include your furry best friends in your wedding celebration. Make your wedding extra special by including your favorite pet, literally or figuratively. “We’ve put dogs on wedding invitations and created envelope liners with custom illustrations of cats,” says Laura Lubanski of Gus & Ruby Letterpress in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. “We’ve even printed a pet’s face on hang tags for wedding invitations.” If your furry friend is actually part of the ceremony, “make sure you have a person who’s going to take care of them before and after the ceremony,” says Audrey Zahares of Azalea Events in Kennebunkport, Maine. Trend:…