Executing "Casual Elegance"

Posted on August 9, 2016 by Today's Bride

This wedding season has seen a shift in trends from what we lovingly refer to as “rustic chic” to a more whimsical “garden party” atmosphere. Couples are choosing to cater their wedding to reflect their personalities – through decor, attire, flower arrangements, and even food. A more relaxed atmosphere that plays toward the couples’ likes and interests has been on the rise.

The Casual Elegance trend is one of the easiest to adhere to because it just involves you, your fiance, and your favorite things. Hobbies, interests, foods, colors, objects, symbols – you name it, and it’s fair game. It’s all about adding a personal touch – “Whether a bride’s style is rustic, glam, or traditional, it all comes out in the details,” says Nikki from Nikki’s Perfect Petal Design. “The personal touches that we see in weddings are amazing,” she continues. “Sometimes brides DIY the vases, jars, or bottles for us to put the flowers into. We have seen brides want everything local, which we can accommodate by using local flower farms.” No matter what you decide to go with, casual elegance is made easy by reflecting what you love.

One of the easiest ways to achieve this personal touch is by selecting incorporating your family and friends! “Brides incorporate their families by having Dad build them an arch or their brother cut log slices to accent the centerpiece,” says Nikki. Having a hashtag for your wedding is another great way to get your loved ones to participate in the day. “Celebrating the love of an engagement, marriage, or union of a family” is a great visual to share on social media, Lisa Hughes from Keller Williams advises. Adding meaningful items – such as lace from the mother’s wedding dress in the centerpieces or charms dangling from the bride’s bouquet – is a beautiful way to reflect on everything your family and loved ones have done to make you the person you are today.

The perfect colors can also complement you and your fiance’s personalities! Leslianne from Old Carolina Barbecue has noticed that the patterns we’ve seen in colors are changing. “The change from Silver to Gold” is a huge trend that Pink Tomato Creative has seen (and is excited about!). Some brides will “collect vintage glasses in her colors and have them on display for her guests to choose and use as their drinking glass” raves Nikki.

The best part about this trend is that brides and grooms are looking to make the wedding planning process more comfortable on them (as well as their budgets). Kathleen of A Crystal Clear Sound, Video, Photo, and Photo Booth notices that more engaged couples are looking for a “one-stop shop” experience when talking with vendors. “Couples are busier than ever…they just don’t have the time to shop for dozens of vendors when they find one and be ‘one and done’!” Finding vendors that provide more than one service – such as Crystal Clear – can make your life easier and will relieve a huge weight from your chest, allowing you to focus on making the details of your wedding even more special and reflective of you.

It can be hard to stay on top of wedding trends because they’re always changing! At a Today’s Bride Show, though, you are surrounded by wedding experts who know what works, what doesn’t, and what’s “in.” Check out the list of exhibitors and buy your tickets now!