Weekend Wedding Show Catch-Up

We spent the weekend in wedding-show bliss, attending Forever Bridal's Wedding Show on Friday and Saturday, followed by Carolina Inn's 2012 Bridal Showcase. 

Brides-to-be, along with their respective loved ones, flooded the floors of the convention center. Between Friday and Saturday, we handed out over 1,000 copies of our brand-new 2012 issue! 

Hundreds of brides also registered for our six -yes, we said six!- giveaways, including gift certificates to Second Empire and 18 Seaboard, four cases of reception wine from OneHope Wines, and a few weekend getaways!  We can't wait to announce the winners!

Just one of our lovely brides-to-be registering for our giveaway prizes!

Katey, Robyn and Maureen show off the newest issue of Weddings Magazine. A lot of hard work and talent went into it, and we were excited to hand it out!

The Raleigh Convention Center was packed with newly-engaged couples and their families on Saturday - we couldn't believe the size of the crowd! 

It was a champagne and rose-filled afternoon as the lovely Carolina Inn hosted us on Sunday. 

We even ran out of magazines at the closing of the day on Sunday -- we'd say it was a success!

Thanks to all of those who came out to see us and our friends in the business this weekend! Make sure you keep up with our Facebook and Twitter accounts to find out where we'll be next. This is always one of our favorite parts of the year because we get to see first-hand all of our hard work reaching the hands of our readers. 

Enjoy your latest copies of Weddings Magazine!

All the best,

The Weddings Magazine team

Out with the old and in with the new: What's OK this year

Wedding gowns in new shades
Vera Wang shocked fashion and wedding connoisseurs alike with the edgy color choices she included in her Spring 2012 wedding gown collection. Wang combined luscious nudes, mystic grays and even soft pastels with sultry silhouettes. Countless other designers are following in her footsteps by adding pops of color in their bridal collections. And the result of the risk-taking choices in hues? Pure design genius.

Vera Wang

Vera Wang

Vera Wang

Watters

Romona Keveza

Not-so-traditional wedding "cakes" 

Though we will always love a good over-the-top cake, we also love that brides have the option to go for desserts that are less flashy and more simplistic, yet just as delicious. From cupcake trees to doughnut towers and everything in between, your guests will be so busy devouring the tasty treats that they won't even realize you don't have a traditional cake. And, as an added plus, you'll certainly save a few bucks making the switch!

Bridesmaids with their own styles 

No need to summon your girls to one style, color, and pattern of dress. More and more brides are allowing their bridesmaids to each pick out her own dress. This not only solves several 27 Dresses-esque style woes for your ladies, but also allows their personalities to shine, while also adding interest and style to your wedding photos. Don't worry- the attention will still be on you! But now, you can worry less about your girls bickering over dresses, and more about other aspects of your wedding. 

Statement-making accessories

Thanks to jewelry-making geniuses like Margaret Rowe and Juliet & Company, brides can shine with show-stopping, glittery accessories. The craftsmanship of new jewels and veils in striking shapes, patterns and textures is a must for brides looking to add that extra "oomph" to their look on their wedding days.

Bouquets that won't wilt

It doesn't matter what they're made of -- these do-it-yourself bouquets are to die for! One of the best parts about these arrangements is that you can keep them at home, on display,  forever. Or, you can pass your bouquet on to future generations, allowing the piece to create a tradition of its own. 

Cheers,

the Weddings Magazine team

Photo Credit: Vera Wang Bridal, Style Me Pretty, Ruffled Blog, Bradley James Blog, Capitol Romance Blog, Love & Lavender, Grey Likes Weddings

5 Color Palletes we Love for 2012

New year, new trends, new styles!

To celebrate the new year, we've decided to pull some of our favorite new color combinations- blends we think you'll swoon over just as much as we do. Some are bright and shocking, some muted and serene, but all are combos we adore and expect to see sprinkled throughout local weddings this year.

 

 

 1.  Bold, preppy, and fun, these colors will undoubtedly catch the eyes of your guests, and enlighten their fun-loving sides. The cool, jewel-toned colors work well together, and the collection looks impressive finished off with neutral white
or silver. Your decor will have your guests going home dreaming of blueberry pie!

 

2. This year, it's okay to use several bold, bright colors! We love how each color in this palette not only makes a statement on its own, but also all blend perfectly as a collection. You can even add extra sparkle through brooches, hardware and glitter to make an ever bigger statement. Your guests will be sure to notice the dramatic hues! And, like your chosen colors, hopefully they will also share their festive and extroverted sides at the reception.

 

3. With a hint of southern charm, these pearly hues give off a classic, vintage vibe. If you favor more neutral shades over bright, bold ones for your wedding decor, this mix could be the one for you. And, if you choose this type of palette, your photographer may want to consider giving your photographs a worn look; it fits perfectly with the theme!

4. Inspired entirely by flora, this combo is girly and chic, and pairs well with funky fonts, modern patterns, and a couple with bright personalities. The whimsical palette is anything but stuffy, turning heads with its bold pinks and tangerine. 

5. Rustic and vintage with a pop of color, this mix is the perfect choice for any couple. The variety of neutrals makes it easy for couples and planners to incorporate these colors throughout the entire wedding, allowing the mustard yellow to pop where it's used, especially as an accent and accessory color. The pallette can easily be taken from indoors to outdoors - greenery only makes the combo look better! 

 

 

Wishing you and your loved ones a healthy, happy and colorful new year,

Katey

Photo Credit: Millie Holloman Blog, Style Me Pretty, Style Unveiled, Wedding Gawker, Design Seeds, Grey Likes Weddings