Are You Engaged? You HAVE to Check This Out
Hey everyone!
I hope all of your holiday parties, etc. are going well! I just wanted to take a minute to talk to you about something major happening in a few weeks so you can kick off your New Year in a very luxurious and bridal manner. If you just got engaged over the holidays or you’ve been engaged for a minute and are starting the planning process, you have to check out the Bridelux Atelier show a the InterContinental Barclay in New York City on January 12th. So what is this event you ask? Well for starters, it’s considered The World’s Finest Wedding Show!
For just a bit of background, Bridelux was founded in 2013 and is a “specialist media brand for the global luxury weddings and event industry.” The Bridelux Atelier show provides brides and grooms with ideas and a chance to interact with top notch wedding pros and is held at a luxury hotel. According to Lauren Grech of LLG Events, “Bridelux is the ONLY wedding showcase that caters to a luxury clientele. Bridelux focuses on the consumer experience, from beginning to end, and the vendors it attracts know how to deliver one-of-a-kind exclusive experiences. It's the only showcase to get celebrity and royal wedding vendors in one room, sharing their advice and expertise amongst the industry and their future clientele.”
Besides a showcase of some of the world’s most talented wedding specialists, you will also have the chance to hear from top industry speakers and have all of your pressing questions answered. Speakers include wedding cake queen Silvia Weinstock, Ceci Johnson, Mark Ingram, and more.
Click here to register
Click here to learn more
Speaking of these wedding pros, I asked some of the celebrity and royal wedding vendors of Bridelux some Q’s and they gave me some A’s. Keep reading for some great wedding advice, whether you’re a bride, groom, or even a wedding professional.
Any major trends for 2020?
Florals are going to play a big role in 2020. We'll not only see the traditional flower arrangements but we'll also find them in unexpected places like subtle floral prints on wedding dresses and at the overall decor. We'll also find floral prints on the table like charger plates that match the decoration, as well as edible flowers in the food.
- Ale and Ana Risquez, Mozaiko Designs
For 2020 I do think glowing skin will be IN when it comes to beauty trends. We found that brides this year wanted to focus on having fresh, clean beauty looks with glowing skin and playing up the eyes. Women are moving away from the heavy Instagram type looks with layers of makeup to a more natural, effortless look that brings out their best features. Needless to say, keep on buying your highlighter and bronzer because it's going to stay around for a while!
- Brittany Lo, Beautini
At Elizabeth's Cake Emporium, the trend we are predicting for 2020 is the return of the pearl. The favourite of Her Majesty the Queen and recently seen on the red carpet (think Harry Styles’ pearl earring at the Met Gala), it is the most popular adornment in bridal wear historically. We predict cakes adorned with edible pearls will come to the fore in 2020.
- Elizabeth Solaru, Elizabeth’s Cake Emporium
The Emma Soulsby flower trend prediction for 2020, is taking a space and completely transforming it with impactful flower heavy arrangements and installations. Playing on guests’ senses and taking them on a memorable journey. Couples are going to be more playful with their colours leaning more towards jewel toned palettes.
- Emma Soulsby, Emma Soulsby Flowers
Manoir Hovey’s wedding planning team predicts that brides and grooms in 2020 will tend to favour smaller, more intimate celebrations with 40 guests or less. These smaller gatherings tend to have a higher per person budget heightening the guest’s experience with a sense of exclusivity. The couple will focus on treating their closest family and friends to elaborate meals and tasting menus paired with a wine flight.
- Marie Lavigne, Manoir Hovey
The increasing amount of creativity that we continue to see and love in table settings is something that inspires us at The Surf Club. In 2020, we would love to see this evolve into a play on textures, patterned linens, plates, glassware, and embroidery. These combinations can all be completely customizable, showing a couple’s unique take on their own personalities and characteristics. We are also loving the use of objects such as ribbons, and embroidered items in place of name cards. These personalized touches really make an impact on both design and guests’ experience and transcends the traditional all-white wedding feel.
- Sandra Oliva, Four Seasons Hotel and Residences at the Surf Club
In a sea of wedding trends and traditions, how can couples ensure that their event
stands out from the rest?
Clients tend to think that bigger is better - but for an event to stand out, I believe this is best accomplished through careful curated details and more of them - even if small - this makes the 'standard' feel go away - people notice the little things.
- Adam Leffel, Adam Leffel Productions
Follow your heart and not what you've seen before. A great question to ask yourself is "Why are we getting married and having this wedding?" The answer won't be the same from person to person. Your WHY might be "Because we want to thank and celebrate our friends who have been there along the way," or "We want to bring our two families together and honor them," etc. Once you know why you are getting married, every decision you make can be guided by this mission.
- Phillip Van Nostrand , Phillip Van Nostrand Photography
As a pending bride (getting married July 2020), one thing I'm learning throughout the process is that, for me, it's less about standing out from the rest and more about doing what feels true to me and my fiancé. By focusing on our values as it relates to the marriage first, we are able to refine details as it relates to our wedding day. A couple doing what feels good to them will, by nature, make their wedding stand out.
- Keanna O’ Quinn, Honey and Vinyl Music
Courtesy of InterContinental New York Barclay
What is one wedding trend you wish would stick around, and one you wish would
go away?
Stick around:
Veils, lace, rice toss, something new, something old.
- InterContinental New York Barclay
A wedding trend we wish to stick around is including pets. All inclusion of fuzzy, furry friends should never cease!
- Sara Shashaty, Pop Shop Photobooth
I love the trend for cathedral veils. Meghan, Duchess of Sussex had a gorgeous one embroidered with all the flowers of the commonwealth countries and also the Duke of Sussex's initials which was very cool.
- Elizabeth Solaru, Elizabeth’s Cake Emporium
Letterpress is a timeless art and the oldest printing process.
- Su-Queen Teo, Bella Figura
Courtesy of Bella Figura
A table “do” courtesy of Johnny Roxburgh Designs
Guests shouldn’t sit along only one side of the table which is how traditional top tables are laid out. The couple spends very little time in their seats so a round top table where the guests sitting there feel less stranded is a far better option. That or opt for a two-sided long table.
- Johnny Roxburgh, Johnny Roxburgh Designs
I would love to see the bouquet toss go away. It is so awkward for all single guests to be corralled onto the dance floor, to feel even more single, and then fight over the chance to be the next one married!
- Jove Meyer, Jove Meyer Events
Trends that should go away are photobooths; wedding programs with the entire ceremony spelled out (nobody cares and they all end up being left behind, so they are a waste of money and paper); humongous bridal parties; and gown changes that also require hair and make-up changes that take hours and impacts the timing of the wedding and is rude to your guests.
- Leslie Mastin, Leslie Mastin Events
Are there any elements of wedding planning/design that you think deserve more
attention and are often overlooked?
Planner - The overlooked item here is the value of a planner to your process - people think because they 'found their vendors' - they don’t need a planner - SO WRONG! That isn’t what a planner does - they organize your process, help you negotiate contracts, avoid common mistakes and can be an impartial voice of reason when it comes to decisions.
- Adam Leffel, Adam Leffel Productions
Couples often overlook some day of details such as custom cocktail napkins, programs, and special signs. These items are a great way to personalize a wedding and create special moments for the couple and their guests. I find couples can get overwhelmed in their wedding planning, so the closer they get to the big day, the more they tend to overlook smaller items and focus on the larger ones.
- Jove Meyer, Jove Meyer Events
Courtesy of LLG Events & Lost In Love Photography
The budget versus cost of vendor services needs more attention as couples often have a certain budget in mind for their wedding spend; however, the budget is actually dictated by the cost of the vendor. It's difficult to budget for your wedding when the costs of vendor services are all over the pricing spectrum. Therefore, proper budget planning, ahead of booking a venue, is extremely important. You don't want to spend all of your money on the venue and not have enough for your photographer, planner, entertainment, etc. Speak with a planner first and foremost, as they are professionals who know what it costs to have a wedding at your event space beyond just the cost of the venue and can provide an accurate budget breakdown.
- Lauren Grech, LLG Events
What do the bathrooms look like at your venue? When hosting a wedding at a public venue like a museum / library often times they can be very institutional and need some attention.
- Leslie Mastin, Leslie Mastin Events
Consider a budget for lighting. Good lighting can create a sense of intimacy, highlight décor elements and make you and your guests look glowing in photos.
- Marie Lavigne, Manoir Hovey
Courtesy of Manoir Hovey
Give us your best piece of wedding day advice for the couple.
Please bring your vision to the table of professionals and allow them to use their expertise and experience to visualize your vision with a possible twist.
- Rob Van Helden, RVH Floral Design
Relieve any stress on the day by booking top teams for your event — credible vendors recommended through Bridelux are the best way to know you’re working with some of the best in the business, providing that luxury quality is required.
- Scott Dodson, Liquid Chefs
There will always be more options out there for every type of vendor and it can be overwhelming. Narrow down your options to a handful per category through asking past couples, your venue, and other trusted sources and then reach out to who they suggest for you. Once you find one love, secure them and move on so you can focus on enjoying the overall planning process!
- Brittany Lo, Beautini
Take a 15 minute 'break' - seriously! Take a moment to live and breathe in the moment that you've worked so hard to create. I tell my couples that the marriage is for you, but the wedding is for everyone else. So steal a piece of happiness for 15 minutes to live in the moment and enjoy the celebration together before you go back to catering to your guests.
- Lauren Grech, LLG Events
Surround yourself with competent no-drama people (vendors, family, friends) and remember what is most important (hint: it's not the napkins or the food).
- Phillip Van Nostrand , Phillip Van Nostrand Photography
Give us your best piece of advice for wedding professionals.
STAY IN YOUR LANE- we are all in this together - be the master of YOUR domain, not everyone else’s - play nice in the sandbox so we can all get along and have a long term future together!
- Adam Leffel, Adam Leffel Productions
Strive to not be everyone's something but rather someone's everything. The more niche and specific in who your clients are the better you will be at attracting them!
- Brittany Lo, Beautini
Burnout is a real thing, so I recommend taking the time to indulge in some self-care. You need to take a break and get off the crazy train once in a while. Whether it's taking one full weekend off, actually reading an entire book, going on a long drive, or a spa day, take time to rest and regain your mental strength. I cannot emphasize enough how important wellness and self-care is in an industry that is so demanding of your time, body and mental state.
- Lauren Grech, LLG Events
The best advice for wedding day professionals is that while it may be your 4th or 10th year in business. Chances are the couple has never planned a party for 200 + people before. Share their excitement, be patient, make it personal, and make it simple. Set boundaries but also be accessible. Also, keep correspondence in one email thread. Digital disorganization is real!
- Sara Shashaty, Pop Shop Photobooth
I hope you guys enjoyed this post and a huge thank you to the team at LLG Events for helping me get all of these wonderful answers from these amazing wedding pros. The truth is, I got SO many nuggets of wisdom that I’ll be sharing whatever hasn’t been published in the interview in my IG stories and captions, so make sure to follow @luxebrideguide for more!
Hero image courtesy of LLG Events & Lost In Love Photography
