Today’s bride is tech-savvy, armed with the latest and greatest in social media frenzies, electronic gadgets, and digitalized weddings. With everything right at their fingertips, the weddings have the capacity to take on futuristic forms. Here’s a look at what’s next in the way of bridal tech:

Networking on the Net: In addition to blogging, brides will continue to tweet, Facebook, and start websites solely devoted to their weddings. While some couples are blogging about their experiences beforehand, others are updating their online media in real time as the wedding events happen.

Streaming Savers: Video integration into every aspect of the planning is becoming more and more prevalent. Sending out video save-the-dates creates hype and also gives much more liberty to the couple in announcing things the way they want. Live streaming from the actual ceremony allows guest who were unable to attend or long-distance relatives to take part in the fun!

Electric Gifts: Couples are seeking out the latest and greatest for their registries that give the buyers a little bit of fun and variation in selecting gifts. Anything from his and hers PDA’s, Wii fitness activities and box sets, and even rumba self-service vacuums are making the list!

Photos from Wed Share, Digital VP, Private Receptions, & Robot Vacuum Cleaner

The newest  trend  for wedding dining is unexpected and fresh.  Here are a few of the things you’ll be seeing more of in the future:

•Home-spun and self-selected meals by the couple: If food means something to you, why not make it a key  element of the wedding? If he’s Caribbean and you’re Italian, make your menu a fanciful tribute to both.  If you’re a foodie, let the selections reflect your epicurean self.

•A focus on heritage and traditional often served family style . Nothing is better than sharing  fresh baked rolls made from your grandmother’s recipe, family- favorite salads, and hearty meat trays. This always turns basics  foods into ‘wow’ factors!

•The dinner party reception, where the focus is on intimate, laid back socialization. Take the pressure off of having a ‘show,’ and allow your guests to just kick back and get to know each other.

•Small, edible cocktail-hour bites infused with liquor and shooters: Shake up the traditional ‘passed appetizers’ by offering a little zest in each one. Consider doing  cocktail flights (think flights of wine but only with signature cocktail drinks instead) along with your sassy beginnings.

•Food Trucks: Who doesn’t love the Ice Cream Man? Have ice cream, hot dogs, or tacos  served from a food truck that can be stationed anywhere outside at your event.  It’s a great way to liven up any party!

Photos from www.specialevents.com & www.voila-catering.com

We all know that the music makes the party—but what’s making the music this year? With the introduction of newer than new technology, there is a plethora of ways to make a medley out of any and all kinds of music sources. In 2010, look for less of the boring background music and more of this:

Customized Tunes: Budget-friendly and dead-on with your favorite music, just bring your own ipod and have a sound technician there to set it all up and monitor the volume. What better way to get exactly what you want?

Video DJ’s: Mix masters at their greatest, video-dj’s artfully intertwine great music with rockin’ video. The video can feature the actual crow dancing, music video’s that match the songs, or video’s provided by the bride and groom. Interactive and entertaining, the specialists can capture the party unlike anyone else.

Traditional Tributes: Old-fashioned multi-piece bands complete with a wedding singer are back on the stage. Choreographed dances and live musical ammunition can liven up a party the good old-fashioned way.

Photos from Curtis Knight & Pop my Photo

Move over plain, traditional wedding cake! With a sumptuous array of edible delights, there isn’t any need to bore your guest’s palette with something expected. We love the new sweets trend that is revolutionizing receptions from California to New York! Here are a few things to note when sampling treats for your big day:

Don’t judge a book by its cover: It’s a new day and a new dawn…what tastes better really is better! Skip the sugary mold of fondant and let the true butter cream colors shine through. Try something bold and flavorful, like mango cake with coconut icing or espresso cake with mocha icing.

All eyes on the groom: Let him have his moment to shine with an out-of-this world grooms cake. Full stadium seating, fiery guitars, or replica’s of his favorite place to eat are a good place to start. Highlight your cake tables with lighting and draping to make for a dramatic display of art.

Micro-magnificent: Continue forward with the favored micro-dessert stations. We see 2010 infusing life in these tables with gelato, homespun desserts, and even cinnamon rolls.  Don’t be afraid to top everything off with grandmother’s vintage cake topper and keep the traditions alive—whether there be cake or not.

Photos from Planning Elegance, Armin de Fiesta, Sisters Cafe, The Bride & Groom

Dress shopping can be exciting, chaotic, and sometimes downright scandalous! If you don’t have any guidelines going into it, you’re guaranteeing yourself a pretty wild ride. Here are a few tips we offer to make the most out of your ‘dress day!’

Know what you like or don’t like: Ivory or white, strapless or sleeves, lace or silk, fitted or billowy, short or long? Subconsciously we tend to know these things as women, even though we offer that we ‘are open to anything.’ It’s important to state the things (even if they are few) that you know about the look you were going for- it can save you hours!

Pinpoint a price point: Always start with the price you really want to pay. Sales staff doesn’t want to waste their time bringing your gorgeous high-dollar gowns that you just want to twirl around and dream in. They want to sell you a dress you will really buy as much as you want to buy a dress you can afford! You can always increase your zone- but stick to what you really mean first.

Check all the costs: Some bridal shops will factor in an alteration fee that might be more than you want to pay. Some stand-alone stores won’t charge sales tax if they ship it directly to your out-of-town wedding location. Some stores will give you a discount just for asking! It’s always worth checking.

You don’t have to buy one: A crazy idea! If you know what you want and you can’t find it in bridal stores- carve your own path. There are local dress tailors who can bring your ideas to life after you design what you want exactly. You can also shop for white formal dresses in non-bridal stores- you never know what you might find!

*Photos from www.jcrew.com

We’ve been dreaming about how our weddings will look  since we were little girls. We’ve thought through every last detail and made subconscious decisions that remain in our minds as ‘final.’ Enter the groom. Unlike the man in our imagination, this one doesn’t have plastic hair or respond to the name, ‘Ken.’ He’s got thoughts, feedback, and surprisingly strong-willed opinions to things you never thought possible! Here are a few ways to help delegate responsibilities (yes, you really have to let go) and learn the art of teamwork:

The Honeymoon: Yes, he may care a great deal about the reception, but I’m betting he cares more about the honeymoon! Let him take the reigns and surprise you with a destination. It might be more fun not knowing where you are going until you get to the airport! Plus, do you really have time to plan a full-fledged vacation right now?

The Tuxedo/Menswear Selection: This may seem obvious, but many brides want to mingle in this area. Let him feel like a rock star on his big day as well. Chances are, he knows what his friends will feel most comfortable in, and he can manage getting all sizing and payment information, which is cumbersome and time-consuming.

Hotel Blocking: It’s straightforward (part of the reason it’s on this list). Hotel blocking isn’t subject to trends changing, artistic creativity, etc…it is what it is! Have him research some cool spots, reserve them, and get info together for your guests.

Marriage License: Give the groom some honor and let him take care of the most important thing on the table—actually legally getting married! Have him check local regulations and timelines to ensure you are set to go.

Transportation after the Ceremony and Reception: Anything automotive usually intrigues him- so let him take care of the ‘sweet ride’ you have after the ceremony and the reception!

Payment of the Officiant: He’ll have pockets on the big day- you won’t. Let him tuck the stipend away and pay the minister himself. Let him take care of it while he still enjoys paying for things for you!

If you’re debating on hiring a wedding planner, there are a handful of important things to consider. Wedding planners aren’t just for those who want an out-of-this-world wedding gala, they can also help any bride manage the budget, translate design ideas, and even handle all RSVP’s!

Here are a few questions to ask that (if your answer is yes) might point you in the direction of hiring a wedding planner:

• Do you know exactly how you want your wedding to look in your head, but you aren’t sure who to contact or how to logistically make it happen?
• Are you clueless about anything involving weddings and would be open to having someone else make the event fabulous?
• Are you too busy to even think about getting married, let alone what color linens will look good in your venue?
• Do you have relatives (or future relatives) who have ideas for the wedding day that need some mediation?

These are all things that wedding planners and designers specialize in. It’s in our nature to pamper, design, impress, and successfully manage the biggest day of your life! Call some local planners and meet with them to discuss your ideas and objectives. You will know which one is right for you; perfect planners are like a great pair of shoes—they just fit!

I believe that engagements are all they are cracked up to be, you just have to make the most of the time you have to enjoy the process together. So once the culminating act of love comes in the form of a ring on your finger, try not to get too overwhelmed by what you have to do next. Your initial job is to relish in the excitement of your own engagement. Here are a few ways I’ve found that take the pressure off of brides to plan, plan, plan and instead encourage them to celebrate the moment:

• Grab your friends and go get drinks! Cheers your glasses to everything that’s ahead—including the wedding date you don’t know yet and the colors of the not-yet-selected bridesmaid dresses.
• Call everyone on your VIP list personally to spread the news. Make it a fun evening to share with your new fiancé and hear firsthand all the exclamations of excitement from close relatives and friends.
• ‘Plan’ planning-free date nights. Make sure you and your fiancé have time together (just like you did before) without rehearsing the details of the wedding planning over every last bite of spaghetti. Trust me, he’ll thank you for this!
• Start a journal or a blog to keep everyone in the loop while it’s still a blank canvas. You will have so many memories to look back on!

*Photography by Dixie Dixon (www.dixiedixon.com)

The Hollywood moment of an engagement comes and goes so quickly! If you ask any married woman about their engagement, there is usually a long-winded story paired with excited eyes and happy memories. Make sure you have more than just a ring to take with you once the proposal is over. Here are a few ways to ‘preserve’ your engagement:

• Take a picture. Perhaps you have someone scouting out the area that promises to catch a few shots of the two of you in action. If not, revisit the site the next day and have someone take some pictures of the exact spot the proposal took place. It also might be the perfect canvas for your engagement shots!

• Journal to each other. Take some time out of the excitement and celebration to write your thoughts and feelings to each other on that day. There are so many things you will face in the coming months…and these letters may be groundwork for your vows!
• Save the reaction value. Use your Flip or video camera to capture some feedback throughout the day (i.e., your mom’s disbelief that it’s ‘finally happening!’ or your dad’s sigh of financial relief!) This will make for great laughs someday, not to mention a great tool for future anniversary parties.

While you can never fully recreate the moment, you will be glad you took the time to memorialize it right then and there. And then, let the planning begin!

*Photographs taken by Stacy Reeves (www.stacyreeves.com)

Every wedding deserves a signature drink as much as every bride deserves a fabulous dress. Take a look at your drink ID and make sure everything—from the vibe of your band to the drink in their hand—says what you want it to say about you as a couple. Here are a few of our favorite picks for signature cocktails that give life to your party and business to your bar…

Chambord French Martini

• 1 1/2 oz Finlandia Vodka
• 1/2 oz Chambord
• 1/2 oz pineapple juice

Shake ingredients with ice and strain into a martini glass.

Champagne Dreams

• 1 oz PAMA Pomegranate Liqueur
• 1 oz Cointreau
• 1 oz Fresh orange juice
• 3 oz Champagne or sparkling wine

Assemble the first three ingredients in a cocktail glass with ice. Slowly pour in the Champagne while stirring very gently to retain the bubbles and chill the mixture. Strain into a Champagne flute and garnish with an orange zest.

PAMA Kiss

• 1 1/2 oz PAMA Pomegranate Liqueur
• 3/4 oz Sour Apple Vodka
• 1/2 oz Cranberry Juice

Mix ingredients in martini shaker and shake well. Serve on the rocks.

Summer Scentsation

• 1 1/2 oz Mount Gay Eclipse Gold Rum
• 3-4 Chunks of fresh Watermelon
• 3/4 oz Lavender Syrup*
• 3/4 oz Fresh Lemon Juice

In mixing glass, muddle watermelon well. Add remaining ingredients and ice. Shake vigorously, then double strain (strain through Hawthorne into julep strainer) into chilled cocktail glass. 

Garnish with wedge of watermelon on cocktail pick.
 
*Lavender Syrup: Boil 2 cups water and add 2 cups sugar and 1⁄4 cup dried lavender. Let Steep until cool. Drain and refrigerate.

Every bride accessorizes her dress with a bouquet, but for those brides looking for a more unique approach to the traditional bouquet of flowers or other accessories, consider this alternative. Princess Lasertron: Vintage Felt and Button Design, is a company that creates savvy bouquets, boutineers and hair pins composed of antique materials that the bride has specifically selected.  Many times, the bride will choose to incorporate materials from their mother or grandmother’s wedding gowns. The company specializes in this type of sentimental creativity, which joins the past, present and future of tradition together. For more inspiration visit their blog and website to see the endless possibilities for your perfect day!

*Photos taken from Princess Lasertron

Tara Wilson Events is happy to announce the winner of our second set of giveaway passes to Unveiled, the ultimate wedding event, in Dallas on October 4, 2009. Bretteny, congratulations! Please send us your information and address to katelin@tarawilson.com and we will get the tickets in the mail. Remember, if you win, you must respond within 48 hours in order to claim your passes! And if you didn’t win, you can always visit Unveiled Wedding Event to buy general admission tickets.

Congratulations, Bretteny!

If you missed your chance last week, it’s not too late to win 2 passes to Unveiled, the ultimate wedding event, in Dallas on October 4, 2009. We are even including two tickets to the bridal runway show (a $40 value).  Remember, if you win, you must respond within 48 hours in order to claim your passes! And if you don’t win, you can always visit Unveiled Wedding Event to buy general admission tickets.

Here is the weekly question: What is the location of your dream honeymoon? Hawaii or the Caribbean? A European getaway or an African adventure?

We’d love to know…just post your comment below! We’ll post the winner next Thursday.

Tara Wilson Events is happy to announce the winner of our first set of giveaway passes to Unveiled, the ultimate wedding event, in Dallas on October 4, 2009. Kristin, congratulations! Please send us your information and address to katelin@tarawilson.com and we will get the tickets in the mail. Remember, if you win, you must respond within 48 hours in order to claim your passes! And if you didn’t win, you can always visit Unveiled Wedding Event to buy general admission tickets.

Congratulations, Kristin!

We love it so much that we want to share the experience with you. From now until the event, Tara Wilson Events is giving away two passes per week to attend Unveiled. We’re even including two tickets to the bridal runway show to make your experience more complete (a $40 value). So be sure to keep logging on to WeddingAces for our weekly questions and post your comments for a chance to be entered into the drawing!

Remember, if you win, you must respond within 48 hours in order to claim your passes! And if you don’t win, you can always visit Unveiled Wedding Event to buy general admission tickets.

Here is the weekly question: Which designer’s dress will you be wearing on your big day? Vera Wang or Monique Lhuillier?  Christos or Priscilla of Boston?

We’d love to know…just post your comment below! We’ll pick one entry at random and post the winner next Wednesday at 12:00 p.m.

Scented soaps can make a great wedding favors as they are symbolic of a fresh start.  There’s not a better time to give a new start than at a wedding.  These beautiful handmade soaps by Beekman 1802 are made entirely from goat’s milk, and chemical free so you can feel good about using the product. Beekman 1802 creates a different scent for each month so brides can choose which one they would like to share as a wedding favor. These environmentally savvy favors are a unique way to remind guests of your special day with each use!

*Photos from Beekman 1802

If you and your groom are looking to spice up the top of the wedding cake in a little less traditional manner, try this on for size; whimsical cake toppers! Because some of those traditional plastic toppers are so lackluster and dull, many couples have steered away from using them all together, but now you can find the perfect topper to exemplify your personality. So if you’re always grabbing his cute booty out in public, much to the dismay of your friends, select the fun topper I’ve featured above. Don’t worry…there are many whimsical ones to choose from at Where Brides Go. Trust me, they’ve got what you need…helping you find the perfect topper to show your guests the kind of couple you really are!

Our natural resources are so precious, but fashion is so essential…why sacrifice one or the other? With RuMe bags, (which stands for Reuse Me) you can have it all; you can feel good about buying these stylish bags because of their eco-friendly production methods.

Darling, you’re getting affordable bags that are A-D-O-R-A-B-L-E, without harming the environment and they are great for any occasion, especially weddings! I love the idea of screen printing these bags with a monogram for your bridesmaids or using them to stow a nice favor for your out-of-town guests. These bags are green AND savvy…the best fashion statement one can make!

You work it girl!

*Photo from The Event Essentials

As the groom, you have a few financial responsibilities when it comes to the wedding.  Do you know what they are?  Here’s a short list to keep you informed.

The bride’s wedding ring. This is such a special item…one your bride will look at every day and have as a reminder of your love.  Buy the best you can afford…she’s worth it!

A wedding gift for the bride. This is optional but if she gets you something you better be sure to reciprocate!  Need some ideas for a gift?  Think about what she could wear on her wedding day such as pearls or diamond studs.  Maybe she would prefer a piece of furniture or artwork for your new home.  I think it is a good ideas to discuss this with your partner instead of trying to surprise her on the big day.

The marriage license. You should pick this up no earlier than two weeks before the wedding day.  Check with your local court house regarding the expiration on the license.

Groomsmen and usher gifts. These don’t have to be elaborate but they should be meaningful.  Items I’ve seen given in past include leather monogrammed money clips, personalized mini branding irons from Williams-Sonoma, and engraved silver bowls.

Flowers. Yes, I said flowers!  You are responsible for paying for the bride’s bouquets, corsages for the mothers and boutonnieres for the groomsmen and ushers.  Normally, you are not responsible for selecting these items.

Overnight accommodations. As the groom you will need to pay for the accommodations for any men in your wedding party that will be traveling from out-of-town.

The fee (or tip) for the officiant. This will range from $200 to $800.  Ask your officiant what is standard and he/she will provide you a range.

The honeymoon. This only happens once so make it special guys.  Again, this is an item that I think is best discussed with your partner.  You certainly want to get things off on the right foot!

Gentlemen, I know your mamma taught you how to treat a lady but just in case you need a refresher course or a few pointers for your big day, I’ve compiled a list of books that can point you in the right direction.

The Groom-To-Be’s Handbook. It’s published by Today’s Groom Magazine and chalked full of great ideas for your wonderful day.  It’s sure to help you sweep her off her feet!

The Everything Groom Book:  A Survival Guide for Men! The team that brings you The Everything Series has put together a book just for the boys complete with everything you would ever want to know about your role in the wedding.

How To Be A Gentleman:  A Timely Guide to Timeless Manners is written by John Bridges, a true Southerner with wonderful manners.  He’s a graduate of Auburn University, my alma mater, and has authored many books including another of my favorites, Toasts & Tributes:  A Gentleman’s Guide to Personal Correspondence and the Noble Tradition of Toasts.

Photos from Matthew Christopher Bridal

Girls, I’m going to share with you one of the MANY reasons it pays to have a wedding coordinator. Now, I don’t like to brag, but as we Southerns say, “it ain’t braggin’ if you’ve done it.”

Yesterday, Tara Wilson Events helped a bride avoid a near disaster. I mean D-I-S-A-S-T-E-R! Wearing a gorgeous Matthew Christopher dress, the bride walked confidently down the aisle, said her “I do’s” and made her way to the reception. She was radiant…stunning…on top of the world…until we discovered the zipper on her beautiful gown had busted and her entire backside was about to be exposed to a cool 325 guests. (Gasp!)

Quickly her bridesmaids ushered into a private room and the repair work began. Not wanting to rip the dress or worse yet, break the zipper entirely, I pulled gently trying to correct the problem but with no luck. The zipper was popped open, except at the last couple of inches, and wasn’t moving.

Several thoughts ran through my calm-cool-and-collected head:
1. I can fix this zipper. (I’m a “glass half full” kind of girl)
2. Oh sh*t, I can’t fix this zipper. (I’m a realist)
3. I’ll sew her in to the dress. (I’m determined)

Ultimately, I whipped out my handy-dandy event planner box, known fondly among my crew as THE box, and retrieved the sewing kit. In a matter of moments I had her dress stitched up and on her way to her first dance with her husband. Crisis averted!

And that, my darling brides-to-be, is just one of MANY ways your wedding coordinator will save the day! So the next time you think you can’t afford a coordinator, ask yourself this, “Can I really afford NOT to have one?”

Planning a 4^th of July wedding? If the traditional “Stars and Stripes” aren’t your thing, stay true to the Red, White and Blue by using modern elements in your décor and celebration. Here are a few of my favorites!

When you’re planning your table décor, add some sass by using blue and white zebra striped plates atop a red table topper.

Don’t limit your creativity to just the place settings. Branch out with modern DIY floral centerpieces in monochromatic colors.

You can always spruce up inexpensive linen napkins by having catchy words or your initials embroidered on the corner.

Name each table after one of the Founding Fathers or frame patriotic quotes on each table to remind your guests of the reason we celebrate the 4^th of July.

Champagne Toasts are a traditional element in American weddings. To make your toasts extra special have one of your wedding party read a passage from the Declaration of Independence and then offer his or her personal toast.

Serve each guest their very own mini bottle, also called a split, of champagne. The patriotic splits sold by Pommery would add the perfect savvy touch!

I’ve seen exits go wrong when sparklers are used so I recommend replacing them with “confetti poppers” so your guests can help send you off without lighting you up.

Commemorate the occasion by giving guests a star-shaped ornament as a party favor.  (Craft stores carry generic ornaments all year long.) Using a Sharpie pen, write the guests name as well as the date on the bottom of the ornament.

“Is wedding insurance  really necessary?”  This is a question I’m asked frequently.  In short, I think it is worth it and especially under these circumstances:

~~You’re planning an out-of-town wedding

~~Bad weather is very common for the time of year your wedding is schedule

~~You’ve planned an outdoor wedding and bad weather could pop up unexpectedly

~~You’re selecting all the vendors yourself without professional guidance

Recently, I did an interview with the Dallas/Fort Worth NBC affiliate regarding this very issue.  Follow the link below if you want to take a look:

Wedding insurance can range in from from $150 to $600 depending on the coverage you select.  One thing to note, it does not cover you getting cold feet.  Most wedding planners can guide you regarding the right coverage for you.  There are many companies now offering wedding insurance so do your homework, just like you would for any other vendor, and make sure they’re reputable.

Tallu-lah makes the beautiful letter pressed cards that would be perfect for writing a sweet note from daddy’s little girl.

If you’ve already established a special bond with your soon-to-be father-in-law, Tallu-lah has a card for him too!

You can find both of these beautiful cards on Etsy or at Roam in New York, located on the Upper West Side at 488 Amsterdam Avenue.

I have found that many of the most beautiful weddings have a central theme that is carried throughout the entire wedding process.  These themes unify all the elements of the wedding: the save-the-date, invitation, decor, programs, escort cards, favors, etc.

There are many possibilities for creating a theme.  Some can be very evident like a monogram or a certain color.  Some brides who are having destination weddings like to incorporate elements from the location, for example beaches or mountain.  Other themes can be less obvious but just as personal.

When I talk with a bride and groom, I try to discover what makes their relationship unique.  I want to know what elements they would like to make more visable during the planning process.  Drawing on those concepts I try to help them create a vision for their wedding that is specifically theirs, using these ideas to craft her theme.

Recently I’ve worked with couples that have used the following elements to create a theme:

Monogram – the couple wanted to use the “S” as the dominate element

A Grove of Pecan Trees – the bride and groom will marry in a grove on his parents land

Cactus – the happy couple got engaged in a cactus garden in Mexico

Old Hollywood Glamour – the bride and groom love old Hollywood black and white movies

Magical - their romance and courtship felt very magical and they wanted the wedding to have the same feel

Silhouettes – the bride collects them and loves the contrast of the black and white