I am going to level with you … be straightforward as it were. About six months ago, I had somewhat of an “I’m fed up with this” outburst on the Hill City Bride facebook page. At the time, I had encountered several passé “trends” that people were still including in aspects of their weddings, and I had just had enough! Well, I posted the following status …
I am seriously thinking about doing an “in” and “out” posting … like what trends are in and which ones are out. I have some that I can NOT stand!! Any ideas on what should go into this posting? Feel free to sound off … I know I will when I write it.
As suspected both brides, former brides and wedding vendors stood their ground and posted what they were tired of seeing, and (in my humble opinion) things that should never be. So, welcome to my “In and Out”. Truly, this is not meant to offend as these are just opinions, but if you take the advice of professionals and those that are in the know, I would heavily consider listening to the experts (names withheld to protect the not so innocent).
Here is the first of my two postings …
Strapless Dresses or a Too Revealing Dress
Ok, seriously. I think strapless dresses are beautiful but so are one shouldered and cap sleeved. I feel like each and every bride in each and every photo is wearing a strapless dress (ok, not 100%, but it is such a nauseatingly high percentage). In my opinion if everyone is doing it, it’s not really a fashionable trend anymore … why not dare to be different? Kudos to those of you who are bucking the masses and opting for something out of the norm.
Also, modesty is beautiful … not that you have to don a turtleneck to ankle to wrist dress (please don’t as that went out in the 80s!), but don’t show all your wares. Truly! As one vendor put it, “Dresses that are too tight or too low cut (are out), especially for a church ceremony! Save that for the wedding night. Classy can still be beautiful.” I think we just witnessed this when Kate married Prince William, don’t you think?
Smashing Cake
This is one that I have never understood. You just proclaimed your love for each other in front of God, family and friends. Two people have dated and decided to spend the rest of their lives together, and they demonstrate their love by … squishing icing and cake into each others faces? What bride wants to have her makeup smeared, and what groom wants a nostril full of buttercream?
If you simply must be playful, don’t be vindictive. A sweet (no pun intented) way to have the same effect is to lovingly take a dab of icing and touch the end of your bride’s nose playfully or put a bit on your lips and kiss your new husband on the lips. Think of a creative way to have fun instead of being mean. Enough said.
Candle Contraptions
I had not really thought about this but one responder said, “… candle contraptions that take forever to light …”. How true is that! I have been to one to many weddings where it took an eternity to light the candles. It is not the best way to honor your groomsmen by having them set an entire legion of candles ablaze with a long stemmed bronze fire stick … seriously, has he even lit a candle in his bachelor pad before? Think about this before you opt for bonfires on the sides of your wedding set.
Photos with a “Pop” of Color
My, oh my. This is NOT a trend … at all. No matter how much you want to do this, please do not. Having a black and white photo with one thing in color (or any amount of things, normally it is a bouquet or some other focal point) is very passé. Please do not do this as this trend was out a long time ago. There are ways to focus on the beauty of an object without making it the only thing that is in color. Truthfully, this is like fingernails on a chalkboard to me!
Receiving Lines
Forming a line where each guest has to meet every bridal party member (do they really want to meet your best friend from elementary school?) takes time away from important things along with creating some awkward situations and overly quick introductions. While filtering guests through a line is out, saying hi to all of your guests is not … be polite and try to make your way around to talk to each guest and/or table individually. That way you can have as much time as you need (or don’t need) with each person, and the time is much more meaningful than if you are forced to spend seconds with people being funneled through on their way out of the ceremony.
Ok, that’s it for Part One … stay tuned for Part Two coming soon!
Images from top to bottom by: Wonderlane, reynolds.james.e, jeremiahandrews, canorus, and mbaylor all from Flickr.
