Every little girl dreams of her picture perfect wedding, and Boston Wedding Workbook is here for you to make your dream come true.  We’ve said good bye to 2011′s Vintage & Rustic Chic Weddings and the stage is now being set for 2012′s scene: Vintage Elegance: Think OLD HOLLYWOOD & the Royal Wedding (Kate continues to stun us with her simple, traditional, & elegant style!) with the flair of bold & bright colors.

Here are a few of the trends that Boston Wedding Workbook is ‘predicting’ we’ll see in this year’s wedding forte…

2012 Wedding Trend #1:  Old Hollywood Glamour (with flair in bold & bright colors!)

We’re talking old-style elegance paired with bold, bright colors to really enhance the individuality with the sophistication of Old Hollywood.  Be your own person, but make it memorable with a splash of color & uniqueness.

2012 Wedding Trend #2:  Golds, Nudes, Black & White

From cakes to tuxedos, BWW expects to see what sophisticated elegance & class is all about.  Golds, nudes, and black & white affairs are making a comeback and are hard hitters this year in the wedding industry.  What’s your fancy?

2012 Wedding Trend #3:  Keep it Fresh with the Gorgeous Outdoors

Make the most of the beautiful architecture, longer & warmer daylight hours, & incredible scenery to re-create that dreamed-about moment in your vision of a perfect wedding day.  Need a suggestion for outdoor & quaint glamour & exquisiteness: Indian Pond Country Club

2012 Wedding Trend #4:  Classy & Traditional Necklines

Sugar & spice & everything nice…Illusion necklines are taking wedding dress designs by storm.  Plunging necklines covered by lace & sheer fabrics are making a comeback.  The illusion neckline is startlingly feminine, with a vintage vibe that has us loving the simple sophistication & innocence previously associated with the ‘white’ of the traditional wedding gown.

2012 Wedding Trend #5:  The 1920′s Never Died

In fact, when you think of class, sophistication, & elegance, few styles are as remembered as the 1920′s.  Women knew how to dress their body type to perfection & men wore slacks & button ups to work and suits & tux’s on dates.  This era is remembered with the fondness of gentile society.  Frankly darlin’, they gave a damn.

2012 Wedding Trend #6:  Going Green

The whole world is going “Green”.  We are now able to recycle and support our environment in all sorts of ways.  How about your invitations?  THINK: Wood, recycled paper, & reused twine.  THINK, The Chocolate Lily.  Seriously, as Kathryn from The Chocolate Lily states, “Invitations are your guests’ very first impression of your wedding.”  Don’t disappoint your guests with a cheap emailed or generic invitation.  Pair it with the real thing.  Whether you make your own or have someone design your invites, your first impression can easily be made using environmentally friendly products.

Now let’s see which trends will be our favorites!  Need wedding planning help?  Check out Boston Wedding Workbook’s top notch vendors & Wedding Guide…

We are definitely putting our Wedding Workbook to good use.  It was a life-saver when Jon and I went to check out venues for our ceremony and for our engagement party.  Here’s why ~

I am a bit of a perfectionist.  I love organization.  Whenever I get too stressed, I begin cleaning and putting things away, getting rid of junk and organizing my desk, bedroom, kitchen, bathroom…nothing is off limits to become orderly.  So, being a rather organized person myself, it would seem that I should be all put together, right?  Wrong…

When I begin interviews with vendors that I need to make my wedding perfect, I begin to stress and I forget half my questions.  Fortunately, the wedding workbook that Jon and I chose has all the questions written down and all I have to do is write the answers in the spaces given on the worksheet.  I won’t have to find my note pad(s) later and try to remember where I scribbled all my notes.  It’s truly brilliant!

I used the venues worksheets 1st because our whole wedding design depends on our venue.

We decided on a country-vintage wedding theme and found the PERFECT small wedding ceremony and reception site.  We’ve also decided to forget the traditional idea of wedding colors.  Instead, we are keeping browns and neutrals dominant with splashes of color in flowers and decor.  I am wearing pearls with little diamonds for earrings and necklace and we’re encouraging everyone to dress to our theme.  I love the idea of a mis-matched vintage-y wedding that is all our own!

Have any suggestions?  Email me at Sara@BridalWorkbook.com.

 One piece of advice we hear time and time again from our favorite New England photographers, is for a bride to write down ahead of time all the shots she wants in her wedding album. This way, a photographer has a list of those shots that aren’t to be missed, and things go much more smoothly when the big day arrives. What if you don’t know what kind of shots you want?  Wedding magazines, online blogs,or your own family photos can greatly assist you in deciding which shots are important, and which ones you can do without.

Photographs that you spend more than three seconds looking at, or that make you laugh or cry, need to be on your list. If  a picture provokes any sort of emotion in you (when you don’t even know the people) they will that much more when it is your own wedding.  Also, are there old family photos that you may want to replicate, like say, a shot of Dad dipping Mom during their first dance? These photographs will look fabulous on the mantle, and can be great ways to carry on fun family traditions.

One of our favorite kinds of pictures are ones that use architecture in them. Boston is full of wonderful buildings, bridges, and monuments that can make excellent backdrops to your photos. Perhaps your venue has some sweet spots you can use to enhance the unicity of your wedding album. Here are some of our favorites:

Whatever types of pictures you want in your wedding album, it is essential to stay organized. The Boston Wedding Workbook has over 100 worksheets for you to use to this effect. Or consider downloading our worksheets online (only $14.95) to include in your own wedding planning binder. Note that there is a section on wedding photography, with a list of essential photographs you won’t want to forget. Also, there is a place for you to write in those extra precious photos you will be including in your session. Most of all… don’t forget to enjoy those few moments, when the lenses are pointed at you and your soulmate.

Happy planning and happy snapping!!!

Because of the date of Valentine’s this year, many people celebrated last weekend, but even more are choosing to celebrate this weekend.  What are your plans?  Boston Wedding Workbook found a great link for Boston & New England area couples to check out for suggestions and ideas ~

Where you engaged last weekend?  Are you planning to pop the question soon?  February is certainly an exquisite time to do so!  And right at the beginning of spring!  The Month of Love will be that much more endearing to you as a couple!

Also remember to take advantage of all the bridal shows and giveaways around this time of the year!

Favorite Color Trend: Coral and Gray

Photograph by Kellie Kano, via ruffledblog.com

Do It Yourself

If you’ve read our blog or used our book, you know how much we love a DIY bride.  This is one of the biggest 2011 wedding trends, and for good reason. It’s definitely the more economical way to go, but it also adds a special element to have handmade invitations, decorations, or even dresses in your wedding.

Outdoor Venues

There is nothing like taking your vows in a natural setting, such as by a crystal blue lake or a sprawling mountain, or in a charming vineyard. What is great about the outdoors is that a creative couple has endless possibilities for personalizing their special day.

Vintage

A vintage theme is timeless, but this year it’s on fire, and we LOVE it!  Wedding dresses are popping up in beautiful textures, like organza, tulle, and lace with  ruffles or cap sleeves. Bouquets and centerpieces are made with a mix and variety of flowers that may not have traditionally been paired together. Incorporate ornate details, such as charms and jewels in your bouquet, enlist your bride’s maids to help you make your own unique invitations, and don’t forget fun things, like one-of-a-kind shoes, or fun socks for your groom to show off in pictures.

Old-school photography is making a comeback and is perfect for a retro wedding. Also, consider renting a photo booth. It’s a crowd-pleaser, a great personalized favor for your guests to take home, and you will have fun for years looking at these little preserved memories.

Modern

On the flip-side of the vintage trend, many couples are opting for  more contemporary-style nuptials.  Color is the word–from the stone in your wedding band to a dress in a beautiful hue, instead of the usual white, champagne, or ivory. Edgy dress styles are also big this year from short cocktail dresses to one shouldered. Consider letting your bridesmaids pick out their own dresses  in their favorite style, and let color tie them together, or don’t worry about matching color either. This will create a fun, funky, eclectic bridal party, great for pictures. Modernize your décor, as well, mixing table shapes and sizes, simplifying centerpieces, and choosing cupcakes instead of a wedding cake.

It’s going to be a creative wedding season! What are some of your favorite trends or new ideas for this year?

Photo by DMPJ

It may be winter, and we may be expecting another winter storm in the New England area, but we are not without warmth!  Engagement season is here and with it comes the glowing faces of brides-to-be, as well as a flurry of planning and brainstorming.  All centered around love…such a beautiful theme!

How do you get started with wedding planning?  Especially with the Do-It-Yourself generation, most engaged couples, even those who hire wedding planners, will play a significant part in creating and “making it happen” when it comes to planning their wedding.  It really is your day, and it must be perfect!

Starting the process is sometimes the most difficult part; pulling your ideas together and communicating them to your fiance, family, friends, and wedding professionals can be over whelming!  Here’s a few ideas:

Get Organized!

Easier said than done?  Not if you have the right planning tools.  Our suggestions?  Get a comprehensive and interactive wedding workbook.  We suggest the Boston Wedding Workbook, which over 150 worksheets, including a budget, and local vendors, guest entertainment ideas, and local marriage license laws, etc.  Next, go online and find wedding-oriented blogs and websites and check them regularly for great tips.  A few of our favorites are Beantown Bride, Style Me Pretty, and Ruffled Blog.

Delegate!

Remember that people want to help you plan your wedding.  It’s easy for everyone to get caught up in the excitement of being engaged and planning a wedding. Make sure you control your stress so that this process stays enjoyable and you can look back on it with fondness.

Delegate tasks to people you trust and make sure to keep notes of who is in charge of what in your wedding workbook.  REMEMBER TO BE DETAILED IN YOUR ASSIGNMENTS! You don’t want to have to go back and “fix” things you don’t like.  The more details you give, the better the result and the less you’ll be stressed.  For instance, if your maid of honor is in charge of your flowers, let her know exactly what you want, even cutting out pictures, as well as your allotted budget.  That way, when she is setting up appointments for you, she can narrow the options and make sure the appointments aren’t a waste of time.

Prepare to Get the Most Out of Bridal Workshops, Expos, Fairs, & Shows!

This sounds strange, right?  But just sit back and think of how these events work.  You typically spend about two lattes worth of admission to attend.  There are all sorts of local wedding vendors with booths, ideas, freebies, discounts, and free drawings, and they’re all waiting for you.  Lots of engaged couples will be roaming around.  So how do you prepare and make good use of these scenarios?

You want your money’s worth, so grab your notepad and jot down all your wedding planning questions (and bring them with you to the event).  Then write a list of vendors that you need to answer those questions.  The beauty of bridal shows, workshops, and fairs is that all the wedding vendors you need are all sitting in an arena and waiting to chat with you.

You don’t have to call around, make appointments, or run around town trying to figure out answers to your questions.  The experts have come to you.  Take advantage!

Print up labels or business cards with your name, phone number and/or email, and wedding date.  This saves your hand and your time.  It is much easier to simply stick a label or card into all the free drawings, instead of having to write your info a hundred times.

Next, bring cash, or at least be ready to buy.  You will find killer deals at most of these events and you will save a TON of your budgeted money if you are ready to purchase at the event.

Take a deep breath before you walk in.  Approach the task as a vital part of the wedding planning process and think of the time and money you are saving just by attending!

For more suggestions, check out our Facebook page postings for the next few weeks.  We’ve got you covered!

Photo by Bella Arte Imagery

Congratulations on your engagement and happy planning!

The Boston Wedding Workbook Team says, it depends.  Not much help, right? Let us qualify our answer…

The only way these sorts of wedding planning events will be useful to you is if you  know how to use them to your wedding planning advantage.  Let us help you prepare so that your experience is positive and a real help to your planning process.

First thing’s first: Choose which events are going to be most useful to you.  Do your research and find the different types of bridal shows, expos, and workshops in your area.  Expos, free shows, and workshops are a fabulous starting place.  Click here for a few suggestions… Once you know what sorts of events are available to you, ask yourself:

Where am I in my wedding planning process?

What do I need help with?

What sorts of items do I still need to purchase?

Second, use these shows to benefit you!  Think of it this way: these events bring together sometimes hundreds of the area’s wedding vendors who are EXPERTS in their field.  That means that you can essentially come to one place to chat with these vendors, instead of making phone calls, sending emails, and running around town.  So make a list of questions you have and pull it out once you get to the event.  These experts’ main goal is to talk to brides and grooms just like you!  Ask these experts all your questions, write down the answers and suggestions, and pick up any items you need because you’ll typically save money.  Expos and shows like these always have lots of discounts only available at the show!

Now it’s time to prepare!  Here are four of our bride-tested suggestions:

• Bring labels.
• Be prepared to buy.
• Bring color swatches.
• Bring a camera.

And don’t forget to bring your Boston Wedding Workbook!

So, here’s our first set of photos, from Eric Limon Photography.  Make sure to keep up with Eric’s blog!  Have you scheduled your engagement photo session yet?   I hope these photos give you a few great ideas:

The e-Boston Wedding Workbook is only $9.95 if you buy today.  Don’t like the idea of only having an e-Workbook?  If you order the perfect-bound Boston Wedding Workbook before midnight tonight, we’ll make sure you have it in a week AND we’ll cover shipping!

You can’t beat these CYBER MONDAY deals!!

Not in Boston? Check out deals in Chicago & Alaska…

By the way, check out our photo of the week…we just adore DMPJ’s artistic photojournalist style!