I may, or may not, be the best person to discuss trends. I wouldn’t call myself a trendy person in real life. Meaning that I have a hard time latching onto a trend for a trend’s sake. Good heavens, I live in a college town. If I took to every trend that I saw going on, it would be a sad day. And, I feel the same way with weddings. As much as you want to be current and have fun with your wedding, I try to stay away from trends. Instead, I work with my clients to create a wedding that will speak to their personality as a couple, be beautiful for years to come and still have something special that will set it apart from other weddings that their guests will attend.
You may be wondering how this is possible. It’s not that it doesn’t take work. I have found that it is much easier to over-design than it is to edit. It takes much more attention to know when enough is enough. To hold back at just the right points. I have said many times that I will always tend towards the less is more approach to design. I think that the reason for the event will shine through much more if you don’t throw everything you can imagine into the mix. I believe that it is the people that make up a wedding, not the flowers (or other piece). This touches on my dislike of themes to weddings. If you need a theme, then it isn’t a wedding. Or, if you have to spell it out for people – literally. I, for one, could go without seeing wedding photos of a bride and groom holding signs that say “Love” or “Mr. and Mrs.” or some such thing. I’m sure you know what I am talking about. I mean, really. If your photographer can’t capture the love of a wedding without having written out signs that say “love”, you might need to re-think your choice of photographer.
But, I’m getting off track. In terms of trends, I think that they only work when you can incorporate them effortlessly. If they stand out as a piece on its own, then it shouldn’t be used. Everything should flow completely. This does not mean that I think all weddings should look alike. Neither do I think that you can’t have fun with color or printing or other design aspects. Of my clients that I am working with this moment, all of them have a very distinct color palette. And, I love them all. I know that there are very few people (me being among those oddballs) who would do a black and white wedding.
To try to actually define what I am talking about in terms of trends, think of it this way: if you have to tell someone that you are awesome, then you probably aren’t. Basically, stop trying so hard! Just let your wedding be as natural as possible. If you naturally tend towards the formal side of things (like I do), then go with it. If you have a love of color, use it!
Example 1: I know I use this wedding a lot, but please see Lauren and JP’s wedding for an example of using color and personality in just the right amount. Flowers, printing, etc. all colorful. But, nothing overdone. Lauren used white/negative space in the best way possible to set off her love of color. Photos by Our Labor of Love.



Example 2: Kara and Ian’s wedding was formal with a deep plum color palette. With such a strong color, she kept it all in check. Photos by Flip Flop Foto.




As with all things, have an editing eye. You don’t have to fill your ballroom with fuchsia tablecloths for your guests to know that fuchsia is in your wedding color palette. (As a matter of fact, I strongly advise against a ballroom full of fuchsia tablecloths. Painful to eyes. Email me for more thoughts on this.) Even a glam wedding style needs to be edited. Don’t be afraid to hold back – just a little. It will allow you to shine that much more.
Until next time… XOXO – Julie
The featured photo is by Chanterelle Photography from Rachel and Sean’s wedding. Rachel understood editing when it came to design. Her wedding was absolutely perfectly done. While every detail was thought about, it came across as effortless.