The List: Top 10 Wedding Gown Trends

May 30, 2011

What does 2011 spring fashion have in store for us and how does this influence wedding gowns? The Knot (one of our most trusted sources for all things weddings) published their trend list for 2011 and we are loving the results.


Top 10 Wedding Gown Trends in 2011:

1. Dainty Dots- so sweet and feminine!
2. Billowy skirts with tulle and other airy fabrics
3. Spirals and ruffles created with gown fabric
4. Keyhole and peek-a-boo necklines
5. Tiers and texture
6. "Full Blooms" aka large flower shapes
7. Sheer coverage and lace
8. Separates (forget the dress- try a skirt a top!)
9. "Modified Mermaid Silhouette" and figure flattering shapes (the "new" tulip)
10. Embellished and beaded belts and other details


And here are some photo favorites...

Swirls

Ruffles

Dainty Dots


Separates

Happy shopping!

Photo Credit: Style Me Pretty, BHLDN, The Knot

Vendor News: Meet Kevin Chin!

May 27, 2011

We absolutely love having the opportunity to get to know talented wedding vendors. This week Pink Blossom List interviewed one of our favorite photographers, Kevin Chin. His work speaks for itself. Look out for a gorgeous real wedding shot by Kevin next Monday on PBL!


PBL: How would you describe your style as a photographer / artist?

KC: My style is very clean and simple.  Whether it’s photography or cinema, my imagery concentrates on capturing the true essence of the couple or wedding day.  Storytelling is my main goal and I want to evoke an emotion or feeling when people view my work.

PBL: What makes your work stand out from other photographers, other wedding photographers?

KC: In this digital age, my preference is still film.  There is an organic quality to film that can’t be duplicated digitally.  I am well versed in shooting both digital and film but I feel my clients come to me for the artistic quality that film offers.  My b&w imagery is a favorite of my clients and all of my b&w’s are still printed the old fashion way in a darkroom which results in fine-art print making at it’s best.

PBL: We talk a lot about different trends in floral design, weddings, and fashion.  Are there similar trends in photography / cinema too?

KC: There are definitely trends in photography and cinematography as well.  Photography was all posed portraits in the 80’s, and photojournalism in the 90’s.  The most recent trend these days is more of a stylized fashion or editorial look.  I see that the art of a well posed portrait is becoming a lost art and is becoming important again.  Even if you don’t shoot a lot of posed portraits, it’s important to understand what a flattering pose looks like so that when you see it happening in the camera, you will know when to take the shot.   I believe a good photographer should be well versed in all these trends to fully capture a wedding day.  There are times when you need the posed portraits, and there are times when you need to have the creative eye to capture a photojournalistic shot that goes beyond just an ordinary snapshot.

Cinematography is going through a very exciting time right now.  The current trend is to shoot HD quality movies on HDSLRs which are the same exact cameras that photographers use for still photography.  The advantage is that now cinematographers have access to all the same quality lenses to get that shallow depth of field look which gives the wedding films a more cinematic look. 

PBL: Has photography always been a hobby of yours?  When did you first start?

KC: Like most of us, photography was a hobby of mine growing up.  I was always the one grabbing the camera on family vacations taking photos.  From these vacation photos, a co-worker of my mom asked me to photograph their wedding.  I was 16 back then and made $50.  I haven’t looked back since.

PBL: What advice do you have for brides and grooms when looking for a photographer?  What questions should they ask?

KC: When the wedding is over, the only thing you will have left are your wedding photos and video.  As the years go by and the memory fades, these photos and videos become even more important and are your only lasting mementos of the wedding day.  Don’t skimp on your photographer or cinematographer.  If you are not happy with the results, you can’t go back and do it all over again.

Digital photography has made very easy for anyone to go to Costco and pick up a decent digital camera and call themselves a photographer.  Technology has also made it very easy for anyone to make an awesome looking website.  Experience is critical.  Ask how many weddings they have photographed and ask to see samples of complete weddings.  If your photographer misses an important shot because of lack of experience, that moment is forever gone.


Thank you to Kevin Chin for his interesting story and professional insight. See more of his photographs and films here and look out for real wedding shots on PBL coming next week! Here is a little sneak peek for those of you who just can't wait...



Edible Trends: Mint Juleps

May 25, 2011

Looking for the perfect summer wedding drink? A refreshing mint julep is classic, stylish, and delicious. Here is "the perfect recipe" from the Food Network.

4 cups bourbon
2 bunches fresh spearmint
1 cup distilled water
1 cup granulated sugar
powered sugar

See the detailed directions here.


One of the best things about these icy treats is the many ways that they can be fashioned and styled to fit your event. From southern comfort to garden chic, the julep is such a wonderful addition to a table spread or drink table.


If you love the idea of a julep, but already have a drink in mind don't fret. The mint julep can be reinvented into ice cream sherbet, panna cotta, or cupcakes!



 So fresh and fun!

Credits: Southern Living, My Recipe, Leitesculinaria, Yum Sugar

Real Weddings: Northern California Romance

May 23, 2011


Isn't there just something about a real wedding that makes you melt inside? We are happy to introduce our first real wedding on Pink Blossom List. Below is an interview with Nancy Liu Chin, the talented floral designer of this real wedding.



Why is Kristy and Chris' wedding one of your favorite all time weddings?  

NLC:  I love true romance.  And this wedding reflects a couple who are madly in love.  The way they look together, their body language shows how into each other they are.
And who doesn't love a man willing to wear a kilt on his wedding day?

What are some of your favorite details from this wedding?

NLC:  Gosh - I love the fact that they kept the Marin Headlands authentic.  Adding just a few details to really transform the simplicity of the space into something warm and elegant.
The chandelier for the ceremony was one of my favorite ideas and I love that Lisa the planner and the couple embraced it.  That was just a beautiful focal point and enhanced the ceremony without doing too much.  
When Kristy wanted to have branches incorporated into the design, she basically said, "go for it".  Having a client who truly trusts you is rewarding.  

I recall that the week of the wedding, the floral resources had the most amazing branches.  The combination of the blossoming branches with the red, fiery ranunculus was insanely gorgeous.
Though I don't always like primary colors, this was definitely one of those weddings that I loved for it's great use of bold colors with subtle neutrals.

Any other comments?

NLC:  Another thing that about Marin Headlands that stood out for me is the mismatching chairs.  To me it adds to the feel of the space, it's vintage, it's authentic.  So glad the couple chose to use the furniture and yet it looks refreshingly today.







Love how these liquor bottle are both decorative and functional- so understated.


The couple incorporated their favorite music and set the mood with a Beatles tribute band.





Thanks to Greg Slick and Jesse Leake from Once Photography for the fabulous images and to Nancy for some great insight!

Destination Weddings: The Best of Mexico

May 20, 2011

Cancun and Cabo San Lucas are popular destinations for lovers, but there are so many wonderful beaches to explore in Mexico. We are particularly infatuated with Tulum, a lovely beach just a few hours south of Cancun. Much less developed than the bigger cities, Tulum is a wedding paradise. Its secluded beaches sit close to the Mayan ruins, which is how the town got its name (Tulum means "wall").

The Be Tulum resort is our top pick for the most gorgeous wedding (or honeymoon) venue. Guests can choose between the Jungle, Arena, and Ocean suites depending on your event style, whether its jungle/tropical or sea bound. Ceremonies take place on the adjacent beach and a reception in the various lounge areas would be absolutely divine.






Simply breathtaking!


Credits: Be Tulum, Titatulum and Trip Advisor

Cakes and Sweets: Bi-Rite Creamery

May 18, 2011

If you live in San Francisco, you may have noticed the long line of patrons trailing down the block in front of Bi-Rite Creamery in the Mission district. I now know why. Their handcrafted ice cream is to die for. The salted caramel is a favorite, but even the plain chocolate is amazing. And to top it off, Bi-Rite is a completely sustainable operation using local, organic ingredients.

Good news: Bi-Rite caters and would be such a fun addition to a wedding. Who doesn't love an ice cream sundae bar?




 Skip the long line if you are just picking up a to-go pint!


In this case, we think pictures speak louder than words.
Order ice cream or handmade treats here.


Credits: Alamode Journals, The Chocolate of Meats, Iheartdeliciousfoods.com

Inspiration: Citrus Dreams

May 16, 2011

It's not summer just yet, but this inspiration palette exudes sunshine, blue skies, and ice cream sundaes.

Style: Citrus Dreams
Colors: Tangerine, Robin Egg Blue, Creamy Whites
Textures: Popsicles, Orange creamsicles, Tangerine marmalade, Rock candy, Meringue, Lemon cupcakes



Simply delicious!


Credits:
Top row: 4 The Wedding, Nora Karen via Chicink, Getty Images
Middle row: Stonewall Kitchen, Beth Helmstetter
Bottom row: Charlie's Chocolate Factory, Project Wedding, Beth Helmstetter

Industry News: Style Unveiled

May 13, 2011

We are SO thrilled to introduce our newest sponsor- Tahoe Unveiled. 



Here is a note from Stephanie, 2011 WFA student and founder of Tahoe Unveiled and One Fine Day Events:


Tahoe Unveiled is an online resource and wedding blog for Lake Tahoe's bride and grooms. We provide everything from wedding galleries, to tips and information on planning an unforgettable wedding in Lake Tahoe.  Our blog is updated five times a week with inspiration boards, real weddings, and the latest and greatest finds. Our goal is to reveal Tahoe's true hidden talent, thus we have hand selected the finest event professionals that service Lake Tahoe to be featured on our vendor guide.


Check out this amazing resource at Tahoeunveiled.com 



Edible Trends: Food Trucks

May 11, 2011

Food trucks are all the rage this year. What could be better? Your favorite foods on wheels right where you want them! San Francisco's daily "off the grid" event is a mobile street food gathering that pops up in various neighborhoods offering cheap eats, a full bar, music, and a fun crowd. Below is the scene at Fort Mason in San Francisco's Marina district.



Off the grid also offers private catering. Wouldn't this be a fun idea for a late night wedding snack, or even for the main meal? Let your guests pick and choose from tons of foods from around the world. It would spark a lot of interesting conversation topics and would definitely be a nice break from a stuffy five course dinner.

Beef and Pork Tacos from Kung Fu Tacos

Steam Buns from Chairman Bao

Nothing is better than good eats and happy guests.


Credits: Bay Area Bites, Bare Magazine, Bite Club Eats

The List: Top 10 Most Influential Wedding Vendors on Twitter!

May 9, 2011

Wouldn't it be interesting to know the most popular twitter accounts in the wedding industry? Thanks to WeFollow.com, there's a way to determine who these companies are. The list changes every year and is based not solely on number of "followers" but on how interactive readers are with the account (commenting, re-tweeting, mentions, etc).


Introducing the Top 10 "Most Influential" on Twitter in 2011 (drum roll please...)

1. Wedding Wire
2. Style Me Pretty
3. Bridal Tweet
4. Wedding Chicks
5. Bride Tide
6. OneWed
7. The Knot
8. Project Wedding
9. Lara Casey
10. Brides


Congratulations to these awesome, talented, and inspiring people!

Invitations: We Love Storkie

May 6, 2011

One of our beloved sponsors is Storkie. Take a look inside their wonderful wedding invitation collection. Storkie offers "dynamic design" capability, which allows clients to completely customize color, graphics, and arrangement. 






These stencil-inspired designs are delicate and bold at the same time. Perfect for the modern bride!




Customize your own design at Storkie.com 

Cakes and Sweets: Palmiers (and other Heart-shaped Goodies)

May 4, 2011

Sometimes its more fun to drool over photos of dessert than to actually eat them! Well...maybe not MORE fun, but its definitely a great hobby. Our latest obsession is the flakey, heart-shaped Palmier. Then we got to thinking: What other desserts look so charming in the shape of a heart?


LOVE the chunky sugar sprinkled on top and the slightly burnt edges!



Heart-shaped peppermint patties!


Didn't think red velvet cake could get any better? It just did.



It's true...all you need is love.


Credit: Baking Bites, Simply Recipes, Erin Cooks, Blue Eyed Bride, yumsugar, Whipper Berry

Floral Inspiration: Go Green

May 2, 2011

Using greenery as the main color element in a bouquet is so fresh and crisp. It can offset certain flowers and really makes lighter colors pop. Loving this look for spring events!



All-green centerpieces paired with your color of choice is a good way to add dimension to a tablescape. How amazing do the green florals look in these vintage medicine jars?




For a less formal occasion you can try a purely green bouquet. So unexpected!


Credit: Wedding Window and Laurel Munro
Blog Widget by LinkWithin