Juliana Williams was a reluctant wedding planner with a knack for finding the perfect venue, flower arrangements,wedding dresses and DJs. As one of the few members of her extended clan who had made the move from Cranbrook to Calgary, Williams became the go-to wedding guru for female cousins and other family members who were planning to wed in Calgary, but couldn't make the trek on a regular basis to check out venues and other must-haves for their big day.
Eventually, Williams used her experience planning weddings for friends and family as the foundation for Wed Studio, a one-stop wedding and event-planning showroom. The modern studio space, which opened in Calgary in October, provides a no-pressure environment where brides can explore a collection of vendor portfolios, a digital photography gallery and other wedding services available in and around Calgary. Wed Studio does not charge brides; instead, Williams makes her money by charging wedding vendors and professionals a membership fee to the studio.
We checked in with Williams (wedstudio.ca) and several other experts to discuss wedding trends for 2012.
STYLE AND VENUES
Brides continue to choose casual yet chic weddings. Over the last five years, couples have tried to create authentic wedding celebrations that reflect their personalities and lifestyle. Williams says she recently helped a bride and groom who are both competitive lugers. That couple chose an outdoor ceremony at Canada Olympic Park by the luge corner.
Many couples are choosing a venue that means something to them personally, such as family farms and ranches. Williams says even those with spiritual backgrounds are occasionally forgoing the church in favour of having their pastor or priest perform the ceremony at their location of choice. Restaurant weddings are also a popular alternative to hotels and halls for receptions.
"They are really going for that New York society, nightlife feel," Williams says.
Vintage style will also make a strong showing throughout 2012. "There is a real fascination with the mid-century period, as can be seen by all the period television shows we're seeing right now, including Mad Men, Pan Am and now Bomb Girls," Williams says. "Couples are infusing a lot of vintage elements into their weddings through fashion - birdcage veils, wrist gloves, slim fit suits and ties - as well as through their decor, using items such as old typewriters to be used as a guest book, milk glass vases for centrepieces, and all sorts of novel ideas."
COLOURS
Although the colour of the year is tangerine tango, Calgary brides are also choosing deep rich purples (eggplant, plums and African violet). In 2011, many brides and grooms mixed these with cool silvers, greens, whites and yellows.
However, this year the trend moves toward warmer, regal tones such as deep and medium-toned purples with rich golds, black, royal blue and browns. Remember those beautiful emerald and deep red gowns we saw on the red carpet at the Golden Globe awards? You'll see brides playing with these in 2012.
THE DRESS
According to Calgary designer Anya Getzlaf, of DionneDionne, when it comes to bridal fashions, the most important thing a bride wears is her personality.
"In choosing a dress that fits your wedding theme, focus on finding one that accentuates your assets and your inner style. I have seen brides rock weddings in oldschool Value Village dresses, while others lose themselves in a designer name because they want to be fashionable," Getzlaf says.
Calgary-based wedding dress designer Laura George says strapless gowns continue to be popular with 2012 brides-to-be. "However, I also have many brides interested in straps, one-shoulder strap designs and wrap dresses," George says.
Lace and embroidered fabrics are gaining a following, as are unexpected colour combinations such as black and taupe.
George adds that unique embellishments such as flowers, braids and origami detailing are also on trend for 2012 weddings.
ACTIVITIES
Couples want to put fun into their celebrations, and many continue to rent photo booths (as an alternative to the traditional guest book) and other props for their guests to enjoy. Candy buffets are a popular alternative to wedding favours, allowing guests to scoop up their favourite goodies throughout the evening.
HONEYMOONS
A new trend Williams says she's seeing with Generation Y couples is the group honeymoon.
"This generation really values their friendships. They want to have their close friends with them as they celebrate major life events. Many couples are now inviting friends to join them on their honeymoon. It's something I don't think we've seen with any other generation," she says.
HAIR AND MAKEUP
Calgary-based makeup artist Trena Olfert says her clients are requesting modern, classic, timeless and even red-carpet-ready smoky-eye looks for their big day.
"2012 is going to be creative, fun and all about tuning into who the bride is and how she projects herself," says Olfert. For hair, updos, down-dos, anyway you do it, it's all about capturing a vintage look - including fascinators.
Mallory McGowan, lead makeup artist and hairstylist at Finding Forever After Bridal Makeup and Hair, says the retro look for bridal hair is all the rage. "And I believe, in 2012, this will only become more pronounced. We've been asked to do quite a few weddings in 2012 with true Mad Men style hairstyles," says McGowan.
"Think beautiful Betty Draperstyle roller sets, finger-waved bangs and plenty of updos with volume and pincurls. A waved bob also looks stunning on shorter hair. We're seeing these hairstyles being accessorized beautifully by old pillbox hats and birdcage veils. I couldn't be happier about this. I really love working on these gorgeous 1950s and 1960s hairstyles."
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