PB TRENDS | First Look…………Seeing Each Other Before the Wedding Ceremony | Guest Blogger Thomas Beaman

According to Thomas Beaman (CA & PA-based photographer, recently voted The Knot's Best of Weddings Pick 2011!!) many couples are opting to see each other before the wedding ceremony.  In fact, for 2011, over half of his clients are seeing each other before!  So, how do you know if this is for you?  Thomas lists some of the benefits to seeing each other before the ceremony below....

Photo courtesy of Thomas Beaman

What are the benefits to this?

• It is the only time during the day that you will have alone. No guests…….no family……..just the two of you taking it all in. Really enjoying the moment.
• Being much more relaxed when you walk down the aisle.
• You get to take your photos before the ceremony so you can spend more time with your family and friends after the ceremony (you can attend your own cocktail hour and really enjoy it). Your family and bridal party get more time to mingle too!
• The photos of the first look are always real and always amazing. You get more time to really look at each other and talk (As much time as you want).
• When you see each other for the first at the ceremony, it's over so fast. There is no time to tell each other how amazing you both look..............how much you love each other..................you actually get a chance to get all of the butterflies out and at the same time, you get to have it photographed in the best light.
• Couples are really starting to make their wedding their own and breaking away from tradition. It's not for everyone but the couples who do it, absolutely love it.

Thomas Beaman specializes in wedding-day story telling & capturing special moments through gorgeous photography, which is apparent in the above photos-- two real couples from 2010 who opted to see each other before their ceremonies.
Click here to see more of Thomas' photos!

TREND ALERT - INVITATIONS: Pushing the Style Envelope with Made to Keep

Save-the-Dates & Invitations are considered the "first impressions" of your wedding & with the help of Made to Keep, brides-to-be are sending the message loud and clear that their weddings are going to be rocking!  Throw boring out the window (or into the recycle bin for us earth-friendly brides) and make way for little hand-held works of art, bursting with personal style!

Our buddy Melissa Miller, owner of Made to Keep, recently popped in to share the latest trends in wedding stationery, save-the-dates, & invitations. Made to Keep, located in Harrisburg, specializes in hand-made, 100% customizable stationery to fit your wedding theme, patterns, colors, & personality, so you can go as quirky, modern, or as traditional as you want!  The thing we love about Made to Keep is they personally meet with each couple and have an innate knack for translating personalities on to paper.  The design and creation process is extremely hands on-- and a whole lot of love goes into each item, which really shows in the quality of the finished product!   They also carry Carlson Crafts, Crane & Company, & Mcpherson's as well as unique personalized gifts. Check out the below trends that have been catching on fire in 2011, straight from the Pros at Made to Keep:

Make a bold statement with a bright colored card stock & white type.  Damask patterns are very popular,
paired with a contrasting color like red or pink!

 

TIP: Substitute a traditional engraved floral print on white stock with a 3D fabric or paper flower.
You can even use YOUR flower.



Instead of using just one motif, use a whole pattern, which can be based on your gown… a ring of rosettes,
a square of lace appliqué, or a beaded vine.

Small rhinestones, tiny pearl-toned beads, or mini Swarovski crystals makes a low-key invitation style fashionable. 
Also, try using unique materials for your invitations, like a pattern stitched into fabric or burned onto wood.  
Even vellum or acrylic. (photos courtesy of Thomas Beaman)

Neatly tucked away all of the cards and pieces all together, so your guest can take your invite with them to the ceremony. Great way to use all of your colors: one color for the card stock, another for the type &ribbon, & a third for the envelopes. 

3 out of 5 of Melissa's latest brides-to-be have actually opted to nix the RSVP card and have their guests respond online, which has become a popular trend in 2011.  Another trend is tear-and-mail RSVP cards, which is a more budget-friendly option but with these great designs- no one will ever know!

Pinstripes are a hot look now, whether they're vertical, horizontal, multicolored, or in shades of your signature hue.

Introduce your wedding motif on your invitation envelopes; use your names or pattern on the outside to give them a sneak peak before opening.

 

Metallic paper = instant class.