Did Brides really Copy Kate?

Yesterday marked the 1st Anniversary for William and Kate. I find it hard to believe that it's been a full year since I woke up at 4:30am to watch the Royal Wedding with my Mom. We had homemade scones with jam and cream and created a memory that will last.

There was lots of talk surrounding the Royal Wedding and whether or not Kate would impact the industry and   create trends. Personally, I don't think she's made a huge impact, but what I do know for sure is that she's made sleeves on dresses cool again, has brought Lily of the Valley into the mix for requested flowers, and made lace more modern and less like Grandma.

As the 2012 Wedding season begins, I'll be paying attention to see just how many Brides really did Copy Kate.

To see some of our suggestions on how to Copy Kate, check out these old posts.

#1 The Dresses
#2 The Invitation
#3 The Bouquet

2011 Trend Alert: Broach Bouquets

I've seen them pop up on wedding blogs and in magazines. They are stunningly beautiful, elegant and colourful. A broach bouquet is a great way to incorporate your 'something old' into your wedding as well as pay homage to family heirlooms. Having a bouqet made with broaches is also eco-chic.

A broach bouquet is a delightful pairing to a more casual dress. Rather than beading, jewels and details on your gown, your bouquet is your 'wow' factor while walking down the aisle - other than your beaming smile of course!

To see some broach bouqets, how to's and learn about how much it will cost you to make one of these beauts, visit The Vegas Wedding Planner Blog, Belle: The Magazine or Calgary Bride Blog.

Also gaining popularity are Button Bouquets which offer more of a rustic, do-it-yourself feel.

If you don't want to make these bouquets yourself, check out Miss Jennifer Rae for Button Bouquets on Etsy. This website has fabulous vendors that you can order from and get items shipped right to your door step!

We think that this trend will crop up more and more this season. Email us if you are making or buying a broach or button bouquet, or if you know a friend who is. We'd love to see the pictures and feature them on the blog!

*Thanks to the above mentioned blogs for inspiring this post

*Images from MissJenniferRae and Belle: The Magazine

Wedding Planners

Not really sure what a Wedding Planner does?

Here are the basics of what we, The Bride's Butler can do, and how we help you with your most special day.

• We're experts in the Wedding Industry and are in the know of todays trends. Our knowledge can help you save money, time and stress searching online, in magazines and with vendors.

• We've got connections. We can help you secure trusted professionals (Friendors) that often extend discounts to clients of certified Wedding Planners.

• We're there for you. A Wedding Planner works for you - not for your venue, or your photographer, or for your crazy Auntie Carla - we are working for you - the happy couple. Your wish is our command (within reason of course!)

• Wedding Planners will take time to discuss your needs, ideas and wants for your wedding. We help you problem solve, answer questions, point you in the right direction and help guide you through a fun, yet often  stressful planning process.

• We do not plan your entire wedding and make it our own. It is your wedding day, and we make sure that your personalities shine through in all of your decisions. There are lot's of choices when planning, in fact you will make over 177 decisions before you walk down the aisle.

• We're organized. We can provide you with spreadsheets and timelines to help you stay organized too.

• We can be your personal therapist. Like we've said, wedding planning can be stressful, and when other opinions are involved (mothers, sisters, cousins, bridesmaids, etc) it can get frustrating. We are here for you - for an ear to vent to, a shoulder to cry on and to play the role of 'negotiator'.

• Wedding Planners can be hired for Full Wedding Planning where we are with you every step of the way. We help guide your decisions, source vendors and resources and work towards saving you time, money and stress.

• Wedding Planners can also be Wedding Coordinators. This role is for Day of Coordination services - where you plan your wedding, but we make the magic happen. You can't be too places at once. We take care of all the details so that you can enjoy being a blushing Bride.

• We are affordable. Wedding Planners aren't as expensive as you think. Ask any Bride who didn't hire a Planner and they would tell you that they wish they did. Hindsight is 20/20. In comparison for what you pay for your photographer, florist, dress and cake - we are very affordable for the services we provide.

So, think you have a better idea as to what a Wedding Planner does? Still not sure? Check out our website, or come visit us tonight at the Ancaster Wedding Show.

Questions? We love meeting with Brides-to-be and their Grooms for a complimentary coffee & chat so we can discuss how we can work together and be your official "Bride's Butler".

Mancakes

Yep, you read that right...Mancakes. The newest trend in the world of baked goodness - cupcakes geared towards men. Perfect for 'manly' gatherings like golf tournaments, stags and birthdays. These can also be a good addition to the somewhat 'girly' cupcakes served at weddings - or as a great subsitute for the Groom's cake.

As a WPIC alumni, and a follower of theirs on Twitter, I saw a post about these 'dude delights' and had a "why didn't I think of this?" moment. Well, For the Love of Cake in Toronto has thought of it and they offer a variety of mancakes with ingredients such as beer, brandy and bacon!
Here are descriptions of the flavours they offer:

Stout Spice

A moist spice cake flavoured with orange zest and Guinness topped with a stout glaze and a candied orange peel.

Maple Bacon

A maple and bacon flavoured cupcake filled with blueberries and topped with a maple frosting and bacon bits.

Guinness Chocolate
A chocolate cupcake flavoured with Guinness beer, filled with an Irish whiskey chocolate ganache and topped with cream cheese frosting and chocolate shavings.

Black Forest
A moist chocolate cupcake filled with a splash of Kirsch brandy and sour cherries and topped with more cherries and a dollop of vanilla butter cream.

I'm sure you'll see Mancakes popping up all over the place as more bakeries and cake specialists get on board the trend train. What kind would your man like?

Mmmmm....Mancakes.

What's Old is New again.

Vintage inspired weddings are very popular right now. Adding vintage touches and mix-matched items to your wedding make it unique and personal.

There’s also a whimsical element to vintage inspired weddings. They appear to be more relaxed (less stuffy) and also can be friendly on the budget if you can beg, borrow and steal.

Vintage inspired weddings also seem so timeless. I think this may be a trend that stays around a while.

To add the vintage feel to your wedding incorporate some of the following:

- silhouettes

- family heirlooms (brooches, pocket watch, fabric, etc)

- mix-matched china (from your Grandma’s china cabinet, or from a flea market)

- mason jars, and an assortment of vases – milk glass, depression glass, coloured glass (amber, blue, etc)

- wild flowers

- antique furniture and accessories

- black and white photos/ sepia photos

- art deco jewelry, pillbox hats, bow ties, vests and bird cage veils

- stationary can include monogram, letterpress printing or a wax seal

- lace or patterned fabric, and or a mix match of colour & textures

Check out some wedding blogs like Wedding Chicks, the Knot and Green Wedding Shoes and search for ‘vintage’. Just remember though when planning your vintage inspired wedding (or even Engagement session) that less is more.