Weddings

Marcy Blum Associates built a bakery-style display case to offer guests breakfast-to-go treats from New York bakeries at the end of a wedding reception.

Elizabeth Grace showcased delicate, detailed wedding invitations.

For a New York couple marrying at the Waldorf Astoria Orlando, Heather Snively of Weddings Unique recreated the newlyweds’ hometown with a hand-painted backdrop of Central Park from Greenery Productions. Lighting and real trees helped the scene come to life.

"Sweet, simply styled rustic weddings are in large part what helped put wedding blogs on the map," writes Larson of the popular look, adding that the latest way of approaching the now-iconic style is by juxtaposing homespun elements, such as burlap and farm tables, with opulent details, such as high-end china and gold-rimmed stemware.

To divide up or lend warmth to a sprawling reception space, planners are using fresh alternatives to draping. At the Knot Gala in New York, ribbons and bistro lights offered the illusion of a lower ceiling.

The Knot Gala also featured a fresh method for engaging guests during the cocktail hour. At one food station, globes filled with tuna ceviche hung from trees, and guests were encouraged to “forage” for the items with help from staffers.

Lace is also showing up in wedding decor. At a Los Angeles luncheon hosted by Beverly Hills event planner Mindy Weiss and Wedding Paper Divas, a room with heavy draping by Revelry showcased a lace-topped table.

Wedding cakes are being lavished with gilded touches. Ron Ben-Israel Cakes in New York creates confections tinged with lace patterns and metallic hues.

Invitations are straying from more classic designs to embrace quirkier patterns and themes. For a “sci-fi circus”-theme commitment ceremony, designers Arley-Rose Torsone and Morgan Calderini of Ladyfingers Letterpress in Black Forest, Colorado, created an invitation design featuring funky hand-drawn characters.

Instead of, or in addition to, traditional flowers, some couples are incorporating paper floral backdrops into their wedding decor. Lil Epic Event Design in Chicago provides such structures.

San Francisco firm Events of Distinction incorporates custom fabrics based on clients’ preferences into bar façades, lounge furniture, and pillows for receptions.

Some couples are opting for daytime weddings and serving brunch instead of dinner—or serving brunch items at cocktail parties. Toronto catering firm Eatertainment serves elegant, miniature versions of breakfast dishes such as French toast and pancakes.

Instead of traditional wedding favors, couples are donating to charities on behalf of their guests, says Jessica Jordan, Trump SoHo New York’s senior catering manager and certified professional bridal consultant. Many are also including philanthropy as part of their registries with help from organizations like the I Do Foundation.

Chicago-based event planner Debi Lilly of A Perfect Event put a new spin on a bride’s “something blue,” designing a thematically hued “hers” cocktail.

A Perfect Event has also worked on wedding receptions featuring high-end sweets as an alternative to cupcakes or a wedding cake. One example: ending a meal with the delicate French pastry croquembouche.

Austin, Texas-based Caplan Miller Events set up a personalized whiskey bar cart in honor of the groom at a wedding at the Four Seasons Austin.