After an abundance of rustic-barnyard and vintage, Anthropologie-esque weddings, event planners are anticipating a wedding-style movement in the complete opposite direction. “We’re predicting less D.I.Y. and more clean, modern lines and color palettes,” says Tara Maxey, co-owner of the Los Angeles-based catering company Heirloom LA. “With all the D.I.Y. wedding details out there, expertly styled minimalism feels like the sophisticated alternative.”
Wedding planners Maria Cooke and Kelly Seizert of Ritzy Bee Events in Washington, D.C., agree: “We’re seeing more couples focusing less on dramatic color and more on classic combinations such as black and white, gray and white, and navy and cream.” The modern-minimalist theme will be reflected in the wedding menu, too: Instead of lavish buffet stations or decadent entrées, couples are moving towards healthier choices and smaller portions. Maxey says, “Gluttony has been overdone.”
Pictured, clockwise from left: Ritzy Bee Events created a reception lounge setup with a clean, neutral color palette; a wedding catered by Heirloom LA incorporated crisp, all-white decor; shooters of vegan carrot panna cotta were served during cocktail hour at a wedding catered by Heirloom LA.
It’s every wedding guest’s worst nightmare: sitting next to complete strangers at an assigned reception table. Guesterly, a new publishing company helmed by a former editor at Oprah’s O magazine, aims to alleviate that anxiety by helping guests connect in a fun, unforced way. Through the service, couples can create a custom magazine-style “yearbook” filled with photos and fun facts about guests, along with how they know the bride or groom. Then, the mini magazines are mailed to guests before the wedding or distributed at the ceremony. “It helps breaks the ice and allows for meaningful interaction among guests,” Grinnals says.
Pictured: At the Engage!13 wedding conference in Scottsdale, Arizona, guests were given a custom booklet by Guesterly containing photos and brief bios of each attendee.
