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Wedding trends come and go. Since it’s your day it means you get to plan it your way. We checked in with wedding planner Renee Patrone of Events by Renee based in Philadelphia to tell us what wedding trends are making it into the plans of her clientele.
- A first look between the bride and groom before the ceremony is still extremely popular, according to Patrone. Couples want to increase the time they have with their guests at their cocktail hour, so taking photographs together with the bridal party before the ceremony frees up precious time before the reception.
- Grooms always seem to know how to relax with their groomsmen before the ceremony with a wedding-day activity whether it be playing a round of golf or having an early lunch. (It certainly helps that they don’t have hair or makeup appointments to worry about.) Brides are now seeing the benefits of doing something relaxing with her bridesmaids before the chaos of the big day begins. Patrone has arranged for some of her brides to do a bootcamp class, private yoga session and even mani/pedi appointments. “It’s just a fun hour to enjoy time together in a stress-free environment,” she says.
- Weddings on a day other than the traditional Friday night, Saturday or Sunday? Yes, weekday weddings are happening. Patrone, however, is not a fan of subjecting guests to attending nuptials between Monday and Thursday. “I don’t think it’s fair to ask guests to come to a wedding during the week,” she says. “It’s inconvenient.” Unless, she says, it’s a destination wedding and guests are there over a couple of days. Then, and only then, she thinks a weekday wedding is acceptable.
- Patrone encourages her brides to think beyond the traditional formal ballroom venue for their wedding reception. Unique venues are more popular than ever before. In the past two years, Patrone’s venues have included a campground, a barn, a converted warehouse, a family estate and a mansion. “When you have your wedding at a non-traditional venue it’s more important than ever to hire a planner to help coordinate all the moving parts,” she says.
- Destination weddings don’t have to require a passport. Over the past year, Patrone has had several couples request her services in planning destination weddings within the United States. “Couples who have family and friends in various locations are picking a centrally located city to get married,” says Patrone. “Or they’re picking a city that they both enjoy as a couple.” Patrone is currently working with a Philadelphia-based couple (the bride is originally from New Jersey and the groom is originally from Michigan) that is considering throwing their wedding in Savannah or New Orleans.
For endless wedding inspiration attend the ultimate bridal showcase, Your Wedding Experience Presented by David Tutera, this Sunday, Sept. 13 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia. Tutera is a celebrity wedding and party planner, bridal fashion designer, author, and has his own television show on WEtv, David Tutera’s CELEBrations. More than 100 wedding professionals, approved by Tutera, will be in attendance who are set to help you plan the wedding of your dreams. A fashion show will feature stunning looks for everyone in the bridal party including bridesmaids, flower girls and the mothers of the bride and groom. Buddy Valastro “The Cake Boss” is set to award one bakery “Best of Show” at the Sweet Showcase, which will feature wedding cakes and desserts. For ticket information visit www.yourweddingexperience.com.
