First, the bad news (you’re always supposed to start with the bad news so that you can end with good news, right?). 2009 was a tough year all around, and it wasn’t any easier for engaged couples. We conducted a year-end survey of brides who use our online wedding software (of which there are more than 13,000) to find out their opinions on lots of wedding-related topics, and the economy is certainly on their minds. In fact, it’s so much on their minds that it’s affecting their wedding plans.

Of the brides who responded to our surveys, 62.3% said that the recession has influenced their wedding plans and impacted their wedding budget, and they are cutting back in many areas, especially on the honeymoon (58.4%), flowers and decor (57.9%), reception food and drink (54.5%), wedding day transportation (51.0%), and photography and videography (47.5%). So if you are finding yourself scaling back your plans, don’t worry, you’re not alone.

And even if you are scaling back on certain things, that doesn’t mean you have to settle for a wedding that isn’t what you envisioned. Many 2010 brides are making their own decorations, favors, invitations and more to personalize their wedding and save on money at the same time. We found that a large majority of brides – 73.6%, to be exact – are implementing handmade or homemade items into their weddings. Those items that are DIY favorites among brides are invitations (67.1%), reception table cards/place cards (65.8%), wedding favors (65.1%), reception centerpieces (62.5%), reception decorations (53.8%), save-the-date cards (51.2%) and floral arrangements (46.8%). Such handcrafted items give your wedding a warmth and personal flavor that you often just can’t get from store-bought items. And, in case you need a hand, you can even organize an activity at your bridesmaids’ luncheon or bridal shower around everyone creating such items.

Now the good news. There are more and more high-tech tools for engaged couples to help you plan your wedding, and most brides are taking advantage of them.  Engagement photos are hugely popular right now, and more brides are turning to eco-friendly, “green” and organic products and services. And the average wedding size is still between 100-150 guests … so the celebrations are still big and festive.

As for colors, many brides are going with a darker color as their main color. Of our respondents, 13.2% picked navy blue or deep blue as their main color, with another 9.7% opting for black, 8.3% deep red, 7.9% brown/chocolate, 7.9% dark green/hunter and purple/plum 6.9%. But they did choose lighter, vibrant colors like orange, yellow, peach or pink as their secondary or accent color. In 2010, weddings will continue along this trend as couples choose their favorite darker color as an anchor and accent it with fresh, fun colors.

Finally, it seems that weddings are getting slightly more casual. 66.9% of our respondents say that their weddings will feature semi-formal attire for their guests such as suits and cocktail dresses, and 17.6% are going the relaxed route with unbuttoned collars, slacks and skirts. With only 14.6% choosing formal attire like black ties and gowns, it looks like 2010 will be the year of the more casual and laid-back wedding, and that’s a good thing as we all take a deep breath and focus on the real joy of weddings as a celebration of love and commitment.

Happy planning in 2010 – Jeff

Jeff Kear is co-owner of My Wedding Workbook, the the next-generation online wedding planner with free planning tools for engaged couples, My Wedding Workbook Professional Edition, the online business and event management software for wedding consultants.

If you are looking for a bouquet that will last forever, then stop searching, because these beautiful, handmade-vintage flower brooch bouquets are an absolute treasure! They would especially make a perfect bouquet for sentimental and eco-conscious brides.

I would say that Amanda has found a way to turn her fantasy for making brooch bouquets into a reality! To learn more about her services and to see more of her sparkly bouquet designs, visit her brooch blog at Fantasy Floral Designs Blog. WAIT! There is more…I stopped in to OmniBride and searched the wedding blogosphere to find other bloggers who have found and raved about Amanda’s brooch bouquet creations. Visit these other fabulous wedding blogs and read what they had to say about this very “broochable” topic…Ruffled Blog, and Memoirs of a Wedding Planner

Check out the premier issue of Nesting Newbies Magazine, a quarterly magazine that aims to inspire readers, making them feel comfortable about home-keeping their way. The articles reinforce the magazine’s message that cooking, entertaining, and decorating can be easy, fun, and affordable.

In the Fall Premier Issue, Chef Lea McIntosh shares some of her original recipes for a Thanksgiving to Go, perfect dishes for a Thanksgiving potluck.

Kathy Goodman from Well Rehearsed has some wonderful ideas for a caramel apple dessert bar and delicious fall-tinis.

Kirsten McKay from Brick Monkey sets a harvest table that will easily transition into the holidays.

Barclay Butera took a moment from his busy schedule to offer advice to newbie homeowners.

Shelly Amoroso transformed a San Francisco basement garage into 5 distinct living spaces.

Chef Lea got a chance to share the back cover with her pooch, Bentley! Hmmmm…what do you think he loves more? The pumpkin pie or Chef Lea?

Each issue will include must-haves for your kitchen pantry and your home plus highlights of some of the staff’s favorite foodie, event, and design blogs. You’ll find the magazine at nestingnewbies.com.

Become a fan on Facebook to hear about upcoming contests.

Nov 9: In Trashing the Dress is really just an excuse to wear your dress again,  HONEY BEE WEDDINGS posts a link to a slideshow of some beautiful shots of couples having fun…now that the need has passed to keep their white dresses white.

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Feb 2, 2009: There are older posts about the Trash the Dress “vice” by photographers themselves. Here is a great article from CAPTURE THE LOVE’s Michael Soo looking at the practice through the lens of the photographer…including a cute, must-see, behind-the-scenes video.

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Oct 6, 2009: Sean and Mel of MCLELLANBLOG.COM had an image featured on television in Trash the Dress (and one of our images!) on the Today Show.

Actually, I have mixed feelings about this. The photos of happy couples in lakes, muddy barnyards and the Desert Southwest are beautiful and share their sense of humor. But some of the photos start to look like crime scene photos from CSI, and I just can’t shake that creepy feeling. Searching key phrase “Trash the Dress” on OmniBride.com, I see lots of bridal bloggers have opinions about this too. What do you think?

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Surprise…from CONTESTS + GIVEAWAYS

Nov 9: Of course, with popularity of a trend comes the contest offering brides the service: ROCKNROLLBRIDE announced a contest in  Win * Free Trash the Dress with Erica Berger!. The entries have to be received by Nov. 22. Here is an example of a Berger Trash-the-Dress shot:

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Nov 11: Newlyweds Chandra and Derrick featured in WEDDING NOUVEAU.COM decided to get married on the lawn of her grandparents’ Texas estate. The beautiful surroundings, the groom’s suit color, and the use of the tree swings (Clever!) helped create a relaxing feeling for their very romantic wedding ceremony.

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Nov 9: INTIMATEWEDDINGS.COM reposted a project developed by Emmy at The Natural Beauty Workshop for Handmade Recipe Books as Wedding Favors.  A creative DIY-type bridesmaid probably could use the same techniques to build a shower or reception photo album for the bride. Any takers?

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Nov 8: AUSTIN WEDDING BLOG offers a tutorial for the cake-cutting ceremony. Now, if any skill in life has come naturally for me, it’s been cake cutting. This shows how to cut popular shapes of wedding cakes, and also explains a few basic rules of cake ceremony etiquette that may not be so basic.

The one part of getting married we all hate: the Paperwork!

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

SOONTOBEKOO walks us through the excruciating multi-step process to change to her married name on her social security card, driver’s license and other forms. Though some of her information applies only to Changing Names in Chiiicago, I think the Illinois checklist she links to has useful information for any bride, anywhere.

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

And now, a word from the groom’s point-of-view, or at least some posts that might interest the groom…

GROOMSADVICE.COM posts some hilarious and frighteningly true news about ceremonies gone wrong, or those that were never right to begin with. They also post a very good Pros & Cons of Wedding Bands vs DJs at the reception.

But how to shop? This is not an idle question. It takes a team, usually the mother of the bride, the maid of honor, or both, but some brides are opting to bring the fiancé, too. They must be fed a marathoner’s breakfast, because that’s the level of stamina dress-shopping requires.

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Nov 6: In What IS a Trunk Show, Anyway?, WEDDING ACES.COM explains trunk shows and how to get the most out of them. One beautiful option, from the “What do you mean, you want to sit down?” category:

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Nov 6: Keepin’ It Real… WESTSIDE WEDDING drags us along on her quest for the perfect mermaid fit in a posting Dress Shopping Part 4. Funny how some dresses can look so different in person. Funny how the photos mask the poor quality of some dresses’ finishing work. Funny how the fit and drape change when actual humans try to wear some of them.  Funny. Real Funny.

Here’s a pic of one she liked—or at least liked the fit—by Mathew Christopher Lalique.

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Next, a posting title that says it all…

Nov 7: How to get a badass wedding dress without ever having to leave the house, a posting by Celia at EASTSIDEBRIDE. She went the custom-made route, got what she wanted, bonded with her dressmaker and stayed within budget. It helps that Celia found her dressmaker via friends who had their dresses made by the same couturière, Lindsey Nelson. The finished results (hot groom not included):

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Now, a shift in focus from the bride’s dress to the bridesmaids’. Try to understand, they cannot show up naked, though that might alleviate the look of boredom on the groomsmen’s faces.

Nov 6: I’m addicted to purple. Almost any shade of purple. So maybe that’s why I really liked the photos of “Trandy’s” wedding posted in Flower Feature Friday at UTAHBRIDEBLOG.COM. The Houston couple had wanted an Asian theme, so they used several types of orchids, but stayed with the purple-hot pink color palette. The best idea: note the variety of styles of bridesmaids dresses. Though they are diverse cuts, lengths and colors (just like most bridesmaids!) they create a beautiful cohesive look with the color theme of the wedding. Each woman got to dress in a cut that suited her figure, whether zaftig or lean, athletic type.

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Okay, this one last picture explains why the French Revolution was so necessary. The caption: “Frock Horror:  St. Pucchi endless wedding dress” —brought to you by the good folks at  BRIDALWAVE.TV.

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

On to accessories…

Nov 3: For the DIYers, Miss Taffy, guest blogger for BRIDAL GUIDE.COM created a great Bird Cage Veil Tutorial. She uses clear instructions, pictures, even suggestions for fit and explanations of sewing terms. Here’s the finished project:

I’d allow a full afternoon for this project, given that you may run into fitting problems. This could be a fun thing to do with the bridesmaids while they’re helping with other DIY-wedding projects.

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Nov 6: Shoes! Glorious Shoes! YOUR WEDDING DAY.COM posted shoes from Bliss Bridal Shoes. One selection of several:

But I liked these even more:

MMMMM….Sparkly. Brought to you by SECOND CITY SOIREE.COM in her blog about Shoes Off? Shoes On? when wandering about la maison. I think these are Christian Louboutin!

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Nov 3, 2008: For weddings scheduled around Thanksgiving, PAMELA YAGER has suggestions for scheduling and planning the Thanksgiving Bachelorette Party. The posting is from November 2008, but the party options are good to keep in mind for any bride in a northern clime, who may not have a chinchilla coat or Robert Pattinson to keep her warm while doing the traditional bar-hop.

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

I’ve got Stars in my Eyes…

After a fashion…so to speak.

Nov 5: CELEBRITY BRIDE GUIDE breaks the stunning news in Paris Hilton Launches Wedding Shoe Line.  Leave it to Paris Hilton to turn CFMs  into bridal shoes! How many of us can walk down the aisle, let alone dance, in 4 1/2 inch heels?! See what you think.

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

At last…the CONTESTS + GIVEAWAYS!!

DESTINATION WEDDINGS MAGAZINE has a contest that ends on November 15—Be Married On Us! Sweepstakes—for a free wedding at Bimini Bay Resort, Out Islands, Bahamas…go ahead and enter. You have nothing to lose but the gloom, plus the picture gives me a boost on a gray day…

Enjoy a  GREAT WEEK!

…and keep your spirits up as we, in the Northern Hemisphere, all become creatures of the night with the approaching winter.

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Oct 28: In honor of the World Series (Go Phillies!), let’s chat about the bouquet toss. If you are not thrilled by the thought of launching a missile at your unmarried (and presumably unarmed) guests, potentially causing eyes injuries or worse—embarrassment!—then read this latest posting by Michelle at MEMORABLEEVENTSBYMICHELLE .She explains the self-defense origins of the bouquet toss in Traditions – The Bouquet Toss, and suggests alternatives for brides who want to remain friends with their single girlfriends.

(Michelle shares a VERY interesting bouquet-toss picture…must have been a REALLY warm day!)

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Two words to ruin my diet and make my day:

“Chocolate” and  “Fondant”

Oct 28: Yes, dear ones, dreams do come true. Kelly Salmond, of Kelly’s Confections, has some amazing cakes that she has made with chocolate fondant, which she says tastes like Tootsie Rolls. UTAHBRIDEBLOG.COM posts these diet-shattering delights. Must.Not.Give In.

Death by chocolate looks pretty good, doesn’t it??

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Brides own stories:

Oct. 28: WESTSIDEWEDDING’s bride-to-be blogger shares the exasperation of her quest for bridesmaids dresses, including commenter’s favorite: No. 4: “The dresses you see online may not be available at any of the stores near you, even if the store is listed in the designer’s website.”

I can see your collective heads nodding in agreement. Read her blog What I Learned About Bridesmaid Dresses to learn more of her hard-earned wisdom.

Oct 30: Meg from APRACTICALWEDDING.COM posts an email she received from post-wedding newlywed Cindy in Remember It, Remember Every Moment.

Now, be honest, after reading Cindy’s message, weren’t you smiling, too?

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Advice for the grooms:

Oct 27: Will Your Wedding Photos Come Back to Haunt You? isn’t a Halloween themed blog post…it’s a useful tip on GROOMSADVICE.COM advising soon-to-be-photographed men (grooms and their groomsmen) to “shave that crap off your face.” Future-thinking blogger Simon Daykin is trying to spare you from ever seeing your kids “pull out your wedding photo album to have a good laugh with their friends.” OUCH!

Oct 22: I’m in big trouble: Hilary of ALTAMODABRIDAL.COM posted a summary of her favorite gowns in Market Wrap-Up, and I’ve decided they’re my favorites, too.  See if you agree.

The first one is from Monique Lhuillier, the second from Amy Kuschel, and the third from Anne Barge. Makes me want to be a serial bride…I can wear one for my wedding with George Clooney, one with Gerard Butler, and one with that hot engineer on the third floor. I’m going to be sooo grumpy when I realize this is a dream…

JUNEBUGWEDDINGS.COM was crazy for Amy Kuschel’s Light and Airy 2010 Wedding Dresses, including this, the “Kai.”

STYLESCHOOL.INSTYLEWEDDINGS.COM picked a strapless sequin-fringed mini by Lela Rose for the reception dress in Runway Recap: Lela Rose. Cute, but unforgiving for those of us who really got into the cake-testing phase.

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Oct 22: Are we all on diets for the holidays? It’s okay to look at this next posting for a color palette that is beautiful and offers lots of low-calorie antioxidants. THINGSFESTIVE suggests a Fruit Inspired Wedding—Tasty and Tasteful for those of you looking ahead to next summer.

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Oct 22: Great wedding photographs will bring you back to that “I Do” moment, when you practically can smell the flowers, hear the voices of your well-wishers, and feel the warmth as you hold hands as newlyweds. To be sure those photos capture the event with the mood you tried to inspire, Maggie at CLOVERANDBEE.COM posts suggestions for finding the right photographer, even if you are The Long Distance Bride: Hiring a Photographer.

Here’s a photo of Maggie and her husband with her wedding photographer, Eric Cable, in the foreground.

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Oct 23: Here’s how to do an intimate, high-style “elope”-ment: Bride Kara and Groom Ray decided to elope to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, following their civil ceremony in Seattle. WEDDING NOUVEAU.COM tells us their story in P.S.: We’re Married! – Love, Kara & Ray, and, with lush photography, makes us feel like we’re in the crowd of well-wishers.

WEEKLY WEDDING BUZZ FROM OMNIBRIDE
Week of October 5, 2009 – October 11, 2009

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

A Moment of Silence, please, while we acknowledge the passing of Modern Bride, (as well as Elegant Bride, Gourmet, and Cookie). Publisher Condé Nast decided to close the magazine this week due to declining advertising.

Oct 6: ALWAYSA BLOGSMAID.COM talks about Modern Bride and surveys the latest offerings by all the other bridal magazines out there in Around the Wedding Universe…

Oct 6: However, in true cycle-of-life fashion, BRIDAL OPULENCE…BLOG discovered the birth this week of Get Married Magazine!

Check out the press release on PR NEWSWIRE and be psyched!! Then progress along to the GET MARRIED MAGAZINE website itself and take advantage of their one-time offer for a free issue.

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Oct 8: HEIDZILLAS.COM posted pictures of Jen & Brian: Reception & Decor, married October 3 near Cleveland. This couple used the inspiration of vintage travel—plus the fact that they met while working together as newspaper reporters—to come up with a personalized version of the traditional guest book.

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Oct 8: Oh, boy…It always comes down to the money question. Soon-to-be-bride Iloveus wades into the Wedding Registry vs. Cash debate in her blog, GETMARRIED.COM/BLOGGER BRIDES. Wedding registries were created to set up the household for the new couple. But what if you already have all the kitchen equipment/art glass/china sets you need? Iloveus opts to ask guests to donate to a charity. Be sure to read the comments for other brides’ suggestions.

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Oct 7: I love how the color and texture of table linens can elevate a setting from blah to WOW! Problem is, how do I explain which fabrics I want? In {Pro in the Know} Table Linen Terms, MRSDESIGNHER has come to the rescue with definitions and photos of the types of table linens, making it easier for all of us to get the look we want for the reception dinner. Below are pictures of pink, green, and black and white damasks and brocades, perfect for setting the mood for an elegant, romantic event.

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

At last…the CONTESTS + GIVEAWAYS!!

Here are two unconventional posts from this week:

*  If you are an engaged, San Diego-area active servicewoman (or a civilian engaged to an active serviceman) who can get to the Marine Corps Air Station Miramar on October 18, there is a Mon Amie bridal gown awaiting you there!

* If you are a bona fide Southern lady, nostalgia is here…or, if you are a bona fide FAUX Southern lady, you can learn the language!

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Oct 8: CALIFORNIA WEDDING WAVE has leaked the scoop in Attention! Mon Amie’s 7th Annual Military Bridal Gown Giveaway. You can also go straight to the source at Mon Amie.com.

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Oct 9: At The SOUTHERN WEDDINGS MAGAZINE Daily Blog, Lara Casey in Southern Sayings Contest :: VOTE! has created a Twitter contest to spice up our conversation. Southerners (and wannabes, too, I suppose) have Tweeted in their best, and the public is invited to vote. Voting ends Tuesday midnight, October 13.

This is a contest created by a bird of a different feather…and even a blind groundhog can find an acorn once in awhile…but you cannot be as slow as molasses in December because the deadline is soon…Okay, okay, I’ll stop. I confess, I’m originally from New England. What do I know??

Enjoy, HAVE A GREAT WEEK, and y’all come back now!

WEEKLY WEDDING BUZZ FROM OMNIBRIDE
Week of September 28 , 2009 – October 4, 2009

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Note to the calorie-conscious: I only posted one cake blog because my dentist said it’s affecting my health. Sigh.

Sept 29: From the annals of Absurd Weddings, we offer you:

The 1.2 mile (2 kilometer) wedding gown train. Rich Amooi, the genius behind HEY MR. DJ’s Wedding Entertainment Blog shares photos and barbed commentary in How Long Is That Wedding Dress? about two brides in China who either a) own stock in a silk farm or b) borrowed the caterers’ tablecloths. It’s every little girl’s dream to get her wedding written up in Ripley’s Believe It or Not, yes?

Sept. 28: WEDDING BEE.COM came across these Faux-quets at Etsy. They were designed by Amanda at Design Whimsy and are made from lace, satin ribbons, and vintage brooches, buttons and beads. I think they are incredibly clever and offer an alternative if you have allergies or just want to coordinate the vintage look with the overall style and design of your wedding.

Sept 28: Sometimes sugar can be transcendental, as in this stunning peacock feather wedding cake made by CAKE COQUETTE of San Francisco and displayed in Peacock Wedding Cakes Are Hot!

This must have taken HOURS to get the details of the feathers and the coloring correct. Kudos for cake designer Gabrielle Feuersinger are already rolling in: SANFRANCISCOSTYLE UNVEILED reposted the photos on Friday, Oct 2…

Sept 29: Given that I am sexy-leg impaired, I’ve always dreaded the idea of the wedding garter and garter toss. All that has changed because of a posting, Garter-quette with Garter Girl! at LAZYBRIDE.COM. GarterGirl Julianne Smith shows off a couple of her personalized designs and offers suggestions for choosing the garter and how it will be used during the ceremony. I know they’re supposed to be a keepsake, but I think I’d wear this garter during my annual review:

Oct. 2: The mystique of New Orleans is the color palette/inspiration board created by Fri (pronounced Free) at WEDDING NOUVEAU.COM. Inspired by her childhood and the mélange of cultures in Cajun and Creole country, Fri uses shimmering metallics, warm beige, and chocolate colors for a dreamy Southern-style romantic scene in Wedding Inspiration Dream Palette—A Creole Holiday. Get all the details about these images by clicking over to her blogsite.

I’ve got Stars in my Eyes…

or rather, Khloé and Lamar have been in my eyes everywhere I looked this week. And the early wedding pictures are starting to roll in!

CelebrityBrideGuide.com

And if you are a hardcore fan (or mildly curi0us),  more pictures are posted on Celebuzz.

And if you are hardcopy hardcore, the magazines with the photos hit the newsstands next week.

At last…the CONTESTS + GIVEAWAYS!!

The wedding vendors in DC area are in overdrive (see last week’s post)! There’s another “dream wedding” giveaway announced this week, too!

The Unbride: Unconventional + Unforgettable has A $50,000 Green Wedding Giveaway! The winners’ big day will be April 22, 2010…Earth Day…and the deadline to enter is October 20th. Good Luck!