2009 Wedding Trends: Backyard Bashes & Intimate Elegance

These trends are being reported by Christine, the ever-observant wedding diva behind The Wedding Dish, and GetMarried.com.

COLOR - Grey is definitely in, as are pale, watercolor versions of blue and green, chocolate brown and metal shades: gold, silver, copper, pewter.  (Lavender and soft pewter is a personal fave, by the way.)

CAKES - Rock sugar crusting and buttercream frosting instead of fondant.  Cupcakes are still extremely popular.  (Heck, I’ve been stuck on them since kindergarten.)

Manassas Cakery

SMALLER GUESTS LISTS - Smaller, more intimate weddings are becoming the norm.  Brides are inviting less people in order to spend more per person.

HOME WEDDINGS - Brides are hosting weddings on the home front.

CANDLE CENTERPIECES - Candles are rising in popularity as an elegant and cost-effective alternative to flowers.

Lindsey T

CEREMONY & RECEPTION AT SAME LOCATION - Savings are multiplied when brides host the ceremony and reception at the same location, cutting out transportation costs.

“RECYCLED” WEDDINGS - Buying used is en vogue.  Brides are shopping Ebay and bride resell sites like BrideToBride and RecycleYourWedding.

DESTINATION WEDDINGS ARE OUT - Brides are choosing wedding locations closer to home to maximize on savings and convenience.

BRUNCH, LUNCH & COCKTAIL WEDDINGS - As brides get creative with savings, we’ll see more and more brunch, lunch and dessert buffet weddings…the height of elegance and simplicity at a fraction of the cost.

What do these trends mean to you?

It’s more popular than ever to get back to budgeting basics.  Brides are even bragging about how little they paid.

But even more importantly…you have a license for creativity and flexibility.  To hell with tradition!  Make it your own.  Kick it up a notch with the inexpensive, easy ways to wow your wedding guests in The $10,000 Dream Wedding.

What 2009 wedding trends do you see out there?  Leave me a comment.