Engaged

Summer Wedding Planning Trends And Traditions

• May 28, 2015
• by Tracey Lyles

Working at Robbins Brothers gives us the opportunity to flip through bridal magazines and peruse websites on a regular basis. Here’s a list of some of our favorite budget-friendly and creative wedding ideas.

Modern Wedding
*Wedding Dress–Skip the traditional wedding dress shops and visit consignment boutiques in art districts and high-end communities. (And who says you need to stick with a white dress?)
*Ceremony and Reception–Impress your guests and have your wedding at a museum, library or art gallery. Enlist the local culinary school to prepare an elegant menu, served buffet style, or have a Tapas bar.
*Music–Hire a graduate student from a music academy to play the saxophone or guitar, or have a harpist put a new spin on contemporary songs.
*The Wedding Cake–Instead of a multi-tiered design, opt for mini-tarts or a chocolate “bar” with several different candy options in dark, milk and white chocolate.
*Wedding Rings: Modern ring designs are fluid, sleek and eye catching. Adding a twist to the classic, these bold and distinctive rings are like sculpted pieces of fine art.

Vintage Wedding
*Wedding Dress–Check with family members to see if there are any romantic dresses from relatives tucked away in attics. Also visit thrift stores and antique shops; and if you don’t love the style of the dress, you can always take it to a seamstress and use the fabric for a new design.
*Ceremony and Reception–Local historic districts have old homes converted into B&Bs and tea rooms that would make for the perfect Victorian setting. Check with old clubs (Elks, Women’s Clubs, a university) for wonderful and stately rooms and gardens.
*Music: How about a men’s acappella group or a few violinists from the community symphony orchestra? A collection of CDs from the era of your choice would also work.
*Wedding Cake–A simple sheet cake or a few tiers would be perfect, and search eBay or antique stores for vintage cake tops. (If you can find inexpensive cake tops in abundance then use these as table décor, too.)
*Wedding Rings–Pave-set diamonds in rose gold, white gold or platinum are offered at Robbins Brothers in many vintage styles. Look for rings designed by Simon G., Tacori or Kirk Kara.

Classic/Traditional Wedding
*Wedding Dress–David’s Bridal has a terrific selection of styles that start as low as $200. (Be sure to check out the bridesmaid’s dresses too, as you could use one in white or off white as your wedding gown.) Consider borrowing the dress from a dear friend or family member as your “something borrowed.”
*Ceremony and Reception–If your wedding will be at your church or synagogue, why not have the reception in the adjoining banquet room or patio? You can also get married in the morning and have guests walk to a nearby restaurant for a “formal” breakfast or brunch.
*The music–When dancing is a “must” at your reception, get the iPod loaded up with a few hundred songs that will get everyone moving. A tried-and-true playlist could include “At Last” by Etta James for the first dance, “Celebration” by Kool and the Gang for the masses, and anything by Rihanna and Lady Gaga to get your friends on the dance floor.
*The Wedding Cake–Gourmet cupcakes are all-the-rage but at $6 each can get pricey when you’re serving 100 or more guests. Instead ask your “Food Network-addicted” aunt or friend to do the baking and decorating as a wedding gift.
*Wedding Rings–A classic and simple gold or platinum band or a two-tone ring created with alternative metals are options for a traditional symbol of your love. Rings from various Robbins Brothers Collections fall into the classic category.

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Tracey Lyles

A hopeful romantic and enthusiastic UCLA grad, Tracey serves as Director of Marketing and Public Relations for Robbins Brothers. For leisure she enjoys shopping, dancing, hosting parties for family & friends and staying abreast of the latest celebrity news.

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