Top 2008 Wedding Trends

For 2008 some hot trends we’re seeing for dresses go from elegant and classy such as lace and beading, to over the top with bold bright colors. This year its all about the back of the dress. Deep V cuts, criss-crossing, and even super low cut backs have hit the runway. They go even further with exquisite embellishments such as beads, lace, silk, and even flowers. The idea of ‘Old Hollywood’ has taken over, and some brides are choosing to take the more vintage route with their big day. To off-set that, bold colors  also hit the runway during fashion week. Colors from slate gray, metallic silver, to deep greens, raspberry and purples, bright greens and yellows, to burgundy and red.

Other trends we’re seeing this year are unique place settings. Say goodbye to the round plates, more and more couples are opting for unique shapes for their dinnerware. Big tables with hovering crystal chandeliers are another big trend this year. Up lighting and even spot lights have been making their way into modern weddings. And when it comes to food, more and more brides are offering a sushi bar, as well as alternatives to that traditional cakes. How? You may ask, by offering tiramisu, cheesecake, and even key lime flavored cakes. Another ultra-mod move is to have painted cakes. These can be as simple as off white flowers to as bold and bright designs and colors.

One trend thats new this year, that we’re sure isn’t going away any time soon, is the idea of an organic wedding, a.k.a. the “green wedding”. An emphasis on the environment is taking shape in many wedding categories such as stationery; from the fiber content of the paper, images from nature or embellishments of leaves on the stationery, recyclable papers, papers made from flowers, party favors with flower seeds to have your guests plant their own flowers.  In addition, Simple things from ordering pesticide free flowers from organic growers, biodegradable plates made of sugar cane, and local organic farmers to supply you with your food. 

Kathy Krassner, writer for Greetings Magazine, a retailers industry magazine, recently did an article of the top 25 trends for 2008 and according to Patti Stracher, manager of the National Stationery Show for George Little Management, LLC (GLM),  she concurred  “the green movement will continue to grow as eco-consciousness spreads. Look for more manufacturers getting back into recycled papers and products depicting designs that embrace nature’s images, textures and materials.” 

Chocolate will remain a popular color of choice for many paper related products, it will continue to be the new Black! Many companies are also adding the scent of chocolate to their stationery and candles. Chocolate will also be seen paired with aqua blue, bright pink, lime green and different shades of fuschia.

Personalization is also remaining steady these past few years. More manufacturers of stationery and wedding favors are offering the option to have your product personalized. This can range from personalized gift tags, personalized engraved gifts, monogram stamps, and much more.

 Fashionable Traveling. Consumers are purchasing eye-catching fun and fashionable luggage tags, passport covers, lots of stationery with travel themes are moving off the shelves, pretty much anything that is travel related, like notebooks, stickers, save-the-date magnets for weddings, beach theme or destination wedding favors.