Who says this day isn’t all about YOU!!! Well, actually is SHOULD be about the both of you, but there are plenty of brides who will think, and act, otherwise. In any case the H-O-T trend in wedding planning…personalization! Put your personal touches on everything in 2010. Take this opportunity to really make your wedding as unique as you and your hubby-to-be are by incorporating YOU (as in 2!); things you share in common, your initials, or your places you’ve been together.

Take this trend and run with it as far as you can. Use travel as a theme by picking a vacation destination the two of you enjoyed…the beach, London, Venice, L.A., N.Y.C., like I said the skies the limit. Pick a theme based on some interest shared in common; photography, sports, movies. A big theme right now is Hollywood glam! Incorporate your look into everything; from the style of gown/tuxes you choose and use it through your décor, music, cake, and favors.

Along the way, think about using a monogram…very hot right now. Design one yourself using a template found on the net, or hook up with a designer. Most of your wedding invitation vendors will have a graphic designer employed or will be able to point you in the right direction. Monograms are usually reasonably priced but beware, you are paying for a professional design and the manpower generating the idea! Monograms are being used everywhere…as holograms on the dance floor, on your invitations, favors, programs, menus, centerpieces, etc. Plus they set a very elegant tone to any wedding. It may just be the touch that elevates your garden party from backyard BBQ to Tavern on the Green!

Do use some discrimination as you choose what and where to personalize. Even though I said to take your monogram and plaster it on anything that moves…please don’t! Take that sentence with a grain of salt. Too much can really be too much. Just be sure that at the end of the day you are happy with the results. This is one of the biggest days of your life so make it the best you can….good luck!

Images from instyleweddings.com, beau-coup.com, marthastewartweddings.com

So you have decided to throw a green wedding, or like the idea of it anyway. This is the one area in the wedding industry right now that is getting huge press. “Green” seems to the trend setter in 2010 for brides to follow. Choosing to follow this type of outline for your big day may seem appealing to some brides-to-be, but may make others a little gun-shy at the thought of committing to entirely eco-friendly wedding. We are here to tell you today that there a many options to explore before you completely veto this hot trend.

Erase every stereotype image of the peace-sign flashing, granola and bark eating, flowers in your long flowing hair hippie that you were already picturing when your hear the term “Green”. Yes, it’s true a long time ago they did exist, but in our modern day “hippie” has now been transformed into the term “eco-chic”!

So, what is it that is really holding a lot of brides back from jumping feet-first into this latest trend? Food. Believe it or not, from all the research I have found it really has come down to the menu. Couples are very concerned that guests will be forced to rummage through selections of vegetarian or raw foods, and cake that the bride and groom won’t even want to cut into! I am here to tell you this is not the case.

If you are using a venue that has an on site caterer, check to see if they carry an organic selection of meats and vegetables. If you are choosing from a list of vendors, see if you can find a caterer who is agreeable in pulling stock from local farmers in the area for your wedding menu. You can still have chicken, seafood, and even steak if you want…just choose organic. You’ll be doing your guests a favor too by choosing foods that haven’t been over processed and injected with antibiotics. Ask your baker if she is able to use organic sugar, flour, and eggs. If you are choosing to add a desert bar, check to see if a sugar substitute (like Stevia) can be used. Choose wines from vineyards around your state and replace soda with fresh lemonade and sparkling waters. Check to see if there is a dairy within driving distance. If so, take a day trip and sample their selection of cheeses. Use them in your hors d’oeuvre or give samples out as gifts for your guests.

Believe me, going eco-chic when choosing foods for your wedding reception menu does not have to be a drag. You can still have all the foods you want, just choose organic. If your venue allows, see if you can “recycle” your left-overs. Work with your site program director to see if they will allow you and your guests to package up your excess food at the end of the night and take it home. Another option would be to check with the food pantries or shelters in your area to see if they would accept food donations (don’t be surprised if most won’t take prepared foods, but they may accept items in unopened packaging). If choosing “green” is an option, I encourage you to do so. Not only will it be delicious, it will leave a positive imprint on our environment and for it’s future inhabitants!

Images from Back to Earth Catering, EcoCaters, cakes-you-can-bake.com, and Kai Organic

Who knew cast members from MTV’s Jersey Shore would be setting a fashion trend “Don’t”, but then need I say again…Jersey! We all know the stereotypes, especially the girls rocking the ’80’s “big hair”, but some clearly hold true to their home state roots. Though the wedding gowns for 2010 are showcasing a more refined look, we can still see in N.Y.C. this past fashion week that the bump may not have run it’s course yet!

It still seems many of the popular gown designers are favoring the bump and horse mane looks for another season. Though eye-catching and edgy, this look may translate well on the runway, but not on our real life blushing brides as they showcase their wedding ensemble down the isle.

When it comes time to pick you wedding hairstyle, be it a traditional “up-do” or long sleek tresses, take heed. If you want a true celebrity inspired “do”, make sure you look to the socialite inspired N.Y.C. salons or the West Coast for Hollywood glam. The vintage look continues to run a close second to this horse-hair inspired phenom leaving many options for your bridal do, like smooth waves and pin-curls. Do what you will brides, but please look in mirror and examine before you commit…this hair will follow you in pictures FOREVER!!

Once again my fellow bloggers the question remains: to bump or not to bump? Fill me in and let me know your opinions!

Images from realitytvmagazine.sheknows.com and Brides.com

As women, we love everything that sparkles! But when picking jewelry to complete your wedding day ensemble, how much is too much?

The big look we’re seeing for 2010 in the combination of sparkles and pearls. While I am relieved we are moving away from the big bling pendants seen last season, designers are still paying homage to the 20’s and 30’s vintage era. We were seeing multiple strands of jewelry in all different lengths. Chunky bangles of sparkles are adorning cuffs and frills don’t stop at the neckline.

Can our new brides take this look and rock it or should they stick with the minimalist look? Let me know by voting below!

Images from Fashion Jewelry Blog, Brides.com, Nordstrom.com

I can’t believe it has taken me this LONG to blog on the candy craze, especially since my husband and I used this same trend at our wedding and it was a HUGE success! I L-O-V-E the Candy Bar idea, and it makes a very bold statement when assembled correctly. Your guests will delight when they see the collection of confectionery treats that await them at your reception.

I really fell in love with this trend after seeing it in all the magazines and on almost every bridal show on television. What I learned is that this ensemble of treats played a major role in our reception. As my husband and I ventured around the room greeting our guests, I was amazed to hear everyone raving about the Candy Bar….like it was some unheard of phenomenon. Other than serving as snacks in between appetizers, dinner, and the cake cutting, it allowed guests to mingle and encouraged conversations with other party-goers other than the guests at their table. My husband I came to find out it was the best favor we could have given our guests!

Try out different shapes of containers and placing them on different leveled tiers. The best containers we find tend to be just plain clear glass. Try a variety out. Go to a craft store and start pulling different ones from the shelves. Try mixing and matching them there to get your ideas flowing (just remember, you break you buy!). Choose candies that match your color palate for the wedding. My husband and I used personalized M&M’s in addition to a number of other candies. The options are endless and you don’t have to spend a boat-load of money either. There are a number of discount candy stores online where you can order in bulk! We used little paper baskets from a craft store and personalized them with our monogram and ribbons that matched our color scheme. Check with your reception site, there is a good chance they may have equipment you can rent instead of buying a lot of vases you may never use again. Good luck and let me know how it goes!

Images from chutes and ladders, and halfninja

So, we are heading full force into the most busy season in the wedding industry for 2010….Spring and Summer. Believe me, for us vendors frolicking in this field, the winter months are a refuge where we hibernate to gain strength for the onslaught we face in these upcoming months. Will this year hold the same traditions and trends we have over the last few years, or will something new make a breakthrough and take main stage?

You may be asking yourself, “what is the the point of this blog?”. Well, Cachic Design has decided to try something new for 2010. We will do a weekly “HOT or NOT” poll where we ask you, yes YOU!, our readers and blog fanatics what you’re opinion is. Do you think the trends presented to you will hold true, or do you think their 15 minutes have expired? Please be honest and post……I want to hear from YOU!!! Why are your opinions so important to us? We at Cachic Design want to help and be helped by our friends in the industry and to all those brides out there struggling to make their decisions. We invite you to contribute your ideas, suggestions, and experiences……so please POST!

The first HOT or NOT of 2010 is “The Lounge”

»If you can not see the poll Click Here to vote

This has been, in my opinion, one of the hottest trends for 2009. We saw all the celebrities use this idea as well as the “Hamptonites”, and big city “Downtowners”. With the 2010 bride being a “greener” and “thriftier” woman, can this lavish trend sustain? Does “The Lounge” remain lounge-a-licious or has it fallen flat? Ladies and gentleman…your opinion please!

Images from Inside Weddings

So, one year has passed since our wedding and the wife and I thought it was time to open up the albums and reminisce all the fun we had. It is amazing how time flies by, and the small details can be forgotten or even overlooked. I just wanted to post a few photos from our personal wedding and reception for all to see. The photography by Adam Lowe turned out amazing and Columbus was an incredible scene. The ceremony was held at Saint Joseph Cathedral in downtown Columbus, Ohio and the reception was at the Columbus Athenaeum.

It has been a wonderful year and hope for many more to come.

Photography by Adam Lowe

I realize that I have already blogged about the alluring appeal of using cupcakes at your reception in lieu of the traditional four-tier cake, but I just couldn’t resist walking down memory lane. If interested, check out my original cupcake post. Really, who doesn’t enjoy cupcakes? They bring a smile to my face as long back as I can remember. They are associated with happy occasions….birthdays, holidays, and school parties! So, why not weddings?

Not to fear. The geniuses at Martha Stewart Weddings have once again bested the best in cupcake designs. These brilliant confectionary creations presented in their “Let them eat CUPCAKES” article out of the Summer 2009 issue are sure to be mouth-watering guest pleasers at any event!

Yes, I love the cupcake idea as an alternative to the wedding cake but the use of elegantly crafted cupcakes can hold the same appeal and be multifunctional, serving not only as dessert but as your reception favor to boot! Choose a dessert bar to exhibit your cupcakes and include mini bakery boxes at the start of the line. Your guests can put their cakes in the boxes to eat later or indulge in after they return to their seats.

If you and your husband-to-be desire the traditional cake, that’s fine! You could use the dessert bar as your favor presentation instead of placing them at your guest tables. It will also allow your guests more opportunity to mix and mingle instead of having them in their chairs…..especially if some aren’t dancers! If you are on a budget cupcakes might be a nice alternative to a cake, because not all people eat the wedding cake. I usually don’t, even at family weddings, but if there is a dessert bar or candy line I’m there! Have a smaller cake made for you to cut into or have a larger cake with faux layers. Have the top two layers serve as one, for your cake cutting, and the second as the anniversary layer to take home to freeze!

Just remember, if you plan to use them as favors make sure you have an announcement made or have cards waiting for your guests at their seats instructing them to “take one please” unless other specified. We all think that everyone would understand this concept without having to be reminded, but let’s remember there are two factors at weddings; children and adults who behave like their children. If this is a concern of yours, maybe budget in an extra 10 servings in case. The extra you can take home or on your honeymoon to enjoy. Hopefully this can be an insightful blog for you because it was a lot of fun to compose. Good luck brides!

Images from marthastewartweddings.com

Most brides tend to gravitate towards the Spring and Summer months when planning their weddings. A lot of reasons exist; better weather, vacations, no school, etc. Depending on what climate you are in, some months are better than others. We have all, at some point, attended and outdoor affair in the summer months. An event where you could only concentrate on how hot you were and spent most of the time by the refreshments instead of mixing and mingle with fellow guests. This type of situation does not harbor the feedback you want to hear from your guests about YOUR wedding!

Luckily there are many creative minds behind Martha Stewart and many brilliant visionaries hard at work collaborating each issue of her wedding magazine. All designers, pouring their energy into making one of the best D.I.Y. sections of the entire wedding industry. Their “Good Things” section has some great D.I.Y. projects. This season for Summer 2009 they have these wonderful fans that can be crafted for your guests so they won’t feel the full effects of the sweltering summer heat!

“Easy Breezy” is the tag line for these little wonders! You can go online and download all the templates…templates and clip art you need for free. Really….I said FREE!! They also give some other great tips for assembly and other alternatives if you would like to add some extra flourishes. Some suggestions involve hiring a calligrapher to draw a monogram or there is even a link to an artist Julia Swaney in Portland, Oregon who will decorate these fans (at cost). You just assemble.

These fans seem like a great alternative to beat the heat. Put your vows on one side and they become your program. You can also use them as a favor and will be a silent alternative to the flapping of paper fold-over programs, so everyone can hear you and your husband exchange vows! You want the best for both you and your guests. Keep them cool so they have stories to tell of the wonderful food and decor, instead of tales of the heat!

Images from marthastewartweddings.com

Most of us brides are always looking for budget-friendly options as we vendor search while planning our dream wedding. No statement holds more truth at present time. Budgets are very important to stick to as we seeing inflation skyrocket and interests rates on our credit cards following suit. How many of us ask ourselves the questions, “can we afford to get married right now?” or “should we just wait a year?” Ladies, as far as the wedding industry goes, there is no good or bad time. For us living on the “average” American salary though, some substitutions must be made.

I love anything DIY. Not all projects are for everyone, but I know there are plenty of women (and men) out there who are crafty like me! That is why when I go to shop around wedding sites and magazines for the latest ideas I ALWAYS go check out Martha Stewart Weddings. Every issue the editors manage to have some type of really neat project in their DIY section.

While I was checking out their “Good Things” section in the Summer 2009 issue, I happened upon these great pinafores that can be used to pass out petals as your flower girl(s) make their way down the isle. Realistically it probably involves the same amount of time (if not slightly more) than buying the supplies to make your own basket to house petals…but they are absolutely adorable! If you already have a sewing machine or know someone who does, why not give it a try. You can go and get step-by-step instructions, templates, and pictures.

Even though I found this project in the Summer issue, it can be very versatile. Pick the colors and textures that go best with your season. Ideally this probably will look best in the Spring and Summer months at an outdoor event, but who cares! I think these pieces can look very chic for any wedding, plus girls will love to style these in your photos. Let me know if it works out. Good luck ladies!

Images from marthastewartweddings.com