Wedding season recently kicked off with an exclusive luncheon featuring celebrity wedding planner Mindy Weiss at the Gramercy Park Hotel Rooftop Terrace in NYC. I was honored to have been asked to join Mindy for lunch, but since I wasn't able to travel to the city I asked Jackie {a recent newlywed who I have met via twitter and works in the city} if she could attend on my behalf. I was thrilled to know she could go and she has come back here to share the details that were discussed. I now turn the blog over to Jackie to share part 1 of the hot trends and ideas for 2013 that Mindy discussed. And, be sure to come back on Friday for even more top wedding trends in part 2. Also on Friday, I will be sharing details on how you could win Erica Courtney® platinum diamond earrings worth $11,000 from Perfect Circle® Jewelry Insurance. {from above: top left photo courtesy of Jackie, bottom left and right photo courtesy of Perfect Circle Jewelry Insurance}

The BIG Wedding Themes according to Mindy include:
​1. Bringing back tradition & classic elements
​2. More personalized details
​3. Creating more intimate events and spaces
​4. Rustic vintage style or themed weddings are still very popular

And, now we move onto more specific elements with even more to come on Friday morning . . .

Bridal Attire, Accessories & Jewelry: 
​• Lots of bridal attire and accessories are inspired by red carpet looks {especially shoes and purses}
​• In addition, brides are also leaning toward more vintage styles in terms of purses and shoes
​• Brides are buying purses for their big day more often than not
​• Wedding bands and engagement rings in yellow & rose gold, also being mixed & matched with other metals to gives a unique & personal style
​• For bridal & bridesmaids jewelry, color is being used to add a personal touch in the wedding colors or even as "something blue"
​• Nail polish has become a more prominent part of bridal attire, as well as a popular bridesmaids gift {lots of unusual colors like neon and gray}
​• Mindy's picks for favorite bridal gown designers in 2013 include Monique Lhuillier, Jenny Packham & Carolina Herrera
​• More brides are wanting to change into a short dress or have a "going away" outfit
​• Lots of wedding day decor items are being influenced by dress details, especially lace. When it comes to decor elements, Mindy recommends either going big (with lace for example, using everywhere) or just a few small details - anything in the middle won't work.

Bridesmaid Attire:
​• Brides are moving away from having their maids wear all the same dress
​• Many brides are now sending their maids a color swatch and allowing them to select their own dresses
​• Popular colors this year are shades of green, perhaps because of Pantone's 2013 color of the year being Emerald. Other popular colors include shades of blush and purple, and much less cream and ivory shades.

Groom attire:
​• Lots of grooms are choosing to purchase their wedding day attire over renting, even tuxedos
​• Hand-tied bow ties are making a come-back
​• Tom Ford has been the men's designer of choice
​• Grooms are also changing into less formal "going away" outfits
​• Many grooms Mindy has worked with recently have become very involved in planning the wedding and care about the details

Paper:
​• Invitations are going back to traditional looks: lots of engraving and classic styles (and much less letterpress), beveled edges; color is used more as a accent in the invitation edging or envelope liners
​• Hand calligraphy is still in, as are vintage stamps
​• Save-the-Dates are becoming more casual - more couples are choosing to send them via email, many preferring to spend the money on invitations; if couples are sending paper save-the-dates, they tend to be more fun and quirky, while the invitation remains more formal

Flowers:
​• Low centerpieces seem to be popular choice, coming from a desire to create a more intimate atmosphere
​• Color trends: creams and greens, lavender and grey-tinted colors - lots flowers like amnesia roses being used.

What are your favorite wedding trends from Mindy? ​On Friday, Jackie will be back to share the trends for receptions, destination weddings and more from Mindy.

Photo Credits: Black and Gray Wedding Invitation Suite, Cypress Breeze Printed Dress, Low Centerpieces, Mini Taffeta Wedding Dress, Checkered Shirt with Pants, Vintage Style Purse, ​That's What She Said Save the Date