Modern Love: What’s “Hot” For ‘06

by Mia Bolaris-Forget (Staff Writer NYCityWeddings)

It’s time to break the news to your closest friends. No, not that you got engaged, but that you’d like them to be a special part of your special day. And that’s just one of the preliminary things you need to think about.

And when it comes to your wedding day details, starting with whom to ask and how, you no doubt want it to me memorable. Here are just some of the ways ’06 brides/couples will be making marital milestones.

1. The Wedding Party Proposal: Despite how long you’d been dating your significant other, or how many times you’d discussed making it “official”, even if you helped pick out the ring, keep in mind how “magical” it felt when he (finally) asked. You knew he loved you, but you certainly didn’t mind hearing it, nor did it (his proposal) prevent you from feeling extra special. Well, now brides-to-be are setting a new “trend” by bestowing that same honor on their bridal party and making their request more like a unique and individual proposal. From penning (propostional) poems and placing them in frames and sending them to each lady to sending a bouquet of flowers of box of chocolates with a note requesting their participation, brides are getting more creative and personal with who they choose and how they ask.

2. Getting Guys Involved: Lots of gals have a special man in their lives (besides their dads and their future husbands to be) From brothers to guy pals, more and more women are asking the men or rather a special man in their life to stand up for them in place of the traditional bridesmaid. And, this often takes the pressure off of choosing between your sisters or favorite gal pals.

3. Tea For Two: Tea length gowns are quickly replacing their longer cousins as the standard in wedding attire. Not only are the more practical but are fun and flirty. And, as far as formality is concerned, fabric is the key determining factor, fancier fabrics (such as lace, satin or taffeta) for evening, cotton, ilet, etc. for morning and afternoon.

4. Bold and Beautiful: Taking the lead from Europe, many wedding gown designers are now opting for a hint of color (from pink to taupe, even blue) in their wedding gown designs, and brides are following their lead by choosing bold and beautiful hues for their bridal party. So, go ahead, think pink (or green, blue or orange), either as the primary color or as an electrically elegant point of emphasis.

5. Double The Pleasure, Double The Fun: More and more couples, especially those that are a little older or have been living together, are seeing the benefits of enjoying doing things together, even before the wedding. And, that includes and begins with the fun and festivities surrounding the main event. From coed showers to coed bachelor/bachelorette parties, brides and grooms to be along with their respective family and friends are spicing things up by toning things down when it comes to their pre-wedding celebrations. From jazz clubs to weekend escapes and adventurous excursions, today’s celebrations are truly a family affair.

6. Party Of Five (Year Olds): More and more couples are choosing to keep their wedding party small, literally. Instead of choosing adults they are instead following a trend that started in England by limiting the wedding party to ring bearers, flower girls, usherettes and junior bridesmaids.

7. Guests Of Honor: Making the adults/peers in their lives a part of their very special day, has many young couples offering them honorary roles in their ceremony and/or celebration. From asking them to do a religious/spiritual reading to asking them to write a prolific poem about their love, helping pass out programs, designing the Ketubah, holding the huppah, or helping them get dressed, they are finding more specialized roles for all the special people in their lives and family.