Karen & Jason: Old New York Glamour & Modern Trends

What I loved about Karen & Jason's wedding at the beautiful Hilton Orrington in Evanston was that it was the perfect combination of old New York glamour with the latest wedding trends mixed in.  Check out some of the fabulous photos by tim coughlin photographer:

A sneak peak of the bride getting ready

These hanging flowers lined the aisle

The candlelit trees decorated the stage during the ceremony

Trend #1: Incorporating family photos into the wedding decor

So many of my couples this season wanted to include photos of family members at the wedding.  It's such a nice way to personalize the event and honor those that are close to you.  Here, we used them to decorate the guestbook/gift table. I especially love the black & white photos of the weddings of parents and grandparents!

Trend #2: Alternative Guestbook

I did not see a traditional guestbook at all this season! Couples are opting for guestbook alternatives that they will have as a keepsake to actually use or display in their home.  Here, we did a guestbook platter, where guests could etch (with a special pen) their names and well wishes on a beautiful platter.

I'm a behind-the-scenes kind of gal on wedding day, so I try to avoid the camera! But Tim caught me giving instructions to the Bride & Groom before their grand entrance into the reception. Don't ya just adore that gorgeous wedding gown!

A beautiful fall-themed cake. Love that beautiful cake stand!

The  centerpieces consisted of three hurricane vases with floating flowers and candles.  And we placed an orchid on each napkin.

Trend #3: Floating Flowers

I'm seeing the floating flower centerpieces more and more.  It's a great option for a bride who either doesn't want a lot of flowers, wants to save some money, or just wants something that's different yet still elegant.

The Gold Coast Orchestra had the dance floor full the entire night!

The couple wanted a "New York Style Reception," meaning the band played and guests danced between courses.  Creating the wedding day timeline around that type of format is a wonderful way to keep guests entertained and keep the party lively.

Trend #4: The Sweet Table

 In addition to a classic wedding cake, sweet tables have become hugely popular.  Typically, the sweet table opens later in the night, and guests love getting to select from an array of beautiful mini-desserts.

The happy groom stealing a kiss in the elevator

Congratulations Karen & Jason!

Vendors:

Venue/Catering - Hilton Orrington

Officiant - Reverend Carol Munro Mosley

Photography - tim coughlin photographer

Bouquets - Saville Flowers

Ceremony Music - Jen Stedman String Trio

Reception Band - Gold Coast Orchestra

Cake - Bittersweet Bakery

Wedding Coordinator - Camille Victoria Weddings LLC

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Quick Tip: Using Titles on Wedding Invitations

Wedding invitations are one of the key places where proper etiquette and tradition come in to play.  You'll have many people listed on the invitation from the hosts of the wedding to the couple getting married.  So, it's important to know the rules regarding using titles on wedding invitations. 

The rule of thumb is: the only professional designations that should appear on the invitation are Doctor, Reverend, Judge, or military rank.  Everyone else should be referred to as Mr., Mrs., or Miss (never Ms.).

Furthermore, the use of "Doctor" for the purposes of the wedding invitation, refers only to medical doctors.  Those with a Ph.D should forego the title on the invitation.

Degrees, such as M.D. or D.D.S., should never appear on the invitation.  And putting Esquire or Esq. after an attorney's name on the invitation is considered a major no-no.

If you are including a title other than Mr. or Mrs., don't abbreviate!  Spell out titles, such as Doctor or Reverend, completely on the invitation.

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