A fierce debate rages in the wedding community on Pinterest boards and throughout popular blogs about the state of one beloved wedding theme: “Vintage”. Are these throwback weddings over or is the mega-trend just getting started? While much depends on your market, any observer of popular wedding sites can plainly see that many brides are still very much enamored with what used to be, and how they can incorporate it in today’s weddings. Here are ways that different wedding professionals are catering to fans who remain convinced that “Vintage is In”:

Transportation: Old-fashioned cars are still very hot and prized for their photogenic qualities, especially for grand arrivals and departures. Take your vintage theme far enough back in time, and you may find that horse and carriage transfers provide just the right amount of authenticity.

Flowers: Depending on the chosen era, floral designers are choosing containers that represent their clients’vintage themes. Victorian weddings may feature airy wildflowers snatched from an English garden in mismatched tea cups next to a variety of china patterns, while Roaring 20’s parties may serve up bold patterns and retro color combinations befitting a scene straight from an F. Scott Fitzgerald novel. Brooches from all eras are still popular as accents on, and sometimes in place of, flowers in bridal bouquets.

Music: The right tunes will make any party. Big Band swing, crooners with velvet voices and sultry jazz combos all contribute ambiance to certain vintage weddings. Even specialty musicians like bagpipers or classical string quartets will find that marketing to appropriate vintage brides can be a highly lucrative endeavor.

Photography: Visual artists need only study the original photos and portraiture of a period to derive inspiration. Use props to enhance the look and choose background textures that could be lifted from a bygone decade or century. Take advantage of floral and fashion details already on site to represent a wedding’s unique nature, and start collecting accent furnishings like antique-looking ottomans or chaise lounges that can be taken to a site a create a whole new look. Your forethought and creativity can make you highly desirable to the vintage bride.

Catering: Chefs become historians as they research the popular foods of an era. A 50’s Retro theme might call for comfort food like bite-sized servings of meatloaf and mashed potatoes. High tea is perfect for a proper vintage Victorian wedding.

Stationers: Motifs and printing styles can easily match a time gone by. Use patterns, like details from a damask print or the popular chevron zig-zag to enhance a theme. Carry these throughout the printed suite and give your couples every opportunity, from save-the-date through table naming and numbering, to highlight your graphic talent.

There are numerous ways a wedding professional can incorporate the ever-popular vintage theme into their client offerings and woo the vintage-minded bride. What will you incorporate today?

One of the most popular trends in 2012 is a return to a simpler, outdoor-inspired celebration and a rustic look. Many brides are seeking out old barns to use as venues and specialty rentals to complement the scene with the perfect atmosphere. The popular theme is flexible and fun, but rustic weddings are particularly notable for all of the things they are not:

They are not matchy-matchy.

Centerpieces are arranged in a mix of different containers and with several sizes all on the same table; candles may be in mason jars, bejeweled votive cups, traditional clear glass or all of the above at once. Even the chairs, china and glassware can be mismatched, as if 100 of your closest friends showed up at your house in the country for a holiday dinner.

They are uncovered.

At least the tables are. Many brides are choosing to use “farm tables”, reminiscent of your grandfather’s stately old kitchen table –a long platform of smooth wood, sometimes with a runner and sometimes completely bare. Wine barrels with clear glass tops may replace cake tables clouded with fluffy linens. Even old reclaimed shelves get new life as bars and place card displays.

They are not totally delicate.

Burlap is one of the most popular materials being used in place of upscale smooth, satin tablecloths, and wood or wood-look folding chairs take the place of the otherwise popular banquet favorite: the Chivari.

They are not fussy.

Wildflowers look as if they have been plucked from the fields and are sooner tossed into mason jars than arranged in wreaths or forms. Napkin folds are simple and menus are straightforward. The point is to emulate the old country farm wedding, and great lengths are taken to honor the vision.

They are not always traditional.

The rustic theme has ushered in the use of every imaginable material for accents like boutonnieres and centerpieces. Floral designers combine elements like puffs of raw cotton, succulents and thistles to create interesting pieces that defy the boundaries of the old-fashioned rose and baby’s breath (goodbye prom!).

What do you envision for your rustic wedding? Will you find a venue that fits perfectly, or will you bring in all of the elements you need to complete the look? Whichever approach you take, enjoy and make beautiful memories!

Creating a Rustic Themed Wedding

One of the most popular trends in 2012 is a return to a simpler, outdoor-inspired celebration and a rustic look. Many brides are seeking out old barns to use as venues and specialty rentals to complement the scene with the perfect atmosphere. The popular theme is flexible and fun, but rustic weddings are particularly notable for all of the things they are not:

They are not matchy-matchy.

Centerpieces are arranged in a mix of different containers and with several sizes all on the same table; candles may be in mason jars, bejeweled votive cups, traditional clear glass or all of the above at once. Even the chairs, china and glassware can be mismatched, as if 100 of your closest friends showed up at your house in the country for a holiday dinner.

They are uncovered.

At least the tables are. Many brides are choosing to use “farm tables”, reminiscent of your grandfather’s stately old kitchen table –a long platform of smooth wood, sometimes with a runner and sometimes completely bare. Wine barrels with clear glass tops may replace cake tables clouded with fluffy linens. Even old reclaimed shelves get new life as bars and place card displays.

They are not totally delicate.

Burlap is one of the most popular materials being used in place of upscale smooth, satin tablecloths, and wood or wood-look folding chairs take the place of the otherwise popular banquet favorite: the Chivari.

They are not fussy.

Wildflowers look as if they have been plucked from the fields and are sooner tossed into mason jars than arranged in wreaths or forms. Napkin folds are simple and menus are straightforward. The point is to emulate the old country farm wedding, and great lengths are taken to honor the vision.

They are not always traditional.

The rustic theme has ushered in the use of every imaginable material for accents like boutonnieres and centerpieces. Floral designers combine elements like puffs of raw cotton, succulents and thistles to create interesting pieces that defy the boundaries of the old-fashioned rose and baby’s breath (goodbye prom!).

What do you envision for your rustic wedding? Will you find a venue that fits perfectly, or will you bring in all of the elements you need to complete the look? Whichever approach you take, enjoy and make beautiful memories!

Want to know a dirty little secret about guest books? After one meaningful read-through, most people put them in a drawer or box and never look at them again. As special as the names on the lines are, reading a list of sometimes incomprehensible signatures is no one’s idea of fun. Thankfully, you can toss that tradition out the window and incorporate something much more personal and entertaining that you’ll enjoy for years. Here are some alternatives to the traditional guest book.

Custom Photo Books: You can order simple and inexpensive photo books of your own candid photos from websites like www.snapfish.com, or enlist your photographer and ask for a book created from your engagement shoot. Have guests splash the pages with well-wishes and autographs and you’ll have a fun walk down memory lane every time you open it.

Autograph Mattes: Prefer a piece of art that you can hang on the wall of your newlywed home and glance at daily? Have a favorite print framed with a nice, wide matte and provide a classy variety of color Sharpie markers. Ask your bridal party or family members to start signing early so the rest of the guests understand what they need to do, and have someone monitor the photo throughout the party to ensure that people are actually signing it.

Polaroid Fun: Polaroid cameras were almost discontinued a few years ago, but the modern models have become quite popular (especially at weddings) and now they are available in many varieties, including ones that produce color photos and others that print tiny prints, sticky prints, and almost-instant photos! You can buy special “Polaroid”photo albums that feature one or two photos on each page and allow generous space for your guest wishes, or be more creative like this couple with their rustic-chic clothesline of guest photos. Remember that not everyone has used a Polaroid camera: buy enough films to cover mistakes and the occasional “souvenir”. And bring extra batteries just in case!

Photo Booths: Of course, you can take the “instant photo”idea farther and hire one of the increasingly popular photo fun booths. Add themed props or just silly décor and your “guest book”will turn into a party within a party! All kinds of options exist –some booths come with personalized strips (one for the newlyweds and one for the guests), and some will customize a sign for the booth just for you. Be sure that you find out before booking whether the strips are printed in color or black-and-white, and also find out what additional options are available, including scrapbooks and rental props.

Some photographers will create a custom photo backdrop for you as part of their wedding services. If you have an elaborate design idea, consult with your pros and see how you can interpret your vision into a creative presentation!

Outside the Box: Are you high school sweethearts? Try and get your hands on a copy of your senior yearbook and ask guests to share their favorite quick story about you teenage years. Big gourmet food lovers? Pick a gorgeous cookbook that you both love and display it with a sign asking guests to sign their favorite recipe. If you’ve hired a videographer you can request a “wishing well camera”or stationary camera in a quiet spot where guests can go to leave you a message and thoughts for your successful marriage. You can even have your loved ones sign Christmas ornaments to accent your first married tree. The possibilities are quite literally endless!

If you’re bored with the idea of a frilly book with a laundry list of guest signatures and want something more meaningful on your wedding day, use your imagination. Come up with your own alternatives to the traditional guest book, and enjoy a lifetime of vivid memories of your special day.