If you are looking for a great way to coordinate your dress with your groom’s tuxedo, here’s a wedding attire trend you’ll love.

Take a nod from tennis pro Roger Federer. He and his new bride cashed in on the trend among couples which is use the same fabric for both the bride’s dress and the groom’s tie. Using the same fabric has many benefits. It is an intimate touch that can enhance small, personal ceremonies. It is a showing of unity that many feel is a positive attitude for the start of the marriage. Others think of it as the finest way to coordinate the two wedding outfits.

Whatever your reason, consider asking your wedding dress designer to create the groom’s tie from the same fabric as your wedding dress. If you do not have a wedding dress designer, ask your seamstress if there is enough fabric left over for the tie after alterations are made. There are many ways to go about capturing this trendy idea. Just make sure to return to Wedding And Party Network with your photos!

With the incredible selection of bridal gowns to choose from, 2009 brides have their hands full! To make it a bit easier, Wedding And Party Network (via yours truly) has compiled your guide to trendy wedding dress styles for 2009 weddings. Learn which styles are available and which will make you a truly fashionable bride this year by reviewing the wedding dress styles below!

A-Line / Princess Style Wedding Dresses Are Where It’s At In 2009!

Almost every bride can pull off the flattering shape of a-line/princess dresses. That’s why it’s such a classic! Bridal gowns like these are simple, bring modest attention to the bosom, hide the shape of the waist, and accentuate other curves without being revealing. The type of straps vary, but most prefer a skinny strap or strapless wedding dress.

Hair Tip: A-line/princess style wedding dresses are very versatile and work well with every type of wedding hairstyle. This is the perfect dress style for a simple updo, half updo hairstyle, or hair that drapes over the shoulders.

Mermaid Wedding Gowns Are Huge In ‘09!

Mermaid wedding dresses are very popular with brides for their 2009 weddings because these gowns are gorgeous! Mermaid wedding dresses are very form fitting until they reach the mid thigh. The fabric becomes more flowing here through the train. Mermaid bridal dresses are very popular with women who are proud of their curves and want to show them off at their wedding!

Hair Tip: What would a mermaid wear? A relaxed half updo is going to be your best bet for this wedding dress style if you have long hair. Simply pulling some of your hair back and using a decorative clip will bring out the best in this dress. If you have short hair, work it!

Empire Wedding Dresses Are Gaining Popularity This Year!

Empire wedding dresses are very popular because of the elegant simplicity of the design. Attention is drawn to the bosom and waist of the bride in a modest, flattering way. Brides can keep jewelry to a minimum with this style of dress because it automatically draws attention to the upper body. These bridal gowns tend to drape and flow down into a moderate train. These dresses are very popular for sophisticated outdoor weddings as well as semi-formal ceremonies.

Hair Tip: Consider wearing your hair down with this dress. A relaxed updo or simple updo will work also, but this wedding dress style is more suited to “playing down dressing up.” In other words, these go best with relaxed or semi-formal ceremonies so choose a hairstyle that is comfortable to you.

Marry Your Prince In A Ball Gown Style Wedding Dress!

Ball gown wedding dress styles are less common in 2009 but still popular. This wedding dress style perfectly suits the young bride who wants to feel like a princess for a day. If you’ve always dreamed of the full skirt, flowing fabrics, and elegant bodice of a Cinderella-style dress, give ball gown wedding dresses a try.

Hair Tip: Elegance is key for this bridal gown. Wedding hairstyles vary with each dress, but the ball gown style wedding dress is best complemented by a traditional up-do or half-up, showy hairstyle.

Column Wedding Dresses Are The Lesser-Known Beauties of 2009!

Column wedding dresses aren’t making quite as many showings in 2009 despite their beautiful appearance. These are great dresses for relaxed, less formal wedding ceremonies. Sound like the wedding you want? Column bridal dresses are perfect for the bride who wants to be able to walk freely, doesn’t want quite as many frills, but still wants to look gorgeous at her wedding. Simple beauty defines this wedding dress style.

Hair Tip: You could almost pull off any wedding hairstyle with this dress. That’s precisely the point of the dress style! Up, down, half-up, relaxed, teased–the choice is entirely yours! Well, it never hurts to ask a professional wedding hairstylist either.

Want to know more about wedding dress styles? You’ll love this helpful blog! “Help! Which Wedding Dress Style Should I Wear?”

Kudos to you if you already know that the hottest thing going in wedding trends is the desire for a videographer.  That’s right, ladies and gents. Wedding videographers are thunderously gaining popularity because of what their presence brings to the wedding—and allows the newlyweds to take away.

Wedding videographers are awesome because pictures are only worth a thousand words. Imagine the conversation you could have watching the video of your wedding with your family, friends, children and grandchildren. Instead of feeling like they were not and can’t be a part of your wedding, these people can now feel like they had a front row seat at your ceremony. They are able to watch you and your wife/hubby go through the entire process. You can just see it now…

…your voice cracking as emotions sweep you while exchanging the wedding vows.

…tears streaming down your face as you hear their sweet words to you.

…the excitement on your face as you hear “I now pronounce you man and wife.”

…the kiss. Oh that first kiss as husband and wife!

Now imagine watching it again and reliving those moments for yourself. Picture your children throwing popcorn at you as you tear up again. “Oh, mooooom!” “Dad, you big weeny!” Picture the first anniversary as a married couple. Sitting eating the rest of the top tier of your wedding cake while watching your wedding video. Sounds like a great date to me!

How is all of this possible? Wedding videographers make these grand moments possible when they capture every intimate detail of your wedding. Every laugh, every tear. It’s all on video for you to relive over and over again with the people you love. As far as wedding trends go, this is one you can’t miss.

Ask The Celebration Advisor: Please settle an argument between me and my mom. What is the best wedding dress style for a late afternoon fall wedding in Niagara Falls, NY? I want a strapless wedding dress but my mom says it needs to have sleeves. She says it’s tradition for late-year weddings. Is that still the proper etiquette for wedding dresses or can I get away with wearing the one that I want? ~Nancy, Niagara Falls, NY

The Celebration Advisor: Nancy, I hate to admit this but you’re both right! Traditional etiquette says that a full-length skirt and small jacket or sleeves is appropriate for a wedding ceremony during the cooler times of the year. This has a lot to do with what was socially acceptable at the time. Just as much of it was to  keep the bride comfy. Also, a small wedding dress jacket can easily be removed for the reception but is seasonally appropriate attire. Sleeves can’t be removed but no one said they had to be stiff and bulky.

In your defense, the modern wedding is all about the bride and which wedding dress style she prefers. While traditional values are still appreciated, there is no standard etiquette that brides are holding to these days. Most simply try to coordinate their hairstyle with the neckline of their gown, the style of dress they want with the formality of their wedding, the type of dress with the location and other important considerations. If it makes you comfortable and you think it looks good, it’s perfectly acceptable in a modern wedding.

Consider These Beautiful Wedding Dress Styles for Your Fall Wedding

If you really want to go along with your mother on this, there are many beautiful wedding dresses with light jackets. Also consider lace sleeves or something similar. A long skirt can be gorgeous with many of the wedding dress styles of today.

• Mermaid style wedding dresses are form fitting through the upper thigh but then loosen into a more flowing train.
• Empire wedding dresses are usually made of lighter fabrics. They have a very short train that gives the bride a semi-formal look.
• Column style wedding dresses are very simple. They are usually floor-length gowns without a train. These are usually the preferred dresses for second weddings and semi-formal affairs. These can be easily accentuated with a light jacket and still maintain a very beautiful appearance.
• A-line/Princess wedding gowns are arguably the most popular style for modern brides. These are simple enough to allow the bride to move freely without 15 attendants for her train. However, they are also gorgeous and rather formal. They present the best of both worlds.
• Ball Gown style wedding dresses are exactly what you’d think they are. Picture Cinderella’s wedding and you’re on the mark. These have full, elaborate skirts and a less dramatic bodice. You really are the queen for a day in a wedding gown like this.

If you want to hold your own in the debate, you are right also. Modern weddings have less stringent traditions. The brides of today are able to wear whatever they want. Many are even wearing colorful wedding gowns! If your  mother’s argument is mostly that “it’s traditional,” you can respectfully disregard that advice. The modern bride’s wedding is all about her and what she wants.

If you want to wear something sleeveless, that’s fine. If you want to  honor your mother’s wishes and wear sleeves or a light jacket, that’s great too. I recommend column, a-line, or empire styles if you opt for a jacket. All styles can benefit from one but these seem to be the most suited and popular. (That means easier to find!!)

My best recommendation is to find a compromise. Ask your mother if a sleeveless wedding dress would be ok with her. Perhaps something with thin straps but not strapless (works great with an empire style). This way you can still choose a neckline, satisfy your mother, and look beautiful on your wedding day.

Let me know which dress you pick! If your mother is anything like my mother, you’ll look beautiful in a wedding dress with sleeves. *grin*

Before I forget…A shout out to the wonderful people who let me use their photos!

* The photo of the bride wearing a wedding dress jacket was provided by Photographs by Lawrence, a wedding photographer in Marietta Oklahoma.

* The photo of the bride wearing a strapless wedding dress was provided by Prange’s Florist in Gainesville Florida (she provided the gorgeous bridal bouquet also seen in the photo).

Photo Booths Way Back When

Since 1925, when Anatol Josephino invented the photo booth, kids and adults have been creating photo memories and having fun.  In the early days, photo booths could be found on the boardwalk, in departments stores and amusement parks across the nation.  It seems no one could resist the urge to mug for a picture when they happened upon a photo booth.  In fact, you probably have a few of these photo booth pictures tuck away in a drawer somewhere right now.

Contemporary Photo Booths Make The Guest List

Why would a photo booth receive an invitation to a wedding, a prom, a birthday party, a family reunion, a Bar/Bat Mitzvahs or an asundry of other special events. Laugh-out-loud, unforgettable fun, that’s what photo booths bring to the party. Renting a photo booth can inspire fun and create memories at any special event even a quinceanera, anniversary party, holiday party or a fun-raiser.

Photographers capture a party guest in a moment of time.  However, photo booths will capture your guests in the moment. Photo booths are entertainment and posterity all rolled into one wonderful party accessory.  A photo booth naturally brings out the adventure in every guest. These candid pictures are a great way to remember the fun you had at an event.

It not just the photo booth that makes it fun, it is all the props that come with a photo booth rental.  Neat hats, masks, boas and other props that guests can wear when they step inside of the photo booth are just a few of the great props that come with renting a photo booth.  Along with the props, many rental companies offer a scrapbook package.

The photo booth scrapbook package adds an extra element of fun. Guests can have their picture taken and then add it to the scrapbook along with a personal message.  This makes for a wonderful piece of memorabilia after the event is over.

Photo Booths A Rising Trend

I can see why this new party and wedding trend is quickly rising to the top.  It is an easy way to entertain guests as well as create and save memories.  It appeals to the young and old alike.  It fits well into the scheme of a wedding reception, a graduation party, a charity gala or a sweet sixteen party.  As a party or wedding trend, photo booths have real staying power.  After all, they have been around since 1925 and people are still drawn to them.

A special thanks goes to Say Cheese Photo Booth, an Austin Texas Photo Booth Company, who was kind enough to share some of their photos.  I think they speak for all photo booth rental companies when they say “our mission is to inspire laugh-out-loud-unforgettably-fun memories everywhere we go.”  That’s the attraction of photo booths and why you should have one at your next event.

Ask The Celebration Advisor: Hi: Regarding Party Favors at a reception only event.

I have a cousin, who just told the bride, that there is a new trend in party favors.  In lieu of giving out party favors, the couple “donate to their favorite charity”

I am questioning this, because, first and foremost, this relative is NOT a wedding planner, nor does she have any background in weddings other then being a “guest.”

I desperately need your advice, because the bride is from another country and has selected this “relative” to be her “wedding planner”

HELP  Helen from Los Angeles Ca

Many many thanks.

PS:  We are a American-Japanese family.  And I know that most of the relatives will be expecting a “token” favor.

The Celebration Advisor:

Donating to a charity is a very admirable thing to do.  Many couples are choosing to forgo the wedding party favors in lieu of a charitable donation.  While wedding favors are not a requirement, many couples give favors as a way to thank guests for participating in their day.  Many cultures believe the bride and groom must give guests a token of their appreciation.  Therefore the culture of the families involved dictates the proper etiquette concerning wedding favors.  For example, in Mediterranean countries the wedding favors are Jordon almonds which represent the bitter and sweet sides of marriage.

In the Japanese culture wedding guests are thought to bring luck with them for the bride and groom and thus should be given a gift (favor) in return.  I doubt that a charitable donation as a wedding favor would be deemed an appropriate gift in the Japanese culture.

Although it is nice to have family help plan your wedding, knowing the etiquette that governs all parts of the wedding is crucial.  It is essential that you follow proper etiquette so as not to offend any of your guests. That is why professional Los Angeles wedding planners are well versed in several cultures and their wedding traditions and etiquette.  This gives them the ability to incorporate contemporary fads with cultural wedding traditions.

I would highly recommend that your cousin consult a local Los Angeles wedding planner that can work with your family “wedding planner” to combine cultural wedding favors and etiquette with contemporary ideas.

If your cousin really likes the idea of a charitable donation party favor, I would combine it with a bag of candied almonds or chocolates.  This way the bride gets what she wants without offending her guests.

There are several wedding cake trends gaining popularity this year. These high fashion fondant creations are sure to catch the eye of every guest and make mouths water from miles around. Consider these ideas when meeting with your wedding cake consultant.
1. Black and White Pattern Wedding Cakes. It seems everywhere you look you’ll see the Parisian wallpaper trend. So, why not in the wedding scene? This design is very elegant and quite stunning on a round tiered wedding cake. To blend this trend in with your other wedding decorations, use the pattern on other things such as napkins or tablecloth overlays.

2. CHOCOLATE!!! Forget traditional vanilla, switch it up! This year several brides are choosing dark chocolate truffle wedding cakes with beautiful detail and glamour. Give chocolate a chance! If you’re scared of the rich flavor, serve fruit along side such as raspberries or strawberries.

3. No Flowers Needed Just Crisp Details. Arts and crafts has gone chic in the wedding world this year. Crisp lines, exposed stitching and seamstress inspired details top the cake trends this season. Add detail to a light hued cake with vintage fondant buttons and fancy piping for a high fashion quilted look.

4. No Ordinary Shape Will Do. Brides are exploring their wedding cake shape options cakes this year. Oval tiers, cube tiers, and even asymmetric tiers (this can be complicated). These new styles are fresh and creative ways to spice up the otherwise ordinary cake shapes. Some of these new styles do compromise the amount of cake you get. So these might be great ideas for small, intimate weddings.

5. Small Makes A Big Statement. All the rage this year, mini cakes have become popular practically overnight. These mini cakes or personal cakes are part of the wedding decor. They surround the wedding cake and are adorned with a contrasting color to create a visual delight and a tasty treat. Mini cakes can also become gifts for guests. Package these cakes in favor boxes to send home with guests for wedding favors. (Two bird’s with one stone!)

Take these ideas along when you meet with your wedding cake consultant or baker and explore the options of a high fashion wedding cake for your 2009 wedding! Happy eating!

Having guests sign a guest book upon arriving at your ceremony or reception is a traditional way of recording who attended your wedding. But even the best tradition deserves some updating. Consider these ideas for a fresh way to record who attends your wedding while making it part of your wedding decorations:

Purchase a picture frame mat and several good quality black ink pens. A 16’ x 20’ mat is a good size and will hold an 11’ x 14’ photograph. Consider using an engagement photo or any photo of the bride and groom. Display the matted photo on an easel with a sign directing guests to sign their names and include a brief note, if they wish. Using the picture mat as a wedding decoration that welcomes your guests and as a guest book is a great way to set the tone for your wedding.

Purchase or make 3’ x 5’ cards on white or colored cardstock. Lay stacks of cards out on a table, along with an empty container that coordinates with your wedding decorations—a basket, a crystal bowl, etc.—along with good quality black ink pens. Have your guest table attendant (or a simple sign) encourage guests to write a brief wish and sign their names to a piece of cardstock. When they finish, they drop the card in the empty container. You can decorate the table along the theme of your wedding for a cohesive wedding decoration. You can arrange these cards in your wedding album as special reminders of those who attended and their well wishes.

You may remember reading about colorful bridal shoes in my November blog, Wedding Attire Trends For 2009:  The Colors of Choice!. If not, this will be a helpful bit of “news” about what’s hot this year.

Colored bridal shoes are pretty awesome. I love the look of a bride who matches her shoes to the colorful sash around her bodice. It helps the bride define her personality. Is she bold and vivacious? Then she’ll probably pair pink, gold or silver bridal shoes with her dress. Is she traditional? Then look for cream, ivory or white wedding shoes.

What you wear on your feet may seem like a small matter, but everything matters to the bride on her wedding day. Shoes are just as important as jewelry, hair, makeup, flowers, and the filling for the bon-bon wedding favors. Everything matters because the wedding day is all about the bride, her tastes, her interests, her love and new life.

Modern weddings are as much a celebration of the woman as of the union. It’s a chance to let the bride shine. Her bridal shoes will be the ones that carry her up the aisle on the arm of her father and down the aisle on the arm of her husband. These shoes will stay with her through the long night of dancing at the wedding reception. The bride’s shoes will be with her during every special moment of the wedding day. It’s important to have the right ones!

When it’s time to buy bridal shoes in 2009, consider these popular colors:

• Gold — Bridal shoes to treasure!
• Pink — Wedding shoes so sweet and lovely!
• Clear — Bridal shoes that go with everything!
• Silver — Wedding shoes with a contemporary look!
• Ivory — Bridal shoes with vintage appeal!
• White — Bridal shoes for the traditional woman!

Wedding cake decorations are becoming increasingly unique, but altogether still the same good ol’ stuff that your parents and grandparents loved. When discussing your wedding cake ideas with a local bakery, consider these trends concerning wedding cake styles, frosting and cake toppers.

A Glimpse at Traditional Wedding Cakes

Traditional wedding cakes are beautifully formed of either buttercream frosting or fondant icing. Cake toppers typically centered around the bride and groom standing together arm-in-arm as if standing at the altar. White wedding cakes were popular, both as the choice of flavor and icing color. Decorations were elegant but simple; not understated nor over the top. These are beautiful wedding cakes for any reception, but their classic style has since been pushed to the side by more original, unique wedding cakes.

Take A Peek At Popular Modern Wedding Cakes

Wedding cakes for the modern bride tend to take on a very different appearance. Wedding cake ideas are limitless as the modern bride favors unique cake designs that showcase personality and style. Cake toppers range from a groom dipping his bride to kissing couples. Monogrammed cake toppers are also used often. The idea surrounding modern wedding cakes is that each should be a reflection of the bride, so creative designs are very popular.

Ever The Same For Wedding Cake Components

Buttercream frosting and fondant icing are still popular, but modern wedding cakes take these two classic components to the next level. Contemporary cake designs offer a wide range of designs that call for creative use of both sweet treats. Your local wedding cake bakeries can offer more details about the differences between buttercream and fondant. Regardless, fondant wedding cakes and cakes with buttercream icing will forever grace the food tables at wedding receptions.

Cake toppers may look slightly different these days but their popularity as the crowning feature of the wedding cake remains the same. Whether embracing one another as a couple or declaring the initial of the couple’s surname, cake toppers are among the most well received wedding cake decorations.