^{Photos by Vintage Design Co. / www.vintagedesigncompany.com}

Choosing Centrepieces: Tall vs. Short

Having trouble deciding whether to have tall centrepieces or short centrepieces on your tables? Here is a breakdown of each of your options.

Tall Centrepieces are great to use if your room has very high ceilings; they help to fill the space properly and make the room look completely dressed up. Many people don’t want to have a tall centrepiece because they feel that their guests will not be able to see everyone at their table because of the centrepiece. This is true for some tall centrepieces, but there are ways to make the centrepiece more guest friendly. You could use a tall clear glass vase filled with water with your floral centrepiece placed on top – this makes the centrepiece transparent and guests will be able to see through the vase. Another solution would be to use a thin stand to place the centrepiece on to lift it up above your guests heads. Tall centrepieces also tend to be a little more pricey than short, mainly because the vase rental will be more expensive and it might need more flowers to make it look spectacular. However, there are ways to reduce the costs – you can choose local flowers that don’t need to be shipped in, use more filler blooms/leaves, which are less expensive, to fill out your arrangement or you can opt for a very simple tall vase filled with water with just a few blooms wired throughout.

Short Centrepieces are a fantastic way to add pops of colour to your tables. They bring the focus of the room down onto your table setting. They are low on the table therefore you don’t need to worry about guests not being able to see and talk to each other across the table. Once again shorter centrepieces tend to be less expensive because the short vase rental is not as much as a tall vase. There are so many options available to you when it comes to short centrepieces.

Combining Short & Tall Centrepieces is a unique way to incorporate both styles of centrepiece in a more wallet friendly way. Alternating tables with tall and short centrepieces will give you the benefit of addressing high ceilings and filling the venue space while the shorter ones will provide that added burst of colour.

Here are a couple of our favourite centrepiece images from one of our favourite floral design companies, VINTAGE DESIGN COMPANY.

^{Written by Kim ten Krooden, Event Coordinator, EVENTS BY EMMA}

^{Photo by Blue Orchid Designs, Flickr}

Tonight I had the pleasure of participating in a special Wedding Planning Workshop at Red River Community College, hosted by Elaine Kinchen. I was asked to discuss hot wedding trends, etiquette and the do’s and don’ts of vendor selection. I also threw in a fun demonstration on creating a themed decor table. Special thanks to Kylee (Planned Perfectly Linens) and Gloria (Floral Elements) for allowing me to use some of their supplies, props and past wedding show creations for tonight’s workshop.

Here are a few tips, resources and great articles that I shared with the group tonight:

2009 Top 12 Trends

Please keep in mind when planning your wedding that trends are just that. What’s most important is that you, the bride and groom, use the trends as a guide, selecting those things that are in sync with your own ideas, unique tastes, cultural backgrounds and reflects your own personal style.

Trend 1: Vintage, Rustic Homespun Details

Outdoor weddings — on a farm, in a park, or even in the backyard — are huge right now, and we’ll continue to see a lot of them in 2009. It’s really no wonder: An outdoor setting makes for a fun, laid-back vibe and the decor options are limitless. So what kinds of details are in store? Vintage vases filled with fresh-from-the-garden flowers, mismatched china in bright colours, and homemade wooden signs to direct guests. Even catering is in on the action with in-season ingredients paired with organic wine.

Trend 2: Jewel Tones

Say good-bye to pale pastels. Rich gem and jewel tone colors like navy, plum, and amber are going to be hot. And instead of chocolate brown, look to a soft creme brulee hue, bronzes, coppers, and black. Yes, that’s right — black is back too. When choosing colours, just pick the colours that fit with your personality and taste and that "speak" to you.

Trend 3: Patterns That Pop

Gingham, checkered, polka-dotted, paisley, toile, damask — you name it, colourful patterns are in and in a big way. Add patterned overlays to your tables to instantly perk up the room, find an off-the-rack patterned dress for your bridesmaids, and have your invitations and envelopes lined with colourful designs. The best part about this trend is that it lets you throw around a lot of different hues and still keep a cohesive look and feel.

Trend 4: Gowns and Accessories

From a full A-line gown to a very over-the-top design, this silhouette will make a huge resurgence down ceremony aisles this year. And you don’t have to have a ballroom wedding to pull it off either — the key is in the fabric. Find one with layers of airy tulle or even cotton for an outdoor spring or summer wedding; get a silk satin ball gown for a more formal wedding; or go for ultra-soft suede for a wintertime wedding.

When is comes to jewelry brides are hinting and grooms are buying emerald, topaz, gannet, and other precious stones as the centre, or complimentary stone for engagement rings.

Trend 5: Two-tiered Wedding Cakes

While cupcakes, candy and dessert bars have been popular for the past few years, wedding cakes are making a comeback — but not in tall towers anymore. Now it’s all about having just two tiers. Order several small cakes and put them on each table as a centrepiece, or set up a table of tiny wedding cakes mixed with desserts, cookies, pies, and more. And vintage cake toppers are in too.

Trend 6: New Centrepiece Vessels and Flowers

Traditional large centerpieces, such as tall vases or candelabras, are out. They are being replaced with clusters of different size and shape small arrangements embellished with clusters of decorative candles of all sizes. The classic floral vase has given way to mix-and-matched clusters of vintage pitchers, vases, jars, and galvanized buckets. Other ideas: apothecary jars with colorful rocks, sand, or even candy; uniquely shaped glass vases featuring fresh fruits like raspberries and blueberries; and mason jars loaded with fresh flowers like daisies and dahlias. To throw extra color or texture into the mix, line your flower-filled vases with patterned paper or even fabric.

Exotic flowers are more popular than ever and the cascade-style bouquet is experiencing a resurgence.

Trend 7: Chandeliers and Creative Lighting

Lighting designers are turning out impressive designs, projecting chandeliers, large trees, flowers, and even city skylines right onto the walls. When it comes to your space, hang chandeliers in different sizes, add colourful lamps and shades to the tables, and don’t skimp on the candles!

Trend 8: The Updated Photo Booth

Renting a photo booth has been growing in popularity over the past few years. The updated version? Entire photo sets with fabric backdrops and props. Set up a photo area at the reception that’s big enough for a group shot. Drape the background with fabric and add couches, chairs, and plenty of props (think easy-to-throw-on hats and scarves). You may be able to have your photographer or an assistant man the station, or ask a trusty friend to be on hand with a digital camera.

Formal and posed shots will always be popular, but more and more couples are choosing to switch to, or add candid, photojournalistic photography.

Black and white photos continue to be popular, as an addition to shots in color.

Trend 9: Fabulous Food & Drink

Try starting your meal with an amuse-bouche (chef’s teaser). These small dishes are a great way to prepare your palette for the meal ahead. Sit-down dinners will not be as popular as they have been in the past, instead the trend is toward having several food stations with a variety of foods, everything from appetizer selections to dessert choices. Caterers will have an opportunity to demonstrate their skills with what’s being called a "progressive wedding." The idea is to have every course with a different country’s cuisine for each part of the dinner. In that way guests can sample foods from all over the world and are sure to find something on the menu that suits their taste.

Signature drinks and family recipes are extremely popular. Colour will be key in food presentation, with caterers making an attempt to make food even more pleasing to the eye. Ethnic theme dishes such as Middle Eastern, Latin and Mediterranean themes are the newest trends. Be the first of your friends to add a “pre-dessert” to your wedding. This hot new trend is the bridge between the savory entrée and a sweet dessert. Some examples are basil ice cream, strawberry soup, olive oil ice cream with roasted figs, and rice and ginger panna cotta with soy ice cream. This is sure to get the mind and taste buds ready for the much-awaited course … wedding cake!

Trend 10: Gifts and Favours

While it is not necessary, it is always a nice token of appreciation for sharing your wedding day. Customary table favours are set either 1 per person, 1 per couple or alternating two coordinated items. Always ensure the items selected are thoughtful, memorable and practical to the event. In lieu of a table favours, couples are also choosing to offer parting treats as a fond farewell. Instead of traditional Jordan almonds, couples will go upscale by giving each guest an iPod Nano pre-loaded with the couple’s favorite songs.

Trend 11: Green and Gorgeous

Couples are choosing to go green as a reflection of their commitment to being eco-conscious. Brides will demonstrate their affirmation of this trend in everything from getting to the church and reception in a hybrid car to growing their own centrepieces and bouquets, to wearing recycled gowns. This is a trend that will expand in the numbers of brides coming on board and in the ways in which wedding-related professionals will offer green options to their brides.

Eco-Friendly Travel and Wild honeymoons like an Ice Hotel in the Arctic, backpacking in the rain forest, or honeymooning in a hut along the Amazon are definitely in.

Trend 12: Tough Times

Results from recent economic times, couples are cutting back wedding budgets. This is reflected in choices that bridal couples are making, such as: smaller weddings with fewer guests, destination weddings or destination type weddings closer to home, increased reliance on family and friends to help plan, pay, and provide some of the services, simplified decorations, centerpieces and wedding invitations, increased use of online RSVP’s vs. traditional mail-in RSVPs, off-peak weddings with buffet meals, hors d’oeuvres, and cocktail reception.

Final Thoughts

The key word in 2009 wedding trends is "glamour." Well-to-do couples are being more and more extravagant. Those not in the affluent income category are opting for a small, decadent wedding, by electing to do more for fewer guests, rather than less for more guests. Whatever you do, keep in mind that it’s your wedding and it should reflect your style.

^{Resources: Princeton Online, Hudson Valley Weddings}