A Trini Holiday Wedding Menu

 And the countdown is on – only a few more days till Christmas! And of course, there’s that tingly, “Christmasy” feeling in the air, parang is on the radio, the Christmas tree is up and nearly everyone feels a bit more light-hearted. And so with all the feelings of romance floating around, perhaps you’re thinking ...what a better time to have a wedding than during Christmas?

 

At http://www.trinidadweddings.com most engaged couples who visit our website tend to have their weddings around mid-year, however, weddings carded for Boxing Day, Ole Year’s Day and New Year’s Day are also hot contenders! Many people opt for Christmas-time weddings because it’s a wonderful, festive time of year to get the family together. Even foreign guests can usually manage to leave their schedules around this time.

 

Menu Selection

The main challenge is that with “Trini” Christmas food abounding during this Yuletide season, many guests will more than likely predict what your Christmas wedding menu will be like. Here’s your chance to serve up some traditional or classic favorites with new twists, so that you can surprise and delight your guests!

For example:

1. Instead of serving full-sized pastelles, try serving a pastelle pie (a casserole with the corn meal base and the meat filling layered) in your buffet, or “mini pastelles” as an appetizer instead.
2. Serve your green salad with apple or pear slivers and a cranberry-orange or sorrel-inspired dressing, instead of the regular types of salad dressing.  
3. Have a selection of homemade bread rolls with sliced ham and turkey fillings, as a late night wedding reception snack.
4. How about a green fig Waldorf salad instead of the regular potato Waldorf salad?
5. Have turkey with sorrel jelly instead of cranberry sauce

Wine selection
Couples who are opting for a reception where alcoholic beverages will be served will no doubt be wondering how to choose the perfect wine that will complement their wedding feast! Choosing wine for your wedding need not be a daunting task. Generally, there are 3 broad categories that wine falls into:

 

(1) Still wines such as: red wines, white wines and rosé wines

 

(2) Fortified wines, like port or sherry and;

 

(3) Sparkling wines such as: champagne or sparkling wines

 

Most weddings usually feature still wines and sparkling wines or a combination. When choosing your wines, it is best to start the process with your menu by letting the types of food you will be serving, determine the types of wine you will serve.

Dessert Buffets
Dessert buffets are in vogue at the moment; with couples making buffets out of their favourite candies, fruits, cookies, cupcakes and desserts and featuring a variety of toppings and sauces. To add some traditional Christmas flair, you can serve sweet “paime” as one option or for a more modern approach, you can incorporate toppings in your dessert bar such as: coconut or white-chocolate shavings, nuts, cranberries, candied peel, cinnamon or caramel-rum sauce. If you don’t want to go this route and you would like to have a plated dessert served instead; two selections can be: baked apples topped with cinnamon and served alongside vanilla ice-cream or warm fruit cake (or “black cake”) and punch a crème ice cream.

  

Fabulous edible favours
Christmas time presents a whole slew of unique options for wedding favours that are often readily-available in bulk, for example Christmas cookies or fruit cake truffle balls ( balls of fruit cake dipped in chocolate!). You can even “do-it-yourself” by distributing tiny bottles of spiced nuts and dried cranberries, punch a crème, egg nog, sorrel, ginger beer, homemade wine or preserved fruit.

 

Return to : http://www.trinidadweddings.com

 

 

The Creative Bride on a Budget!

They say that “necessity is the mother of invention” and perhaps it’s all the more true when you apply that to wedding planning!

Sometimes, this happens because of budget restrictions, unpredictable reactions from your bridal party or disappointments from wedding vendors; all of which conspire to force couples to get more creative with their wedding planning choices.

Here are some of my favourite ideas that won’t bust your budget and are easily implementable too!

1. Instead of having shrugs or boleros made for the bridesmaids, give each bridesmaid the gift of a pashmina (shawl) to add in a splash of your wedding colour. Think about how striking your bridesmaids would look in red dresses with black pashminas or rose-pink dresses with sage green pashminas!

2. Don’t want to pay for exquisite and expensive handcrafted sugar and gum paste flowers on your cake? Buy a gorgeous selection of crystal and pearl brooches or even strings of crystals and faux pearls and have your cake designer affix them onto your cake at strategic spots!

3. Use your engagement or courtship photos in another way during your wedding -  colour photocopy and paste them onto hard board and hand-number each one to match the table number you would like.

4. Cure wedding guests’ boredom during lulls in your ceremony or reception with a “get to know the couple” crossword puzzle that you have designed yourself and have had placed within the wedding programmes. You can even have prizes for the first few guests who complete them accurately!

5. Use different types and sizes of mirrors on your guest tables in order to add glamour. Pair with pillar candles ( at varying heights!) and glass pebbles.

6. To save dollars on printed escort cards ( these are given to guests as they enter the reception, so they will know where to sit), you can do-it-yourself by making origami escort cards – in the shape of diamonds, cranes, fish or anything that goes with your wedding’s theme.

7. If your wedding will be in the rainy season – a fun wedding favour might be to have “hot cocoa mix” in tiny bottles or packets for your guests; or for bridesmaid gifts you can do home-made bath salts by using 3 cups epsom salt (or coarse sea salt) , 1 cup of almond, canola or olive oil and essential oils for fragrance. Package the bath salts in glass bottles with pretty tags and voila! you have a low-cost, spa product!

8. Feel you don’t have an artistic bone in your body? Think about home-made oriented items such as giving gift baskets, getting fabric items monogrammed, or making a photo scrapbook for members of your bridal party

Do It Yourself (DIY) wedding projects add a really personal touch to your ceremony and reception. They're also a wonderful way to spend some time relaxing before your big day. The best thing about them is that you can tailor them to suit your colour scheme, theme, budget and style

Return to http//:www.trinidadweddings.com

Hot Bridal Accessories for 2010

Bridal jewellery will be bolder this year! Perhaps this reflects the new wave of brides who want to personalise their look or simply just be unique; by incorporating traditional elegance with their own modern flair.


Here is the “glam list” for this year:


Bold Colour – Modern brides are now exploring coloured gemstones and crystals instead of the traditional clear crystals, diamonds and pearls. Some brides are even opting to match their jewellery with the colour of their bridesmaids’ dresses, for example sets in sapphire, turquoise, onyx, ruby and emerald. Some brides even choose to match jewellery to their shoes, if they have chosen to wear a coloured shoe!


A new spin on classic pearls – Brides who love pearls are now going a fresher route and choosing pearls in lovely blush colours, black, grey or even cocoa-coloured.


Statement Necklaces – Stylish “bib” necklaces are all the rage this year or for those who think those are too daring – long, layered necklaces or chunky “torsade” necklaces (multiple strands of pearls or beads, twisted and held together with a clasp) can also be just as dramatic. These types of necklaces are best for simpler wedding gowns and also work especially well for sleek strapless-styled dresses.


Wrist Wear- There is still the trend of statement cuffs (filigree, studded or solid) as well as stacks of varied bangles, for example pearl bangles interspersed with diamond or rhinestone bangles. Bracelets featuring a single dangling charm are also in vogue.


Earrings – Chandelier and shoulder sweeping earrings are still “in,” particularly those that are in the art deco style.


Finger candy – apart from the engagement ring, trendy brides are now wearing cocktail rings, which feature large real or faux gemstones.


Head Gear - The shorter, face framing “bird cage veil” will be all the rage this year. Pill-box hats were seen on Oscar de la Renta’s runway and various types of hats were also used by Carolina Herrera. Ribbon headbands or headbands that incorporate plumes and crystals will also be popular. Daring brides can even opt for mini top hats!


Gloves - Short gloves, especially in black, will also make a come-back this year.


Eco-friendly jewellery – There is now greater interest from brides about jewellery that is ethically-mined, recycled or hand-crafted.

For 2010 Bridal Fashion Trends, click here ( *you must be a member of the TW site to view, registering is super easy and takes a few seconds! Click on the link for instructions on how): http://www.trinidadweddings.com/Planning/Fashion/BridalFashion2010/tabid/235/Default.aspx

Return to : http://www.trinidadweddings.com

Tobago – it is Truly Romantic!

I’ve just returned from a week in beautiful Tobago at the “Tobago, Truly Romantic - A Weddings and Honeymoons Symposium.” The weather was glorious but I was far too busy - so my swimsuit sadly, never made it out of my carry-on!

Anyway, there, I had the wonderful opportunity to meet with wedding industry professionals from the USA, publishers of leading American bridal magazines, friendly hoteliers and vendors from Tobago and also vendors from Trinidad, like those from our TW vendor network: Shelly Fossick (photographer), Anthea Walcott (florist) and Emerald Designs Limited (event planners).


It really warms my heart that the Department of Tourism in Tobago is taking Tobago’s role in the “romance market” so seriously and hopefully, through its efforts, it will give Tobago a fighting chance to be known and appreciated for its obvious appeal as a destination wedding and honeymoon option (versus the much more heavily-promoted Caribbean island destinations.)


While there, I couldn’t help but be inspired by Tobago’s natural beauty and culture and so, here are some thoughts on how to incorporate some of  Tobago's essence into your wedding:


1. One day, I had a terrific lunch at a charmingly rustic place called “Shore Things” – it’s a combination of an art and craft store and a restaurant. Everything is freshly made – from the breads to the ice cream ( I’ll get to that in a second!). I had shrimp crepes with a salad, accompanied by home-made vinaigrettes: honey mustard and a heavenly balsamic concoction.

So, why not incorporate crepes into your wedding menu? It could be an interactive appetizer. Think about it…a crepe station with different fillings – savoury ( like cream of mushroom or chicken) or sweet like chocolate-filled crepes! You could also make your own vinaigrettes as wedding favours for your guests or serve them a home-made flavoured ice cream? I had passion fruit-mango ice cream and it was delish!

At another restaurant called "Surf n Turf", I had a very tasty shrimp and vegetable tempura - that's another great idea for a wedding appetizer!


2. Just like the “Shore Things” menu – you can use coloured burlap, twine, shells or twigs on your own invitations if you’re going for an island-feel or if you want an eco-twist.


3. Skip expensive crystal and glass receptacles for your centrepiece and opt for centrepieces done in a whole coconut shell or in a large conch shell. They’re unique and will definitely be a conversation-starter for your guests.

(The 2 centrepieces in the photo slide show were done for the event by Emerald Designs Limited. Photo of the coconut shell arrangement kindly provided by Emerald Designs Limited. Photo of the conch shell arrangement was taken by my phone's camera, so I apologise for the fuzziness!)


4. For entertainment, treat your guests to a re-enactment of an Ole Time Tobago wedding. I got to see one up front at this event and it immediately got all the participants smiling, clapping and ready to chip along to the violin and tambrin!

(The photos of the Tobago wedding were kindly provided by Tobago photographer, Celeste Hart.)


Return to: http://www.trinidadweddings.com

What Dress Hue suits you?

At the beginning of the 20th century, members of the royal families wore silver wedding gowns, well...that was until Queen Victoria became the ultimate trend-setter by wearing white! To this day, the white tradition has remained in Western countries. However, now, there are hundreds of “whites” to wear – from the starkest of whites to the warmest and creamiest.


Some whites look better on brides than other whites; but why is that?

The answer lies in the bride’s skin tone. Selecting the correct gown colour can really make the difference between being a glowing bride or a “washed-out” bride who has no contrast between her skin colour and the dress colour!


To determine your skin tone:


1. Examine the veins in your arm. Veins that look blue mostly likely indicate that you have a lighter or cooler skin tone and if they look green you are more likely to be warmer, with a medium to dark skin tone.


2. Look for your undertone, or the colour you can see underneath your skin. Warm skin tones are usually defined by yellow or orange undertones, whereas cool skin tones have red, blue or pink undertones


3. Hold a piece of silver and a piece of gold fabric to your face. The right colour swatch will bring out the warmth in your face and the wrong colour will make your skin look tired and sallow. If the silver fabric works best for you, you may have a cooler skin tone. If it’s the gold, you will most likely have a warmer skin tone.


Your skin tone can be either: light, medium or dark. Some skin experts also use the terms: warm, cool or neutral to describe skin tone; whilst other classifications have been made on the seasons, such as: Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter


Here are some tips for the different types of tones:


Light Skin Tone - If you are very pink or your skin has rosy undertones, ivory is a good choice. It may be best to avoid pastels and gold. Bridesmaids with pink undertones can opt for black, navy, royal blue, purple, teal, emerald green, hot pink, grey and red. Silver accessories tend to look best with cool skin tones.


Medium Skin Tone - If you have an olive or medium skin tone; a champagne, ecru or off-white gown will work best. Bridesmaids who have a medium skin tone will sparkle in aqua, green, warmer pinks and reds and oranges.


Dark skin tone - If your skin tone is dark, crisp white would look stunning. Brides with dark skin tones can also wear an ecru-coloured wedding dress. Bridesmaids with dark skin tones might look best in plum, lavender, soft neutrals and pastels. Both gold and silver can complement dark skin tones


If you’re undecided about which white suits you best, ask the consultant at the bridal shop for fabric swatches that you can take home so that you can look at yourself in various types of lighting. If the bridal shop you visit doesn’t offer this service, visit a fabric store and select your own fabric swatches!

Go back to : http://www.trinidadweddings.com
Find us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/trinidadweddings

My visit to Clothes Show London 2010

Aaah…”vacation” - isn’t it wonderful?
So now you know why I’ve been missing for a bit (I’m sure you’ve noticed no blog entries since June! er…oops). Anyway, I’ve just returned from an exciting time visiting friends and relatives in London. On previous trips to the UK, I had done the usual “touristy” Tower of London, Madame Tussaud’s, Piccadilly Circus, Harrods, Wimbledon, London Eye etc. jaunts; however, this trip represented an “off-the-beaten-path” approach of sorts.


One of the more interesting things I did was to spend an entire day on June 26 at Clothes Show London, which was held at Earls Court. A virtual “mother ship” for any fashionista indeed. Hundreds of booths crammed with all manner of trendy and vintage clothing, eco fashion, jewellery, undergarments, makeup, mehendi, toiletries, hair accessories, corsets, swimwear, a spa bus and even mini style seminars and fab take-home goody bags chockfull of stuff, some of which were from the main sponsors: Martini, Corona, Kit Kat Senses, Cosmopolitan Magazine, Benefit Cosmetics and OK! Magazine to name a few.


Overall, I’d say that the expo’s exhibitors were quite trendy and targeted their products to the female, young adult market; so naturally, the show was not mainstream bridal. However, there were some booths that I thought could have been interesting finds for brides-to-be. Two in particular were:


• Secret Hair Boostias – crescent shaped plastic accessories that give your hair a lift for updo’s and sexy pony-tails á la Brigitte Bardot. Check them out at this link: http://www.hairboostias.com/uk/index.html

• Brazelle – decorative bra clips that come with straps or sashes that attach to multi-way or strapless bras. Check their bridal page here: http://www.brazelle.com/bridal.php?osCsid=20ddrmum0ie8i1204pgs0hqdo4



By far, two of my favourite booths were vintage-inspired dresses from Limb Clothing (http://www.limb-clothing.com/) and exquisite accessories and clothing from Reem. There was even a company called “Celebrity Dress Hire” so I know where I’d go if I wanted (but couldn’t afford) a timeless Hérve Léger cocktail dress!


There was even recycled clothing to be had for the fashionably-un-shy among us!. I snapped a pale-pink dress made from recycled mens’ shirt collars and another from mens’ ties. They were done by a young female entrepreneur whose company is called The Dress Doctor.


What was amazing for me was the opportunity to speak first hand to the jewellery and dress designers and to get a chance to buy one-of-a-kind pieces that I could tell, were lovingly made.


At the end of the day, the expo culminated in a fashion extravaganza of epic proportions; the likes of which I’d never seen before in a fashion show. The theme of it was “Fashion Capitals Of The World” and it was replete with 300 outfits, seven scene changes, amazing dance choreography for each scene (e.g. Tokyo, Paris, Milan, New York, London etc.) and of course, a UK boy band thrown in for good measure!


To view my mini-preview of Clothes Show London, see slideshow to the top right of this page!

Return to : http://www.trinidadweddings.com

“The Wedding Diva” is on her way to T&T!

Wedding enthusiasts!


The time is drawing near for a once-in-a lifetime event – ‘The Wedding Diva” Linnyette Richardson-Hall, is coming to Trinidad and Tobago to deliver what I’m sure will be 2 fabulous workshop days, sharing her wedding planning expertise with professionals here! The workshop is being hosted by Xceptional Events Limited in collaboration with Accent Events Limited.


Linnyette is the Founder and CEO of Premiere Event Management, a Baltimore-based wedding planning and event management company. The company specializes in creating elegant, fun and personality-oriented events for their clients. She has been in the wedding industry since 1993 and to date, she’s planned hundreds of weddings and events. She’s also one of the featured consultants on the hit reality television series, "Whose Wedding Is It Anyway?" which airs weekly on the Style Network.


Despite being based in the USA, Linnyette has journeyed to the Caribbean in the past for work; most recently to the islands of the Grenadines to film an episode for the Style Network's show about destination weddings entitled "Married Away". According to her, “We spent a week filming and producing a marvellous wedding for a couple who lived in the United States, but the bride was born and grew up on the island of St. Vincent, so it was her wish to be married there!”


And as you know, there are six degrees of separation between well…anybody and a “Trini,” so it was no surprise to find out during our chat that while Linnyette doesn’t have any lineage that comes directly from the Caribbean; her brother-in-law as well as several of her good friends and clients are from Trinidad. So, she enthusiastically told me that she has been "indoctrinated a wee bit to the wonderful food and sounds” of our island home!


Of course, Linnyette and I also got to chatting about our favourite 2010 wedding trends and she revealed some of hers –


1. The use of unusual colour palettes


2. A resurgence of using uniquely satisfying "comfort foods" and;


3. The notion of making the wedding celebration "personal," so that it truly reflects the bride and groom!


You can read some of mine here: http://trinidadweddingscom.blogspot.com/2010_01_01_archive.html
and you can see that Linnyette and I have trend #1 in common!


Business-wise, though, I asked Linnyette what she thought were some of the ways that local wedding planners could differentiate themselves from other planners. She told me she thinks that “wedding planners should market their wide array of wedding-specific knowledge and superior networking resources/abilities to potential clients. In addition, they should hone in on their abilities to multi-task and manage a highly emotional event with sensitivity and professionalism.”


Well said - I couldn’t agree with her more!


If you don’t want to miss this power course with Linnyette that’s happening on July 6th and 7th and the Hilton Trinidad, please visit this link for more information and to download the registration form:
http://www.trinidadweddings.com/WhatsNew/TWEvents/tabid/91/Default.aspx

Go back to: http://www.trinidadweddings.com/

An inside guide to terrific tresses

I have a good acquaintance who simply will NOT step out of the house if she’s having a bad hair day.


Don’t even ask her to pop out for a ten minute errand.


She just won’t cross that front door mat!


She says if her hair doesn’t look good, she doesn’t feel good. There just might be some sound logic there; perhaps our hair is in some odd way related to our self-esteem? So, I can’t say I blame her (and I suppose most of us gals feel that way!)


Then there’s your wedding day.


Now, none of us want to have a bad hair day THEN.


Here are some tips I used when I was getting married:


• Consult with your stylist at least 6 months in advance and decide on your up-do or hairstyle before you choose your veil, headpiece or hair jewellery


• Ensure your hairstyle suits the degree of formality of your gown and the type of reception (e.g. will your style be suitable for an outdoor wedding?)


• Wear a buttoned-down shirt or blouse on your wedding day so that getting out of your clothing will not interfere with your hairstyle or up-do (and your makeup!), once your stylist is finished.


And here are some tips I’ve learnt along the way since getting married! (These tips may not suit everyone’s hair, so feel free to post your own hair tips and share them!)


1. Get regular Ayurvedic massages- the masseuse massages your body as well as your scalp with warm oil. It’s divine…to say the least and it moisturises my scalp and gives my hair a wonderful sheen that usually lasts me 2 weeks. Try it!


2. I avoid applying conditioner to my roots, it weighs down my hair and makes it very hard to style.


3. Invest in a good haircut and have your hair cut every 6 weeks.


4. I've avoided the flat iron by getting a layered cut. This sort of haircut requires less prep work, so usually all I have to do is shampoo, condition, blow dry and go


5. It looks a little crazy in a “rock star” sort of way but I blowdry my hair upside down for a bit and then right-side up the rest of the way!


6. I use Conair’s paddle brush to blowdry my hair ( it takes less time because the brush is large, flat and wide).


7. I apply a volumizer to the roots of my slightly damp hair. One that I love is TRESemmé’s Big Boost Root Lift Spray.


8. Use a hairspray to set your style. My current favourite is Garnier Fructis Volumizing Anti-Humidity hairspray with natural bamboo extract.


Note: Products mentioned here are personal recommendations and are in no way “paid for” endorsements or sponsored items.

Return to: http://www.trinidadweddings.com/
Advertise online with us: admin@trinidadweddings.com
Advertise in our Magazine, 2011 edition: ezine@trinidadweddings.com

Curiouser and Curiouser (at weddings)

I went to a wedding recently – a fairly small one (according to T&T’s standards) but a very well-organised one; and I had a lovely time. However, during the reception, I noticed a female guest doing something and… I had to look twice.

She took one of the gorgeous white lilies out of the centrepiece arrangement and proceeded to tuck it behind her ear, wear it throughout the reception all night and show it off to other guests!



An Alice-in-Wonderland moment if ever I saw any!


Curiouser and curiouser...


It goes without saying that tampering with the centrepiece and wearing a bit of it in your hair, thereby making it your own hair accessory "du jour," is a tad inappropriate. I called her “Hawaiian girl” ( in my head, of course!) from then on.


Just as much as we would like to think that guests will “conduct it” (as we like to say locally) at weddings, many do not. And just as much as we would like to think we’ve seen it all... we really haven’t!


Like the time, about five years ago, that I saw a female wedding guest sitting as plum as ever in a church ceremony, wearing a skin-tight, halter-styled, black leather jumpsuit with a very low open back. Inappropriate? I think so. Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for expressing your personality through your clothing, but sometimes, you’ve gotta choose your moments!


Another thing that’s “curious” are wedding guests who can’t seem to detach themselves from their cell phones, no…not even during a mere hour-long reception. This, apparently, is asking too much.

I’ve seen speeches being made and guests happily texting and chatting away on their cell phones, ignoring the speakers and some, so engrossed in their conversations that they forget to stand when the bride enters!


Some guests even place their cell phones on the table and proceed to take phone calls during the reception meal. Ideally, a guest’s cell phone should be left in a pocket or purse and not placed on the table and if the call is urgent, the best thing to do is for the guest to excuse himself/herself from the table, step outside of the hall and have the conversation.


And how about how some guests dine?

I’ve seen meat at meals consumed “cave-man” style, without using the knife and fork! I’ve also seen guests place used utensils on the tablecloth instead of on the plate or serving dish. I’ve seen male guests pick at their teeth with toothpicks and even whip out their comb and brush their hair back in the buffet line instead of in the privacy of the washroom.


What are some of the “curious” things you’ve seen?

I’d love for you to share them on my blog.


Return to: http://www.trinidadweddings.com

The 2010 Collector's Edition Wedding Magazine - is here!

As Manager of local wedding website, Trinidad Weddings.com (TW), I could say that every work day at our office is “charmed” – we are, after all, constantly surrounded by romance and the thrill of anticipation that life’s next phase will bring!



And I thought, there is no better way that I could share this feeling with you than by transforming our online, wedding magazine (which debuted on our website in June 2009) into an actual hard-copy magazine!


A few months have passed since that thought occurred to us at TW and now, we’ve done it!

So, on March 20th and 21st 2010 at the “I Am Woman” Expo at the Centre of Excellence, Macoya, Trinidad, we will be launching the Trinidad Weddings’ 2010 Collector’s Edition Wedding magazine (Wed-Zine) for an introductory price of TT$25.00.

Remember, the magazine is a Collector’s item - a Limited Edition, so there are only 2000 copies in circulation! 

Some copies will be available at leading retailers, bookshops and pharmacies at the regular price, after the expo.


In our first issue, we talk about how to get “eco-elegance” and incorporate London’s latest trends at your Trini wedding. We also give you the dish on cuisine and cake trends, introduce you to a fashion designer and give you more insight into Hindu wedding traditions. Some Trinis abroad have also let us into their lives in the section called “Cosmopolitan Love” and there are lots more features to read!

And, not to be missed is the insider’s look into the fabulous celebrity wedding of Michelle Khan, former Miss Trinidad and Tobago 1995 and Ms. World 1995, 2nd runner-up.


For me, this magazine gives credence to what I have always believed - that at Trinidad Weddings.com, we are much more than just a website, we are a community of engaged couples, relatives, friends and of course, a close network of wedding vendors.


I feel proud that together with our contributors, advertisers and readers, we can all celebrate what is local but yet maintain international standards. It is a privilege to show what Trinidad and Tobago’s wedding industry can offer to the world!


And so…if you can take away one suggestion, one glimmer of inspiration, one tiny smile or even have one heart-warming moment, from our magazine, I would consider that as the greatest reward. After all, isn’t that what life is all about? …Love and the pursuit of happiness!

I hope you enjoy our TW Collector’s Edition Wedding Magazine!


Go back to: http://www.trinidadweddings.com

My favourite 2010 Wedding Trends!

As we herald in 2010, a brand new decade beckons us to say "hello" to a few refreshing changes in wedding planning and to some unique approaches.


Hold on to your New Year’s Eve top hats and tiaras, because here we go:


(1) Unusual “trio” colour combos – 2009 was all about blues, greens, pinks, turquoise, teal, yellow, orange and fuchsia, with lavender and grey as the neutrals. The trend of black and white, made popular in 2008, also continued into 2009. In 2010, we can look forward to purple, ruby red and turquoise being the all-out favourites and to ultra daring colour trios such as:


• Fuchsia, black and turquoise


• Plum, chocolate brown and yellow


• Aqua, teal and yellow


• Coral, kiwi-green and ivory


(2) Be Gone Boring Bouquets!- Apart from flowers, brides’ bouquets can now incorporate some surprises such as feathers or crystals threaded through thin wires that mingle amongst the blooms. Another trend is the addition of a photo charm or a locket into your bouquet, which is a touching and personal way to remember a relative who has passed away. You can even have each bridesmaid carry a different type of bouquet.


(3) Cute carry-alls - Your flower girl doesn’t have to carry a basket filled with petals, how about a large seashell brimming with petals instead, now wouldn’t that be especially lovely for a beach-inspired wedding? The ring bearer doesn’t necessarily need a ring pillow either, how about a beautiful jewel box in silk, mother of pearl, crystal or porcelain?


(4) Pet Love! – When my cousin got married in the US recently, her dog and her fiancé’s dog played integral parts in the ceremony. If you’re a pet lover, try incorporating your beloved pooch, cat or birds into your reception; if the venue will allow it! If they can’t be there physically, have their images reproduced on your save the date cards, escort cards or on your programmes.

(5) Eco-friendly wedding favours – More than ever, today’s brides and grooms are more aware of the environmental impact of their wedding and some are wise to choose wedding favours that have been recycled, re-purposed or those that are biodegradable or use minimal packaging. Couples can even give guests edible favours, which won’t go to waste!


(6) Bridesmaids just wanna have fun! – and that means they don’t all have to match! That’s right, you can opt to have your maid of honour wear a printed dress and then have the bridesmaids wear solid colours to co-ordinate with her print or vice versa.

Return to: http://www.trinidadweddings.com/