If you were a bridesmaid -- or even just a wedding guest -- in 2009, you know that some of the year's hottest knot-tying trends were truly trying. Personally, if we never see another multi-tiered-cupcake cake, bride-and-groom karaoke number or cutesy custom cocktail (the Matt-'n-Tina-tini, anyone?), we could die alone and happy. But just when you thought it was safe to go back to the chapel, here's a forecast of some of the most annoying things you'll most likely be asked to embrace at weddings in 2010.
The Wedding Singer, Part Two: Cover bands and singers are actually making a comeback. As funny as Adam Sandler was, actually listening to a wedding singer can be excruciating. While we're not dogging their talent, Chris De Burgh's "Lady in Red" is easier to swallow via MP3.
Doggie Attendants: Ladies and gents? They're not your literal best friends. And just because we're bridesmaids doesn't mean we're going to take your Shiba Inu out for a walk during the reception. (Unless you insist on having a bouquet toss, in which case, sign us up.) Otherwise: Don't. Please. Just. Don't.
Viral overload: We already told you about the groom who changed his Facebook status after saying, "I do." And while we never thought tweeting your vows would really catch on, 2010 brides and grooms are social networking their way all the way to the altar and back. Prepare for lots of Facebook photo tag alerts -- not to mention video clips of a sloshed you doing the Electric Slide.
Lighting goes green: Forget about dining by candlelight. Taking a cue from ravers, couples are looking to LED lights to make their receptions shine. While we don't generally frown on eco-friendliness, all that stage lighting can kill the romance, no? This isn't an "American Idol" performance.
The bolder, the better. Red, bright orange and even hot pink are creeping into the bridal party's color palette this year. Get ready to look alarmingly like an exotic parrot -- accessorized with an oversize bow. Now that the aughts are over, simplicity will be thrown out the window. Word to the wise: Keep a pair of shades in your clutch.
Buttercream is back: Okay, this is actually a trend we can get behind. Say a fond farewell to fondant -- that doughy, tasteless layer that traditionally covers wedding cake. 2010 is all about buttercream. The only potential downsides we see? While this would definitely improve the flavor, all that dieting to fit into that dress will definitely go to waste. And if you're a messy eater, be sure to send your dry-cleaning bill to the bride.
The rise of microdesserts: Small=cute is still the reigning dessert philosophy in 2010. While this is hardly a new idea, it won't be a big surprise if cupcakes, pot de cremes and lemon squares too small to be seen by the naked eye are in plentiful supply. But, you know, we might even temporarily suspend our disdain for smashing cake in each other's faces if that tradition were to be replaced by smashing a sundae glass on someone's head instead.
Then again, maybe microcupcakes, delivered by a fleet of bowtie-clad microchihuahuas, is your idea of matrimonial bliss. Tell us: Which wedding trends annoy you to no end?
More Good Stuff
A dude's plea -- Girls? Stop doing this on dates (Lemondrop)
Should you keep a great guy if the sex is bad? (Lemondrop)
Amazing timewaster game ... You won't be able to stop playing (Lemondrop)












Comments:
Add a comment
Wednesday 13 January
By MJ
Dry weddings. The reason I choose to attend my friends' lame weddings is for the alcohol, but lately I'm seeing fewer couples opting for ANY kind of alcoholic beverages. I wouldn't be so sour about it if they had awesome food to make up for it, but it's just crappy food and nothing to take the edge off of the the parade of unflattering bridesmaid dresses and written-the-night-before best man speeches.
Reply
Saturday 16 January
By Ashley
My hubby and I had a dry wedding, but it was mostly because a) most of my guests were church friends, and b) we had children there. I don't have any problem with people drinking. I just didn't want some smart-mouth 13 year old getting his hands on a glass of the hard stuff and going all loopy.
If you know you'll be going to a dry wedding, do what my mom did at mine and BYOB. Just keep it out of sight of the bride, if she's really adamant about the whole alcohol thing. Or, get some of the wedding guests who do want to drink together after the reception and hit a bar.
Saturday 16 January
By D
First of all, serving alcohol costs more.
Second of all, it's amazing you even have any friends. They must not know what a jerk you really are. I guess you're a good actor.
Saturday 16 January
By Sandra
Glad you go to a wedding to support and celebrate your friends weddings. ME ME ME. You sniveling, no class jerk..
Wednesday 13 January
By coco
DUDE! I hear you on the dry weddings! This happened recently and I almost died of boredom. How am I supposed to have regrettable sex with "that kinda fugly usher" without a liquid kilo of champagne?
Reply
Thursday 14 January
By Sarah Davis
Has everyone forgotten that a wedding is about the bride and groom not trying to see who you can score with after to much to drink! I'm pretty sure if you just go to a wedding to get drunk the couple would rather you do that on your own dime....
Reply
Thursday 14 January
By Janet
Oh you are so sadly mistaken. Weddings are never about the bride and groom. They are about pleasing your parents and the 40 other relatives that you only see once or twice and year. It's about your guests and what kind of food they want and what kind of music they like. It's about giving in on so many things so you don't have to listen to your sister, mother, mother-inlaw, grand parent, etc.
It's rediculous. It's unfortunate. But that is they way it goes, unless you have a shit load of money and are paying for the whole thing yourself.
Saturday 16 January
By anna
The wedding is all about the Bride and Groom. It is amazing how rude people have become. So what if the couple has a dry wedding or they choose to have their pets at the ceremony or the food is not that great. More people seem to think that they need to have their needs met when attending someone's wedding. It is not about you. If you are not a true friend who appreciates being invited to watch two people get married then don't go to the wedding. I am getting married in 2010 and if one of my guests ever expressed those opinions to me of their needs not being met with alcohol or having to listen to boring speeches I would uninvite them on the spot. How rude. Grown up people. Again it is not about you!!!
Saturday 16 January
By aj
I can't stand dry weddings! I have a large family and a lot of friends, I've been a bridesmaid 8 times. Not only does it usually cost a lot just to attend a wedding, but if your in the bridal party, get ready to shell out. Between a bachelorette party and the preparations and clothing for the actual day, you can easily drop $1000 or more. The ceremony is about the Bride and Groom, the reception is about the guests. Serve drinks and GOOD food. Make it fun, because the reception is supposed to be a "thank you" to all the people in your world who have supported your relationship and taken time out of their lives and most likely dropped some serious cash on a gift to help you celebrate. If people don't want to drink, they don't have to, but don't punish those who enjoy a glass of wine or beer. And as for the cost...no one said it had to be an open bar. I go to plenty of weddings with a cash bar. Sometimes, they provide beer and if want something else, you pay for it. If you're the type of couple who want the day to be 100% about you...elope.
Thursday 14 January
By Lindsey
As a 2010 bride, I must agree with the outrage over dry weddings. We would never dream of making our guests stare awkwardly at each other because no one is drunk enough to dance! That would be the worst.wedding.ever!
Reply
Saturday 16 January
By tina
Explain to me "not drunk enough to dance". Then don't dance. Can't hold a conversation without drinking too much either? Get over your inhibitions and save the rest of us from viewing and putting up with your ridiculous drunkedness antics. It's hard not to look when your right up in our face. Most importantly, STAY OFF THE ROAD so we don't have to suffer shattered lives because of injury or death due to your stupidity.
No, I'm not a "holy roller". Just a mom.
Friday 15 January
By Caroline
While I'm with this list for the most part, I have to tell you that cupcakes are my second most favorite thing ever (a close second to my fiance) and it's too damn bad if you don't like that I'm having a cupcake display instead of dry, tasteless wedding cake. If you don't like them, don't eat them. More for me!
Reply
Saturday 16 January
By choose your battles
I agree, the cupcake and small desserts is the way to go ! I have been to three weddings this year and they all had cupcakes . On top of that nothing was wasted and they were just the right size and yummy. But I would like to see the Bubbles go !
Saturday 16 January
By Candy
I agree-my sister had cupcakes at her wedding last summer and they were wonderful:) Our 1st wedding the bakery screwed up and put the 2nd tier on the bottom cake so my 3 tiered cake became 2 :( and then 10 years later when we renewed our vows I finally got my 3 tiered cake but the guy set it up wrong so when we went to cut it the whole thing fell! The top went 1 way, the middle another-hubby did his best to catch the top ended up covered in frosting! So we ended up with only 1 tier to serve-which wasn't enough for all the guests! Yup sure wish they'd had cupcakes back in my day!!!
Saturday 16 January
By Stan
As a preacher, it frustrates me to see the amount of money couple and their families spend on the wedding. Few people remember the wedding, the food or the upscale trimmings other than those who have to pay the bills. Have a simple wedding, and invest the money in the marriage. Perhaps the reason the divorce rate is so high is because too much focus is made on the "appearance" and not enough on the "relationship" to follow!
Reply
Saturday 16 January
By Candy
Very good advice!!!
Tuesday 19 January
By amy
I agree! It's not the ring, the dress, or the day that is important, it's all the days that come after the ring, the dress and the day. After having a bad marriage and then finding an excellent friend/partner/lover/husband I can attest to the fact that it really doesn't matter if you have cupcakes, doggie attendants, fondant or buttercream, etc.
Tuesday 09 March
By Jackie
Wow. well said.
Saturday 16 January
By Tracy
My husband and I had a small wedding in 2005. Neither of us believe in the use of alcohol for any reason. Our wedding was kept PG because that is what I wanted. We also had children attending the wedding of several ages. The wedding my was husband's idea as I wanted to elope, but we made the wedding to fit ourselves, not for anyone else. Weddings are supposed to mimic the couples, not to please everyone that shows up. If you can't go to a wedding for the sheer purpose of having fun dancing and meeting or talking to others, not to mention supporting the bride and groom then don't go. Your presence is selfish and will only be a downer to other people.
Reply
Saturday 16 January
By JJ
I got married in march 2009. We paid for 3/4 of the wedding ourselves, had top top top shelf open bar, great food, great music and still had to worry about pleasing the guests! My mother tried to do things she wanted without asking us and didn't think it was an issue. I mean, we paid to have the wedding from 6pm-1am and didn;t want people leaving at 11! The Vienesse table didn't even come out till 11!
Reply