With last night’s Oscars ceremony award season has come to a close. Anyone interested or involved in the wedding-planning business pays close attention to such shows because brides and likewise, bridal-gown designers, are watching Hollywood’s finest stars to see what trends are up and coming, such as color, cut and length.

Photo Courtesy of Small Screen Scoop.

Photo Courtesy of The Guardian

The Oscars proved that one way to go with color this year is soft and feminine. Two of our favorite gowns were worn by Mila Kunis (in Elie Saab) and Cate Blanchett (in Givenchy). While the purple hues aren’t exactly the same they’re in the same color family. Soft, sweet and feminine are what we’d call this color. It would be beautiful for spring weddings, and it’s an easy color for matching flowers as it’s so abundant in nature.

Photo Courtesy of OK Magazine.

Photo Courtesy of Just Jared.

Another color trend we noticed on the Oscars red carpet was bold and sassy. Two stars who took their fashion this way were Jennifer Hudson (in Versace) and Sandra Bullock (in Vera Wang). Hudson went with a tangerine color, and Bullock chose a gorgeous bright red. Such colors as red and orange are great for weddings with a fun and funky edge. While they can be overwhelming if overused, they’re perfect accent colors and can be beautiful on bridesmaids - if the right bridesmaid gown is chosen.

Photo by John Shearer/Getty Images

Another wedding trend already in our sights is the vintage style. Reese Witherspoon (in Armani) just screamed vintage to us with her high, full ponytail and classic black and white gown. This gown choice made us wonder if Reese is leaning toward a vintage theme for her own upcoming wedding.

Which gowns did you like best? Did you see any trends that are bound to make their way onto the wedding aisle this year?

Do you love weddings? Are you interested in working for yourself? Would you love to plan weddings and other events? If so - and you live in one of these communities - classes through Lovegevity’s Wedding Planning Institute are starting this week! Register today. Or tomorrow. Or the day after. Want more information? Contact us or take a tour of the course to learn more.

Fort Valley State University in Warner Robins, Georgia. Classes start tomorrow!
University of Mississippi in University, Mississippi. Classes start tomorrow!
Carteret Community College in Morehead City, North Carolina. Classes start Thursday!

It’s not too late to sign up. Check it out today!

Graphic courtesy of Marry Me Productions, which has done some legwork finding a few (free) wedding websites. Check out their list!

Much like the decline of the newspaper industry, the bridal-magazine industry is feeling the effects of a change in advertsing, with advertisers choosing monthly plans for less money, and the pressure to adapt to a changing world that includes some pretty powerful social media. Blogs and online magazines come immediately to mind, but Facebook and Twitter are also playing a big role in how brides and certified wedding and event coordinators are planning weddings.

Says eWednews: “According to the study findings, 47% of businesses five years old or less are finding business better compared to 32% of businesses over 20 years old. The discussions rage on, as organizations like Conde Nast finally announce changes thanking past business models that served them welll but now look forward to the future. “Conde’s desire to follow a new business model focused around digital connectivity, technology development and consumer insight clearly speaks to the fact the time to change is long over due,” according to competitors and sources familiar with the intentions and storyline.”

EWed also finds that older, established businesses are having a harder time giving up The Way They’ve Always Done Things and adapting to a rapidly changing business climate, as compared with businesses that are only 5 years old or younger. All of this is direct proof that LWPI’s graduates have an immediate need to incorporate social media and technology into their business plans and marketing proposals. Facebook and Twitter are great ways to gather new business and show off the work you’ve already done, but it’s important that you keep your online life professional. Making connections on Facebook and Twitter is great, but you want to be sure that you follow up immediately with any complaints - preferably privately.

It’s hard to imagine a day when every bride you know doesn’t have a pile of dog-eared bridal magazines in her back seat or piled on her coffee table, and there is of course a chance that it will all turn around. But with an Internet full of easily searchable files, and blog writers who have made their name by identifying the top wedding trends each year, it’s possible that future brides will be more plugged in than ever. And that all means that, in turn, wedding and event coordinators have to be plugged in, too! LWPI believe that magazines still have a role to play, but our company is also ahead of the curve when it comes to incorporating the Internet into business and wedding planning, and our instructors pass on that information to our students, too.

We’d like to know: What are your favorite Internet tools for wedding and event planning?

According to research and statistics from WE tv Networks Wedding Report, the average cost of a wedding increased 21.9 percent in the first half of 2010, from $19,581 (in late 2009) to $23,867. That’s a good-size increase for the industry, and it should put a smile on the face of wedding planners everywhere. Despite the slow-to-churn economy, the wedding industry is growing, which means there are opportunities for success at every turn - if you know where to look. While not every service sector saw growth, most of them did. Let’s break down the increase (with more thanks to WE for these numbers):

* Planner/consultant a la carte services were up 84.2% at an average of $1,171.
* Gifts for the bride were up 53.1% at an average of $253.
* Hiring a consultant for initial planning was up 50.4% at an average of $920 - the sector with the biggest gain in spending.
* Other jewelry was down 61.7% at an average of $304.
* Reception accessories was down 55.3% at an average of $200.
* Ceremony accessories was down 49.7% at an average of $207 - the sector with the biggest decline in spending.

Demand went up in the first half of 2010 for products and services. Those with the biggest increases were travel and transportation and musicians, while demand went down the most for facials, manicures and pedicures and teeth whitening.

We don’t think there is a lot of surprise hidden in these numbers. It makes sense that brides are putting their money where it matters most and not with the frivolities often associated with weddings. Hiring a wedding planner to put together a budget at the very beginning makes perfect sense to us, and we’re not surprised to see an increase in that sector of the industry. What does this mean to LWPI’s certified wedding and event consultants? It shows you exactly how to market yourself in this down economy. Showing brides how to get the most bang for their buck is exactly what they’re looking for, and these numbers prove it. It’s easy to get down about business right now if you don’t look for the smaller opportunities. Offering smaller planning packages is a great way to get your foot in the door, and from there you can easily prove to a bride that she can’t live without you.

In today’s wedding market it’s a given that to succeed you must utilize the Internet. With such social-networking sites as Facebook and Twitter growing in leaps and bounds, certified wedding and event coordinators have to not only be comfortable using these sites, but they must also figure out how to successfully fit them in to their business plans.

The Wedding Report estimates that online wedding sales will grow to $22.7 billion by 2013, with an estimated growth rate of 7 to 10%. It also found in a recent survey that 81% of couples use the Internet to plan their wedding because of the specific planning tools they find there. Their top reasons for using the Internet? Tips and ideas; photos of other weddings; creating a wedding website. The Wedding Report also says that the average age of a newly married person is about 27, which means that most of your bridal couples are part of a generation that is the most technologically advanced ever. It also means that for your wedding and event coordinating businesses to survive you must embrace technology. How can you do this? Here are a few ways:

1. You turned to your community college or local university to become a wedding planner, right? You may want to consider turning right back around to check out what kind of classes they have on Web design, online marketing and social networking.
2. Pick up copies of popular magazines that cover computers, marketing and networking. An afternoon spent at your local bookstore, coffee in one hand and magazine in the other, will be time well spent.
3. Integrate social networking into your business plan. Build a Twitter following by focusing on the wedding industry in the region you target. Start a Flickr page, and fill it will slideshows of the weddings and events you’ve planned. Start a blog, giving tips to brides, showing them how a coordinator can help alleviate their stress! And create a Facebook page to help guide users to your blog and other sites.
4. Keep all of your sites and information updated. Wedding and party trends ebb and flow, and you need to show possible customers that you’re up on the trends - and maybe even have a lot of great ideas of your own.

Getting out there, pounding the pavement, if you will, is definitely one way to grow your business. But to attract the Wired Generation you have to show them that your business is modern and growing. Being a successful wedding and event coordinator depends a lot on word of mouth, yes, but you want to attract business from every possible angle. And the Internet is an excellent place to begin.

We recently talked about what to do when professional wedding and event planners come across a super-frugal bride. But let’s face it, it really comes down to one question: When will a bride ever get to wear her wedding gown again? Sure, a wedding gown is money well-spent if you consider it a family heirloom, but it sure would be nice to get the chance to feel like a princess again. Well, here’s your chance! The Bride’s Ball, held in New Bern, N.C., is just the opportunity for you and your groom to strut your stuff (and do it all for a good cause.) Here’s more from LWPI certified wedding planner and instructor Pam Duvall:

Photo courtesy of Bridal Wave TV

The Bride’s Ball is an event to help raise awareness and funds for cervical cancer research through The National Cervical Cancer Coalition. We invite you to wear your wedding dress or tuxedo again and re-live the wonderful memories of your wedding day, whether it was recent or years ago!

Almost every woman wants to wear her wedding dress again. The Bride’s Ball offers the perfect opportunity for women and men to experience a night they’ll always remember, and support a great cause. Brides get the chance to re-live the magic and memories without the stress. Brides To Be get to see glamorous gowns, beautiful decorations and have the experience before their big day. You can invite all your current or past bridesmaids, groomsmen, family and friends! Ladies can wear their wedding gown, or any semi-formal dress, while the men are welcome to wear a tux or suit.

Regardless of your marital status, The Bride’s Ball is giving men and women of all ages and marital status a fabulous reason to feel like a king and queen for an evening. There will be door prizes, auction items, entertainment and on-site portraits! For an additional fee, you and your sweetheart can even renew your vows! Fun for everyone! Our fundraising efforts improve the organization’s ability to educate the public and health professionals, and support women battling pre-cancerous conditions. But most of all, NCCC is a support organization for women and families who are facing the challenges of dealing with cervical cancer and its treatment.

Over the years the organization has developed a hotline, a group of phone pals, a nationally recognized web site, and a national NCCC Conference for cervical cancer patients and survivors. It has also sponsored medical experts to speak on the subject of cervical cancer to professionals and the lay public alike. As a nonprofit organization, we are dependent in large part on the generosity and creativity of our members, neighbors and friends. There are endless opportunities to give back, either by attending or by sponsoring The Bride’s Ball. You can donate money, sponsor a table in your name, or even sponsor a portion of the evening such as the photo booth, the favors, or the invitations.

…….

So there you have it. A great cause. An excuse to get dressed up (and who doesn’t like to do that?) And a reason to wear the most beautiful (and expensive) piece of clothing you’ve ever bought … again. It’s a great foundation to support, and Lovegevity encourages all its certified wedding and event planners to get out there and support the community. If you’re too far away to take part in this ball why not consider hosting one of your own?

The average bride will spend $1,038 on her wedding gown in 2010, according to The Wedding Report. This is of course down a bit from a few years ago, but it’s slightly up over 2009, which is a very good thing for the wedding industry. The average price of a gown is projected to increase a bit a year for the next several years, albeit slowly. This is probably because while brides are beginning to open their wallets a little wider this year they’re still a bit gun-shy because of what many of them still see as a shaky economy. This is exactly where a certified wedding and event planner steps in. It goes without saying that the most important part of planning a wedding is working out the budget, and said budget should be set in stone before a bride goes gown shopping. It’s a lot easier to fall in love with a gown that’s in her price range if she only tries on gowns in her set price range. It may sound obvious, but I think we at the Lovegevity Wedding Planning Institute can all agree that brides get stars in their eyes mighty quickly when it comes to their dream gowns!

According to online surveys of bridal couples, bridal attire accounts for 8 to 10 percent of the wedding budget. While the gown is important most brides also want to purchase shoes, jewelry and other accessories along with it, which eats into the budget even further. If you find yourself with a frugal bride who still wants to walk down the aisle in style consider these tips:

* At bridal salons every bride is likely to make a bee-line for the wedding-gown department. But many bridesmaid gowns come in white and ivory, and they’re offered for sale for a much lower price than a traditional gown - we’re talking hundreds of dollars less in many cases! No, this tip won’t work for every bride, but for the ones who are trying to get more bang for their buck this is a great idea.

* Experts all agree that brides should buy their gowns at least six months before the big day (if they have six months to spare!) This time needs to be allowed for a few reasons: mistakes, alterations, weight fluctuations and lost shipments. A portion of the budget should be set aside for these things that occur after the gown comes in. You don’t want your bride to be shocked when she gets an alterations bill that she didn’t budget for.

* Remind your bride that it’s the shape of the gown that flatters her, not the beading and lace, which can significantly push up the price. A simple gown can look gorgeous with a more intricate veil and beautiful jewelry!

* Sure, it’s fun to go to the top designer boutiques and try on everything they have to offer. And if it fits your bride’s budget that’s great. But if she’s trying to save money consider these shopping ideas:

- Thrift stores and consignment shops: You’d be amazed at what you can find at a top-quality thrift stores these days.

- eBay: Lots of brides are selling their once-worn, fabulous gowns at ridiculous discounts in an effort to recoup some of the money they spent on their weddings.

- Sample sales: If you have a bride who won’t settle for anything less than a designer gown but doesn’t have the cash for it make sure you introduce her to The Great Sample Sale. Especially take her to off-season sales. The earlier the better for the gown, like we said before, and getting an off-season piece will be even better for her pocketbook.

- Chains: Shops like David’s Bridal are always a good option for the bride who wants lots of choices but doesn’t want to spend a fortune. In addition brides may want to consider asking shops if they rent gowns, which can be a super-affordable option.

- Online retailers: If your brides has an easy-to-fit figure an online retailer may have the perfect dress, and deal, for her. And be sure to check out such sites as Craigslist, preownedweddingdresses.com and sellyourweddingdress.com.

* And last but not least see if your bride is willing to borrow a gown. We all know that wedding gowns are easily one of the most pricey keepsakes women ever buy. But in our opinion sharing a gown - even if it’s altered to suit the newest bride’s taste - is a very special thing. We love the idea of daughters wearing their mother’s - or even grandmother’s - gowns!

Many of you out there are current students or recent graduates of Lovegevity’s Wedding Planning Institute. You’ve taken the time to build your skills set by learning from Lovegevity’s experienced instructors, and you’re doing the research (such as reading this blog!) to stay on top of wedding-industry trends. For example, you’ve learned here about going green, choosing invitations, and creating perfect, seasonal weddings. But we all know there is more to it than reading magazines and blogs and designing top-notch budgets for every kind of bride. There is the simple fact that you have to get your name out there. Here are a few tips on just how to do that:

1) The number one way to attract more business is, simply, to do a good job. This might mean for some of you that it’s time to brush up on your people skills. The success of your business will depend on how well you work with clients of all kinds. And in many instances your success will be a direct result of how cool you stayed in some very stressful situations. Maintaining a cool head in every situation - and easing the mind of the bride - will be something she never forgets. And it is sure to be something she tells her friends who may be looking for a wedding planner right now!

2) Consider posting your business name - or website - in your car window. Vinyl decals are easy to come by on such sites as etsy, and etsy shop owners usually have no problem taking custom orders. Plus you often get to choose the font and color, which is a great way to set the tone for what kind of business you offer.

3) Take part in bridal shows, and be sure to have advertising materials to hand out. Get creative! You have plenty of opportunity to show your creative side with your business cards and pamphlets. You don’t want your materials to get forgotten in the bag of swag that every bride gets at such shows. Work hard to stand out!

4) We’ve talked about it before: A wedding planner is only as good as the vendors she suggests to her bridal couples. A good, strong network of vendors is a wellspring of recommendations if they trust you, and you trust them in return. There is no shame in asking if they’ll set out your business cards by the register or if they mind recommending you to bridal couples who come in on their own.You do the same for them, don’t you? In the business world there is a mantra we all know: Scratch my back, and I’ll scratch yours.

5) Social-networking sites are here to stay. So your business (and pretty face!) should be on them, too. Be sure to set up business profiles on Facebook, MySpace, LinkedIn and any other sites you can think of. We’ll say it again: You’ve got to put yourself out there to get noticed!

6) Don’t be shy. If a bride tells you - after her own fabulous wedding - the she has a friend who would be a perfect client for you, you have to FOLLOW UP! Referrals are like gold! Use them to your advantage; we all listen to what our friends have to say when it comes to any kind of business we hire, and brides are no different.

7) Do you have a website? You should. And you should include a section on it for a portfolio filled with A) personal recommendations from brides; B) gobs of pictures because let’s face it: that’s what wedding planning is all about, and C) plenty of easy ways for brides to contact you.

These tips are just a few ways to help get your business off the ground. A lot of you out there are experienced wedding and event planners with lots of advice to share. What helped you grow your business? Are there advertising avenues to avoid? What are the strongest ways to get your name out there?

Photo courtesy of weddingchicks.com and Fantasy Floral Designs

The bridal bouquet has a long and storied past. A quick Internet search will show that no one knows exactly where and when the tradition started, but many stories have a similar beginning. Regardless it’s a tradition that has stood the test of time and is beloved by brides all over the world no matter their budget or style. Researchers say that wedding bouquets were originally made of herbs and spices and were used to keep away evil spirits that could plague the future, but others suggest that the bouquets were a way to show love to the couples’ friends and family. As time went on the bridal couple began to share flowers with their guests, which may reveal the history of the bridesmaid bouquet and groomsmens’ boutonnieres. The first record of wedding flowers dates to the ancient Greeks, who used fresh flowers to make a crown and garland, which represented new life and fertility for the bride and groom.

Photo courtesy of Rue 42 on Etsy

The story goes that when Queen Victoria married Prince Albert the traditional herbs and spices were replaced with fresh flowers (but often edible flowers, especially marigolds.) Throughout the Victorian age specific flowers took on specific meanings, and in the 19th Century floriography - the study of flower meanings - was established. Roses, for example mean love; freesia means trust; ivy means fidelity; violets mean hope; and ferns mean sincerity. Dill was often included, and later eaten by the bridal couple, because it was said to increase lust. In modern times, of course, flowers are chosen mostly because of style and color and are used to complement the bride’s choice of bridesmaid gowns and decor.

Tips for choosing a bridal bouquet:

* A bridal bouquet should not be so large that it competes with the details of the bridal gown.

* Weight of the bouquet should be considered because some brides like to hold their bouquet throughout the evening.

* If the bride has allergies you may want to discuss flower smells with the florist.

* The price and availability of flowers depends on season (unless, of course, the budget has no limits.) If your bride has her heart set on a bouquet of certain flowers it would be wise to discuss her wedding date first!

Photo courtesy of realbadkitty on Etsy

* Some photographers suggest avoiding blue flowers in winter because the season’s dull light will also dull the color of the flowers in photographs.

* Brides are often choosing silk flowers for their bouquets because they are obviously long-lasting. Another good suggestion is to make a silk bouquet for bridal portraits, which the bride can keep, and use fresh flowers for the wedding so the bride has a bouquet she won’t mind throwing at the end of the reception.

Wedding and event planners have to do a lot of research to stay on top of trends, especially in the wedding industry. Bouquets made of buttons and brooches are popular because they’re not only unique keepsakes, but they’re also “green” choices. What trends are you seeing in bouquets? What are some of the favorite choices you’ve run across as you’ve worked with brides?

Gray and Yellow Palette for 2010

One of the first ways a bride sets the theme of her wedding is with her invitations. Everything about that single piece of paper conveys a message about a bride’s style: colors (classic or funky?); fonts (simple, whimsical, dramatic?); shape (horizontal and traditional? square and modern?); and even wording (funny? romantic?) As a certified wedding and event coordinator it’s a good idea to be up on wedding-industry trends, especially in the world of invitations. It shows a bride that no matter her style you know what’s what in the bridal world. Plus having suggestions at the ready for every style bride is a great way to show you’re, you know, coordinated!

Wedding Paper Divas, a leader of premium, personalized wedding stationery, has recently announced the top stationery trends for 2010. From the save-the-date cards to the post-wedding thank-you notes there are new themes and color choices to be had! Among the newest trends are:

Enchanting Forest for an Ethereal Feel

* Enchanting Forest: These invitations have an ethereal feel, with earth tones and pastel colors. They would be a gorgeous addition to any outdoor wedding. With their simple branches and birds they would give guests an idea that a bride is trying to achieve a natural setting; perfect for an early spring ceremony!

* Old Hollywood: Imagine a bridal party made up of Old Hollywood Glamour - pin curls and waves, bright red lips and form-fitting gowns. There’s a reason that Mad Men is all the rage right now, and brides can have a retro wedding but still fill it with glamour and class.

* Fresh color palettes: We’ve already discussed that turquoise is the IT color of 2010, and the perfect accompaniment? Orange! You can also expect brides to ask about violet (again with orange as the perfect accent), as well as paler colors such as champagne, pink (with vintage gold accents. *Sigh*) We at Lovegevity also expect a rise in a gray and yellow palette. Vintage is all the rage right now, and these two colors fit right in!

Old Hollywood Brings a Touch of Fun and Glamour

There is definitely a distinct business side to being a wedding and event planner. You have to know how to budget and how to find brides. There is definitely a fun and creative side to wedding and event planning, too! The instructors at the Lovegevity Wedding Planning Institute can teach you everything you need to know, but it’s up to you to stay on top of the trends (but this falls into the fun category!) There will always be traditional, classic weddings to plan, but there are brides who like to run with the pack and ones who like to forge their own path. Keep these great new ideas in mind as 2010 weddings start to take shape. An invitation is the perfect place to begin working out a wedding theme, and all the choices in stationery make this a fun place to begin. Help your brides get their creative juices flowing with some of these great ideas!