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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 21/01/2011 (5695 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

If the upcoming royal nuptials between England’s Prince William and Kate Middleton has you thinking wedding, you’re not the only one. You are just the tip of the royal iceberg.

New trends for those planning to exchange vows in 2011 will have a decidedly royal ring, Winnipeg wedding experts say, with the return of traditional and elegant styles going down the aisle.

Wedding planner Tammy Ouellet says that the impact will be felt across the industry in everything from dresses to decor. After all, it’s not every day that a commoner like Middleton becomes a royal princess — and Ouellet says that the April wedding is only going to inspire more brides to return to oh-so romantic and opulent looks as they plan their own fairy-tale weddings.

“This wedding will really set the tone,” says Ouellet, the owner of Divine Weddings (www.divine-weddings.ca). “You only do this once. People will want to make their own weddings a big affair, too.”

Ouellet will be among the hundreds of businesses offering proposals at this weekend’s 21st annual Wonderful Wedding Show taking place at the Winnipeg Convention Centre. With more than 300 booths laid out on two floors, the show will woo prospective brides and grooms with everything from flowers to formal wear.

“If you’re even thinking about getting married, you’re coming to the show,” says Sherri Rheubottom, who has organized the annual event for the last 17 years. “It’s an opportunity to see all the possible vendors and services that you could ever imagine wanting for your wedding — all in one location.”

While Rheubottom agrees with industry predictions for a royal theme this year, she says the most important thing is to plan a wedding that reflects who you are.

“If you want a low-key wedding or a really high-end wedding, there’s exhibitors for you,” says Rheubottom. “We’ve got businesses here that cover all levels and types of weddings one could want.”

Dreaming of an especially unique wedding ceremony? Look no further than Mark Murray of Magickal Marriages.

Murray specializes in officiating and designing customized ceremonies — everything from ancient European handfasting ceremonies to the Unity Sands ceremony as seen on TV’s The Bachelorette. He’s even once officiated a wedding on a pirate ship. Whatever you choose, he says, make sure it makes a personal statement.

“It should reflect (the couple) and their beliefs, what they like and what kind of fun they like to have,” Murray says.

One of the most memorable ceremonies he’s attended was a Gothic-style wedding, complete with a hearse and a coffin for two.

“The attendants carried them to the hearse and slid them in and off they went for the pictures,” says Murray.

If you also want one-of-a-kind wedding bands, Al McGrath of McGrath Diamonds suggests designing your own.

“We can incorporate ideas for different settings, design a wax mould, and create a ring from scratch,” says McGrath, who adds that it’s equally painless to pick a pre-designed setting and a diamond of your choice.

Either way, “you’re not stuck choosing a diamond solely from the jeweler’s case,” he says.

As for dresses, Tammy Mignacca of Stella’s Bridal suggests giving new or little-known designers a look. Often they’ll be cheaper and just as rare as the couture designers.

“We just got in a couple new designers with some unique dresses,” Mignacca says of her new Paraezo and Anaiss collections. “They’re hard to describe but we’ll be showing them at the Wonderful Wedding Show.”

kristel.mason@freepress.mb.ca

 

2011 wedding trends:

Brides will wear feminine, full-bodied dresses

Off-white and ivories for wedding dress colours

Honeysuckle pink for bridesmaids and accent colours

Vintage details like pearls, feather, and lace

Grooms will go traditional with bow ties

Custom designed rings and jewelry

Customized wedding ceremonies

Regal, opulent decor

Dramatic centerpieces — think flowering tree branches

Long family-style tables

Modern, sleek dresses will continue be a staple

Same with matching sleek crystal decor