2009 Hottest Reception Trends - Part 2

The second part of my guide to the hottest trends to hit wedding receptions this year!

• Fragrant Herbs - For a funky alternative to fresh flowers try using fragrant herbs such as lavender, rosemary & eucalyptus instead. Apart from the fantastic aroma, they can be used in many creative ways, such as table centers, napkin rings & wreaths. You could also have a few sprigs added to your bouquets & buttonholes.
• Sip in Style - Instead of the plain boring glasses that you usually get from the hire company, try using a selection of mismatched glassware. Different colored glasses or vintage crystal styles look amazing when set out on your tables.
• Carnival Tunes - For a relaxed but lively vibe to your party hire in a carnival street band. Their wonderful unique sounds will be a hot trend for summer weddings.
• Sweet Treats Galore - Create a decadent party with a lavish spread of jellies, macaroons, brownies, strawberries & profiteroles.
• Dazzling Dance Floors - For the ultimate in old school glamour hire in a fabulous dance floor, such oak parquet, inset LED lights or even a mirrored floor!
• Big Bubbles - Upsize your champagne bottles to super size, such as Jeroboam which will serve 24 glasses or Rehoboam which will serve 36 glasses. With bottles this big you will only need to purchase a few!
• Flames & Fireworks - Tea lights & candles on your tables will create a romantic glow & atmosphere. If you are planning a firework display, make it dazzling with a live fire act as well. Another alternative to fireworks are Chinese sky lanterns. These paper balloons are lit & then sent skywards by your guests.
• Mirror, Mirror - The hottest trend for table decorations will be clean crisp lines, lots of mirrors & crystals. Don’t forget to bling up your floral arrangements as well, add a sprinkling of glitter, diamonte pins or even diamonte buckles.
• Hanging Around - The most glamorous parties at the moment are featuring Burlesque performers. However a full on striptease may not be everyone’s cup of tea for a wedding reception! A good solution is to book a happy hour chandelier. This involves a dancing angel, suspended from a chandelier serving champagne to your guests!
• Mini Cakes - Rich fruit cake is not to everyone’s taste these days. As an alternative serve your guests mini cakes instead. This little cakes look really chic & your guests can take them if they didn’t want to eat them right away.
• Deck the Trees - For outdoor weddings create a bohemian vibe by decorating trees with bunting & wreaths during the day. When night falls light up some pretty colored lanterns.
• Keep Cool - Summer weddings can be hot affairs, so give your guests some cooling refreshment. Freeze your champagne glasses so that everyone’s first sip is crisp. Try freezing flowers in ice sculptures for beautiful centerpieces & for something a bit more quirky why not hire in an ice cream van!
• Simple Flowers - Many brides are now asking for simple arrangements of just one or two flower types. Arrangements in oversized wine or martini glasses are becoming very popular & are an inexpensive choice too.
• Classic Cocktails - Stick to classics such as cosmopolitans & whiskey sours as these always go done well with guests of all ages.