Oliveaire Design Studio Showcase: Chandrasekaran & Lamoreaux Wedding: Intercontinental O'Hare

BBFN (Bridal Bliss For Now), 
Olivia

Top 10 2014 Unique Catering Trends

What you are serving and how you are serving it, is still a major decision regarding your Wedding.  Although this is a major decision, today’s brides are more concerned with the party then having a formal sit-down dinner.  Having your food match your theme, the atmosphere and the décor can be difficult, but here is the top 10 Unique Catering Trends of 2014, that might be what you’re looking for! 

Vegan and Gluten-Free Bars

                Not only will you be accommodating to your guests who may have food allergies or preferences, you are also giving them a healthy and unique alternative.  As the world is focusing on a more “green” way of life, this is a perfect addition that fits just that.  Examples of a vegan and gluten-free option are sushi stations, salad bars, and a Mexican station featuring guacamole with tortilla chips and Pico de Gallo.

These Sweet Tables are on Another Level

                Cake does not seem to be enough this year!  2014 is bringing sweet tables to a whole new level, and it looks delicious!  Incorporate your themed décor to your sweet table by making the candies match your colors!  This is not only a great opportunity to shower your guests in yummy treats, but it is also a way to show your fun personality! 

Add Your Favorite Breakfast Items

                Breakfast… it’s what’s for dinner!  Breakfast items, such as waffles, pancakes, French toast and more, are turned into mini bites and are being served for both dinner and appetizers this year!  The most important element to remember is to make it unique, and make it look like it belongs amongst your other food options.  Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, so why not incorporate it into your Wedding!

Staying Classy: Add A Cheese Station

                Yes that’s right; add a cheese station for one of your appetizer choices!  Wine, cheese and grapes have become one of the most popular food stations at a wedding!  This element would go beautifully with a rustic or vintage theme, and do not forget to hire a cheese connoisseur for a special touch! 

Food Trucks are here to Stay

                In 2012, we wrote a blog about how food trucks were the latest trend for catering a wedding!  Well here we are in 2014, and the food truck is still a unique catering trend!   When using a food truck, you can incorporate your favorite foods & restaurants in a fun and stylish way! 

Oldies But Goodies: Incorporating Your Childhood Favorites

                Go back in time, and think about your favorite childhood foods, and then add this to your menu!  Incorporating childhood favorite foods has become quite the trend this year, and we cannot deny how much we love it! From Ho Hos and Twinkies, to Pop Rocks and Lunchables, these items would make your Wedding one your guests will love and remember!

Incorporate A Lot by Adding Mini Options

                You cannot go wrong with mini food options!  You can turn your favorite meals into bite-size, adorable creations that your guests will enjoy!  The most requested items that we have seen is mini French fries, sliders, mini grilled cheeses with a cup of tomato soup, mini popcorns, mini pizzas and much more!  The Mini options are perfect for appetizers and late night snacks! 

“Create Your Own” Stations

                This has been very popular for quite some time now, but is still going strong in 2014!  “Create Your Own” stations allow your guests to create exactly what they want to eat!  These stations can range from a Smore or popcorn station, to creating their very own tacos, sliders and pastas.  Give you guests plenty of options to choose from, and it will definitely be a hit! 

Make It Your Own: Signature Cocktails

                Signature Cocktails is one of my favorite catering trends!  This is a fun & unique way to add your very own touch to the bar!  Mesh your favorite drink, with maybe your name, your new last name, or something that is special to you and your fiancé.  Examples of this would be the “Michelle Martini” or the “Maulik Mule”.  What ever you decide, it will be fabulous!    

Pass It Around: Family Style

                Since you are surrounded by loved ones, why not make your wedding dinner like the ones you had at home!  Family style is a brilliant way to serve your food, and we are glad that this is trending!  Instead of having a buffet or plated meal, why not make bowlfuls of each of your favorite items and have your guests serve themselves and pass it along?  This style of service is also a nice way to have your guests determine what and how much they would like to eat.   

BBFN (Bridal Bliss For Now),

Olivia

Top 10 Wedding Cake Trends

When you walk into the reception hall, you look around at the beautiful décor, and then your eyes go to the center of the dance floor, where the Wedding Cake is sitting with a spotlight on it.  Since this is a focal point of your reception, how you design your Wedding Cake is pretty important.  We have created a list of the Top 10 Wedding Cake Trends for 2014.

1.       The Ombre Cake: As we discussed in the bouquet blog, ombre is not just a hair trend anymore.  The ombre cake has become a very popular trend, and we adore it!  Start at the bottom with your darkest color and work your way up, getting lighter and lighter!  This is quite the statement piece and it will be one your guests will remember!

2.       Give it a Personal Touch: Monogram It! Monogram has also become a trend with not only personal items, but with Wedding Cakes too!   Monogram it by adding your initials as your cake topper, or even have it hand-painted onto the cake itself!  Whatever you choose, it will add a personal touch of your very own! 

3.       Fresh Fruitsn Attention Summer Brides!  Fresh Fruits distributed throughout your wedding cake is all the rage this summer!  It adds an amazing touch and flavor that you and your guests will be sure to enjoy!

4.       “Naked” Wedding Cakes This trend has been going on as long as the Vintage Wedding has become popular, and Brides are still keeping this trend alive!  The Naked Wedding Cake is different, beautiful and perfect for those who are not a fan of frosting!  Add flowers or fruits to the top, and you will have the perfect Wedding Cake for you Vintage Brides!

5.       Hand-Painted Cakes Want something unique?  Well the latest trend is the hand-painted Wedding Cakes that will give you something of your very own!  This takes time and effort, but it always comes out beautifully!  You can choose a design and place it throughout the entire cake, or give each layer it’s own personality!  Whatever you choose, your cake will be a reflection of you, and it doesn’t get better than that!

6.       The Combination of Metallic & Neutrals This is my favorite trend of Wedding Cakes in 2014!  The combination of a metallic and a neutral color cannot be any more exquisite!  Whether you combine gold and pink, silver and blue, or your own creation, it will be sophisticated and modern masterpiece at the same time! 

7.       Bold Statement Colors Bright and vibrant colors have become the latest Wedding trend for 2014, and we cannot get enough of it!  It is a unique way to display your bright and bubbly personality and you can definitely incorporate this into your Wedding Cake!  Don’t just go with the typical white wedding cake… choose blue, red, orange, yellow, green or even purple for your frosting color!  It is fun and will beautiful with your décor!

8.       Neutral Tones For you sophisticated, feminine & vintage Brides, the neutral tone Wedding Cake will be a perfect fit for you!  It is classy and fits the décor beautifully with a Vintage or Boho themed wedding! 

9.       Bling, Bling: Also discussed in our bouquet blog, adding some bling, bling to your Wedding Cake is a stunning way to make your cake POP!  Whether it is completely covering your cake in crystals, adding crystal belts to each layer, or having the cake topper be a crystal masterpiece, your cake will be a bold statement that everyone will love! 

1.       Cupcakes Having cupcakes instead of a Wedding Cake is a trend that is still going strong in 2014!  This is a cute and unique idea that would be perfect for those of you who are having a smaller wedding!  The cupcakes can be formed into any shape for the presentation, and is easier to pass out to your guests!  You can choose many different flavors and frosting colors for your cupcakes, and that makes the cupcake such a brilliant trend!

BBFN (Bridal Bliss For Now),

Olivia

Design Showcase: Varadhi & Biswas Ceremony Wedding: Westin Lombard

BBFN (Bridal Bliss For Now),

Olivia

What Are You Holding Down the Aisle?

The Wedding Bouquet is a very important detail that you will want to put a lot of thought into.  Your bouquet will not only compliment your dress, but it will show off your personality and of course tie yourself into the Wedding Décor.  In 2014, we are seeing a lot of new and exciting Wedding Bouquet Trends that you should consider when ordering your floral masterpiece!

Neutral Toned Bouquets

This year, neutral tones are taking over regarding Wedding Décor, and it doesn’t fall short with Wedding Bouquets as well.  Pastel pinks, purples, greens, yellows and creams really compliment each other well, and there is no denying how romantic they are.  For you Vintage/Country/Boho Brides, this color scheme would be a perfect choice for your Bridal Bouquet!

Bling, Bling, Bling

This trend is absolutely fabulous!  We are loving the incorporation of bling into the Bride’s bouquet!  There are many different ways to enhance your bouquet; it is up to you and your florist which choice you would like to go with!  You can sprinkle glitter over your bouquet, incorporate glittered flowers throughout, or even stick gems/diamonds throughout the bouquet, whatever you choose it is going to be stunning and will definitely stand out! 

Cascading Bouquets

Containing flowers into a bunch is not your only option… let your floral flow!  This new trend of Cascading Bouquets is beautiful and also adds a touch of romance.  Once again, for you Vintage, Country/Boho Brides, this trend would be perfect for you to consider!  As you can see below, cascading bouquets are gorgeous and absolutely unique!

Variety Flowers

Do not just pick one flower and stick to it!  Choose a mixture of different flowers for your bouquet and let it become your very own!  Some trending flowers to consider are Hydrangeas and Peonies!  Hydrangeas add volume and a modern touch!  Peonies are for you summer brides and run a little bit on the expensive side, but they are absolutely breathtaking!  Incorporating these and other flower options into one bouquet will be stunning and purely yours!

The Ombre Bouquet

The Ombre is not just regarding hair anymore!  From the Bridesmaid dresses, to the linen and the Bridal bouquet, the Ombre has incorporated itself into all parts of the Wedding Décor!  Ombré is the unique effect you see when colors gradually fade into each other!  It is eye-catching, memorable and will definitely enhance your beautiful wedding!

BBFN (Bridal Bliss For Now),

Olivia