WHAT HAS SOCIAL MEDIA DONE TO THE WEDDING INDUSTRY?

From Youtube, Pinterest, Lover.ly, to Instagram and Facebook -– social media has dramatically changed how brides explore and discover ideas for wedding planning. In addition, brides are connecting with communities of similar women to share their experiences. It is ever more critical for wedding vendors and businesses that are active in the wedding industry to understand this trend and become engaged in communicating with these women on popular social networks and communities.

Brides are glued to their tablets or other mobile devices scrolling through Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram feeds. Gone are the days of brides carrying a heavy wedding magazine with lots of post-it notes plastered throughout the pages, which was the norm not too long ago. Social media and interactions within the wedding community have become very visual based. For comic relief, brides can type ‘wedding meme’ into Google Images for instant laughs. In addition, Pinterest has rocked the wedding industry. Florists and wedding planners get direct links to their brides' wedding Pinterest boards. Much of the creativity and vision that the wedding planner once had seems to have shifted onto the Pinterest boards of brides-to-be.

Social media is also a great way to include family members and friends scattered around the world in your wedding plans. Brides are often using Skype and other online formats with family friends to help with selecting a wedding dress. Couples can create specific hashtags for their wedding photos captured by friends to share during and after the wedding day. Beautiful moments are captured and rapidly spread across social networks. Don’t be surprised to see brides creating “social media rules” for their weddings. Brides and grooms may want to be the first to post any pictures of their wedding onto social networks.

As much as social media has enhanced the wedding planning process and made it much more easy to explore and discover brands, venues, makeup artists, hair stylists, and wedding dress designers, it has also put more pressure on brides, mothers of brides, and mothers of grooms to demand perfection on the wedding day. There are now over 20 reality TV wedding shows focusing on how wedding planners create elaborate weddings and how brides are determined to find the perfect wedding dress.

Like all tools, social media in wedding planning should be used in moderation. It's a great way to connect scattered friends and family and include so many in the planning process. Brides should just keep their perspectives in check and hold realistic expectations when it comes to working with their vendors. Pinterest boards are a great jumping off place to set ideas in motion and when accompanied by an experiences team of local vendors, brides will have a great time seeing their plans come to fruition.

SUMMER 2014 WEDDING COLOR TRENDS

When choosing a color palette for your wedding, there are several parameters to keep in mind. The colors will set the mood for the entire event. For example, if you choose soft muted colors, you will convey elegance and sophistication, whereas bold bright hues will suggest a lighter, more fun mood for your event.


Summer 2014 color trends offer something for everyone. Blue seems to be the super color of the year. Navy blue especially is being paired with everything from traditional white to bolds like canary yellow and lime green. Other than blue, the major color trends for summer weddings are bright and fun or soft and serene.

If your venue is more casual and light, the bright and fun colors may be a great way to create the kind of atmosphere you're after. Teals, Fuchsias, Yellows and Oranges can be used in fabrics and florals to enhance the special day you have planned.

If your venue is more traditional and you have elegance in mind, then soft and serene may be the way to go. This palette uses creams and grays as a backdrop for mint greens and light pinks and peaches. Table linens and florals done in these soft tones will create a classic refined look that you'll cherish in photos for yours to come.

Whether you're bold and bright or soft and serene, 2014 has color trends to compliment your plans for a perfect day. Happy Planning

POPULAR ACCESSORIES FOR GROOMS AND GROOMSMEN

Accessories are a great way to express personality through clothing. And they aren't just for the ladies on wedding day anymore. Guys can let everyone know who they really are and have fun with accessories while still keeping style in the forefront.

Ties:
While black tie isn't a must anymore, most wedding attire for men usually still includes a tie, and with all the options available now, no one will feel stuffy when sporting this dressy accessory. Tuxedos and suits can be accessorized with traditional long ties that either coordinate with the suit, or make a bold statement with color or pattern. Bow ties have also made a large comeback in recent years. Some wedding parties even represent their own personal style by choosing their own ties in a coordinating color or length but are slightly different from one another to celebrate the individual.

Pocket Squares:
The pocket square is another accessory that has made a recent comeback. The pocket square is a great way to add a pop of color. Guys can sport these accessories in the most traditional sense coordinating with one another and the overall color scheme of the wedding, or totally break away calling attention to each guy in their own unique way.

Fun Extras:
Accessories like cuff links, sunglasses, and splashy socks are a great way to get guys who aren't always on board with being dressed to the nines to relax into formal wear. These also make for the most fun photo ops. So, if you can assign a favorite super hero, sports team, color or pattern to each of the special guys that make up your wedding party, these fun choices are the way to go.

Above all, have it your way when selecting which style, color and type of accessories are right for your guy group.

BRIDESMAID DRESSES: NO RULES APPLY

WHAT NOT TO WEAR: PROM EDITION

GROOMSMEN DUTIES

So, you've been asked to be a groomsmen in your buddy's upcoming wedding. Contrary to popular belief, it does entail more than wearing the chosen suit and taking advantage of the even't open bar. We've compiled a checklist breaking down the duties for groomsmen during the various stages of wedding planning to make it easy to do right by your friend.

PRE-WEDDING
• Offer to help the best man plan the bachelor party.
• Attend any engagement parties or couple’s showers thrown for the engaged couple.
• Get fitted for and pick up your tux or suit one or two days before the wedding day-this will give you enough time to make sure everything fits.

.THE WEDDING DAY

• If all of the groomsmen are getting dressed at a central location, make sure to arrive there on time.
• Smile for all of the photos.
• Make sure that the groom is relaxed and has had something to eat.
• If ushers aren’t being used, escort wedding guests to their seats as they arrive.
• Either escort a bridesmaid down the aisle or walk out with the groom (depending on which method the couple has chosen).
• Be introduced at the reception – and soak up the limelight!
• Dance with your bridesmaid partner if a wedding party dance is on tap.
• Help carry gifts o the car afterward.
• Help the bride’s family clean up after the reception is over

If you can follow these easy steps for success while being a groomsmen, you will not only have an appreciative groom, but your buddies make just take the time to do right by you when it's your turn to walk down the aisle.

HOW TO MEASURE FOR A TUXEDO

Whether you're about to rent your first tux for a dance or prom, or you've picked out the suits you'll be using for the wedding party at your upcoming nuptials, let's face it, there are still some guys who don't care about clothes all that much. Although it is always best to have the seasoned professionals at Mr. Burch professionally fit you at one of our convenient locations, busy student schedules and groomsmen/ushers living out of town may warrant to collection of their own measurements.

When following these 10 steps in self-measurement, you're a lot more likely to have a fit success story that a nightmare.

1. Determine your weight by using an accurate scale.

2. Measure your height. Take off your shoes and stand with your back against the wall. Place the tape measure at the bottom of your feet and measure to the highest point on your head.

3. Measure your waist. Tuxedo pants fit higher than jeans or dress pants. Measure around the top of your hip bones and across your navel to determine an accurate waist size.

4. Calculate your hip measurements. Place the tape measure around your hips. The measurement should be determined by looping the tape measure around your pants and over the biggest part of your rear end.

5. Determine your out seam while wearing shoes. Make sure the shoes are similar to what you'll be wearing with the tuxedo. While facing forward, place the tape measure on the outside arch of your shoe. Pull the tape measure up your leg, past your hip bone and to the height of your navel. This measurement helps determine the length of pants you will need.

    

   

    

6. Measure your chest. Raise your arms to the side. Run the tape measure around your shoulder blades, under each arm and around the fullest part of your chest. Lower your arms and assess the measurement.

7. Determine your over-arm measurement. Put both arms at your side. Place the tape measure around your chest and both shoulders, and record your size. This measurement is similar to how you measured your chest, except now you're including your shoulders.

8. Assess the size of your neck. Circle the tape measure around your neck and record the measurement.

9. Calculate your sleeve measurement. Allow one of your arms to hang straight at your side. Place the tape measure near the bottom of the back of your neck. Run your tape measure over the top of your shoulder and then down your straight arm to a point approximately one inch below the center of your wrist.

10. Record your coat in-sleeve measurement. Put the tape measure on the inside of your arm slightly below your wrist. Pull the tape up into your underarm for the complete measurement.

Remember, that professional formal wear shops, like Mr. Burch, are usually happy to measure for no charge, but if you have to DIY, stick to this plan. Good Luck!

TREND ALERT: BOW TIES AND SUSPENDERS

Trend Alert! Weddings and other formal events have men of all ages donning bow ties and suspenders again. No matter the formality, weddings are seeing a trend toward away from the vest and traditional tie look and back to bow ties and suspenders. The look is seen on the beach without jackets and in the dressiest of churches, and is very flattering to most men.

Suspenders serve a function as well as making a fashion statement-they keep your pants up! 
Replacing cummerbunds with suspenders discourages the under the belly placement of pants look that has unfortunately graced the pages of more than a few wedding albums. Suspenders are also an accessory where grooms and groomsmen can make a statement of personality. They are a great place to add a splash of color or element of theme.

Bow ties are versatile as well. Formal wear rental locations, such as Mr. Burch offer a wide variety of styles from pre-tied solids to uniquely patterned originals. These ties are another area where wedding parties may add a touch of whimsical to the look of the event. Perhaps each groomsmen could sport a different color representing his sports team alliance or favorite superhero. Custom ties are great ideas for groomsmen gifts as well.

Its great to see men's fashion as another way to highlight a couple's personality at their wedding, and this trend is no exception. The seasoned professionals at Mr. Burch would love to help you create your unique wedding look. Stop by one of our many convenient Birmingham area locations today.

MOTHER OF THE GROOM: COLORS COUNT

Although a wedding is the bride's day, all family members play an important role in the event, particularly mothers of the groom. Coordinating dress color with the bride's mother may seem unimportant while planning a wedding, but can cause embarrassment or ruffled feathers when ignored. Colors complementary to the wedding party and the mother of the bride's dress are ideal.

The goal with dress color is to blend in, rather than stand out or match. Solid hues and small or subtle prints are very appropriate. Look for soft or medium colors, like blues, greens, peaches and yellows. Find something that goes well with your hair color and skin tone in a style that flatters your body. Avoid red and strong, flamboyant colors that attract attention. Large or busy prints and plaids should be saved for another day.

Traditionally, the mother of the groom should wait until the bride's mother has chosen her dress, then see it or view pictures. This will prevent matching or clashing dresses. By coordinating colors andstyles they create a flawless bridge between the two sides of the new family. The groom's mother should not wear the same color as the bride's mother, but try to find a dress of similar length and formality.

For traditionalists, black is taboo. For the modern woman, however, it is considered stylish for evening or more formal weddings. Black is appropriate to wear if the bride does not object. Beige, sometimes seen as a means to blend into the background so as not to upstage the bride or her mother, is more often considered bland and unimaginative.

Weather, date and wedding location also play an important role in finding the right color. Some colors do not match well with certain seasons. For example, pale pink would not be suitable for an autumn wedding any more than a rust-colored gown would be in June.

One color guideline never seems to change: Don't wear white. No longer the automatic choice of the bride, that door is still closed to the groom's mother. Practically speaking, it is also a poor choice because it shows spots and stains easily, making surviving the ceremony and reception without spilling, dripping or smudging a challenge. Instead of white, try a subtle silver or gold.

WHAT TO WEAR: MOTHER OF THE BRIDE

When you're the Mother of the Bride, you want to stand out and feel special, without upstaging your daughter. Follow the instructions below and you will be sure to receive compliments all through your special day.
 

 The wedding's venue and level of formality will help dictate the type of dress you're seeking. A black-tie wedding calls for a glittering cocktail dress or full-length gown; a beachside wedding may mean a pretty linen sundress.

An A-line silhouette - fitted at the top, flared at the bottom - works for most figures. A sheath dress looks beautiful on a figure that's proportional, equally large at the bust and hips.

Select a hue that works with the wedding palette so the dresses don't clash in the wedding photos. Skip black or white at the wedding - white is generally reserved for the bride, and black may seem like you're mourning your daughter's marriage. Dresses with wild patterns don't photograph as well as simpler, solidly colored gowns in rich fabrics.

You'll likely be on your feet through the bulk of the day, helping your daughter get ready and greeting guests, so be sure your dress fits well and will be comfortable for a long haul.

 Start looking for your dress at least six months out from the wedding date, so you have time to look and to special-order your dress, if required. Consider buying the dress at the same salon where the bride bought her dress, and ask if you can receive a discount on the price.