While many bridal store owners are flying back from Barcelona right now, we’re still reeling from the fashion at NY Bridal Market. 

If you don’t know what that is, it is a week (in April and October) where many bridal designers that are based in NYC and the surrounding areas show their newest collections to their retailers. Store owners/buyers fly in from around the country to order the samples that they will have available in store for brides to try on. There are other markets similar to this in Chicago, Los Angeles, and as I’ve already mentioned, Barcelona.  These events range from a room with racks of dresses all the way to a glamorous fashion show similar to fashion week. 

Every season we like to track the most common trends to see how real brides wear the trends in the next year. This year there were a few very distinct details that we have to tell you about!

1. Color

   We saw so many colors this season! Black wedding dresses are in the top of google searches as always, but this season many designers played with pastels and water colors (Ines Di Santo was one of my favs!)

2. Short dresses

A big conversation right now is second dresses, particularly short dresses. Many designers are coming out with entirely new collections of short dresses for the party look, but many others have included a shorty or 2 into their standard collections (hello, elopement people!). My favorite way to see this done is with a closed overskirt so you truly get 2 looks in 1! This is typically the most cost effective way to get a second dress as well, but short dresses are also popular for other wedding events like the engagement party, rehearsal dinner/welcome party, or day after brunch

3. Drop waist

In the same way jeans are dropping low in street style again, so are the waistlines of bridal gowns! You’ll see this in two different ways, a basque waist which is a v shape (think “Bridgerton”), or a standard straight drop waist. We are seeing these in every variety from just slightly lower than the natural waist to so low you’re concerned about what could be seen A La Lady Gaga at the Academy Awards this year

4. Sheer

Many brides have become more and more concerned with the weight of their wedding dresses. Personally, I blame Covid because we wore athleisure for over a year and now many of us still work from home at least a few days a week in casual clothes. The heaviest part of a dress can typically be the lining. Removing the lining not only takes physical weight away from the dress, but also visual weight. Being able to see slightly through the dress gives an airy look like the dream scenes from a movie

Which of these trends would you consider including in your wedding look? Or DM me on Instagram and I’d love to discuss!

PS- Have you seen the sketches I did of Berta’s new collection this season? They’ve been featured in the online magazine Wedding Day Match! Click here to check it out

Samantha Shammas, Author and Owner of SamiaLynn

When it comes to wedding planning, there are countless decisions to make and I am here to add to that list!

Not only can you make decisions on what to do with your boutique, what gifts you give to your friends and family, what signature drinks to serve and how to decorate your wedding, but then you have the option to customize them! Don’t know where to start? We have made a list for you of just a few of the things that can be customized before, during and after your wedding! 

Turning your bouquet into resin art

• Cup Coasters 

• A block or shape used solely as decoration 

• Framed 

• Trays 

• Wine stoppers 

• Ring holder 

We have a whole blog post on this: click here

Wedding favors

• Custom labeled wine/champagne bottles 

• Cookies decorated with the wedding date/colors/names 

• Koozies 

• Shop from local bakeries and store in personalized bags

• Sweets with custom labels 

• Custom match books

Need more favor inspo? Click here for the blog post

Signature drink presentations

• Custom drink stirrers 

• Custom cups 

• Drink toppers 

• Water bottles with custom labels 

• Napkins with your name/ wedding date/ artwork

Wedding day decor

• Welcome signs 

• Signature drink signage 

• Escort cards/walls/tables

• Table numbers 

• Guests welcome bags 

• Food or drink menu

If you’re looking to inject more personal touches into your big day/weekend, I’m here to help you with all that artwork and leave the stress behind! Send me a message and let’s get started on custom drink signs, guest books, favors, or live illustration entertainment.

How are you going to customize your wedding?

Samantha Shammas, Author and Owner of SamiaLynn

If you’ve been a long-time follower of this blog, you know that we’re ALL ABOUT mementos. But, we’re also about repurposing too. I mean, you poured a lot of time, energy, and money into this wedding, you might as well be able to keep something from it besides your new spouse!

You’ve probably already heard about options for preserving your gown, but what about your wedding bouquet? There’s so many creative options for making it a timeless piece so let’s dive in:

1. pressed in a frame

I recently met Hana Willow Design at a wedding show and was immediately obsessed with her work. Did you know you could get your entire bouquet dry pressed into a glass frame to hang on your wall? To me, this is the best keepsake for your beautiful florals. Don’t want a hanging piece? That’s fine too! Artists like HWD can also take small pieces from your bouquet and turn them into pendants

Note: I did not get paid for this plug, I’m just genuinely obsessed with her work!

2. put in resin

There are approximately 1 million different ways to use resin, but here are a few ideas for your florals:

• In a block: a way to keep the flowers 3D and makes for a gorgeous focal decor piece. There are so many size and shape options, you’re bound to find one that will work in your home

• Coasters: get some of your smaller flowers pressed in or do one big flower for the whole piece, it’s totally up to you

• Jewelry: what a beautiful and unique way to keep your special bouquet with you on a regular basis! If you’re someone who prefers something “functional” over decor, this option is perfect for you

3. a 3d frame

If pressing your voluminous bouquet flat is a horrifying concept to you, let me introduce to you a 3D frame. You’re still able to hang it on the wall, but it will have more depth. You can also make it into a table top!

4. Ornaments

There are a couple different ways to go about turning your flowers into an ornament. You can dry them and stuff them into an empty, clear ornament. Or this is another great option for resin if you’d like to press them flat. Just keep in mind that resin objects do get heavy so your ornament will have to stay at a certain size

5. a TERRARIUM

Terrariums aren’t just for living flowers, just dry your bouquet and arrange how you’d like! You could have them in a tall, rounded glass terrarium with a wooden bottom (think ‘Beauty and the Beast’ rose vibes), in an octagon with metal edges, or in an open bowl with rocks or marbles at the bottom. Terrariums are perfect for basically anyone because they come in all shapes and sizes! The options are endless

Florals are a big part of many peoples weddings, so you should be able to do something with them afterwards! The options listed above are all great avenues to explore and be sure to have an idea picked out BEFORE your big day so you can get them over to the right person before the bouquet wilts or browns.

Which preservation option is your favorite? Let us know in the comments!

Samantha Shammas, Author and Owner of SamiaLynn