Weddings have always fascinated me, the venue, the decor, the romantic themes and of course, the dress are always what I look forward to analyzing every wedding season. As loyal to the wonders of a wedding I am, I am opposed to the idea of marriage, go figure!!!!

As this year's wedding season approaches and the RSVP's are preparing to take flight, talk of this summer's nuptial celebrations seem to be everywhere I go lately. I am noticing various differences from wedding seasons past. This year the new theme being that common wedding themes are being replaced with..Originality!!

I conferred with the experts to find out what we can expect to see this summer and here's what they had to say:

The Look

Gone are the days of bright dramatic make-up and tight formal up-do's says Pina Baldassi, owner of Pina B's Salon and Spa in Toronto and a 20 year veteran in the bridal industry. Brides are now opting for softer, more romantic looks. Tousled down-do's and loose locks are this year's hot hair trend".

Make-up application too, has taken a softer turn, brides and bridal parties are switching from bold and dramatic to delicate and whimsical. Fairy tale inspired make-up is this year's make up trend.

Pina attributes the changes to personal taste. For centuries brides had to co-ordinate with the decor, the brides-maids even with the floral arrangements and now brides are using their look to express how they feel as opposed to blending in with the theme. Brides are finding easier ways to stand out tastefully with make-up and hair. For bridal packages see www.pina-b.com.

Picture Perfect

Remember those wedding photos where the whole wedding party looked like a group of mannequins in a department store window? They always make me laugh.

Even how photos are taken has become much more personal and candid. Julia Busato and Angela Bruzzese, photographers and owners of Nirin Photography, are excited about the progression from stiff and deliberate poses to more natural and realistic shots.

We're noticing as time goes by that weddings are becoming less of a production for the guests and more personal and centered around the couple says Julia. This allows for much more fun and creativity when shooting.

In their experience, Nirin Photography has seen weddings take on a more relaxed atmosphere. Sure the bride and groom have a set list of pictures they want to have for memory sake, but they are more open to allowing the pictures develop in the moment instead of being forced. The moments we capture lately are fun, subtle and youthful. Candid shots tell an actual story and embrace character". As for what to expect this season, be ready to see less focus on the big details and more focus on the experience. We predict that natural light, nature and the true feelings of the couple are going to take center stage. Gone are the forced poses and blown out pictures of the past.

Personalization

Candy covered almonds and match packs are taking a back seat to more intimate and personalized gifts for wedding guests. Pretty candy filled jars and inscribed candles are new ways to say thanks for coming. Sculptures are becoming a fashionable way to personalize the venue as well. Marius Kulikowski, owner of 3D Portraits in Mississauga, creates a variety of 3D Portraits and sculptures can create wedding sculptures of the bride and groom for the head table or centre pieces, or even 3D crystals with pictures of the bride and groom as guest gifts. Weddings are a very intimate and personal event says Marius, this is a way to celebrate and immortalize the couple on their wedding day. For wedding sculptures see www.3dportraits.ca.

Considering this years wedding trends, I am most certainly looking forward to seeing what this summer has to offer in terms of Original Weddings'.

Shawna Thibodeau