The latest Bachelor couple just announced they'll head down the aisle soon. So what can you expect if they have a spring or summer wedding? I was recently able to sit down with Mindy Weiss, the leading wedding planner to the stars, to chat with her about the hottest wedding trends this year and some great wedding hacks. Mindy has more than 20 years of experience planning weddings and events for Hollywood personalities including Fergie and Josh Duhamel, Ellen Degeneres and Portia Rossi, Jessica Simpson, Lala and Carmelo Anthony, Serena Williams, Nicole Richie and Joel Madden, Heidi Klum, Pink, Gwen Stefani and Gavin Rossdale, Kimberly Williams and Brad Paisley, Channing Tatum and Jenna Dewan. She planned The Bachelor televised weddings for Trista and Ryan, J.P. and Ashley, and Sean and Catherine. Mindy is not only a planner for the stars, she is a best-selling author, has a line of bridal jewelry and is a Wedding Paper Divas' Style Partner.
Wedding Paper Divas' Style Partner and Wedding Planner to the stars, Mindy Weiss.
We talked Bachelor wedding predictions and what she's seeing this year for weddings.
Q. You are currently a Wedding Paper Divas Style Partner and its resident authority on the latest wedding trends, what has been on trend this year?
A. "One of the biggest shifts I've been seeing is in wedding gowns. They've gotten so much sexier and more daring! Brides really want to make a statement with their dresses and want to look and feel their best. This year, that's translating into sleeker silhouettes, low backs, and sheer detailing and cutouts."
Q. What predictions do you have for spring and summer weddings this year?
A. "Color, color and more color! Neutral colors like soft greens and creams have been huge in recent years, and while that will continue to trend, I predict many couples adding some pops of color to that classic palette. For spring, that means lots of muted floral colors - pastels, watercolors and other soft hues like Pantone's Colors of the Year. Couples will go a bit bolder in the summer with pops of bright yellows and oranges."
"In terms of wedding styles, the rustic theme is continuing but with a more glamorous take - what I like to call "rustic chic." The woodsy vibe of the rustic wedding is still there, but with luxe elements like sparkling chandeliers, intricate china and mixed metallic accents."
Q. As Wedding Paper Divas resident expert you keep up with all sorts of wedding trends, has anything returned to weddings that you didn't think would come back?
A. "Most trends certainly come back at some point! I'm actually seeing bridesmaids' dresses go back to black. Colors and metallic were huge for wedding parties, but now brides are going for a more sophisticated look and are starting to choose black bridesmaids dresses again."
Q. Do you have any great wedding tips for couples about to plan a wedding?
A. "Budgeting is often the most stressful aspect of wedding planning for couples. My biggest tip is to prioritize the top two or three things that you are not willing to compromise on for your wedding (that perfect photographer or dream venue, for example) and be willing to make some concessions on everything else. This way, you still get what's most important to you but you haven't overblown your budget."
Q. Do you have any favorite tools you use?
A. "Weather apps are actually one of my favorite tools! Weather is the most unpredictable element of a wedding so I download every weather app known to man and I can sometimes pinpoint the exact times where we'll get a break from rain and can hold a beautiful ceremony!"
Q. Do you have brides requesting anything a lot lately?
A. "Getting Sofia Vergara's wedding look has been a popular request from brides recently. Instead of a veil, Sofia had brooches made into a hairpiece - something any bride can do to achieve this more unique look."
Q. Sophia Vergara and Joe Manganiello's wedding looked fabulous, can you tell us anything about it?
A. "Sofia and Joe's wedding was just so much fun! We planned multiple events over the whole weekend and each one turned out beautifully. Sofia had a clear vision for the events, which included lots and lots of flowers and I worked with the legendary Jeff Leatham to deliver just that. We also worked in some small, personal details. For example, Joe just loves his coffee so we created a coffee station with a play on the "Cup of Joe" expression. We also had these really cute and cheeky Wedding Paper Divas napkins at the rehearsal dinner that said "He had me at hola!" Everyone got a kick out of that! Overall, my favorite part was how much fun everyone had. From Pitbull's surprise performance to Joe singing to Sofia (twice!) it was certainly a weekend to remember."