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A wedding party toasts at Chicago's Revolution Brewing's taproom America's craft breweries aren't just great places to get a beer. With unique indoor and outdoor spaces, and, yes, a steady supply of libations, couples are turning to them for creative, fun wedding venues. Cheers!
The Brewery Wedding BY JILL JARACZ
Some couples meet in a bar, but how many actually get married in one? Perhaps more than you think. Meredith Cella Pellegrini did not have her heart set on such a location when she and her husband Patrick were scouting wedding venues for their May 2013 wedding. The Chicagoans looked at a number of loft spaces around the city, desiring a locale that was casual but cozy. But the place that ended up capturing their hearts was the Brewer's Lounge at Chicago's Revolution Brewing, an event space that doubles as the second level of Revolution's brewpub restaurant. Unlike a raw space that would have required a
caterer, bringing in alcohol and perhaps table and chair rentals, the brewery space handled everything under one roof. "A brewery that provides food and booze takes a lot of the guesswork out," Pellegrini says. "Bottom line, in addition to being a really beautiful space ‌ it was way more affordable than the other options we
were considering." The Pellegrinis' wedding was one of more than 50 that took place in 2013 at Revolution's Brewer's Lounge, which catered to just three weddings when it opened in 2011, according to Meghan Rutledge, Revolution's event planner. Rutledge anticipates around 70 weddings in 2014 and already is re-
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ceiving requests for 2015. Like Revolution, craft breweries all around the country, with their brewing facilities, brewpubs and taprooms, quickly are becoming hot wedding destinations for craft-beer enthusiasts like the Pellegrinis "We're both beer drinkers," she says - who are looking for a unique backdrop for their big day. After all, craft beers value the same tenets as marriage: quality, care and love. Couples want to share that love at their weddings, so they're going straight to the source.
The Local Factor Although it may sound like a new concept, breweries have been hosting weddings for years. Boulevard Brewing Co. has been creating craft beers in Kansas City, Mo., since 1989. When the company expanded operations to include a new 70,000-square-foot facility in 2006, event spaces were part of the plan alongside increasing brewing and bottling capacities. "[The brewery] was often the place you had community events," says Blue Lawrence, director of hospitality at Boulevard, which hosts wedding receptions both large and small in its Muehlebach Suite (more than 200 guests) and Brewhouse Bar (up to 75 guests). For KC couples, the idea of having their wedding at a brewery is a nobrainer. "Boulevard is an icon of the community,"
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A couple poses among the kegs at Atlanta's SweetWater Brewing Co.
Lawrence says. "[People] appreciate that and want to celebrate in a place that resonates as a city. "It's very local," she adds. According to the American Craft Brewers Association, on average most Americans live within 10 miles of a brewery. And don't be surprised to see that number get smaller. According to a report from Demeter Group Investment Bank, the craft beer industry has grown at a 10-percent clip since 2007 and is expected to represent nearly 15 percent of the overall beer industry by 2020. On the state level, as
one example, the number of microbreweries in the state of Minnesota grew from just nine in 2010 to nearly 40 in 2013.
The Look and Feel Craft breweries have taken care to create event spaces that provide a wide range of atmospheres, from casual to formal. Deschutes Brewery in Bend, Ore., also has held wedding receptions for more than a decade in its Mountain Room, which looks out onto the Cascade Mountains. "Views, - CONTINUED ON PAGE 4
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The Brewery Wedding that's the draw right there," says Allison Leach, Deschutes' marketing coordinator and private events manager. Similarly, Boulevard's Muehlebach Suite, which hosts more than 70 weddings a year, has a grand terrace that overlooks the city. "[It's] embracing Kansas City the way Kansas City has embraced the brewery," Lawrence says. At Revolution, Rutledge says their spaces aim to be unique and beautiful without being too stuffy, nor too casual. "We use a lot of repurposed wood [and] bourbon barrels that make the spaces warm and inviting," she says. In addition to its brewpub lounge, Revolution has a second space located in a taproom and production facility that is designed for cocktail party-style weddings. "It's industrial and funky and has a little bit of a shock factor because it's huge," Rutledge says. One wall of the space is entirely glass and shows off the production lines. The space itself contains bourbon barrels that are aging beer. "You're really in the middle of the building and brewing [production]," Rutledge says. SweetWater Brewing Co. of Atlanta also has two spaces with different atmospheres. Its Tasting Room is a more casual space with a large wall of glass windows and an outdoor patio with a bandstand and bar. The
Reel Room has more formal elements, including a custom SweetWater back bar, Georgia marble bar top and custom wood barstools, says Carrington Moore, SweetWater's director of enjoyment and events.
Unique Experiences Breweries can offer unique experiences for guests that couples can't get with traditional event spaces. At Boulevard, guests get to have the full line of year-round Boulevard beers and wines that aren't at other Kansas City event spaces. Deschutes, Revolution and SweetWater all offer private tours to wedding guests, and SweetWater includes a souvenir pint glass as a favor. The tours give guests a chance to learn about the beers from the brewery's expert servers. "We understand that not everybody drinks beer," Rutledge says. "People who are not normally beer drinkers will go on the tour and try it." Some breweries can even provide a rustic outdoor farm experience. Rogue Ales of Portland, Ore., operates two farms in the area, growing ingredients like barley and hops for its Chatoe line of beers. The brewer hosts weddings at its Hop Farm in Independence, Ore. Couples can marry
outdoors amongst the vines of floral hops, and then move into the rustic barn for the reception. Guests can enjoy the ambience of the farm and its surrounding fruit and nut orchards, and, of course, partake in Rogue's beer and spirits.
Beyond the Beer As with their beers, brewers are passionate about food. "People are always surprised by our food quality. They know we do a nice job but are blown away," says Deschutes' Leach. Pellegrini needed a menu at Revolution to fit her and her husband's vegetarian lifestyle. "They were super accommodating about creating a menu with vegetarian options," she says. That even included a local-inspired, late-night snack - vegan Chicagostyle hot dogs - to match the local brews. "The food and beer together were just outstanding at Revolution," Pellegrini says. Š Brides 365
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The Top Trends for 2014 Food, flowers, dĂŠcor. Follow these tips for a stylish wedding in the coming year BY JULIA HASKINS
The rustic wedding theme is getting a cosmopolitan update in 2014, according to the experts. "People are tired of the shabby-chic thing, so they're going for an old world glamour kind of vibe," says Sara Burnett, the editor of wedding-inspiration blog Burnett's Boards. Weddings in the coming year will take on more vintage elements to transport guests to a union that could have easily taken place decades ago. Think less
For a chic bouquet make peonies the star and accent them with roses
whitewashed furniture and more classic midcentury pieces, says Erin Taylor of Bustle Events, a California-based, eventplanning firm. To help you set the scene, envision places with specific time periods, such as Venice, Italy, at the turn of the century. "Vintage elements are romantic and bring an
old-world charm to weddings," says Deborah Collins Dunn, editor of the Wedding Thingz blog. And it's the perfect way to incorporate the "something old" into the wedding tradition. "Many brides add old photos, books, typewriters and suitcases to the - CONTINUED ON PAGE 6
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Look for the doughnut - in all its forms - to be a hot dessert item in 2014
The Top Trends for 2014 decor," Dunn says. "One of my favorites is seeing old books on the reception tables for centerpieces." Use your own family heirlooms to give the setting a personal touch. If you're short on pieces with a nostalgic feel, Burnett also suggests taking photographs with a double exposure. The effect will result in shadowy, beautifully haunting pictures. When decorating, embrace elaborate prints. Solid colors and chevron are on their way out to make way for more unusual prints, like eyecatching geometric shapes. Don't be afraid to mix and match patterns, either. "Brides are getting a little more bold in their color palettes and rental choices," Taylor says, and it extends all the way down to the smallest details like the invitations. A few colors in particular are really making a splash. Expect weddings accents with hints of gray and mint green - a cousin of emerald, 2013's color of the year.
Food and Cake For a trendy cocktail hour, presentation is key. Taylor suggests providing
small tastes served in shot glasses. They can be filled with familiar hors d'oeuvres, or stuffed with bite-sized versions of homey favorites like macaroni and cheese or chicken potpie. But no matter the food, the local, farm-to-table trend still reigns, so look into venues and caterers who source from local
farms. "More people are concerned about where their food is coming from," Taylor says. For cakes, both "naked" cakes - un-iced, exposed layers, as made famous by New York's Momofuku Milk Bar - and ombrĂŠ-colored cakes remain popular, but at the end of the meal, consider mixing it up with a sweet
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assortment of miniature treats. Serve your guests a variety of the trendy snack-size desserts doughnuts, scones or handheld pies, which also can be a savory snack with a twist on the filling. Small scoops of ice cream topped with wafers also make for a simply delicious dish.
Flowers Peonies are the flowers of the moment, and the bigger the better to make a statement piece that
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pops. Round out a peony bouquet with fillers like roses and hydrangeas. Tulips are another hot flower that can stand on their own in a vase. Pinks and peaches are classic flower colors that are especially popular for 2014, but your floral arrangements can veer off course to match your own theme. Keeping with the vintage trend, don't be afraid to adorn the setting with flowers that go beyond traditional blush hues. To tie a darker color scheme together, add in
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some dark floral arrangements for a look that's elegant, not eerie. It's perfect for making floral arrangements look like still-life art, a trend Burnett says florists will be experimenting with in the coming year. Your floral arrangements don't have to be relegated to table centerpieces. Brides of 2014 are playing with bold hair embellishments like dreamy flower crowns with tiny baby's breath and large mixed bouquets. Š Brides 365
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The New Comfort Zone With a range of necklines, sleeves, illusion elements and lace - lots and lots of lace designers are showing off alternative looks that allow brides to take a few risks, with dress styles that are chic, youthful and luxurious, without having to settle on the strapless standby.
‘Danielle’: Ivory and nude lace illusion A-line dress with organza skirt and lace appliqué neckline, from Leanne Marshall
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What's not to love about 2014 trends in the bridal market? BY NOLA SARKISIAN-MILLER
This year, brides are hard-pressed to find something they dislike, as designers are giving them choices galore in terms of necklines, silhouettes and embellishment details. With brides flocking to social media for nonstop ideas, there's a sense that brides are stepping out of comfort zones and want more choices from designers to feed their sartorial wedding dreams. “The past couple of years felt safe, and this year designers took more chances and offered more breadth," says Anna Walsh, owner of two Denver bridal boutiques, Anna Be and A & Be Bridal Shop. Topping the list were the selection of necklines parading down the runways. Strapless gowns had to make room for alternatives, such as silky cowl necks, shoulder straps, V-necks, cap sleeves and elbow sleeves. Some highlights were the less-than-demure, bias-cut sheath gown with a plunging cowl neckline by Sarah Janks, along with the designer's ladylike cap-sleeved silk marocain gown with a neckline framed in delicate, beaded French lace. Leanne Marshall's looks included a coy lace gown with lace elbow sleeves. And, Modern Trousseau paid homage to décolletage with a Thai silk ballgown featuring a draped bodice with off-the-shoulder straps. "There isn't just one neckline choice anymore,” Walsh says. “Brides can really pick and choose what they want. It used to be, I had only three dresses that weren't strapless in the store.” At the same time, there were more riffs on strapless looks with the help of illu‘Marena’: Thai silk ballgown with sion styles, a trend that draped bodice and off-the-shoulder shows no abatement. Modern straps, from Modern Trousseau Trousseau offered a cap-sleeve look made of Alencon lace over a blush silk duchess gown. An ivory and nude lace gown with an organza skirt by Leanne Marshall and a trumpet dress by Amy Kuschel, done in primrose lace with an appliqué of French grand peony, are feeding the fascination of modest, yet skin-baring looks. “These gowns provide a level of comfort for brides who don't want to feel overexposed,” says Leanne Marshall, the “Project Runway” season five winner, who also launched a diffusion bridal line for the season.
The Backs Have It For those brides eager to show off a little skin, designers didn't disap- CONTINUED ON PAGE 10
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2014 Gowns: The New Comfort Zone point. Dramatic backs emerged as another recurring trend, whether detailed with beading or cut oh-so low, because of the way they flatter figures. Amy Kuschel kept the look sweet with scalloped edges and bows on her gowns. Designs by Katie May that featured completely open backs, like the corded lace slimfit style, as well as Sarah Janks gowns, such as the shape-hugging, handkerchief gown with embroidered appliqué and a deep V- back, caught the eye of retailers, including Ivy Kaplin, owner of Lovely Bride in Philadelphia. “Wearing it is definitely a confidence thing,” Kaplin says. “Designers are taking it to the next level … and showing off the body in all the right ways.” Lest brides worry that they can't pull off the look, bear in mind that lingerie makers are selling those bare essentials - undergarment support concepts - at a variety of price ranges. Nordstrom sells the “Uplunge” backless strapless underwire bra with wings to hold the bra in place. Kleinfeld Bridal sells the way-upmarket line of Ender Legard Corsetry, which offers backless bodices. And, HerRoom.com sells Braza Reveal Silicone Bras, which are just cups available in nude and clear.
Lace, Lace, Lace The fabric of choice for the season again seems to be lace, lace and more lace, catering to brides' sense of romance and whimsy. “Brides still want to take a few risks, but they want something that feels luxu-
rious and modern and vintage that can be an heirloom,” says Lynn Annatone, marketing director for Modern Trousseau. Less was not more as designers experimented with texture and layered laces, such as Chantilly and Alencon and Guipure and Venice over a Chantilly layer. Lace was in abundance at Modern Trousseau, which offered the fit-and-flare gown with off-theshoulder straps and a scalloped neckline and a capsleeved style in Alencon lace over ‘Mel’: Twoa silk duchess piece silk and beaded lace gown. Amy knee-length AKuschel incorline dress with porated lace in half-sleeves, layers and acgathered skirt cents, such as in and silk a strapless gown charmeuse with a flared undress,from hem and scalLeanne loped edge. Anna Marshall Maier Ulla-Maija Couture offered a fluted floral lace gown with a highneck and a oneshoulder column gown over silk double charmeuse. Lea Ann Belter Bridal mixed and matched the fabric as exemplified by a silk dupioni gown layered with three kinds of French lace ending in tiers of sheer silk organza and sequin-dotted tulle ruffles. It may sound as if designers are going head-over-heels overboard and creating overwrought fashions, but retailers praise the direction, which keeps lace chic and youthful. “It seems like a lot, but it wasn't,” says Stacy Fork, owner of The Gown Shop in Ann Arbor, Mich. “It gives us something new to present to the traditional bride.” Designers also stepped up their beading with beaded sheaths and dazzling corsets, inspired by the sparkle and fun of Baz Luhrmann's “The Great Gatsby” movie and Old Hollywood glamour. Anna Maier showcased an empire-waist
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Show Off Your Heels
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Badgley Mischka Baguet d'Orsay peep-toe heels
A great pair of shoes is just as important as the dress maybe even more so. Luckily, higher hemlines are in mode, making it easier to shine the spotlight on the high-fashion footwear in which you'll walk down the aisle.
Satin Caged Strappy Sandal paired with Strapless Dress with Garza Tiers, from White by Vera Wang for David's Bridal
2014 Gowns pleated ballgown with a bodice glittering with silver thread and crystal beading and a duchess satin gown embroidered in pewter and bronze. Maggie Sottero featured a beaded dress with layers, necklines and shoulder straps. Sarah Janks incorporated a belt made of beaded French lace roses
Badgley Mischka Baguet d'Orsay peep-toe heels
on an airy ballgown strung with beads and made of tulle and silk gazaar. “We use a lot of tulle as a base for the embellishment to counter the surface interest,” Janks says. “There has to be a balance … so it doesn't overwhelm the wearer.” Subtle sparkle was even on display on Leanne Marshall's collection with her use of hand-beaded
lace. It's an about-face for Marshall, who says for the longest time she avoided using anything reminiscent of shine. “I grew up designing my own dance costumes so I had my fill of sequins for a lifetime,” Marshall says. “But, the last few seasons, it's been growing on me to try something more subtle with nice shimmer.” © Brides 365
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Wednesday, January 29, 2014
Something
New for Mom It's a big day for her, too! And now, she doesn't have to settle for a department store dress. Bring her along to the bridal boutique, where designers are introducing collections made just for her.
Dress 72749 from Watters C20
Starlight Dress and Jacket from BHLDN
Shined Lace Shift Dress, in teal, from BHLDN
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The Only Wedding Planner You’ll Ever Need People love Moleskine notebooks for a lot of reasons: They're sturdy, compact, kinda coollooking. In short, they work. And their Passions Journal collection even made it stylish to document your interests (movies, music, books) in analog fashion. The latest entrée in the line is perhaps the most obvious: the Wedding Journal. Where most "wedding planners" resemble your junior high Trapper Keeper, the 5-by-8-inch Wedding Journal is easy to transport in your purse. And because there are eight themed, tabbed sections across its 216 pages to keep all the planning details organized, you'll actually want to use it, too. In addition, there is a removable Bridal Book that allows brides to clandestinely plan out their weddingday look so you-knowwho does not get privy to the details. © Brides 365
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The Paper Trail BY LINDSEY ROMAIN
Like all things wedding, invitation and save-the-date stationery are amorphous trends, changing with the year, just like fashion. Stationery also is very couple-specific; lush fonts and classic framings are as popular as block letters and bright colors. But another trend has emerged in the last few years that seemed at first glance a detrimental slight to the folks who make paper goods: the Internet invite. Customizable down to the size, web-generated stationery lets eager brides and grooms drag and drop, and highlight and delete, to their heart's content. Great for them, but what does it mean to traditional wedding stationery? Not too much, really. Patti Murphy, a New London, Ct.-based designer who sells custommade wedding stationery through Etsy and blogs at PattiMurphyDesigns.co m, isn't concerned about the online trend, nor does she think the generators are as custom-specific as they seem. "The couples who want every detail to be just right will steer away from the template options and go for something more custom," Murphy says. Kleinfeld, the iconic New York dress destination, in 2013 introduced its own line of wedding stationery called Kleinfeld Paper, which can be found in paperies around the country. Paul Wain-
man, paper president at Kleinfeld, says that instore experiences, as opposed to online, continue to yield the best results. "By shopping in store, the brides receive the etiquette expertise of the stationery store staff as well as the ability to touch and feel the tactile nature of paper and print techniques, which is critical in the purchase of wedding invitations."
Local retailers carrying the Kleinfeld line can be found via the KleinfeldPaper website. However, James Hirschfield, founder and CEO of Paperless Post, one of the most popular online invite generators, says that people will likely continue to use both options. "Our feeling is that neither paper nor online wedding invitations is 'correct' as long
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as the message is considerably designed, thoughtfully worded and beautifully delivered." Whether they're purchased online or custom designed in-store, the biggest trends aren't necessarily market-specific. Here are some of the most popular trends paper makers have noticed this year - both online and custom printed and how they expect things to change in the coming seasons.
Dare to Be Different Murphy says she's noticed a lot of unconventional invites this year, both in wording and printing. "I think each couple wants the invite to feel special for them and their guest, so custom illustrations or unique wording makes it feel made for them," she says, noting that customizable rubber stamps have been one of her biggest hits. Even traditional templates are being infused with something extra like a pop of color, an incorporated pattern or an envelope liner, according to Faught. She calls this traditional update "class with sass."
Designer Style Bridal bigwigs like Preston Bailey and Vera Wang have long been putting their names on stationery lines. So it's not big surprise that one of the biggest markets for Paperless Post, the popular online stationery
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generator, has been their collaboration with highend fashion designer Oscar de la Renta. The line, which is "runway inspired" according to Hirschfeld, has been a great success for the online retailer. "Oscar has one of the more sophisticated fashion perspectives on the bridal world and this comes through in his stationery," Hirschfeld says. The prints range from gold embroidery-style on a white background, to dark blues and pinks, to solid greys and floralpatterned blacks. They all retain the elegance and femininity of his custom gowns - a tradi-
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tional, romantic, option for soon-to-be-weds.
Green Goings With an abundance of paper comes environmental concern. Minted.com is one site that offers eco-friendly invitation designs printed on recycled paper. Some Etsy shops and smaller retailers offer recycled paper options, too. It's a trend Murphy has her eye on. "I think natural options will emerge even more," she says. "I have a lot of couples concerned about using recycled papers, seeded papers and other earthy items." Š Brides 365
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