STYLE

LESS IS MORE

HOW WEDDINGS HAVE EVOLVED AMIDST A GLOBAL PANDEMIC

WRITTEN BY SHANNON E. ROESGEN

If there is ever a day in a person’s life where one wishes for total control and things to be executed perfectly, it’s their wedding day. Months or years of preparation go into the planning of a wedding. Brides and grooms endure hours of exhaustive preparation, agonizing over each and every choice and detail, all in hopes of creating a dream-come-true wedding day for themselves and their guests.

What isn’t wanted? Unpredictability. Last minute changes. Last minute cancellations. Last minute anything! But with COVID-19, engaged couples must expect the unexpected, plan for the unplanned, and adopt a “go with the flow” mentality.

Downsize, Individualize, & Have a Sense of Humor

How does one attempt to control the uncontrollable? One strategy is to downsize the numbers: hence, the birth of the micro-wedding. Guest lists that once included 100 people now include 10. 200 guests are down to 15. Because there are fewer guests, brides and grooms have the budget and time to truly spoil the few guests who attend their micro-wedding.

Welcome boxes have become a trend for 2021 weddings. A welcome box is given to your guests upon arrival to your wedding with the intention of making guests feel special and seen. The box may contain items like hand sanitizer, face masks, wedding programs, and favors. Brides and grooms can be very creative with the items they choose to put in the welcome boxes, individualizing them for each guest or party of guests. It is an opportunity to personally connect with each and every guest without having to be physically present.

Food at weddings has become very individualized as well. There is less communal sharing of food via hor d’oeuvres trays, buffet dinners, or wedding cake tables. Buffets have been replaced with plated, served, individual dinners. Large wedding cakes have been replaced with small mini cakes served on individual plates. Hor d’oeuvres are no longer served on communal trays and are now served on individual plates as well.

One of the elements of a wedding the pandemic has not changed is the bridal gown. The gown has always been the centerpiece to a wedding work of art. Emily Hart of Emily Hart Bridal in Overland Park has showcased many of the bridal gown trends for 2021 in her latest collection.

“At Emily Hart, we know that finding and purchasing the perfect wedding dress is an experience that is to be cherished and remembered,” says Hart. “We are honored to share this special moment with our guests.” Their team works hard to unite each bride with the dress that both compliments their beauty and celebrates their individual style.

The team at Emily Hart Bridal also pays close attention to the beauty trends for each year. One of these trends is the bishop sleeve, which is a loose fitting sleeve for the length of the arm, but fitted at the wrist. Many dresses have become minimalist, having a very clean look that is all about the material. Sheer fabrics, such as chiffon overlays, are also popular in 2021. For the bride who wants her dress to be a bit edgy, low backs and cutouts are trending.

For 2021, small has replaced big. Intentional has replaced over-the-top. Social distancing has replaced receiving lines. Yellow gold has replaced white gold. Color has replaced white and black. Outdoor has replaced indoor. Individualized meals have replaced communal meals. And quality has replaced quantity. But, most importantly, a sense of humor has replaced the need for perfectionism.

COVID-19 has taught the wedding community that one must always remember to keep a sense of humor … even if it’s your wedding day, even if you desperately want everything to be perfect, even if you are constantly forced to adapt to a global pandemic.

A sense of humor is critical not only on your wedding day, but throughout your marriage.

First comes the ring, then comes the flood of questions - Kansas City local and bridal designer, Emily Hart, has the answers.

Q

I’m not really a “traditional” kind of bride. What can I look for in a wedding dress to help it feel more like me? Who said you have to wear a dress? ;) If a dress isn’t your style, maybe a chic little jumpsuit is your perfect match! If pants don’t feel like you either, don’t panic because there’s 101 ways to spice up a wedding dress. Maybe a blush or champagne colored gown is more you? Perhaps a daring high slit to show off your gorgeous legs? A sheer bodice to show some skin in a spicy and unique way? The list truly goes on and on...

My personal favorite trend you should consider is a detachable overskirt, like the Catalina gown from my Emily Hart Collection. With a style like her you can walk down the aisle with maximum drama, and then POOF! - remove the skirt and show off your curves with a new silhouette, and serve a whole second (and equally jawdropping!) look for the reception.

Q

I was a 2020 bride, and we chose to reschedule for 2021. Any encouragement for us while we wait for wedding day?

QHow many boutiques should I plan to shop at when looking for my dress? There’s no right or wrong number of shops to visit when you’re looking for your dress. It’s a lot like dating: When you found your person, you stopped dating. You didn’t think “Oh no, I really wanted to date 5 people before I found the one” So if you find your dress at the first shop, GREAT! If you find it at your fourth shop, also GREAT!! But just like you stopped dating when you found your boo... When you find your dress, you should stop shopping.

I am SO proud of you for making the decision that was the best fit for you and your love. I know 2020 presented way more impossible decisions, hard questions and planning than you bargained for. But you made it through!

With most of the fun planning milestones already complete this time around, I’d suggest creating some new fun dates and “to do’s” to look forward to! Go on another registry date and add some new items to the list. Have your flower girl over for ice cream and petal tossing. Grab a bottle of bubbly and a little cake from the grocery store and practice cutting the cake with your partner. The wait will be as fun and as magical as you make it, my friend.

shop emily’s collection at:

Emily Hart Bridal | 913-681-1500

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