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MARY BETH BURROW MARY BETH EVENTS R CAMERON CLARK WEDDING COORDINATION eplace the traditional handaddressed inner envelope with a new element that serves the same purpose but adds a modern, decorative look, such as the paper belly band — a strip of decorative or colored paper that wraps the invitation. Highlight the colors in your invitation suite or add text for a custom, personalized belly band. CAMERON CLARK Instead of a traditional guest book, capture guests' sentiments in the pages of a cookbook (perfect for the culinary couple), signed maps, wishing trees or an atlas. Rethink your getaway vehicle. For the island bride, pedal away on a beach cruiser or hop in a golf cart. For the city bride, rent a vintage car. For the rustic bride, hire a horse and carriage to ride off with your beloved. DAVID BROWN DAVID BROWN FLOWERS DONNA NEWMAN At a recent wedding, I took the skirt from the mother of the bride's vintage wedding gown and used it to drape the sign-in table. Mixing the look of vintage lace with clean, modern decor —think sleek glass cylinders and tall candles — gives a new look to a passed-down heirloom. One bride wanted to use her parents' crystal wedding flutes at her reception but was looking for a way to make them her own. I suggested she have their custom monogram etched into each glass to add a personal touch. CHRIS PROMECENE AND AMANDA HAYES-VALENTINE PH DESIGN SHOP A CUSTOM INVITATIONS AND STATIONERY t-home cards announce the bride and groom's new address and the date it becomes effective. (Today it does double duty, clarifying whether the bride will take the groom's last name, hyphenate or keep her own, too.) Often couples are choosing to send an at-home card later as a post-wedding announcement. As a twist on classic, gilded invitations with a golden edge, couples are opting to edge-stain their thick cardstock with a color they adore. Coordinate it with an envelope liner for heightened drama and pop. Couples who wish to adhere to the old tradition of tissue overlays on their invitations (once used to prevent smudging) can update things by using a colored tissue in lieu of classic white. Also consider a vellum overlay with a printed pattern or motif pulled from the invitation's design. A process known as duplexing allows two pieces of card stock to be bonded to each other. Back your invitations with a colored or patterned card stock to add texture and weight. Use your save-the-date announcement (usually sent six months prior) to set the tone and inform guests of planned festivities and accommodation options. Choose a unique format like a folded or rolled poster, an accordion- or tri-folded mailer. Modern save-the-dates are more casual, with a focus on the celebration. FLORAL DESIGN Endearing the in-laws: On the wedding day, the groom should send the mother of the bride an arrangement with a lovely handwritten note. Giant bouquets — as in, dragging the floor — are making a reappearance. The look isn't for everyone, but bouquets used to be much bigger than they have been the past decade. We're seeing the comeback of blooming plants massed into lush garden settings in lieu of cut floral arrangements in the church. KENNO N EVET T Given Houston's strict ordinances regarding the use of candles, there are amazing new LED and battery-operated candles that can be used to amazing effect … The first generation was pretty cheesy, but the technology has gotten so much better. JACKSON HICKS CHRIS BAILEY JACKSON AND COMPANY EVENT CATERING ELIZABETH SWIFT COPELAND SWIFT + COMPANY ADAM NYHOLT JESUS REYES / 713 PHOTOGRAPHY EVENT CATERING W e're bringing back linen napkins and cloths. Real, Irish hemstitched linens. We invested in several sizes and more than 13 colors, in fact. It's a luxury that makes a beautiful difference. Many venues don't allow traditional rice throwing, so rose petals are always pretty — especially when offered in handmade doily cones. Or take the tradition and add some drama: We did a wedding reception at a lake house, and the bride and groom left amid fireworks and music in a speedboat. Grooms are choosing their own dessert stations in lieu of the traditional Southern groom's cake. One of the best was for a groom whose family they often enjoyed pie for dessert. We served his favorite types at the same time the cake was served. We've been asked to do the same with warm cobblers and ice cream. FEBRUARY | PAGE 39 | 2012 Employing old-fashioned cakes from other countries around the world: perhaps a croquembouche, a pyramid of tiny cream puffs in the French tradition, or British wedding fruitcakes. We're seeing a return to the intimacy of home weddings and receptions. Couples incorporating personal pieces from their past, such as gathering antique lace tablecloths from both sides of their families to use as overlays on the guest seating tables, while another bride used her grandmother's collection of cut-glass vases for the centerpiece arrangements. Modernizing the Southern tradition of a groom's cake by serving one of his favorite foods, such as a French-toast station instead of a cake.