Hot Flash: All you need is love - and a wedding planner

When it comes to that time that occurs in between the day you say “yes” to the day you say “I do,” owner of NK Productions and event planner Nicole Kaney and Ritz-Carlton Wedding Sales Manager Kelsey Alholm, above, have all of your answers. The two teamed up to share their knowledge of wedding planning and hosted the first “Engaged 101” seminar Dec. 10, at The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota. Black Tie Editor Heather Merriman attended and got the scoop on the latest trends and tips from the world of wedding planning.

During the two-hour function, guests (including a few grooms-to-be) watched presentations from the biggest names in town on the most important topics when planning the big day. We compiled the most notable tips from each area of planning that was covered. You’ll have to attend the next seminar, on April 9, to find out more.

Invitations & Paper Etiquette
Eileen Wallace, Write-On Sarasota

The invitation sets the stage for your wedding. Nothing except the invitation verbiage should be included on the wedding invitation — no emails, registry information, driving instructions — that should all be included on the save the date. Wallace also suggests a wedding website and to drive guests to the site with the save the date card. The website is where they can find the rest of the information they would be looking for.

Paper trends: Letter press with foil

Calligraphy
Dorothy McMillan Calligraphy

Whether addressing your envelopes yourself or having them professionally done, McMillian suggests buying 25 extra envelops for potential mistakes.

Etiquette: The word “and” is only used for married people (Mr. and Mrs. Ryan Reynolds; Ryan and Blake). Separate lines are required for an invitation addressed to a couple who is not married, even if they are living together (Line 1: Kurt Russell, Line 2: Goldie Hawn).

Bouquet & Floral Trends
Floral presentation by Beneva Flowers

With a white dress, if a bouquet is a color, just remember that eyes will naturally go straight to the flowers. When choosing a bouquet, choose a size that proportionally goes well with you and that works well with the dress.

Floral trends: having greenery in the bouquet. Another floral trend, cascading bouquets — pricey, but they were popular in the fall.

Linens & Décor
Linens by the Sea and Affairs in the Air

When it comes to décor, options are endless, so choosing your linens is a good place to start. Begin by looking through magazines and see what colors and styles you like — many brides are using neutrals, such as beige and champagne, and are pulling other colors from elsewhere in the décor.

Trending:
• Glacier grey has been popular
• Sequins — best used as accents, such as a tablecloth on a sweetheart table, cake table or used as a runner

Something to keep in mind: Remember what the linens will look like once the glassware, plates and silverware are added to the table.

Hair & Makeup Trends
The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota Spa

Brides deserve to be at their absolute best on their wedding day and there are a few tricks to keep it that way, all day or evening long.

Wedding day musts:
• Airbrush makeup, satin finish
• Fake eyelashes — makes such a difference for camera work
• Blush colored lips last the longest
• The spa also suggests a trial run, so they can get a feel for what hair and makeup you are looking for on your big day and be able to make any adjustments that need to be made.

Trending: Going from an up-do during the ceremony to a half up, half down for the reception.

Cake Tasting & Design
Executive Pastry Chef Lyndsy McDonald

The style of the cake represents who you are and how you feel about the entire day. The latest trends have moved from topsy turvey cakes and cupcakes to more simple, classic, modern, tall and metallic cakes.

A tip on choosing your cake: Don’t look for an exact one you love — find elements that you like and the pastry chef will be able to see where your head is going. Look at what you are pinning on Pinterest or marking in magazines and ask yourself, “Why this one?” and go from there.

Trending: The bottom and top layers of the cake are real and for cutting purposes, but everything else in between being styrofoam. The actual cake is in the back, freshly cut and brought out to your guests when the couple is done cutting the cake.