Celebrity weddings are the most publicized weddings in the world, so it's no wonder that the details tend to translate quickly into wedding trends. Discover the famous fads that are working their way into weddings across the country.
Destination Weddings
Star couples are fond of marrying in faraway places, taking advantage of the most breathtaking wedding locations in the word. Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes held their famous ceremony in Italy, and Eva Longoria and Tony Parker threw a spectacular event in Paris.
Destination weddings aren’t just reserved for the rich and famous. In fact, these celebrations can turn out to be more cost-effective than getting married at home. You’ll have fewer guests to entertain, which means you’ll spend less on everything from food to flowers, plus you can save on your honeymoon by staying at an all-inclusive resort. The most popular tsite for stars marrying abroad? A castle! Tom and Katie wed in Odelscalchi Castle and Eva and Tony held their reception at Vaux-Le-Vicomte.
Personal Entourage
Celebrities often have a team of experts -- hairstylists, makeup artists, clothing stylists, etc. -- to help them look picture-perfect both on- and off-camera, and that same entourage of experts is employed to make them look fabulous at their wedding. Brides across the country are borrowing this idea and hiring their own team to help them look their best for the big day. Having your hair and makeup professionally done is practically a must, and many brides are taking it a step further by tapping personal trainers, nutritionists, and dermatologists to put them on programs for maximum beauty results.
Wedding-Eve Dinners
Celebrity couples are maximizing their rehearsal dinners by expanding their guest lists and throwing a prewedding party. The Gore family hosted a dinner for 75 friends and family members the night before Sarah's wedding that included a six-course tasting menu, while Grey's Anatomy actress Kate Walsh shared a preceremony meal with her guests in addition to her rehearsal dinner. Many couples are including out-of-town guests at their rehearsal dinner (although they are not obligated by etiquette to do so), making it a larger celebration. A destination wedding is often the site for several celebrations, including a wedding-eve dinner beneath the stars or a poolside barbecue.
Unique Attendants
It seems that more is better when it comes to celebrity wedding attendants. Marcia Cross and Mariska Hargitay both opted to employ a swarm of little girls for aisle duty rather than select a single flower girl. Celebs with pets worked their furry family members into their wedding celebrations. Adam Sandler included his two bulldogs in his wedding party, and Gavin Rossdale was escorted down the aisle by his sheepdog, Winston. Pets can carry the rings, hold a basket of flowers, or serve as a sentry outside the ceremony site. If you want your precious pet to be part of your celebration, just make sure your venue is pet-friendly and that your pet is comfortable, as well as appropriately trained.
Gowns With Sleeves
Although the strapless dress has been in vogue for more than a decade, celebrity brides, such as Katie Holmes and Nicole Kidman, have resurrected the look of sleeves. Cap sleeves are the most common style, both for their elegance and versatility. You can wear them so they just barely cover the arm, or via an off-the-shoulder neckline. Illusion sleeves -- made of sheer material and enhanced with lace embroidery or bead detailing -- are popular for mixing modesty with style.
Tall Cakes
Celebrities are taking their cakes to new proportions, choosing to build up rather than out. Actress Mariska Hargitay treated her guests to a seven-foot-tall cake, including six tiers and a Swarovski crystal monogram topper. Donald Trump’s Grand Marnier cake was also massive, standing five feet tall and weighing 50 pounds.
Chances are you won’t need such a large cake. Have a cake with a smaller diameter and four or five slim tiers. You can also create the illusion of height by including fresh flowers between each tier and adding a fancy cake topper.
Going Green
Celebrities know that saving the earth is important and they’ve chosen to reflect this in their wedding days. Alicia Silverstone and Christopher Jarecki headed to Lake Tahoe for their all-natural, earth-friendly, organic wedding. Their invitations were printed on recycled paper (and embedded with seeds so they could be planted later); a trend that can be easily had by non-celebrities. You can also do your part by serving fresh food from local producers, and by adding your favorite green charity to your registry. There are also plenty of caterers and event-planning companies that specialize in environmentally friendly events. They can help you choose the right centerpieces and table linens, and even find a hybrid limo.