Let’s take a look at a few of the biggest wedding trends for summer 2012:

The Cake – Summer isn’t always a season of decadence, even though its reputation would say otherwise. So, when it comes to dessert, think about skipping the traditional tiered cake and go for a selection of mini cupcakes instead. You can still buy a top tier of the cake to save for your anniversary, but having a large selection of smaller desserts will allow guests to pick one or two flavors instead of just one.

The Sounds – Usually, wedding receptions are full of loud, thumping beats and overplayed dance songs. This summer is showing that many couples are working closely with the wedding DJ to carefully craft and hone in on a specific playlist that captures the relaxing mood of summer. This is especially true of outdoor ceremonies and receptions. There’s going to be less I Gotta Feeling and more acoustic guitar and violin strings in 2012.

Expect Orange – This year, the hottest color on runways all over the globe is mandarin orange. In fact, this shade of orange is the new black of 2012. Be prepared to see many table settings, wedding favors and other wedding items being offered to you in orange. You may even consider using this bright summer color as a sash on your wedding gown itself.

Here are some things you can save on as a wedding guest:

Do You Go? – Your relationship with the person getting married determines a lot about whether or not you can afford to go. If you are close friends with the bride or groom, you should make every attempt to go. If it’s a co-worker and you’ll have to travel far, consider taking a rain check and sending a gift.

Getting There – If you’ve decided to go and you need to make travel arrangements, get on that as soon as possible. Once you get the RSVP and check ‘attending’, start looking for travel deals online. The sooner you can get your flight, bus ride, etc. set up, the cheaper it will be. Also find out if the bride and groom have rented out a section of a local hotel. In a lot of cases, the room will be cheaper because of a bulk rate.

Gift Giving – Use the registry to your advantage. Check out the couple’s listings as soon as you hear about the wedding and find an item that you might be able to get for a lower price somewhere else. Also, only spend what you feel is enough – as low as $75 for a co-worker, all the way up to $150 – $200 for family.

Between renting a reception hall, catering, invitations and all of the other things that go into a wedding, paying for your big day can be a huge obstacle for many younger couples. With the cost of an average wedding reaching above $26,000, there is good reason to pause and enjoy the engagement for longer than usual. According to a recent survey reported about in The Tennessean shows that engagement times have gone up in the last few years:

“The magazine surveyed 2,985 women engaged or married in the past year and found the average engagement in 2011 was 15.4 months; a similar survey of 17,855 U.S. brides, released last month by TheKnot.com and WeddingChannel.com, found an average 13.8 months. That survey found 44 percent of couples engaged for at least a year, 7 percent more than two years. Both surveys found the longest engagements in 2008, when the economy was in freefall.”

There, of course, are other reasons that engagements can stretch out for long periods of time, but this time can be used to save money and have the wedding day you have always wanted. The article says that more marriages are happening after couples turn 30, which can help out with certain restrictions:

“With the average age of first marriage pushing 30, couples are more self-sufficient and willing to wait for a venue, a date or enough money, says William Doherty, a professor of family social science at the University of Minnesota.”

According to a story from 1500 AM, vow renewals are growing in popularity, especially for couples who didn’t go all out when they first got married. That’s the case with one couple in the story:

“When Letty Abraham of Sylvan Lake, Mich., married her husband, Mark, almost 22 years ago, she was determined not to make a fuss. It was her second marriage and she didn’t want to go overboard. Still, it was important to the couple to make their union special, so they made a plan early on to renew their vows. Fast forward 10 years, and they were saying ‘I still do’ on a trip to Maui, Hawaii.”

Although vow renewals are common, the past few years have seen an uptick in lavish renewal ceremonies being held at banquet facilities and reception halls. The article says one reason for this growth is due to celebrity vow renewals, which are always well-reported and shown on tabloid television:

“Tori Spelling and Dean McDermott filmed their vow renewal for their reality TV show. Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon are the most consistent; they renew their vows every year.”

A lot of couples have vow renewal ceremonies so newer family members – like their children – can take part in the wedding “sequel.” Are you thinking about having your vows renewed?

Hold on one second before you open the wallet Moms and Dads!

According to a recent survey, high school prom receipts are starting to look more like wedding bills. The Hattiesburg American reports that prom spending averages have been skyrocketing:

“This year, families with teens are expected to spend an average of $1,078 on prom, up from $807 last year, according to data from a survey released today by Visa that includes results based on a thousand telephone interviews conducted at the end of last month.”

The factors influencing this change in spending seem to be coming from numerous factors, the article says, including social media, celebrities and reality TV. Prom has become a rite of passage just as much as it is a way to show off expensive dresses, limos and other accoutrement. Interestingly enough, spending for prom in the South is lower than Northern parts of the US, primarily because traditional Southern coming-of-age galas take precedence:

“Average spending by families with teens attending prom is considerably higher than in other parts of the country, with families in the South expected to spend about $1,047, while Northeastern families will spend an average of almost $2,000, according to the Visa survey. In the West and Midwest, families will spend an average of $744 and $696, respectively, the survey found.”

What do you think about this spending? Are we going too far when it comes to proms?

Here are some things to always remember when putting together your wedding day:

Inviting the Guests – Once you and your beau have put together the guest list, the way you address your invitations is crucial. Decide whether or not you have room in your budget for single attendees the option of bringing a guest. If this isn’t an option, address the invitation to the person directly. If you have friends or family who have long term relationships, but aren’t married, you should address the invitation to the both of the people by name.

(No) Kids Allowed – Before you begin sending out invites, consider whether or not children are invited to the proceedings. Depending on the type of wedding you are looking to have, it may not be appropriate to have children present. This includes more lavish and extravagant wedding arrangements (i.e. late night, formal wear, etc.). If you are having an outdoor reception, what’s the harm in inviting some children? Don’t be worried about offending anyone – it’s your wedding after all.

Registering – Putting yourself on a wedding registry list is always a good idea, especially since it is really simple to put out items from the comfort of your living room. While you’re perusing the website of a store you like, make sure you pick out a range of different items. Although you may think you know what type of budget your guests have, have a range of prices for them to choose from.

Calendar Woes – Once you lock down the wedding site and reception hall dates, have your save-the-dates ready as soon as possible. Frankly, if you can do it sooner than that, do it! Why? People primarily travel during the summer, as do many families who have kids off from school. If they plan on attending, they’ll have to plan their vacations around your ceremony. Make it easy on your guests and get the dates out soon.

Timing – When it comes to summer weddings, the main idea is to hold your ceremony outdoors. You may choose otherwise, but having your nuptials outdoors can make for better pictures and give your guests a nicer overall experience. That being said, having the ceremony in the morning or late afternoon/evening is your best bet. Having guests sit outside in the afternoon is not a good idea, especially since the sun is at its peak. Carefully pick the best time of day for everyone.

Hot Hot Hot – In most areas of CT, it can get really hot during the summer, especially in July and August. Even though it might be a beautiful day, make sure you consider your guests when it is extremely hot. If a large tent isn’t available to cover your guests’ seats, have a shaded area available with a water cooler and fans. Having overheated guests is never a good thing.

In preparation for the choices you must make when choosing catering, here are some tips:

Ask Questions – Do not be afraid to ask questions of your potential caterer. You are paying a lot of money for the service being provided, so make sure you understand what you are getting for your hard-earned cash. Find out what kinds of food the caterer is best known for and try to pick from those – you want the best your chef has to offer!

Find Flexability – You absolutely need a caterer that is flexible and able to work in any situation. If your family has a favorite traditional dish, will your caterer be willing to make it? Maybe you want to cut costs and find a caterer that handles table settings, the cake and the food.

Pick the Right Reception Spot – The simplest way to choose a caterer is to find a reception hall that features its own kitchen and staff. Find a venue that will allow you to take part in a food tasting so you can sample the menu options. If you choose to have your own caterer, make sure the reception hall has facilities where the food can be prepared.

No matter what caterer you choose, always go with your favorite choice. It is your big day!

Doing It All Yourself – It can be incredibly tempting to keep your family from helping you plan out your wedding. Unfortunately, you will drive yourself trying to do everything yourself. Furthermore, it is more likely to cause problems if you are handling all of the major and minor details for your planning. Let your family and friends help – in fact, convince them to help you out!

The Numbers – While it may sound very lavish (and can be a big ego boost) having a guest list with over 300 people is relatively ridiculous, especially if you are only planning for any less than that number to show up. In most cases, you should assume that about 75% of your invited guests will attend your ceremony and reception. Make sure the CT wedding hall is big enough for the people who will most likely show up.

Legalities – Start looking into your state’s marriage laws as soon as you pick a date for the ceremony. This will save you a huge amount of time and energy, especially if you have to jump through hoops to get a marriage certificate. Don’t forget – a number of states have answers to your queries online, so start researching!

Rainy Days – Don’t freak out about the weather forecast for your wedding, but don’t ignore it either. If you are having an outdoor ceremony and/or reception, have a plan B. You know what? Always have a plan B if any of your event is outside. You don’t want some rain to ruin your wedding.

You’ll never have this problem at CT’s premier restaurant and events facility Seasons at the Tradition. In fact, Seasons is hosting a CT Easter brunch on April 8^th from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. featuring a full menu of breakfast staples and a selection of gourmet options. Starting with fresh fruit, danishes and bagels, you can make your way over to choices like Eggs Benedict, pancakes, sausage and bacon. There’s even an station where you can pick and choose your fillings for a fresh omelet!

We haven’t forgotten about heartier options for those who like the “unch” portion of brunch. Seasons is offering several dishes like chicken scaloppini, honey glazed ham and roasted steamship round. Pair any of these with our country style green beans, Mediterranean orzo salad or home style potatoes and you have a perfect brunch meal!

Reserve your spot at our Easter brunch today by calling 203.269.6023 ext. 304 or 308. It’s only $26.95 per person and children under 5 are free. Children ages 6 to 11 are half price.

If you are still deciding about where to go for Easter celebrations this April, why not check out Season’s at the Traditions’ gorgeous restaurant and beautiful facility tomorrow for St. Patrick’s Day? Featuring corned beef and cabbage plates for both lunch and dinner, you’ll feel the Luck o’ the Irish! Don’t forget to pair your meal with a classic Irish brew – we have Guinness, Bass and Harp available, along with Jameson Irish whiskey for your tea or coffee afterwards.