FROM THE EDITOR

Anything Goes

Those of you who were fortunate enough to attend the Bridal Luncheon and Gallery at the Idea Factory in Las Vegas last month were probably expecting to see a lot of eye candy, and indeed you did. In addition to stunning floral, awesome tablescapes, a Cinderella carriage and dainty desserts, you may have been surprised to spot a variety of semi-nude, very buff young men posing as living statues, angels and Roman gods.

My first thought was, how odd. What bride (or groom, for that matter) would want a bunch of studly, mostly naked guys hanging from the ceiling and serving as centerpieces? Doesn’t that kind of take away from the sacredness of the occasion? From the exclusivity of the bridal couple?

I puzzled over this, even as I admired the models’ buffness and chuckled at their witty remarks to the gawkers (mostly ladies, of course).

Then, I got it.

Today, anything goes when it comes to weddings. The rules have mostly been thrown out the window, not so much a victim of modern mores and values, but more a result of our desire to be different, to stand out, to create our own personal statements. Weddings can be whatever the couple desires, from whimsical and silly to elegant and extravagant.

To celebrate that individualism, we asked four designers to share with us one of their recent weddings; to see their contributions (click here). From contemporary to traditional, these designs are breathtaking and some of the most on-trend ideas you’ll see anywhere.
 Also breaking new ground are a small and select group of planners who are specializing in LGBT weddings. Their frank advice (“Be authentic”) and insight into this emerging market are fascinating. You’ll find this story here.

Finally, we bring you a roundup of the 2012 Event Solutions Idea Factory. We had a blast and hope you did too. Click here to for a peek at some of the fun!

Best regards,
Ann Turner
Editor

editor@event-solutions.com
backstageannturner.blogspot.com