5+ Wedding Tips & Trends from Top Event Professionals

Regardless of who is on your wedding team, you'll have a number of decisions to make before the big day. As you're preparing for your "I dos," we're sharing some of the latest trends and expert advice from wedding planners, event designers, wedding registry specialists, and more on a range of topics, both on the website and in the magazine. Wedding trends are constantly changing – as are expectations from your wedding guests – and etiquette advice is almost always necessary, so it's important to look to the professionals to know what to do and how to prepare for likely the biggest event of your lives.

When it comes to planning your wedding events, searching for a wedding dress, and adding items to your wedding registry, you may not know where to start – especially if you haven't helped a friend or family member prepare for their wedding day. To help, we've gathered tips and suggestions from the experts on a range of topics to inspire you and your beloved as you plan your nuptials. 

Read on for ideas that will help you to have the wedding celebration of your dreams – you'll find advice on everything from who to bring to your wedding-dress shopping appointments, to finding unique elements that will make your destination wedding extra special, to creating a picture-perfect wedding reception design that stands the test of time. Happy planning!

Dress Shopping Tips

"One of the best ways to eliminate the high-stress, high-pressure experience dress shopping has turned into is to go with as few people as possible. Maybe even consider first perusing bridal salons by yourself to see how you really connect with each gown. Then for an extra vote of confidence, take a couple of your most-trusted friends." - Hovik Harutyunyan of Harutyunyan Events

Destination Wedding Advice

"When it comes to destination-wedding invitations and paper goods, I always encourage couples to do two things: have fun and educate your guests! Have fun by including characteristics of the destination (a gorgeous rendering of your location, for example), and educate by including information that is helpful to them (like dress code or great places to visit in town)." - Michelle Durpetti of Michelle Durpetti Events

Your Wedding Tasting

"Don’t come to the tasting so hungry that anything will satisfy your palate; but also don’t attend the tasting straight from a big lunch. While most chefs will prepare a lot of options, if you’re too full or too hungry, you won’t be able to have a proper assessment and dialogue with the culinary team at either extreme." - Beth Helmstetter of Beth Helmstetter Events, Inc.

"Something Blue" Gift Ideas

"Designed in 1926, Lalique’s Tourbillons Vase is the perfect 'something blue' registry item, featuring an elegant whirlwind motif accented with a hand-painted blue patina." - Thomas J. Blumenthal of Gearys Beverly Hills

White & Green Wedding Ideas

"Take a classic white-and-green palette to a new level by creating a modern twist. At this event, each centerpiece was tightly styled giving a chic feel, while handmade trees beautifully filled the space in the room with additional contemporary touches." - Heather Lowenthal of Posh Parties

For more wedding ideas and expert advice, discover more expert tips for your wedding color palette and theme, get ideas on how to plan for your personal wedding style, and learn how to plan like a pro with this virtual wedding-planning series from celebrity event planners! We also encourage you to follow @InsideWeddings on Instagram and Pinterest for daily wedding inspiration!

Opening photo by For the Love of It; Planning & Design by Harutyunyan Events; From Real Wedding: Intimate Wedding at the Sheats-Goldstein Residence in Los Angeles