This week I want to introduce you to another of our wonderful International Wedding Trend Report contributors, wedding photographer Andrea Harborne. Along with fellow photographers Life’s a Trip as well as a whole host of other talented vendors, they created the vibrant and beautiful Modern Cuban wedding inspiration shoot that featured across pages 110-128 of the report. The theme for the shoot came about when historically isolationist Cuba opened it’s doors to the world and began to freely accept more tourists into the country. Andrea felt that more and more potential brides would flock there and be inspired by the look and feel it has to offer and wanted to showcase this.
“This styled wedding shoot was conceived by a group of very talented creatives from the Fort Lauderdale Rising Tide Society. Cuban culture resonates throughout South Florida. As a result, we wanted to pay homage to its vintage style, vibrant colors, and synonymous icons. The idea was to create a modern Cuban wedding with touches of old Cuba.”
We were really inspired by the geographical and cultural influences in this shoot and took the opportunity to ask Andrea a few more questions about what’s trending in her region of South Florida and why trends are so important in the wedding industry.
“South FL is known for its heat, humidity and afternoon summer showers. This is a definite consideration for my brides whilst they plan their wedding. Many destination brides still want a beach wedding, but I’ve had a few recent brides who are considering an actual venue to escape the heat and showers but still have those beautiful views across the water. There are so many of these venues within Miami and the Fort Lauderdale areas including Palm Beach. According to a few brides I’ve worked with recently in South Florida, they are going crazy for mint colors and incorporate them into their bouquet or details in a subtle way. It must have something to do with Spring being in the air. They have chosen that color due to the theme that is still strong here; vintage. This color works particularly well as South Florida is hot and humid, almost all year round, so it adds a dash of freshness. Many of my couples don’t opt for what’s currently on trend. They have a theme in mind, a favorite color scheme, and they stick to that. I’ve also seen many nautical themes being injected into weddings, and not just by destination brides + grooms.”
Why are trends important in the wedding industry?
“It’s important for wedding vendors to be on-top of the ‘must have’ trends within the wedding industry as there is a possibility that our clients may question our abilities if we aren’t aware of the Pantone color for that year, or what the ‘must have’ tableware is. It might make us look out of date. We have to keep on top and research new trends for clients also, as we have to market our businesses and to know what’s trending will help us understand the needs and wants of some of our brides. Trends can shape, enhance and improve your role as a wedding vendor. I believe that to be good at my job, I have to be aware of current trends. However, I also believe weddings are an amazing platform to express the couple’s personalities. Not all couples will conform to the current trends and being adaptable is also important.”
Where do you find your trend inspiration?
“Instagram, local networking groups, online media/marketing tools.”
What trends do you see coming through for 2018 that will appeal to the couples you work with?
“I’ve seen a definite move away from the more formal ‘dinner’ style receptions, moving towards food trucks and buffet style barbeques. My couples tend to be very relaxed and chilled out, so the less formal and potentially ‘stuffy’ reception dinners are being transformed. I’ve also noticed that my couples are opting for more ‘subdued’ and ‘plain’ wedding cakes rather than the elaborate highly decorated wedding cakes of past. Single color palettes with a simple floral decoration on the top tier is definitely trending with my couples. Even though South FL doesn’t have too many rustic venues to choose from, the rustic and vintage theme is still strong with my couples. This is evident in some of their detail pieces and choice of florals.”
Location Patch of Heaven Gardens // Photographer: Andrea Harborne Photography and
Life’s a Trip Photography // Planner: All that Glitters Events Design // Florist: Flowerly Studio //Cake: The Starfish Cottage // Desserts: Sweet Charity’s Bakery // Vintage Mobile Bar: Hitched Affair // Rentals: Events on the Loose // Invitations: Simply Sianne // Calligraphy : M.V. Designs // Bridal Dress: Jillian Fellers Bridal // Grooms suit: Generation Tux // Hair & Makeup: Makeup by Ivanna // Cigar Roller: Cigar Stud // Bridal Jewellery and Headpiece: Lia Terni // Wedding Bands: Custom Solitaires // Engagement Ring: Heidi Gibson Design // Vows Notebooks: Slimnote Studio // Coffee Bag Favors: Mavora // Couple: Michael & Maide