By Jeff Kear, My Wedding Workbook & My Wedding Workbook Pro

First, the bad news (you’re always supposed to start with the bad news so that you can end with good news, right?). 2009 was a tough year all around, and it wasn’t any easier for engaged couples. We conducted a year-end survey of brides who use our online wedding software (of which there are more than 13,000) to find out their opinions on lots of wedding-related topics, and the economy is certainly on their minds. In fact, it’s so much on their minds that it’s affecting their wedding plans.

Of the brides who responded to our surveys, 62.3% said that the recession has influenced their wedding plans and impacted their wedding budget, and they are cutting back in many areas, especially on the honeymoon (58.4%), flowers and decor (57.9%), reception food and drink (54.5%), wedding day transportation (51.0%), and photography and videography (47.5%). So if you are finding yourself scaling back your plans, don’t worry, you’re not alone.

And even if you are scaling back on certain things, that doesn’t mean you have to settle for a wedding that isn’t what you envisioned. Many 2010 brides are making their own decorations, favors, invitations and more to personalize their wedding and save on money at the same time. We found that a large majority of brides – 73.6%, to be exact – are implementing handmade or homemade items into their weddings. Those items that are DIY favorites among brides are invitations (67.1%), reception table cards/place cards (65.8%), wedding favors (65.1%), reception centerpieces (62.5%), reception decorations (53.8%), save-the-date cards (51.2%) and floral arrangements (46.8%). Such handcrafted items give your wedding a warmth and personal flavor that you often just can’t get from store-bought items. And, in case you need a hand, you can even organize an activity at your bridesmaids’ luncheon or bridal shower around everyone creating such items.

Now the good news. There are more and more high-tech tools for engaged couples to help you plan your wedding, and most brides are taking advantage of them. Engagement photos are hugely popular right now, and more brides are turning to eco-friendly, “green” and organic products and services. And the average wedding size is still between 100-150 guests … so the celebrations are still big and festive.

As for colors, many brides are going with a darker color as their main color. Of our respondents, 13.2% picked navy blue or deep blue as their main color, with another 9.7% opting for black, 8.3% deep red, 7.9% brown/chocolate, 7.9% dark green/hunter and purple/plum 6.9%. But they did choose lighter, vibrant colors like orange, yellow, peach or pink as their secondary or accent color. In 2010, weddings will continue along this trend as couples choose their favorite darker color as an anchor and accent it with fresh, fun colors.

Finally, it seems that weddings are getting slightly more casual. 66.9% of our respondents say that their weddings will feature semi-formal attire for their guests such as suits and cocktail dresses, and 17.6% are going the relaxed route with unbuttoned collars, slacks and skirts. With only 14.6% choosing formal attire like black ties and gowns, it looks like 2010 will be the year of the more casual and laid-back wedding, and that’s a good thing as we all take a deep breath and focus on the real joy of weddings as a celebration of love and commitment.

Happy planning in 2010 – Jeff

Jeff Kear is co-owner of My Wedding Workbook, the the next-generation online wedding planner with free planning tools for engaged couples, My Wedding Workbook Professional Edition, the online business and event management software for wedding consultants.

Amanda Heer of FANTASY FLORAL DESIGNS, could have never imagined that ten years after her first creative spark to turn her vintage brooch collection into a bouquet, would lead her to where she is at now…handcrafting and selling vintage brooch flower bouquets to BRIDES AROUND THE WORLD!

If you are looking for a bouquet that will last forever, then stop searching, because these beautiful, handmade-vintage flower brooch bouquets are an absolute treasure! They would especially make a perfect bouquet for sentimental and eco-conscious brides.

I would say that Amanda has found a way to turn her fantasy for making brooch bouquets into a reality! To learn more about her services and to see more of her sparkly bouquet designs, visit her brooch blog at Fantasy Floral Designs Blog. WAIT! There is more…I stopped in to OmniBride and searched the wedding blogosphere to find other bloggers who have found and raved about Amanda’s brooch bouquet creations. Visit these other fabulous wedding blogs and read what they had to say about this very “broochable” topic…Ruffled Blog, and Memoirs of a Wedding Planner

I am very excited to announce here on The Wedding Chat, the launch of a new digital shelter magazine, my business partner Jodi Murphy and I recently launched called Nesting Newbies™ Magazine – For Those New to Nesting and Those Who are Obsessed with their Nests!

Check out the premier issue of Nesting Newbies Magazine, a quarterly magazine that aims to inspire readers, making them feel comfortable about home-keeping their way. The articles reinforce the magazine’s message that cooking, entertaining, and decorating can be easy, fun, and affordable.

In the Fall Premier Issue, Chef Lea McIntosh shares some of her original recipes for a Thanksgiving to Go, perfect dishes for a Thanksgiving potluck.

Kathy Goodman from Well Rehearsed has some wonderful ideas for a caramel apple dessert bar and delicious fall-tinis.

Kirsten McKay from Brick Monkey sets a harvest table that will easily transition into the holidays.

Barclay Butera took a moment from his busy schedule to offer advice to newbie homeowners.

Shelly Amoroso transformed a San Francisco basement garage into 5 distinct living spaces.

I got a chance to share the back cover with my pooch, Bentley! Hmmmm…what do you think he loves more? The pie or his mommy?

Each issue will include must-haves for your kitchen pantry and your home plus highlights of some of the staff’s favorite foodie, event, and design blogs. You’ll find the magazine at nestingnewbies.com.

Become a fan on Facebook to hear about upcoming contests.

The Wedding Chat has been a labor of love and a launching pad to something new and exciting for the entire online wedding community. You see we discovered a black hole…

As bloggers in the wedding industry we adore the vast blogosphere but, for a while, have felt such a deep void when attempting to research and find great content. Oh, we know it’s out there. In fact we take pride in the topics we’ve covered. But think about it-when you try to find something it’s often a time-consuming, hit-or-miss experience. There is so much valuable information out there and searching is like drifting aimlessly out in space.

Well, our frustration turned into opportunity. We connected with some tech virtuosos to help us create OmniBride, the first search-find-share destination solely for the wedding industry.

Our mission was to bring the entire online wedding community together so none of us has to wander aimlessly through the Internet to find great ideas, inspirations and resources.

We are just beginning to officially launch OmniBride and say a fond farewell to The Wedding Chat. We are sad for TWC to end as it has been steadily growing in popularity but feel our mission to bring together the entire online wedding community is the best use of our energies. We felt it even more when blogger Kelly Gribben, Keg Design, landed on us while she was randomly checking her site meter…”I discovered OmniBride as a referring site and one that is solely devoted to wedding-related things. What a cool concept! It’s definitely something the online wedding community can use.” We hope you think so too!

For brides: You’ll find that OmniBride is the most comprehensive destination for researching and planning your wedding.

For bloggers: Your voices will be heard by an exponentially greater audience. If the community loves your content, your stats will grow—and so will your fan base.

For industry: You have the opportunity to find out what the online wedding community is saying (or not saying) about your goods and services. You can engage in the community dialogues.

For journalists: This is your tool for researching and uncovering the latest buzz and resources.

You have the power to rate the value of a search result by either “loving” or “trashing” it so, unlike a general search engine, the community determines what rises to the top. So participate often and let your voice be heard throughout the wedding universe!

But there’s more to OmniBride—check out our feeds for the daily news and the most current wedding-related contests and giveaways. And if it’s being talked about—we’ll find it!

You may have noticed that this is a BETA version of OmniBride. This means that Version 1 is ready for take-off. But our vision doesn’t end here—count on an explosion of features and functions in the near future. For now, enjoy your exploration…and let us know about your experiences of finding it in the wedding cosmos.

Welcome to NESTING NEWBIES, the show that shows you how to have a home tweet home. Whether you’re a newlywed, newly out on your own, or have never had a clue!

Learn to prepare recipes such as Italian Sausage Ragu, Risotto Dungeness Crabcakes, or to even set a Mediterranean Seaside Table. Below, you can catch a glimpse of what you will see when you head over to nestingnewbies.com.

To make a show like Nesting Newbies, it takes an incredibly talented team! I feel very lucky to be working with such high-caliber professionals and product sponsors who collaborate to bring you each and every “Newbisode”.

While you are over there make sure to add Nesting Newbies to your feed, as we will be introducing new and exciting features soon! Enjoy the show! -Chef Lea McIntosh

Bippity Boppity Boo! Kathy Jo Peterson, wedding planner and founder of RAISE THE CAKE, has waved her magic wand and transformed the traditional, ordinary silver cake stand into a new and creative way to elevate your cake “IN STYLE!”

Choose from the pre-designed collection or create something unique that will match your special occasion and style. They come in a variety of colors and sizes with prices beginning at $250 for custom versions. To boot, they are lightweight, yet sturdy enough to hold the tallest of wedding cakes! Wait a minute here…who says “you can’t have your cake and eat it too”? -TR

To learn more about about these creative cake stands, visit www.raisethecake.com.

If you want to create impact and something totally unique -  add fire to your wedding ceremony!  Imagine how dramatic two of these Tower units from EcoSmart Fire would look – a great alternative to an arbor or floral display.  And when the wedding’s over, you’ll have a haute alternative to a traditional fireplace in your home.

EcoSmart Fire is an Australian innovation and every one of their products is environmentally friendly and safe.  They’re flue less and don’t require special utility installation so they fit anywhere.  Fueled by denatured ethanol, they burn clean and are virtually maintenance free.

The Tower is a modern interpretation of the entrance lighting that signified prominent status during the Roman Empire.  Constructed of black or white powder coated steel, it features a stainless steel burner insert and toughened glass surround.  It can be installed indoors or out.  You can find EcoSmart Fire products all over the world. – JM