Are you a trendy or a traditional bride? Although the question is straightforward, the answer is not. To make matters more complicated, “Granny Chic” is very trendy right now. “Granny Chic” or “Nana Chic,” as I like to call it, is all of the old fashioned elements that your grandmother will approve of that are popping up in wedding fashion and décor. Think of ladies luncheons, high tea, china patterns, doilies, lace and pearls. Now, there is nothing wrong with any of the traditional and you can see pieces of all of these things have been carried through bridal fashion over decades.

Often, when looking at wedding photos there are clues as to the decade based on the fashion trends. Looking at the fifties, there were gloves and the sweetheart neckline, which was popularized by Elizabeth Taylor. In the sixties the fashion was bouffant veils, a high empire waist, and daisies. The seventies was more of a mishmash of the bohemian bride walking down the aisle barefoot, hair flowing, in a peasant dress or punk-influenced dresses and suits inspired by disco. The most iconic dress of the 1980’s was that of Princess Diana with a dramatic train, cinched waist and enormous puffed sleeves. An eighties wedding is easily identifiable as the royal influence carried through right down to the flower girls with their floral crowns. In the ‘90’s there was movement towards minimalism, elopement, and destination weddings. I have styled many brides of the 2000’s and like the 70’s there are a wide range of styles available in terms of fashion, ceremony and reception.

When I help couples plan their wedding, I’m editing their vision by balancing what is a very traditional process with the latest fashions and trends that fall within their taste. Here are just a few of my thoughts on where it is appropriate to be on trend and where you should remain traditional.

When putting together your wedding, you should do you – don’t dismiss tradition but don’t jump all over a trend either. Your wedding is not your grandmother’s and the dress and decor doesn’t have to have her approval, just her blessing on the marriage. So, when you are piecing together your big day, think of appropriateness. If you are planning a beach wedding don’t choose a princess ball gown with sky-high heels and don’t show up to a church barely covered in a pair of flip-flops. As the bride, you are going to stand out no matter where you are - standing out is good, while looking out of place is not.

At the ceremony, be creative with the flowers but not with your vows. Vows are not a time for inside jokes or rhymes that make light of the commitment that you are about to make. Marriage is serious, save the jokes for the party.

Don’t forgo a cake to cut. A dessert bar is very trendy right now but the cutting of the cake is a tradition that also signifies when it is okay for guests to leave. Have a small cake to cut and an offering of other handpicked confections.

If you have seen it on Pinterest, so have your friends and family. Now, there is nothing wrong with pinning, in fact, it is a great way to brainstorm. Please use Pinterest as inspiration and make something original that reflects your unique style.

Don’t copy. If you had a choice between a real Louis Vuitton and a knockoff, I’m pretty sure you’d rather have the real thing. When you’re at a friend’s wedding and you love something so much that you would like to have it at your own wedding - just don’t. Instead, think about the feature that you liked and take it to new levels.

Your pictures are going to be in your family longer than you are; you want your attire and décor to tie into your theme seamlessly. Be true to who you are and if you are going to go trendy, be a trendsetter.