If you're getting married or have been a part of the wedding world at all, then you absolutely know of the inspirational wedding blog 100 Layer Cake. And if you don't know about them, I'm telling you, click on that link now (well, first read this blog post)! I can't gush enough about what beautiful and inspirational ideas they have for weddings, not to mention insights into travel, design, parties and kids (like their offshoot kids blog: 100LayerCakelet). I have known about these ladies since their inception and am lucky to have known them personally as great friends. We even collaborated on a very successful gift box designed for bridesmaids aptly named, The 100 Layer Cake Bridesmaid. I set up some time to chat with Jillian, one of the co-founders, to talk about trends, things they find inspiring, and why Coachella-chic wedding gowns are coming to an end.

Who is 100 Layer Cake? 

100 layer cake is a creative collaboration between friends and fellow designers Jillian Clark, Amanda Dawbarn, and Kristina Meltzer. From designing and coordinating their own weddings, to babies, to raising families they have stayed consistent with providing valuable and beautiful inspiration for brides, vendors and families through their offshoot family blog, 100 Layer Cakelet.

Bestowe: Jillian, you've done this for over a decade now. All three of you have always been outgoing, people who loves to connect other people with each other, and great human beings, it's no wonder that this business is a success for you. I think some of our readers would really like to know more about what 100 Layer Cake is about. 

Jillian: We are three women who studied design, planned our own weddings, fell in love with the process, and came together to bring our design aesthetic to the wedding market 10 years ago. Our uniquely curated content resonates deeply with our loyal audience of brides, industry professionals, and women who love a well-styled life. 

We’re also an amazing resource for couples looking to find and hire vendors for their events. You can search through our guide or you can post a service request to allow vendors to bid on your request. In 2020, we’ll be expanding on this concept to offer an even better experience when looking to book an event pro for your next event.  

How do you submit your wedding or styled shoot to 100 Layer Cake? 

Bestowe: Your blog has grown with such success in the wedding industry over the past 10+ years and I'm sure all of our brides out there would love to know, how can a couple get onto 100 Layer Cake as a feature? What are you looking for? 

Jillian: If you'd like to submit your work, we'd love to see it! We prefer submissions via Dropbox, Pixieset or a link to another online gallery. We'll contact you within two weeks if we're interested in featuring it. Remember to include detail shots or anything noteworthy about your submission. Our readers love content that is romantic, trend-setting, creative, handmade, unique, or any combination of the above. As a rule we prefer to show content that hasn't been published elsewhere, but we're always open to exceptions for the right submission. If you think your work is a good fit, please send it over!

Email submissions directly to submissions@100layercake.com.

Bestowe: You ladies have seen a lot of weddings, with 1-2 blog posts coming out each and every day, and many more submissions for each coming in than you can count;

What Top 3 trends in weddings are you seeing happening? 

Wedding Trend #1

Jillian: The biggest trends we’re seeing in weddings are in the floral department. Whether it’s an amazing floral backdrop, an oversized hanging arrangement above the tables, or the use of unexpected and exotic arrangements, florists are shinning in the events industry. 

Photography: Maria Bryzhko / Event Design: Four Leaf Event / Florals: SIGNORELLI art & flower

Photography: Cavin Elizabeth Photography / Florist: The Dainty Lion

Photography: Nectarine Photography / Stylist: Tiffany Keal Creative Studio / Florist: Natural Art

Photography: Zhenya Swan / Second Photographer: Masha Burova / Planning, Concept, & Style: Mrs. Maxim Wed Bureau / Flowers & Décor: Flowers Lovers 

Wedding Trend #2

Jillian: Other than decor, we’re also seeing couples really go to great lengths to get incredible portraits. Whether they're climbing to the peaks of mountains, scavenging for the most epic waterfall backdrop, taking a Helicopter to secluded location or repelling from canyons, adventure is alive in well in couples today to get that epic, most “liked" shot. What I love about this trend is that we are also seeing some very sweet elopement moments as well. 

Bestowe: I guess in a way, it's saying a lot about the marriage itself, that marriage is like a leap of faith and commitment. I am absolutely loving these, Jillian. Thank you for sharing.

If you'd like to see more photos from some of these weddings, click here.

Zion National Park hiking elopement, Utah / Photos by The Hearnes

Denali National Park helicopter elopement in Alaska / Photos by The Hearnes

Joshua Tree desert elopement / Photos by Asha Bailey

Wedding Trend #3

Jillian: Lastly, more couples are forgoing the big 200-300 person wedding and opting for an intimate more personal event to sanction their union. This way they can keep the budget low without skimping on some design details, food, or entertainment to make the day special.

Photography: Emily Delamater / Venue: O’Maine Studios in Portland, Maine / Coordination: Bride & Groom / Florist: Yellow Twist Floral Design 

100 Layer Cake's Favorite Weddings of 2019:

Detroit Art Museum Wedding

A sentimental, industrial modern wedding at the Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit: HERE.

Photography: Hallie Kohler / Ceremony Venue: La Dolce Vita / Reception Venue: Museum of Contemporary Art, Detroit (MOCAD) / Planning: Adeline Rose Events / Floral Design: Sweetwater Floral

Maine Wedding On a Budget

How a wedding photographer planned her unique Maine wedding on a budget: HERE

Photography: Emily Delamater / Venue: O’Maine Studios in Portland, Maine / Coordination: Bride & Groom / Florist: Yellow Twist Floral Design 

A Rustic Wedding 

A rustic wedding at Red Barn Ranch inspired by berries and summer flowers: HERE

Photography & Videography: The Arroyos / Venue: Red Barn Ranch in Hopland CA / Planning & Design: Prim Event Studio / Floral Design: Amanda Vidmar Design

Modern Bohemian Wedding

Jewel-toned bohemian wedding at The Acre Orlando HERE

Photography: Darling Juliet  / Venue: The Acre Orlando / Planning, Design & Florals: Ashton Events  

 Romantic Hawaiian Getaway Wedding

Romantic Hawaii wedding with an insanely cool dress, inspired by a Maui sunset: HERE

Photography: Carlie Statsky / Venue: Olowalu Plantation House on Maui / Event Coordination: Belle Destination Weddings & Events, Inc. / Event Design: Bride, Amanda of A Touch of Grace / Floral Design: Mandy Grace Floral & Event Design 

Ditch it or Dream it

Bestowe: I'm trying something new with my interviews: "Ditch It" or "Dream It". It's kind of like a What’s in and what’s out section. I've given 100 Layer Cake some trendy wedding ideas to see what they think of them.