What's Hot Now: Top 10 Wedding Trends

The hottest wedding color palettes for the season are light, crisp and airy hues mixed with deeply saturated pops of color. Think: metallic gold and silver accented with bright berry red; muted slate gray and deep emerald green; or champagne paired with magenta and purple.

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Also big?
Ivory weddings with hits of black, blush and champagne for the epitome of a formal sophisticated affair.


-- Anja Winikka
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The trend for invitations this year is to go simple and muted in color and design, marked with statement details like bold calligraphy, patterned envelopes or an interesting wrap. We'll see lots of cozy accents to get guests in the mood for fall, like lace-like patterns and belly bands and illustrated autumn leaves and trees.

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Foil-printed monograms and accents -- in metallic gold and silver, and even colors like purple, green and pink.

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Frothy, airy ball gown wedding dresses have been popular all year. This season, the new twist on the ball gown is the hi-lo hemline. Bonus: The higher hemline in the front will highlight your fabulous shoes!

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Dresses with beautiful backs -- we're talking plunging V-backs, lace-appliqued backs and even sheer backs with painted floral designs.

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The look for wedding hair and makeup right now is decidedly soft and romantic. Natural waves and braids and sideswept chignons topped off with a fresh flower crown or a traditional veil with a blusher are all the rage. For makeup, it's all about a crisp natural look and a bold red or berry lipstick.

Also big?
Dramatic plum lipstick -- inspired by the fall ready-to-wear fashion runways.

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The trendiest bridesmaid dressesl are long and flowy designs in formal hues like berry, plum and navy. Vary the necklines so that every bridesmaid gets to wear a flattering design.

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Knee-length dresses with peplum skirts and structured bodices -- perfect for a chic city wedding.

This season, event and floral designers are taking the cozy reception vibe up a notch by adding lots of monochromatic texture to tabletops. Long farm-style wooden tables topped with white lace, raw silk or crocheted runners and low, lush floral arrangements (that don't block conversation) will create an intimate vibe.

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Cocktail and reception lounges featuring hay bales, quilts and a bonfire, complete with s'mores, for a country wedding; or big easy chairs and cozy couch vignettes for a ballroom or country club wedding.

The hottest arrangements are richly hued textural designs. For example, bright berry red in-season dahlias paired with lotus pods and fiddlehead ferns. Mixed metal vases, votives and vessels (especially in gold) are also hot.

Also big?
Cascade bridal bouquets made up of fall seasonal flowers like dahlias, sedum and even hypericum berries.

Cake bakers are invoking the taste of the season through mouthwatering flavors and frosting like blackberry buttercream and vanilla bean with a hint of cinnamon. Design-wise, classic reigns -- tall round cakes with a pop of bright sugar flowers is the must-have cake style.

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More cake! Cake table buffets and dessert bars filled with fall-flavored desserts like pumpkin spice cake with maple cream cheese frosting, cranberry bread and gingersnaps are huge.

For reception menus, it's not your standard chicken and potatoes -- wedding caterers are designing tasting plate menus that highlight the season: small dishes of pumpkin sage ravioli topped with roasted pumpkin seeds and parmesan; romaine hearts and mesclun with apples and gorgonzola; striped sea bass topped with a fig tapenade; and more.

Also big?
Cheese tables, cheese plates and even cheese carts -- fun for the cocktail hour or even served alongside wedding cake!

Going right along with the food trends, signature cocktails that really highlight seasonal ingredients are must-haves. Bourbon apple ciders, pear margaritas or vodka concord grape puree are just a few ideas.

Also big?
Flights of craft beer during cocktail hour as a fun activity or at dinner, paired with each tasting plate.