2013 WEDDING TRENDS

1. MINT

Why the sudden like for mint? The vintage trend has brought mint green back to the forefront as it was the color of choice for many home and personal items (such as telephones, typewriters, appliances, bathroom sinks and tile) in the 1940s and 1950s. Mix with lemon yellow for a beautiful, fresh color palette.

Ideas to incorporate mint into your wedding include shoes, bridesmaid gowns and cupcake icing.

2. BRIDESMAID DRESS TRENDS

This season, many of the biggest bridesmaid dress trends looked quite familiar. From peplums to illusion necklines, popular wedding gown details are making their way to 'maids.

Ever since Pippa Middleton made her grand entrance to the Royal Wedding, white bridesmaid dresses have transformed from taboo to trend. I like how designers are adding black details to white bridesmaid dresses for some modern contrast.

3. WEDDING DRESS TRENDS

a. Color Many designers splashed their dresses this season with bold strokes of color, including smoldering reds, heavenly blues, and—of course—requisite bridal blushes.

b. Portrait Backs Last season's sexy backs returned for Spring 2013 with a more demure, romantic attention to delicate embroideries, lace frames, and peekaboo keyholes. Sheer backs are sexy, but still modest. I personally LOVE the look.

c. Peplums Borrowing a popular silhouette from the couture runways, waist-defining peplums injected wedding gowns with a dose of haute style using both structured and softly draped shapes. This look is very high fashion and sexy.

d. Lace Nouveau Duchess Kate's royal wedding gown proved its influence after almost every collection this season showed some variation on lace—albeit unlike anything your grandmother would have worn. There's something about lace that pushes back on the technology-driven society we live in. It's soft. It's romantic. It takes us away.

e. Transformers With more brides than ever calling for second party dresses, designers answered that demand with convertible styles that use removable skirts, trains, and capes to create a distinct reception look. “Think about how heavy your dress is going to be walking down the aisle, because some women really want to be able to move and run around later. What we're seeing now is something for the ceremony and something for the reception that you can buy all at once. It works as an outfit that you peel away.”

f. Whipped, Frothy Skirts Airy and ethereal, yet dramatic skirts floated down the runways pumping up the volume this season.

g. Cap Sleeves Who says strapless is queen? Since the whole fashion world is crazy about vintage these days, it is no wonder that vintage styles have been seen in today’s wedding dresses again and again. Cap sleeve is just one of the comebacks.

h. Big, Bold Embellishments For the brides who subscribe to the "bigger is better" mantra, bridal designers are creating bold confections. Embellished ribbon oversized bows and floral details stood out on the runways.

i. Crystal and Ice Fabrics covered in micro-crystals that create the shimmer of ice were rocking the runways....the perfect choice for the winter bride.

j. Sassy and Short While, some brides are choosing to wear short, fun second wedding dress, many brides have been simply fetching the traditional floor-length gowns in favor of shorter, flirtier pieces. This season most designers included in their collections some sassy short dresses that would be perfect for partying all night long.

4. VINTAGE GLAMOUR The vintage look is all the rage right now. Birdcage veils, lace, pearls, white gloves, tulle under skirts, sleek heels, broaches, and bright red lips are a few ways to get this look. The classic elegance of the 50's and 60's exudes simplicity. Some couples are opting for a cocktail reception with classic big band and swing music complete with martinis.

5. STYLE SURPRISES From a pair of high-top sneakers peeking out from under his tux to a glimpse of a pink petticoat under the hemline of her dress, bridal couples are putting their personal touches in their weddings more than ever. Couples are really showing their individuality, underneath it all.

6. NON-CLONE BRIDESMAIDS Gone are the days when the bridesmaids all had to march down the aisle in the same Pepto Bismol pink, poofy, taffeta monstrosity. It’s trendy now to give them some guidelines and let them pick their own dress. Give your bridesmaids a choice of colors or styles and let them choose something that's more flattering and that they can wear again.

7. BIRDS Birds are huge in home décor and fashion right now and that trend will carry over into weddings in 2013. Maybe it is the popularity of Angry Birds or the song of the mocking jay in the Hunger Games that has brought birds back into the limelight, but they make for a beautiful, natural wedding theme.

8. BRAIDS Look around at the current popular movies and television shows – like Snow White and the Huntsman, The Hunger Games and Games of Thrones – and you’ll see braids everywhere. There are a variety of ways to wear braids for both the bride and the bridesmaids, not to mention great hair accessories that will accent the style perfectly.