What's Hot! New Wedding Themes for 2013

English Romance

Move over, Kate Middleton -- Lady Mary's wedding (and dress!) in Downton Abbey's third season will have a huge impact on weddings over the next year.

 

Fashion: We'll see lots of long, billowy sleeves and tons of lace backs with illusion necklines all over the bridal salons this next year. Those long sleeves and lace will be accompanied by long, traditional veils, cloche veils and even pretty braided headbands. Within this trend, we're also seeing some unique uses of sheer elements in gowns. For instance, this Badgley Mischka dress has a vintage-style capelet attached, while the Jenny Packham gown has long, sheer sleeves that are beautifully beaded.

 

Tablescapes: Think: English-flower-garden-themed centerpieces, low and lush displays that are sophisticated and carefully arranged. Gold candelabras and lots of ornate charger plates and overlay linens will finish the look.

 

Food and cocktails: For dinner, traditional main courses and meats like ham, Cornish game hen and even quail are all favorites for the next year. On the drinks menu: gin cocktails and specialty liqueurs like elderflower, served up in pretty cut-crystal glassware.

Great Gatsby Glamour

What began with Boardwalk Empire lives on with the upcoming Baz Luhrmann production of The Great Gatsby. So when translated into a wedding, that means we're going to see everything from classic garden party receptions to over-the-top black and gold affairs.

 

Fashion: The decadent dinner party scenes from all the upcoming movies and shows of the next year are sure to inspire bridal party fashion. We'll see rich fabrics like silk and chiffon -- fabrics that really move with the body -- and strategic embellishments, which means that the beading and crystal details aren't flashy but you definitely have a bit of glitz in your gown.

 

Tablescapes: Event designers and florists alike will look to set designs from The Great Gatsby to create stunning, romantic tablescapes with roses and peonies.

 

Food and cocktails: Pigs in a blanket, deviled eggs, tea sandwiches, and oysters on the half shell and champagne cocktails are all trends from a bygone era making their way back onto the wedding menu.

Mod

On dresses, invitations and table designs, mod touches and bold, graphic prints -- reminiscent of the spring collections from A-list designers Marc Jacobs and Michael Kors -- give wedding elements the perfect creative bent for 2013.

 

Fashion: Structured dresses with a '60s flair fit this vibe. We're talking bateau necklines, little white gloves, pouf veils and a streamlined dress with a bow accent. A bright pair of heels in red, pink or blue finishes the look.

 

Tablescapes: Add in a more modern take on the table -- from simple monochromatic floral arrangements to square plates. And interesting design details like lamp shades hanging over -- or even on -- tables will look really fresh and fun for 2013.

 

Food and cocktails: It's all about creating a modern, fresh atmosphere -- so tasting plates with smaller portions fit the vibe. Also, interesting cocktails like sparkling hibiscus punch, and cranberry and ginger tea cocktails will be a hit.

 

 

Homestead Elegance

Last year, the "ritzy ranch" theme was huge, and this year it's still going strong.

 

Fashion: This look is very romantic and natural. So it might be a beautiful lace dress with a sheer neckline and pretty buttons all the way up the back, or it might be more structured, like a fit-to-flare gown with a few sparkly hints and a romantic, loose hairstyle. Grooms want to make a fashion statement too, but they're looking into woven fabrics like tweeds and herringbone to do so.

 

Tablescapes: Designers aren't skimping on flowers in this category. The idea is to create a luxe tablescape and juxtapose it against a rustic backdrop, like a mountain lodge, a farm or, of course, a ranch. Draping is also going to be a popular way to add a polished look to an otherwise casual locale.

 

Food and cocktails: The food is wholesome and approachable. Think: farm-fresh salads, seasonal soups and main courses, and fun touches like local beer flights or a cheese table highlighting all the local varieties.

 

 

 

Geeked-Out Weddings

Couples continue to outdo one another in the tech world with Instagram wedding albums, video guest books, QR code save-the-dates, virtual guests (via live stream) and over-the-top wedding websites, featuring a guest of honor a week, polls, videos and more.