Simple, clean, and natural will be the statement in this years hot wedding trends. We will see a more casual approach with inspiration being drawn from nature.

Gone are the generic ball rooms your décor should tell a story. Theme receptions will be popular this season. Couples are choosing to have home style weddings. Mansions and out door wedding venues are a popular choice, so is the destination wedding. Smaller weddings, with a guest list of 60-120 or so are on the rise.

Matchy Matchy color schemes are out this year. Transition of color is popular. Staring with your invitations which are a sneak peak of what is to come to you reception as the finally. Starting with simple clean invitations and ending with bold colors for your reception is hot. Limiting your color palate to only two colors is out.

Again we are drawing inspiration from nature. The garden wedding is being inspired by vibrant greens. Blue turquoise and coral reef are the color choices for a beach theme this year. Pink is still the it color. Slate grey is replacing chocolate, and lavender is making an appearance.

Ceremonies and receptions are becoming more casual and not traditional. Grooms are trading for their tuxes for suits. The women are no longer wearing ball gowns; instead they are choosing evening gowns. Vintage is in, think early Hollywood glamour. Though white is still the traditional choice for brides they are adding color to the details. Colored beading and embroidery is in.

The formal china and round tables are out. Square or long family style tables are top choices. Table linens with bold color, beading, embroidery, multi-colored, and sheer overlays are popular. These bold linens are being set with colored glass plates and stem ware. Make a statement with curvaceous, wavy plates; or unusually shaped plates.

Unique and new ideas are being used to make the little details less ordinary. Guest and escort cards are getting up and off that tired table. Hang them from tress, clotheslines, or decorated boards. Place cards and table numbers are being made from white chocolate dipped stem berries, small pears, and other unusual items.

Tulle draping and fluffy white bows are being replaced with candles and lanterns in hallways at the entrance and on stairs.

Ethnic touches are popular. Food is being influenced by Thai, Indian, Chinese, and Japanese, cuisine. Beef, lamb, and halibut are still popular meats. Fusion cuisine is becoming a favorite of brides and grooms. It is a combination of 2 or more food styles form places such as North Africa, Middle East, and South East Asia.

Individual servings are in, from one bite hors d'oeurvres to menu items customized for small plates. These are being served in mini mugs, shot glasses, votive holders, sliver spoons, edible spoons, small bowls, and other unusual containers.

Family style sit down dinners with long tables are replacing the small grouped seating. Platters are placed every four people to be shared by the group.

Think about serving non alcoholic beverages such as flavored waters, gourmet coffees, designer teas, and fruit smoothies. Look for wines from California, Chili, Argentina, and Australia. The Mojito is still a popular wedding cocktail. Some fun new drinks include the Sakitini, made with sake or plum wine; the Sea Breeze; and the Courvoiserpolitain which uses Courvoisier instead of vodka for a Cosmopolitan.

Wedding cakes are getting a change as well butter cream as smooth as fondant is replacing fondant as the choice among brides. If you do not like butter cream, ask for a white or dark chocolate finish for your cake. Cakes are blending with your theme, with irregular tier heights and alternating design. The sugar flowers are being replaced with painted floral, geometric, and free form designs.