Watercolor palettes, sky-high cakes, sheer dresses and wild florals are all trending for spring. Here’s how to take these hot spring wedding trends and make them yours.

Wedding Trends

  1.  Watercolor Palettes

    Watercolor tablescape and custom wedding details

    PHOTO BY CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: JOSE VILLA; MATTHEW MOORE PHOTOGRAPHY; ELLIE ASHER PHOTO

    Is monochrome totally your thing? Then you’ll love this season’s color trend: pastel watercolors! From envelope liners to place cards, these brushstroke designs make every detail truly one of a kind. Whether you’re going for a subtle ombré design or combining two vibrant colors, watercolor is an ideal way for multiple hues to live together in one cohesive design.

2. Sheer Dress Details

Sheer wedding dresses with romantic beading details

PHOTO BY FROM LEFT: LORETO CACERES PHOTOGRAPHY; COLLEEN STEPANIAN PHOTOGRAPHY

Illusion necklines, airy fabrics and romantic details seem to go hand in hand with the breezy spring weather, making this dress trend especially fitting for the season. Not only do these dresses photograph like an ethereal dream, but there’s such a range between styles. Go for a bohemian design made of loose crystals, a sweet floral illusion neckline or a sexy (semi!) see-through lace corset.

3. Tall Tiers

Tall wedding cakes with floral and berry details

PHOTO BY CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: ONELOVE PHOTOGRAPHY; WILLOW NOAVI PHOTOGRAPHY; ANNAMARIE AKINS PHOTOGRAPHY; MICHELLE LANGE PHOTOGRAPHY

Couples are going above and beyond to make sure the cake is the exclamation point of the reception. Keep in mind, a tall cake doesn’t have to mean a fancy, column-clad design. We’re seeing just as many towering naked cakes as we are fondant-covered tiers—it’s all about personalizing your day to your style. Same goes for the topper! The hottest topper this season is a calligraphy-style phrase that speaks to the couple’s personality.

4. Colored Stones

Bride with pastel colored nails holding a bouquet

PHOTO BY CORBIN GURKIN PHOTOGRAPHY

Colored stones have always been popular, but Kate Middleton’s sapphire sparkler gave them an even bigger boost, and Iggy Azalea’s yellow canary sealed the deal. Daring brides are straying from the traditional diamond when it comes to center stones, opting instead for a symbolic or sentimental gem. Don’t want to give up your dream diamond? Swap in a small colored gemstone on the wedding band or engagement ring setting—it doesn’t have to steal the show, but you’ll know it’s there.

5. Interactive Stations and Family-Style Serving

Passsed Hors d'oeuvres

PHOTO BY CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: NATALIE FRANKE PHOTOGRAPHY; 5IVE 5IFITEEN PHOTO COMPANY; PROCOPIO PHOTOGRAPHY

The foodie movement has officially made its way into wedding menus. Locally sourced and seasonal ingredients, location-specific specialties and interactive food stations are transforming sit-down dinners into playful family-style meals. Signature sips are still trending too, so if you’re feeling like going above and beyond, host a cocktail hour with a few different drink options and complementary appetizer stations before dinner.

6. Floral Prints

Floral print wedding dress, bridesmaids dresses and bow tie

PHOTO BY CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: MICHELLE MARCH PHOTOGRAPHY; WILLOW NOAVI PHOTOGRAPHY; LENA PETERSON PHOTOGRAPHY

Ranging from barely there silhouettes to bold statement designs, New York Bridal Fashion Week runways made floral prints the hottest pattern this season. Want to stick with white? Dress your bridesmaids in a happy posy print instead. You could even opt for a floral tie for the groom and pocket squares for the groomsmen to tie the whole bridal party look together.

7. Overflowing Blooms and Garlands

Wild-looking blooms and lemon leaf garlands

PHOTO BY CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: DELESIE INC; GINNY CORBETT PHOTOGRAPHY; MICHELLE HUBER PHOTOGRAPHY; ONELOVE PHOTOGRAPHY

Embrace this blooming season in full force. Green garlands of ivy, lemon leaves or seeded eucalyptus will add a fresh look to long feasting tables or aisles. Or opt for flowering branches, like cherry blossoms or forsythia—they’ll add height to your reception tables and make for easy conversation. Take advantage of spring flowers like sweet peas, lilacs, hyacinths, tulips and peonies (everyone’s favorite wedding flower). Plus, choosing in-season stems gives you the freshest flowers, and the most bang for your buck.

8. Personalized Invites

Customized wedding invitations

PHOTO BY CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: KT MERRY PHOTOGRAPHY; ABBY JIU PHOTOGRAPHY; ABBY ROSE PHOTO; CLY BY MATTHEW

Your invitation is guests’ first impression of your wedding, so use that opportunity to show off your unique style. If a custom wedding suite is out of budget, don’t worry—adding one or two personal touches to your invitations is a reasonably approachable DIY project that can be done post-professional printing. Something simple like sealing your envelopes with a wax motif or using custom stamps is enough to make it feel personalized and polished.

9. Ponytails and Buns

Bridal ponytails and sleek ballerina buns

PHOTO BY CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: IRIS PHOTOGRAPHY; ARTISTRIE CO.; REDFIELD PHOTOGRAPHY

Undone buns and messy waves will always have their place in the bridal beauty world, but this season, brides are revisiting a simpler look: sleek ponytails and ballerina buns. With your locks pulled back, your facial features can really shine (especially with some highlighting). What we love about this trend? Styled with the no-makeup makeup look, you can play with bold accessories and wear an even more fashion-forward dress to show off your impeccable style.

10. Ombré Lips

Light pink ombré lipstick trend

PHOTO BY KURT WILBERDING

If you’re a lipstick enthusiast looking for a different look for your wedding day, you’re in luck. This two-toned trend does to your lips what contouring does to your cheekbones: defines and illuminates. The two colors shouldn’t be more than a few shades apart, with the color starting darker at the middle and subtly fading outward. Try a subtle berry-to-peach look, or go bold with red to fuschia.

11. Punny Favors

Creative wedding favor ideas

PHOTO BY CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: WE ARE DIAMOND EYES; AL GAWLIK PHOTOGRAPHY; LAURA SEGALL PHOTOGRAPHY; ONELOVE PHOTOGRAPHY; JENNA MARIE PHOTOGRAPHY

The hottest favor idea? A practical thank-you gift paired with a little giggle—because who doesn’t love a good pun? Make it yours by picking a favor that speaks to your wedding theme. Planning on a chic teepee lounge? Give out teapee favors. Throwing a playful country wedding? Try jars of honey tagged with the phrase “meant to bee”.

Source: The Knot and BlogsRelease