The Knot Wedding Style: Easy Ways to Play Up a Spring Wedding

Dreaming of peonies, sundresses, and swapping vows in a garden? From the invites to the menu, here's how to incorporate a little bit of spring into every wedding day detail.

Style and Decor

• Have an allover preppy feel to your celebration. Choose a pretty pink gingham fabric, and feature it everywhere.
• Combine patterns for a unique look. Go for sophisticated stripes with flirty polka dots for a playful effect.
• Choose a spring color, and use a slightly different shade of fabric on each reception table. Your tables will look unified, but not matchy-match.

Invitations

• Have a common springtime motif, such as a peony or a bird, printed on the invites.
• Choose a casual, yet engaging font to reflect a fun spring feeling.
• Instead of a traditional belly band or wrap, use a wide ribbon in your wedding colors to tie up your invites.

Flowers

• Have your florist pair your favorite springtime flower with fruits (ruby-red raspberries, luscious blackberries, or even strawberries) for a fete that feels as homegrown as a picnic in the park.
• Hang floral wreaths from the doors into your church or temple, or from a tree at your ceremony.
• Bring spring indoors by creating a space awash in tiny spring blooms -- from single-bloom bud vases lining the bar to floral-adorned baskets in the bathrooms at the reception.

Menu

• Fill large punch bowls with fresh lemonade, iced tea, and white-wine sangria, garnished with fresh lemons and fruit for a colorful drink menu.
• Instead of more traditional beef, serve spring lamb with a garden-fresh herb sauce.
• Ditch the hot soup idea and present delicate chilled pea soup in shot glasses as hors d'oeuvres.

Wedding Cake

• For a cake that spells spring, serve white cake covered in sugar-dipped long-stem cherries.
• Choose a flavor that's light and fluffy, like a strawberry shortcake covered in pale pink fondant and topped with real strawberries.
• Instead of a simple Swiss-dot pattern, have your cake baker add colorful sugar flowers to your cake tiers.

Favors

• Give bulbs or packets of flower seeds that guests can plant in their gardens or window boxes, tagged with a personalized label.
• Be benevolent and offer a charitable donation to plant a tree in each guest's name.
• Offer mini potted herbs at each place setting to enhance a garden theme.

The Knot -- Allison Micarelli

The Knot Summer Weddings: 8 Hot Summer Wedding Trends

Summer is a popular time for weddings, but that doesn't mean you have to stick with the summer wedding tradition standbys. Read on for eight new ideas for your summer celebration.

Trend 1: Dynamic Colors

Bright hues are popular for summer weddings. But if you try to use too many colors in one space, you might wind up with a look that's more carnival than nuptial.

What's hot now: Think sophisticated brights. Sticking with just two hues (or two plus an accent color) will keep your space unified. Rather than splashing color all over your reception space, use one dynamic color for a strong statement -- think all-pink centerpieces or bold orange table linens. This holds especially true for your centerpieces: Instead of multicolored centerpieces, alternate single-color floral arrangements for a pulled-together look.

Trend 2: Laid-back Music

It's summer, so why not lighten the ambience a little? A pianist or string trio will do the trick if you're having a formal cocktail hour, but to really embrace the season, think about alternative summery music styles.

What's hot now: Create a laid-back vibe during your cocktail hour and dinner with steel drums or a singer accompanied with a ukulele. For the reception, heat up the evening with sultry sounds -- we love the idea of incorporating classic swing or big band music to add a fast, upbeat tempo to the evening.

Trend 3: New Themes

Basic beach or garden themes are classic for the summer. Instead of a generic setting or theme, take the personal route.

What's hot now: Think of your favorite summer hangouts when planning your theme. Rather than just any beach, bring in elements specific to the beach you remember as a kid. If it was a cabin in the woods, go for a mountain theme. Another idea: Honor your honeymoon destination. If you're having a garden wedding but honeymooning in Hawaii, add orchids to your bouquets or fill the bottoms of your centerpiece vases with black lava rocks.

Trend 4: Unexpected Invitations

Letterpressed invites in ivory and black are still as popular and elegant as ever. But if you want to go for something a little more unexpected, ultra-creative wedding invitation designers definitely have color and printing options for you.

What's hot now: Use colors in a new and unexpected way on your invites by reversing the typical invitation color scheme. For example, rather than using fuchsia lettering on a cream-colored invite, opt for cream print on fuchsia paper. Or mix it up -- do the cream-colored invite with fuchsia writing, and then a bright pink reply card with a cream-colored font. Consider the material of your invite as well. One hot-off-the-press idea: Get fabric-printed invites, programs, and escort cards for a laid-back look perfect for summer.

Trend 5: Natural Centerpieces

Cut citrus fruit is a tried-and-true favorite for summertime centerpieces, but other options out there are more unexpected and just as visually appealing.

What's hot now: Love fruit but want something new? Have your florist use hollowed-out watermelons as a centerpiece container for a casual look that's fun and seasonal. Another option is to go natural and green with your containers. Incorporate wooden vases or pedestals with grass or moss to give centerpieces a textured, natural feel.

Trend 6: Wine Smoothies

Your guests will definitely want something cold and frosty, but margaritas and daiquiris can be had at any summertime bar. Instead, go for a libation that's a little out of the ordinary.

What's hot now: Wine smoothies are cold, frosty, and pack less of an alcoholic punch than margaritas. Perfect for your cocktail hour and as a signature drink for the evening, ask your caterer about serving one of these concoctions. A wine smoothie consists of a fruity wine, like rose, blended with ice and fruits of your choice. Garnished with a couple of berries or fruit slices, it makes for a refreshing and unexpected signature sip.

Trend 7: Beyond Wedding Cake

White wedding cakes are popular for every season, and of course, chocolate always reigns for groom's cakes. But with cake bakers nowadays offering so many delectable flavors and fillings, why not try a seasonal selection?

What's hot now: Get inspired by the summer flavors you loved as a child. Think fresh strawberries and whipped cream filling for a strawberry shortcake-style wedding cake, or a citrus-infused filling like Key lime, lemon, or orange vanilla buttercream that honors a summertime fruit. Beyond the cake, consider serving other desserts. A big-hit idea we love: Hire an ice cream truck to arrive at the end of the night offering summertime favorites -- the perfect nostalgic, late-night snack for your guests.

Trend 8: Eco-Friendly Favors

Classic summer favors like flip-flops and drink koozies will always satisfy, but why not give back to the planet while you give back to your guests?

What's hot now: Eco-friendly favors are bigger than ever, particularly if you're taking advantage of natural beauty and marrying outdoors. One idea: Give guests locally grown herbs planted in recyclable glass jars or tin cans. Dressed up with ribbon or paper in your wedding colors, they're gorgeous and good for the earth. Beyond plants, you might also consider donating to a local charity for a wedding favor idea that never goes out of season.

Special thanks to: Lori Stephenson, owner and senior event consultant, LOLA Event Productions, Chicago, IL; Miriam Phalen, owner and event planner, Sterling Events LLC, New York, NY

--The Knot -  Kate Wood

The Knot Fall Weddings: 11 Glam Fall Wedding Ideas

Design an elegant fall wedding that pays homage to the season with some of our favorite new ideas.

Need a little style inspiration for your fall wedding? We quizzed event planning experts in search of ideas that will make your ceremony and reception totally contemporary. In short, it's all about texture, deliciously rich colors, glamorous touches, and a few elements that say (but don't scream) "fall."

Textured Linens

This season, wedding decor is all about texture. That means tablecloths in tactile, visually intriguing materials like quilted or ruched silk, linen, velvet, or even Ultrasuede. Use fabric with a crimped look or multiple textures (like organza embroidered with bits of chenille), or layer two tablecloths (think sheer velvet on top of taffeta).

Bright Accents

For an of-the-moment look, mix subdued neutrals with surprise pops of bright color. One stylish bride ordered custom-made napkins in natural linen with magenta silk undersides, which peeked just slightly when they were folded on the table.

Seasonal Napkins

Speaking of napkins, they're a clever place to work in seasonal accents. Tie them with a small bundle of millet or a crab apple accent for a fall feel. Look for inexpensive seasonal napkin rings at places like Crate & Barrel or Pier 1 Imports (you'll find simple but stunning ones in gold and silver, wood grain, resin, and great fall colors). You can also make your own napkin bands using velvet or grosgrain ribbon.

Fall Aisle Style

Add a seasonal touch to your ceremony by using shafts of wheat or bunches of grapes (real or faux) as aisle markers. It's harvest season in the vineyards, so say your vows under a pergola covered with grape vines -- even if you're not in the wine country.

Metallic Details

Metallic accents continue to be huge, from classic silver and gold to more unexpected (and fitting for fall) pewter copper and bronze. Mercury glass vases will add glamorous pops of silver to cocktail tables and centerpieces. Gold and silver leaf accessories will liven up any table or place setting. Beyond vases, think napkin rings and framed photos telling the story of your relationship.

Dramatic Glass

Black glass or crystal (like Baccarat's romantic-meets-goth creations) will add a fashionable and unique touch to tabletops as onyx crystal goblets or vases. Fill the vases with champagne-colored flowers to heighten the drama.

Less is More

Rather than tons of tiny votives, make a statement with thick pillar candles in rich hues like pomegranate and aubergine. Display them in beds of big crystals for a glitzy and glam effect.

Classy Chandeliers

Add flair to any space with chandeliers (they can be hung from the ceilings of tents too). Consider a modern piece dripping in Swarovski crystals, or vintage varieties filled with candles.

Indoor Foliage

If the weather requires you to stay indoors for the reception, but you want to add a natural element, rim the room with potted deciduous trees showing off their most electric fall colors.

Fall Gobo Effects

Another way to bring the season indoors: Illuminate the dance floor or the ceiling of a tent with a branch pattern (created by a gobo lighting effect) and warm amber light. It will look as if the early evening sun is streaming through the trees.

Mood Lighting

By using LED light fixtures, you can easily change the mood for different portions of the party. Start cocktails with a sunny effect; move to pink and purple sunset tones on the walls and ceiling during dinner; and then slowly morph into a deep blue with white "stars" as you and your guests take to the dance floor.

Sources: Jennifer Brisman Weddings, New York; Robyn Goldberg Weddings & Special Events, New York; Debi Lilly from A Perfect Event, Chicago; DeJuan Stroud, New York

-- The Knot

The Knot Winter Weddings: 10 New Winter Wedding Ideas

Snowflakes and pinecones are tried-and-true winter wedding motifs, but don't feel bound to these seasonal standbys. Here are 10 ways to reinvent your winter wedding.

Wedding Colors

Reds and greens certainly reflect the season, but overdo this color combo, and your wedding may seem more holiday-oriented than you intended.

What's Hot Now: Consider a less-is-more approach to your color palette: Silver and white with crystal accents can add some serious glamour to your winter wedding. For your ceremony, try a white velvet aisle runner trimmed with white satin ribbon, or decorate the altar with a crystal curtain backdrop adorned with hanging strands of elegant white phalaenopsis orchids. If you're exchanging vows outdoors, get your guests in on creating the ambience by giving out clear umbrellas to friends and family members as they arrive.

Holly motifs spell out the season pretty clearly, but they might not dazzle your guests.

The Flowers

Red roses, calla lilies, and amaryllis are decidedly winter wedding flowers, but if you step outside the flower box, and you'll find a variety of options for winter blooms

What's Hot Now: Consider fuller flowers, such as white hydrangeas and soft ranunculus. White boutonnieres can be handsome when they're accented with greenery, but they also look great with a simple white ribbon. Add sparkle to your bouquet by wrapping the stems in ribbon embellished with crystals.

Invitations

Since winter weddings are usually held indoors (it's an ideal time for ballroom receptions), they often call for a more formal invitations.

What's Hot Now: A black-tie event is nicely conveyed by heavy cardstock and a navy blue, chocolate-brown, or even eggplant font with hand calligraphy. For a fresh way to achieve a formal tone for your winter wedding, use thick, frosted Plexiglas invitations in white scripted ink. Send the sturdy invites out to all your guests tucked into silver envelope liners.

Centerpieces

Go beyond glowing candles to add both warmth and romance to your reception site.

What's Hot Now: If you want to heighten the drama, bring in the icy outdoors with ice-carved vases on your reception tables. Have your florist fill the vases with tall winter-white branches and hanging crystals to reflect the light from the tables. Surround the centerpieces with votive candles, and top your tables with white dupioni table linens and frosted glass china.

Escort Cards

Miniature sleighs and holly motifs stamped onto your escort cards would spell out the season pretty clearly, but they might not dazzle your guests.

What's Hot Now: Leave everyone awestruck as they retrieve their escort cards by making the entire table sparkle. Have the cards hand-calligraphed in silver ink and attach them to individual crystals with a ribbon. Hang each from an oversized crystal candelabra centerpiece for a new take on the popular escort card tree.

The Music

A classical pianist playing during dinner is a sure way to create an elegant ambience, but consider a more unexpected accompaniment.

What's Hot Now: For a twist on the tunes, consider hiring an a capella quartet to sing background music at your reception. Have the group sing your favorite jazz and pop songs to set a welcoming and festive tone for the evening. If you're into a more classical sound, hire a cellist and ask that Vivaldi's "Winter" be included in the repertoire.

Cocktail Hour

A winter cocktail hour calls for warm, comforting drinks. You really can't go wrong with hot chocolate and warm apple cider, but it's your wedding -- why not take every opportunity (drinks included) to add an element of surprise?

What's Hot Now: Serve up white hot chocolate in small espresso cups and eggnog in small punch glasses for your guests as they arrive. At the bar, offer saketinis (Japanese rice wine and sweet-flavored vodka) in glasses rimmed with sugar crystals.

The Cake

A wedding cake trimmed in red or green ribbon or topped with roses looks pretty, but bakers who are willing to push the fondant envelope can reflect the winter in totally creative ways.

What's Hot Now: Play up the season with a white, vintage-style cake, dusted with edible silver powder. For accents, have your baker add a white sugar ribbon and crystal drops cascading down one side of the cake.

Favors

Food wedding favors are always a hit, but if cookies or truffles seem passe, try new treat ideas to send your guests home satisfied.

What's Hot Now: Give out small packages of chocolate-covered cranberries or roasted chestnuts. An over-the-top idea that will undoubtedly impress: Have your caterer set up a hot chocolate and churros station to top off the evening.

Honeymoons

While many couples flee the blustery weather for warmer (and sandier) locales for their honeymoon, a winter wedding can segue perfectly into a snowy escape.

What's Hot Now: Embrace the season and rent a cozy log cabin for a week in Lake Placid, or join the jet-setters at a luxurious hotel in Aspen for some serious skiing, wining, dining, and snuggling.

Special thanks to: Leslie Price and Eyal Tessler from In Any Event in New York, NY; and Kate Parker from Kate Parker Weddings in New England.

The Knot -- Anja Winikka