Fresh Ideas for a Stylish Spring Wedding
A spring wedding brings a splash of excitement to what can be a long, slow trek toward summer.
And the season gives rise to all kinds of enthusiasms. Even the blackest thumbs among us starting paging through gourmet food magazines and seed catalogs, and dreaming of lemons and strawberries, rhubarb pies and asparagus.
So it's a sure thing your wedding guests will show up in a partying mood. Which means that all you need to do is plan the ceremony — and event — of your dreams, and the rest will follow. With that in mind, here's some tips on what's fresh for Spring 2008 and beyond.
Chic Colors, Piquant Patterns
Spring wedding colors break down into several camps. First, there's the "I just like it!" girly colors. You know, timeless choices like butter yellow, pink, lavender, pastel green. Pink brides take note: spring's probably the easiest time to get away with your favorite color.Then there are the trendy colors. Chocolate brown is still strong, and makes a showing at plenty of spring weddings. But more common than a phalanx of chocolatey bridesmaids is taupe or mocha, which has that trendy zing but lightens things up. Popular complements? The usual suspects: hot or pale pink, orange, peach or coral, baby blues and minty greens.
City brides wanting an ultra-urban look need only turn to the newest colors of the season. Start with steel gray — often paired with a crisp white and a sophisticated honey-wheat, accented with amethyst.
As for patterns, this is where things get interesting. Florals with a telltale geometric spin are everywhere. Be a little tongue-in-chic and consider drawing on spring patterns and textures like gingham, Swiss dots, eyelet or for a cool Asian touch, cherry blossoms.
The Freshest Foods
Approach your cake and menu with a light touch. If ever there was a time for coconut frosting or fillings, this is it. Or fresh strawberries or lemon cream. Choose bright, lighthearted colors for your cake, and go all out on whimsical details like Swiss dots and fondant ribbons.
Sautéed fresh asparagus will brighten up plates. Think miniature quiche with fresh spinach and green onions, and tiny cream tarts as a decadent background to the season's fresh fruit. Champagne makes a great home base for beverages, but bring a splash of color to your drinks by serving Bellinis, Mimosas, or a masterpiece of your own, spruced up with fresh berries or mint. Anything tiny fits the tone perfectly (cupcake trees and petites fours are great favorites).
Botanical Beauties
Timeless choices for this season of renewal are delicate blooms like sweet peas, lilies of the valley, ranunculus, or lisianthus. Hyacinth, irises and daffodils have a vibrant Easter feel. A bouquet of cream tulips, or roses and subdued pastels or white, couldn't be more classic. As always, brides with a contemporary bent and a cream, pink or green palette are drawn to orchids — perfect for a stylish spring.
Vernal Couture
Don't head to the bridal store yet! Your options for spring weddings are more varied than the ads might lead you to believe.Of course, you can stick with tradition. But if you're looking for alternatives, spring is a fine time to look into the gowns sold with destination weddings in mind, some of the new cotton gowns coming down the line, or if you're feeling really daring, totally delicious 50s and 60s-inspired gowns with bouffant skirts that scream for a birdcage veil.
As for the guys, the rage for all things brown means your beloved and his buddies are sure to find formalwear in anything from chocolate brown to the lightest of mochas. (Match the ties to your bridesmaids' sashes.) And if your wedding's near the water, or it just suits your fancy, a white linen suit might be just the thing.
Need great looks for the girls? Experiment with fabric (like lush dupioni silk dresses with contrasting sashes) or patterns (bridesmaids in tea-length gowns with a subtle, oversized floral pattern — fabulous!) Be fresh off the pages of the fashion mags, and adorn their gowns with puffy, organza roses at the waist or neckline. And of course, pick some sexy, strappy shoes to show off those spring legs!
Accessorize the Look
Organza neck scarves or pashminas couldn't be more romantic, and they're perfect for spring breezes. Also chic: paper or sandalwood fans, pastel parasols, delicate floral headpieces and hairpins.
Juice Up the Joint
A tried-and-true place to start with decorations: bare branch arrangements (ultra-large for the floor, or smaller for tabletops) gussied up with springtime flowers. Silk would be practical; real, a memorable extravagance. Evocative choices for blooms include magnolias, cherry blossoms or plum blossoms. Leave plain, or gild the lily with gossamer fabric wraps or chandelier-style crystals.And go heavy on the petals — bring them to your cake tables, candy buffet tables, guest tables. A blizzard of petals, not snowflakes, reminds your guests they've made it through the dark months.
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Florists continue to innovate, bringing all kinds of non-floral pizzazz into table arrangements. Cool ideas we've seen for spring include fresh bunches of asparagus, tips painted in gold, woven in with more traditional blooms. And we love the rustic height of pussy willows. Some favorite centerpieces tuck in birds' nests.
Another simple way to pull everything together? Ribbon! Casual arrangements of Gerber daisies and mason jars look smashing when you wrap the jars in bright ones. Let ribbons flutter romantically from shepherd's hooks, programs, the ringbearer's pillow, the bridesmaids' sashes, even a maypole. A twist on ribbon: a mini "tie the knot" theme.
Other popular adornments and spring themes include butterflies, dragonflies, wildflowers ... and more recently, frogs in the form of sleek silver placecards and whimsical bouquet picks.
You Might Also Like
• Daisy Theme Weddings• A Pink & Green Wedding
• A Pale Pink & Champagne Springtime Wedding
• A Garden Theme Wedding
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Tags: 
May 4th, 2008 at 8:08 am
My wedding date is June 13 of this year and I have chosen bronze for the girls dresses. It is a more appropriate color for a fall wedding but I loved the color.
What colors can I add (eg for centerpieces)that will brighten things up for a spring wedding?
April 10th, 2008 at 1:01 pm
I am sooo… confused because i want a wedding that is dim and romantic for the fall but now i see spring ideas and i just can’t pick one i really need help
April 5th, 2008 at 1:47 pm
I have been thinking about pastel yellow dresses with bright azalea pink, pastel yellow and a little orange in the bouquets. It would be different and pretty for my spring wedding nest year. My bouquet could be azalea pink with a little of the same yellow. My fiance likes bright colors and he likes pinks more than blues for a wedding.
March 17th, 2008 at 1:29 pm
Hi my wedding is in september 13, 2008 my colors is pink, green and purpel. i also what to put cristels in but have no idea, can u help me or give me a idea
thanx cindy
January 6th, 2008 at 11:20 pm
Great ideas! Genie, also see “a citrus theme wedding” at TheKnot, some great pictures there. Love the groom’s bright yellow tie, the rose pomander, the super-bright programs.
And here’s a profile by knottie Mrscoastalbride with some seriously sweet calla/citrus centerpieces.
Finally, Martha has a couple of inspiring lemon-themed wedding cakes (one attached). Her photo here is a pretty sweet treatment with the patterned linens, hanging yellow flowers and crisp white pastry tray.
January 5th, 2008 at 2:24 am
Lemon drop candy in a cute box or sheer bag would make yummy favors. You can use Martini glasses in the center with a yellow floting candle(If you don’t find lemon shaped ones.) You can also use small ice buckets in the center and fill them up with Lemons and Tangerines and add a couple of Martini glasses.
You could also put like 3 Martini glasses in the center and fill them with Lemond Drop candy/Gummy orange slices/Gummy Lemon slices
Freeze lemon and/or orange zest into ice cubes for the punch.
Hope any of this helps.
January 4th, 2008 at 9:33 pm
I am doing a “Lemon Drop Martini” wedding theme this spring. We are inspired by Martini Glasses and Lemons and Tangerines as our focus, using yellow and light orange as our color scheme. I am looking for more “lemon” ideas for decoration of the reception site. Any ideas where I can find candles in the shape of lemons?? Or neat table arrangment ideas?
Thanks so much
Wedding Genie….make you wedding wishes come true
November 18th, 2007 at 6:06 pm
I am getting married on April 5. My weddin gis on a big plantation, all the guys are wearing black and white pinstripe tuxes with black shirts, black vests and bubblegum pink ties. My dress is strapless, a-line, vintage lace accented with pearls and crystals with a black sash. all my girls are in black evening gowns, two carrying white calla lilies and 2 pink gerbera daisies. I want a super unique wedding favor. For the name cards on the tables we are doing river rocks with their names painted on one side and our name and date on the other. I want to make all the favors as I have made the save the date cards and am in the process of the invitations. We both love to cook, I bake the sweets and he makes the dinner, Im very artsy we both love outdoors. Anyone with some ideas would be great!
October 23rd, 2007 at 5:29 pm
My wedding dress is champagne and my bridesmaids dresses are latte with a champagne sash. What colors should I use for my bouquet? Also what color for the tuxes?
September 27th, 2007 at 4:01 pm
Getting married in april ‘08. the store I bought my dress was having a 50% off sale (going out of the bridal business) so I bought the dress off the rack (size 8) rather than order one for $590 (just a 1/2″ alteration required - size 6). Can I just store it in the bag from the bridal store in my closet or do I need to do anything special to keep it clean before April?
September 23rd, 2007 at 6:25 pm
Jill, I will be using cornflower, clover (shade of green) with white and a little silver (accessories, shoes, etc.). You can go to Davids Bridal site and view the colors which would go well with cornflower.
September 23rd, 2007 at 6:05 pm
My wedding will be in April ‘08 and my colors will be clover and cornflower with my fiance and I in white.
September 19th, 2007 at 10:21 am
Hi I will be getting maried on April 19th 2008. My colors are Lilac and silver. I’m having a hard time with finding a theme and decorating the tables. Please giv eme some input.
August 17th, 2007 at 11:58 am
Our wedding will be July 2008, I was thinking of yellow with blue accents,(a butter yellow). My dress is ivory. What do you think of these colours and do you think it will show up nicely if I do the dresses in yellow with my dress being ivory in the photos? thanks
August 6th, 2007 at 11:22 am
I am getting Married Aug of 08. My colors are cornflower blue, sliver, white and having a problem choosing another color. Any ideas? I am having an outdoor wedding and reception. Any ideas on themes too?
July 14th, 2007 at 11:16 am
July 5th, 2007 at 5:17 pm
Why not have her wear different jewelry? My girls are alll wearing the same dress… But I am having my MOH hold a boquet with more pink flowers (my groom and his best man are wearing fuschia vest and tie), where as everyone else will have more orange in theirs (the other groomsman have orange vest and tie). Just find little ways for her to stand out!
July 1st, 2007 at 2:31 pm
Girls are wearing apple green dresses…what do you think will go best for shoes gold or silver?? Also, how do I make my maid of honor stand out more…she is wearing the same dress as the four bridesmaids
June 25th, 2007 at 10:07 am
What do you gals think about this colour scheme; purple,olive green and yellow (creamish)
May 22nd, 2007 at 1:27 am
hi every1,
there are so many shades of oranges ang greens to choose from, could some1 tell me what’s the perfect color combination as a motif? i’ll have a garden wedding, my first choice is green( don’t know what shade) and sunset orange. appreciate your feedback. thank you
May 18th, 2007 at 8:12 am
JACEL ,
hI SO YOUR WEDDING IS IN JAN. OF 08 I THINK BLACK AND PLATNIUM SILVERISH BLUE AT DAVIDS BRIDAL LOOKS NICE TOGETHER!!! FOR A NEW YEARS WEDDING , WITH SILVER CANDLE CENTERPIECES AND MIRRORS LOTS OF CANDLE LIGHT !! I JUST GOT MARRIED IN NOV 06 MY COLORS WERE CHOC. AND LIGHT PINK AND LATTE!1MY TABLE WERE WITH LATTE TABLE LINENS AND CHAIR COVERS! CENTERPIECES WERE CANDLES IN A GLASS FROSTED GLOB ON A MIRROR WITH ICE CRYSTAL CUBES AROUND THEM AND DIAMOND SPRINKLES , AROUND BASE OF THE CANDLE WAS CHOC BOA IT SOUNDS CRAZY IT LOKKED GREAT!!! I THINK BLACK AND SILVER WIL LOOK CLASSY !!!
May 15th, 2007 at 6:47 pm
For Kelly,
I just saw a couple of Olive Green bridesmaids dresses at David’s Bridal. One shorter bubble hem- very cute!
May 14th, 2007 at 5:21 pm
Help! Also doing olive green, with chocolate brown, ivory, and a mango accent. Anyone know where I can get olive green BM dresses? Thanks.
May 13th, 2007 at 10:14 pm
My wedding is october 2007. My colors are going to be pink and silver. Is this a good combination and is it in for the fall of 2007??? Help please. And also i want a lot of lily flowers at my wedding my center piece and bouquets, would that look pretty??
May 3rd, 2007 at 7:24 pm
My wedding is scheduled for Febuary 16, 2008 and my colors are fuchsia and Chartruse (a bright green color) it seems to be hot right now but i cant really find anything in those colors can anyone help? oh destination…………BELIZE!
May 2nd, 2007 at 2:59 am
what are the colors for 2008 wedding?my wedding will be on january but im still confused of what will be my color.
April 23rd, 2007 at 3:34 pm
Trying to find a lime green sash for my Granddaughter’s prom dress. Can anyone help?
April 17th, 2007 at 12:53 pm
I am having funky bright colors in shades of electric blue, hot pink, tangerine, and lime green in my December wedding. I have been looking everywhere for a TRUE lime green bridesmaid dress, and haven’t had much luck…everything is sage/pear/apple. Can anyone point me in the direction of an affordable lime green dress?
April 12th, 2007 at 9:33 pm
Lisbeth,
Thanks for the JCrew info…It has been so hard to find a navy dress! Good luck with the planning!
Jenn~
April 12th, 2007 at 8:22 pm
My colors are tiffany blue, navy and platinum silver….
April 10th, 2007 at 2:00 am
My colours are light yellow and burnt orange. What do you think? I am getting married in September.
April 4th, 2007 at 4:09 pm
My wedding is July 2007. The colors I have chosen are lavender and lime green. I am finding all kinds of stuff for the reception in this colors, including tableware, napkins, tablecloths. My bridesmaids are wearing lime green cocktail dresses, and the groomsmen are wearing lavendar shirts with black slacks. My wedding is an outside wedding and will be very casual. I want it to be a special and fun day for me and my soon-to-be husband.
April 2nd, 2007 at 4:40 am
Hi, Our wedding is in August 07. I like ivory, gold and orange, he likes wine. What do you think? We need to choose really soon because our colour scheme is central to everything!!
April 1st, 2007 at 2:19 pm
I’m in need of serious help. I’m getting married in dec 2007 and have not chosen a satify color(s) not even a theme. I was considering lavender, green and yellow. Tell me what you think.
March 27th, 2007 at 8:06 am
My wedding is in August ‘07 and its taking place in my home country, Nigeria. Ceremony and Festivities will be indoor. My colours are pastel green and lavender with a touch of gold. I love all shades of green and was going to use a colour theme in several shades of green instead but decided to include one of my my partner’s favourite colours as well, i.e, lavender. I can’t seem to find ideal BM dresses, I want my maids to wear green dresses in any bright and pretty shade (lime,clover,mint,light olive).Any ideas where i can get this in the UK?
March 18th, 2007 at 5:06 pm
my wedding is in july 2007. I am doing my colors in cornflower blue (BM dresses), silver and/or clover. the flowers would be cream colored roses and lillies of the valley. does this sound like it will come together nicely?
March 18th, 2007 at 12:35 pm
Sinead!!!
Where did you find olive BM dresses?? I have been looking everywhere. I am doing olive green, light and hot pink.
March 8th, 2007 at 11:57 am
Hey there fellow brides to be! I am getting married In July 2007, (which is seeming to take forever!) as of right now, I have a scheme that I love! I have chosen hot pink, bright green, tangerine orange, and turquoise… I am struggling to tie everything in though.. Suprise! I am thinking bridesmaids in black dresses with a tangerine sash, and maid of honor in a black dress with a hot pink sash.. I was going to do his guys the same, only with colored ties instead of sashes. I will also wear a colored sash on my dress… But I am not sure which color.. Any suggestions, or opinions?
March 7th, 2007 at 6:41 pm
Jennifer-
I am getting married in September and I chose navy dresses too! They are cocktail length with a silk sash- I think navy is a clean and crisp color and I love the way it looks with hydrangea flowers which I just had to have. You can check them out at www.jcrew.com in their wedding section. I am having a hard time with accent colors though…. I was using shades of purple and blue but you gave me some ideas- thanks!!
March 7th, 2007 at 9:56 am
Im having an August wedding
My dress is ivory. BM Dresses are olive green. Any one got ideas for flower colours that would be lovely to compliment.
March 5th, 2007 at 9:52 am
i like your accent colors! i do think that a brown may look better than navy.
March 3rd, 2007 at 3:44 pm
So my wedding is in late September and I chose Navy for the bridesmaid dresses and orange, chartreuse and turquoise as accent colors. Anyone else think these are good colors? I am a little unsure of the turquoise…what do you think?
February 24th, 2007 at 12:36 pm
my wedding is in july and i really don’t know how my dress should look like by the way iam 19 and i want something nice,simple,but classy at the same time……HELP!!!
February 21st, 2007 at 1:11 am
I’m feeling the pink with the chocolate, however I’m crossed between Purple and Silver or Turquoise and Silver or a mixture of both. What do you ladies think?
February 20th, 2007 at 10:58 pm
june wedding colors are lavendar and yellow what do you think
February 20th, 2007 at 3:35 pm
Our wedding will be in April ‘08 and my colors are cornflower blue and clover. What does anyone think of those 2 colors
February 15th, 2007 at 6:33 pm
Our wedding, I mean my wedding! Ha ha. Is planned for March 23 2007, it will be situated in the evening. My colors are Kiwi green, buttercup yellow, white and forrest green. I cant wait for our big day.
February 15th, 2007 at 2:01 pm
My colors are baby ice pink, white, baby blue, and some coral. We are having a ocean themed wedding in july of 07
February 14th, 2007 at 12:23 pm
February 6th, 2007 at 12:21 am
My colors are milk brown, pastel pink, and lime green, looks awesome!!! Getting married Apr. 07
January 31st, 2007 at 11:56 pm
I am having my wedding in May 2007. Our colors are ice blue, and navy blue. We are having an outdoor wedding with an indoor reception. I want to make the reception hall look like an indoor garden. Any idea’s?
January 30th, 2007 at 9:05 am
Priscilla,
I’m planning my wedding for May 2008… and I think that my colors are going to be tangerine and fuchsia. I would like black, tea length bridesmaid dresses… so the bright bouquets will “pop” against the bridesmaid dresses. So, if you like orange and fuchsia… I say go for it… it’s your wedding!!
January 28th, 2007 at 10:38 pm
I think ice pink and chocolate are really hot right now! My wedding is in June and those are going to be my colors. I thought I was the only one who like those two colors, but I was wrong! It seems to be really in. I’m still looking for decoration ideas for my reception. Any ideas?!
January 25th, 2007 at 3:58 pm
My colors are petal pink and celery green
January 19th, 2007 at 8:13 pm
My colors are pink, brown and chartreuse green
January 11th, 2007 at 11:49 pm
Are orange and fuschia bad colors for a march wedding.’
with calla lily flowers
January 10th, 2007 at 7:41 pm
I,m having a spring wedding and having a hard time thinkin of how to have the reception hall tables i dont want big just small and very cute and of course i don’t have a fiance who wants to help he say’s whatever i don’t care then when i pick something he sayy’s no
January 8th, 2007 at 1:52 pm
Pink (not hot pink) and chocolate
January 6th, 2007 at 10:38 am
what are the hotest colors for weddings in 2007?