Mindy Weiss' Wedding Decor Trends

In the Shade

One of the biggest trends in hair color and fashion has permeated the world of floral design. "People are loving ombre," says Weiss, who says pinks and purples are the most popular tones for the gradient look. "I just did a whole wedding where we started off with the palest, almost watercolor lavender to the deepest purple."

Something Old

Antique tabletop decor adds an air of aged elegance to an affair. "Vintage dishes and glasses of all different colors make for great conversation," says Weiss, who predicts that the trend will only grow. "It's not just for the wedding world," she adds. "For Jessica Simpson's baby shower, I decorated with 50 different dinnerware patterns that we found at flea markets."

Home Sweet Home

Those on the West Coast, says Weiss, are opting for a more relaxed feel for their weddings, as opposed to the traditional trappings. "The goal for most of my brides is that it feels comfortable and warm," says Weiss. "Things that remind people of home, like the dishes and textiles, usually provide a big bang for your buck."

Fit for a Queen

"I find that my New York clients seem to prefer more of a refined simplicity and lean toward a modern regency style," says Weiss of decorating with more lush fabrics, dramatic lighting, and gilded furnishings.

Set the Bar

"There is always a big conflict on the bill and on the budget when it comes to alcohol," says Weiss, who refuses to allow clients to do a cash bar during cocktail hour. Instead, she says limit the bar to one or two signature cocktails using one specific spirit, like Skinnygirl Cucumber Vodka.

Glow On

While candlelight is romantic, it may not be enough to make your venue truly glow. "Lighting is an expense that people want to cut, but if you don't light your space, then you can't see all the work you've put into it," says Weiss. Chocolate-colored lighting is her trick to making wedding receptions magical. "It makes everyone look amazing in pictures."

Hey, Ms. DJ

Music is the number one concern for most grooms, aside from the food, so if a 10-piece band is out of the budget, then DJs are a close second. "There are fabulous DJs now that are classy enough to do a wedding," says Weiss, who cautions that club DJs are not always wedding-appropriate, especially if announcements need to be made.

In Full Bloom

Small, delicate florals have long been the aisle decor of choice, but Weiss sees a shift toward more sizable accents, like hydrangeas and large herbs. "With the aisle, I'm doing big, huge potted plants," says Weiss. "Not only can the client take it home, which is an unusual thing, but we can also bring it into the reception."

A Step Ahead

While brides may take inspiration from Pinterest or other bridal sites, Weiss says most are trying to stand out. "We're doing hand-painted runners with monograms and ones that look like you're walking on stepping-stones," says Weiss. "But the most popular thing is a reclaimed wood aisle, where we actually put down wood where they walk."

Garden Variety

One of the most frequent requests that Weiss receives from clients is to make their wedding "organic and garden-y," she says. A large part of that is incorporating eco-friendly materials. "Reclaimed wood is huge in interior design and now weddings," says Weiss. "The tables, the floors, the serving pieces, anywhere I can get it, like the backing of bars or pictures frames."

For the Birds

A staple in the '80s, tossing birdseed is a wedding no-no these days. "Anything that could get in the bride's hair and make her cranky, don't do," says Weiss. Instead, give guests sparklers to hold as the couple walks exists. Another fun summer option is handing out pom-poms. "The tassels and ribbon flags are wonderful because people love the picture."

Let's Eat!

Canapés and toast points continue to take a back seat to down-home options like mini grilled cheese sandwiches. "The reality is that guests really love pigs in a blanket," says Weiss. Just expect for them to look even better. "Peter Callahan has upped the bar by getting these hors d'oeuvres to really be a piece of art."

Purple Reign

All-white weddings are not as "in" as they used to be. One of the most popular color combinations is a blend of purple and lavender, says Weiss. Layering shades from lilac to aubergine in the table linens, glassware, lighting and florals creates a romantic and warm space without it feeling overly girly. "There's so much of it for the summer; you can't go wrong," says Weiss.

Bright Ideas

"People are feeling bold and bringing in plenty of color," says Weiss. "We did tons of tangerine and turquoise in the beginning of the year," she says, inspired by Pantone's color of the year, Tangerine Tango. For fall? "It's very jewel-toned with lots of burgundy with red and burnt orange."

Get more wedding decor ideas at MindyWeiss.com