I recently watched a children’s program with my toddler where a little boy asked why his mommy stripped all the leaves from the flowers his daddy gave her. He thought the leaves were the best part of the flower.

It made me think about fall leaves and how their colors are the best part of autumn. Nature offers such beauty—why not use it for wedding decorations? Using the natural hues (gold, russet, burgundy, and mocha) of fall leaves makes a gorgeous decorating theme. Think about it! With brown being the new black, mocha colored for bridesmaid dresses (especially in silk) set the stage for a rich earthy essence that can carry through to the wedding decorations.

Bridesmaids could carry flower bouquets in an array of fall colors tied with chocolate silk ribbon and a few fall leaves tucked in—how elegant! The pew flowers could be all one color—maybe chrysanthemums—with leaves and raffia ribbon. A lavish combination of rich fall-colored flowers with willow twigs could complete the altar flower decorations. Rather than the flower girl dropping petals, she could scatter fall leaves down the aisle before the bride’s entrance. The warm glow of candles (in fall colors) grouped in various sizes at the altar will create a stunning backdrop for pictures.

Using nature's hues and fall leaves is a theme easily incorporated into all aspects of your wedding from your wedding program to wedding reception decorations and wedding favors. It even lends itself to eco-friendly weddings where couples give seedling trees as favors so guests can take them home, plant them, and have a lasting memento of their wedding day.

So take a clue from nature and work fall hues into your wedding decorations.

It may not be 2010 yet but 2010 wedding colors are already making a big impact on upcoming ceremonies. Check out which colors are HOT this year! HOT is the new theme for the next year so bright hues of orange, yellow, red and pink perfectly accent the spring season. Even black is back once again for 2010 adding a touch of class to the table.

Hot Pink, Pale Pink and Raspberry Red

Brides for the new year will consider tossing out the classic white dresses and flock to bridal shops for a new sizzling look.

A top pick for the brides of 2010 will be dresses in pink. Sashes and accessories in bright, pastel and classic pinks are perfect paired up with white dresses. This will be a bright and colorful relief to classic single hue weddings.

Photo courtesies:
(1) Pink bridesmaids dresses photo with contrasting pink sashes courtesy of Ella Park Bridal, a bridal shop in Newburgh Indiana.
(2) Pale/baby pink bridesmaids dresses photo courtesy of Briar Rose Cottage Flowers, a Jesup Georgia flower shop.
(3) Raspberry red bridesmaid dress photo courtesy of Side Effects Unique Flowers & Gifts, a Denver Colorado flower shop.

Bright Orange and Sunny Yellow

Also making a comeback for the new year are bright orange color schemes. Brides will be adding touches of orange to their weddings by having bridal bouquets of bright orange blossoms. Working well with soft pink tones, the two hues would greatly enhance the bright, fun mood around the reception table.

Photo Courtesies:

(1) & (2) Red and orange bridal bouquet photo and yellow groom's boutonniere photo courtesy of Bella Studios, a flower shop Colorado Springs.
(3) & (4) Orange carrot reception food picture and yellow candy display photo courtesy of Catering Creations by CruLaRo, an Athens Alabama catering service.

Turquoise, Ice Blue and Aqua

Blue has been a favorite wedding color for as long as anyone can remember. Modern brides in 2010 are spicing things up with ice blue accents in everything from the wedding cake to the bridesmaids dresses.

Turquoise and aqua are popular colors for beach themed weddings. Aqua paired with chocolate brown (another hit color) is still a favorite pair for brides.

Photo courtesies:

(1) Turquoise/Sky Blue bridesmaids dress photo courtesy of Ella Park Bridal, a bridal shop in Newburgh Indiana.
(2) Blue beach themed wedding reception centerpiece photo courtesy of Way's House of Flowers, an Albany Georgia florist.
(3) Four tier blue wedding cake photo provided by Blue Note Bakery, a bakery in Austin Texas.

Chocolate Brown

For the Groom and his groomsmen, chocolate brown will be a popular choice for weddings in 2010. This color is very universal and perfectly pairs with a bride's pink accented wedding dress. Chocolate brown and aqua are popular wedding combinations in 2010 as well, with brown always supplying the base color.

Already customers are finding brown is the new black (though black is also a popular accent color) and merchandisers are scrambling to keep up with the demand.

Photo courtesies:

(1) Chocolate brown bridesmaids dresses photo courtesy of Curtis' Photography & Videography, a wedding photographer in Uniontown Ohio.
(2) Chocolate wedding favors photo courtesy of Robin Chocolates, providing chocolate wedding favors in Longmont Colorado and special orders.

It might be the most frequently asked question of the wedding season, “So, what are your wedding colors?”. As if you haven’t toiled over it enough already. The truth is choosing wedding colors is much easier than you think. The key to creating a stylish and successful wedding color combo is recognizing the relationship amidst the hues. No, you don’t need an Art Degree to apply the ideas. Here’s how you start:

1. Consider the Site. When deciding on colors used for the wedding, it is wise to play up prominent colors offered by your wedding venue. For example, a church layered with burgundy and navy carpet isn't going to be complimentary setting for lime green and hot pink bridesmaid dresses and bouquets. It simply won’t quite cut it. Instead opt for rosey, blue and cream shades or even burgundy and gold. Selecting complimentary colors makes for a much better wedding color and venue combo.

2. Let The Season Be Your Guide. Mother Nature knows best, so take her advice. The fact is all colors can be used year round. However, it’s the shade of the color that matters from season to season. Light pastel hues are perfect for spring and summer weddings. These same colors can look washed out and inappropriately "springy" in winter months. Reserve the darker shades like burnt orange and hunter greens for fall and winter.

3. Visit the Hardware Store. DON’T go buy a jig saw and start making DIY Wedding Decorations. DO visit the paint section. Paint swatches are a great way to see an entire color palate right down to the exact hues you desire. Pick up a few and stick them in your purse while making wedding arrangements.

4. Pair Colors By Personality. Choose colors that have the same color intensity like baby blue and lavender, rather than baby blue and dark purple. You don't want a vibrant color overpowering a soft delicate color.

5. Consider Your Friends. Remember, not all colors are easy to wear and you have bridesmaids to dress. Think of them when considering whether to have "sunburst orange" bridesmaids’ dresses. If your bridesmaids are washed out or look ghastly in the color you choose, all eyes will be on them in horror instead of on your with admiration.

Keep these 5 tips in mind when choosing your wedding colors and you’ll be ready to go … without any mortified bridesmaids!

With most brides planning their wedding several months in advance, what better time to discuss the biggest winter wedding trend of 2009? Stay far ahead of the latest wedding gown trends during your winter wedding by following this simple tip.

The most stylish brides understand that often style and comfort do go hand-in-hand. We've all heard about layering clothes to stay warm in the winter, so why not layer the skirts of our wedding dresses to stay warm during the ceremony? This trend is all the rage these days and is sure to stick around through the chilly winter weddings taking place in 2009 and early 2010.

As you shop for your wedding dress, remember that layers can be very appealing. Some come in Read the rest of How You Can Have The Trendiest Winter Wedding Dresses »

If you’re planning a wedding, especially in the winter months, why not decorate your wedding reception with a chocolate theme? Brown is the new black these days and chocolate brown is showing up everywhere: paired with pink and blue for babies, in leather furniture, handbags, even make-up. You could use chocolate satin fabric to drape windows, stages, round tables and chairs.

Because brown coordinates so perfectly with many colors—pink, turquoise, melon, lavender—it’s a great color to Read the rest of A Chocolate Theme Wedding Reception–Sweet! »