Skip the boots: Boots are  big in the area of trends this year, from cute ankle boots to sexy knee highs – a girl has plenty of options when she is boot shopping. However, one option that is not available is wearing them to a wedding, no matter how casual the wedding may be. Even in the fall, strappy heels, peep-toe pumps, and traditional pumps are appropriate. Most weddings require cocktail attire, and boots are definitely not part of traditional cocktail attire. Dressing up is fun; find a gorgeous pair of heels for a friend’s special day!

Cover your shoulders: In the summer it’s great to be able to wear strapless dresses, halter dresses and other –less dresses without having to worry about getting cold. In the fall, however, you need to keep warm and often dresses don’t provide enough coverage to keep you adequately heated. This year Pashminas and wraps are very popular, but shrugs seem to be on the way out of the fashion foreground. Many dresses are sold with a coordinating wrap for cooler weather, but if the dress you purchase isn’t you can always purchase one separately. Especially hot this year is contrasting and bright colours. Have a black or brown dress? Match it with a bright wrap for bang of colour to your ensemble.

Go for a feminine sweater: Sweaters are a great way to keep warm and are always super cozy; however, they can sometimes make a cocktail dress look too casual. Sweaters are great to wear when you are travelling to the wedding, from the wedding to the reception, and back home again, but don’t wear it during the ceremony or at the reception – you want to look dressed up and fancy, so don’t let a cardigan bring down your fashionable outfit. When you are choosing a sweater to wear, look for something feminine with small buttons, low-key embellishments or ruffles, plus make sure you choose a colour that will compliment or contrast your dress, the same way a wrap would.

Modified from: NJ.com

2010 is a year where tradition seems to be thrown to the wind – designers are trying new, quirky ways to give your wedding extra pizzazz this season. So if your wedding is going to be extra spicy we’re hoping to give you some tips about what flowers may emphasize the stunning clothing and colours that are going to be hot, hot, hot.

For the 2010 wedding season, metallics and the classic white gown are taking a backseat and giving way to a lineup of bold, vibrant hues with eye-catching embellishments. If you are planning a wedding, choose from any of these top colour schemes to stay in line with the 2010 top trends.

White, pastel greens and lilacs are so 2009. In 2010 wedding colours are bright and bold, deep and rich! Vibrant red, bold turquoise, and bright greens are the colours that stand out in the new year, as well as deep browns and plum.  Plus, for the fashion-forward bride, black wedding gowns are growing in popularity. This colour scheme was popular on the Paris fashion runways in 2008, and has remained a hot trend in wedding dresses ever since – each year increasing in popularity. Black dresses tend to be embellished with lace and pearls. Black seem too dynamic for you? White dresses with black piping or embroidery are also popular.

What kind of flowers would be appropriate with black dresses, or dresses with black detail? We suggest pink for something zesty or red for something more traditional. Try roses or maybe even gerberas. Can’t you just picture a beautiful bouquet of luscious red roses against either of the above dresses? We can!

Red dresses, however, seem to be breaking ground in 2010 as the top trend, especially for Spring and Fall weddings. Look for bright red gowns with large satin bows and sashes, or black piping and detailing. With red dresses, white flowers would really pop out and illustrate the beauty of the bride (and her dress). White calla lilies or roses will never go out of style – or you could try something different with a bouquet of daisies or orchids.

The fun colours aren’t only for brides in 2010; bridesmaid’s dresses also get a pop of colour. Pink, bright orange and turquoise shades are popular colours for bridesmaids. For a bride who wants to give the bridesmaids the colour and stick with tradition, she can try a cream coloured dress with a colourful sash to match the bridesmaids. Select a dress embellished with large petals and oversized bows for some zing on your special day.

Bright yellow and peach tones are also some of the top colour trends for the 2010 wedding season, especially for weddings taking place in the Spring and Summer. The bright colours tend to work exceptionally well for outdoor weddings, beach weddings, or tropical-themed weddings.

The goal this year with shoes and accessories is to create a high-impact, dramatic ensemble whether you are a bridesmaid or the mother-of-the-bride. The top trends in the shoe and accessory department are similar to the bride and the bridesmaids – bright orange; hot pink; red and black; as well as turquoise. You can also go overboard with accessories this year, if you desire, with oversized gemstones, glistening sequins and large pearls.

Other trends include:

1. Introduction to beautiful beads: Beading used to be rare in wedding dresses, but now designers, searching for something new and unique, are using beads to develop different patterns and styles on the bodice of the wedding gowns. Some dresses even have beading all over the gown to enhance the look.

2. Unique lace introduced: Sure, lace has commonly been used on wedding dresses, but designers have revamped its usage by using decorative laces with beads, pearls, and many new patterns – this easily transforms a traditional dress into something entirely new and exciting.

3. Ruffles: Designers have worked a lot on the base of the wedding dress and came up with the idea of ruffles to give a wedding dress volume. This elegant and exceptionally unique style of wedding dress looks best on thin frames.

4. Asymmetrical neckline: Asymmetrical necklines can beautifully show off a girl’s assets and hence beautify the bride in all sense. This style of dress is good for smaller bust girls and not recommended for broad shoulders.

5. Feathered wedding dresses: Designers are constantly looking for new ways to modify the traditional wedding gown – adding feathers was introduced and has proven to be a huge hit among brides. Feathers are also popular within the veil and can be white or colourful depending on the colour scheme of the wedding. Designers are even beginning to use natural feathers of owls and peacocks.

6. Practical pockets: The whole world is being practical nowadays, so why not brides? Brides can now carry their small essentials in their pockets, rather than a purse or clutch. Designers are creating small hidden pockets somewhere within wedding dresses to store essentials throughout the day.

7. Mini wedding dress: Mini wedding dresses offer ultimate cuts and looks for the practical and functional bride; no longer will they get caught in their trains and excess material. This year’s bride may be more inclined to show some leg and choose a shorter dress for her special day. These less formal gowns, like a tea-length dress, are becoming more en vogue too. The style lends itself to the possibilities of feminine additions like ruffles, pleats, bows, and lace accents.

When it comes to the veil, if you don’t feel comfortable, or it’s just not your style to include feathers, you can always opt for a tiara – this will provide a finishing touch to your princess like appearance; it’s your special day, you should feel like royalty. Colour can also be included in your veil to carry a colour scheme throughout the wedding, or wedding party.

The silhouette of the dress is another important element of the wedding dress this year. A mermaid silhouette is making a comeback, with a flare at the bottom of the skirt and body-hugging form up the legs to the bodice. Just check out the red dress above! Flowing, soft materials are also important – they provide a graceful, feminine silhouette.

In addition to traditional wedding ceremonies, an increasing new trend are green weddings; not only in colour, but the environmental impact that your wedding day has on the planet. There are many environmentally-friendly options for your wedding day, from recyclable invitations to opting out of throwing rice or confetti.

As for flowers, the rose and calla lily never go out of style, and flowers are another way you can throw a splash of colour into your bridal party. Don’t be afraid to take chances and select flowers that break with tradition too – different flowers than roses and lilies, like daisies, orchids, tulips – even try sunflowers for a late Summer or Fall wedding. Due to all the excitement with the colourful dresses this year, either play up the dresses and include exotic and vivacious flowers – or be a minimalist and play up the dresses by downplaying the flowers, keeping your bouquets and arrangements fresh and simple.

 Even with all these different trends and ideas the main thing to remember is that they are only a guideline for inspiration. Ultimately a wedding belongs to the bride and groom, so their day should reflect their tastes and traditions. If you have always dreamed of having a traditional white dress, with red roses in your bouquets and arrangements then go for it! Don’t put aside your visions to appease designers who state these are the new trends. Be a trend setter – do what you desire and prefer – make the most of your special day.