Fresh + Modern Wedding Trends for 2018 Brides

Chances are if you've attended a wedding in the last few years, you've seen a bride in white, burlap runners, mason jars, garlands and at least one Gatsby inspired nuptial (guilty!). It's time to retire dated trends and give weddings a refresh in 2018. Here's what the experts say is worth a make-over.

Opt for Colorful Bridal Attire "Dresses in white and white-like colors, such as ivory and champagne, are losing favor to less traditional hues," says Kate Lerman of Chicago Vintage Weddings. "Blush pink, pale blue and even grays, blacks and reds are starting to be featured in wedding gowns." For those opting for a custom suit or tux, Kate says "unique color and pattern elements are also gaining in popularity, but the classic black tux remains popular as well."

Bring Back The Florals Over the last few years, lush greens have dominated design elements, "even more so in 2017 when Pantone named 'greenery' the color of the year," says event planner Marc Eliot of swoop. "With the recent release of Pantone's 2018 color, 'ultra violet,' we are ready to retire the diluted hues of succulents and garlands. Brighten tablescapes and bouquets with colorful flowers – orchids, anemones, violets, lilacs, hydrangeas, and irises – the bolder the better!"

Choose a Classic Cake Flavor "Lavish cakes with unique flavors became all the rage in 2017," says Marc. "Unfortunately, the number of guests who enjoy creamsicle, Mexican hot chocolate, passion fruit or lemon-thyme, is usually small and leaves the couple with a lot of leftovers. It's time to retire exotic cake flavors and opt for the more traditional (and still delicious) vanilla, chocolate, or red velvet cakes. You can always personalize it with a special design." If you can't live without a trendy cake flavor, Marc recommends getting it for the smaller groom's cake.

Slim Down Your Candles Pillar candles are popular for a reason. "They have a timeless but I'd love to give them a break in 2018 and make way for taper candles," says Audrey Isaac of 100 Candles. "They still give off great light and free up table space for other décor elements. From a practical standpoint, they also weigh less so if you're purchasing in bulk, you could potentially save on shipping while still making a big impact." Audrey recommends using taper candles in abundance. Ditch DIY Projects "It's time to retire the expectation to DIY everything," says Kate. "This puts tons of pressure on the couple and often results in a lot of stress." Sure, doing one or two DIY projects can be fun but trying to do everything for such a major event by yourself—or to put the burden on family and friends—is a recipe for frustration. Plus, DIY projects that don't work out can end up costing more money or resulting in a last-minute rush to book professionals instead says Kate.

Switch Up Seating "Large head tables are finally fading away to make room for family tables," says Beth Bernstein, SQN Events. "Plenty of special memories are made with your besties while getting ready. Weddings are about the coming together of two families, so why not dine together as one at your wedding?" The added bonus is the wedding party gets to spend time with their dates.

Style Me Pretty Contributor - Ximena N. Larkin is a writer and publicist. She lives in Chicago with her husband and dog.