Hottest New Wedding Decor Trends for 2012

The number-one trend for 2012? Top event designers across the country say that this is the year when formal black tie is making a comeback, a phenomenon they attribute to the enormous influence of the royal wedding. "The glamorous look is here to stay," says Tara Guérard, a celebrity planner based in Charleston, SC.

Whether the celebration is full-on formal or takes a more homespun, rustic route (still going strong, say the pros), color schemes have gone back to the classics. "Pink will be making a comeback," says Tara. "You'll see pale pinks in combination with neutrals such as champagnes and creams." Chicago's Debi Lilly, the go-to event designer for Oprah herself, agrees. "The color schemes for weddings always follow fashion. Right now it's the nudes-oyster gray, pale gold. Just what we've been seeing on the runways and in all the fashion magazines."

Tall arrangements add a grand, formal flourish (Photo Credit: John Seakwood)

Think pink! It's the wedding decor color of the year (Photo Credit: Liz Banfield)

But even as color gets softer, patterns get bolder. "Floral will always be big, because it is such a wedding classic," says Tara. "But I love doing custom prints for our brides. And bold prints such as chevrons and stripes will be back in a major way." In San Francisco, event designer Alison Hotchkiss reports that pattern is a big look for table linens. "We're going back to the basics with our linens, using heavier textures and weights. We're custom-making them with really graphic patterns on everything."

As for illumination, luxe candelabras are taking center stage this year. While classic crystal chandeliers-especially used outside-are an important look, Los Angeles designer Beth Helmstetter (who planned Jenna Fischer's I-do's) predicts that 2012 will see towering candelabras with elegant taper candles. "It used to be all about pillars, the chunkier, the better," she reports. But my brides are really interested in the look of tapers right now."

Outdoor chandeliers impart a wildly romantic appeal (Photo Credit: Victor Sizemore Photography)

The flower of the year? No surprise here-it's the peony. "I don't know if anything will ever upstage the peony," says Beth. Kim Foren, a Portland, OR, event designer agrees, and also gives a nod to other fluttery blooms such garden roses, ranunculus and even frilly massed carnations. Kim predicts that white mini calla lilies will have a moment, and Beth expects resurgence for a wedding classic-the elegant orchid.

Vessels in multiple create a luxe look (Photo Credit: Altura Studio)

The age of the single centerpiece is over. 2012 will be all about collections says Kim-lots of vessels, flowers and candles on the table to create a full landscape. Instead of one vase of calla lilies, she might do a scattering of different mercury-glass vases filled with mini bouquets of flowers. "The look is tons and tons of flowers, abundance- super sexy," says Kim.

The color-blocked flowers stand out even more against a contrasting table runner (Photo Credit: Elizabeth Messina/Created by: Dolce Designs Studio)

Beyond the bloom.Flowers won't be the only botanicals peeping out from centerpieces this year. Succulents and herbs will both take a turn in the spotlight. Kim especially likes grouping clutches of fresh or dried herbs like rosemary and purple basil on a table.

Photo courtesy of Project Wedding

Natural still looks new. A wild-card centerpiece look from last year is still going strong. Terrariums-glass-domed arrangements of pebbles, flowers, succulents and found objects such as shells or bird's nests-keep popping up on the wish lists of Kim's chicest brides.

Photo Credit: Nina Barry; Courtesy of From the Hip Photo

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