8 Wedding Style Trends The DMV Love Right Now

Instead of showing off lush arrangements atop towering candelabras or spilling out over claw-footed vessels, floral designers are covering up centerpieces. Glassing in the blooms, with apothecary jars and domed cloches of varying sizes and shapes, creates a dynamic (and conversation-friendly) tablescape. These table toppers work best in clusters, with just a few bright blooms surrounded by greenery inside each one, for a fresh, elegant look. Styling by Poppies & Posies

The latest way to put a personal “spin” on the day: DJing at your own wedding. We’re not talking about hooking up your iPod to speakers. This trend is more on par with taking lessons to choreograph your first dance. But instead, to-be-weds are taking classes to create custom mashups and prepare for bride-vs.-groom turntable battles.

When it comes to memorable menus, your guests will very likely recall a fabulous-looking display before they remember what foods it featured. Be creative — instead of in a bowl, serve soup in tall shooter glasses. This works with even the simplest foods: Have fries served in paper cones, or tacos made mini and passed around on sleek white trays.

Move over, martinis; the new drink of choice is beer — specifically, craft brews — and glassmakers are responding with specialized beer glass sets. Offer specialty beers on trays at your cocktail hour, or ask your caterer about serving mini beer flights during dinner. (This is also a great idea for the rehearsal dinner!)

Ceremony and reception seats are getting special treatment, with custom covers featuring silk ruffles, streamer-like ribbons and sheer patterns in style right now. Here, a sheer floral-embroidered custom cover by Nuage Designs transforms a plain white chiavari chair into a decor element that helps bring out the romantic look of the day.

To freshen up your reception space, swap standard rounds for a more eye-catching assortment of different table shapes and sizes. Rent plush couches and a mix of glass coffee tables and sleek tall tables to create a lounge-like vibe for your cocktail hour.

To-be-weds are putting the focus back on flavor, serving confections that taste as good as they look. The secret: flavored fondant. Sure, fondant has a rep for not tasting so great, but with inventive new flavors — melon, chocolate cherry, tutti-frutti, coffee mocha and even buttercream-flavored fondant (seriously!) — entering the picture, it’s giving buttercream a run for its money. Are you drooling yet?

Stay ahead of the curve with this new trend in stemware: the coupe, or saucer, style. Yes, the iconic tall, narrow toasting flute is getting a makeover. Look into renting coupe glasses for the champagne toast (to really wow, how about a champagne tower?). Otherwise, add a pair of delicate coupe glasses to your cake table for your toast — and to use on your anniversary for years to come.