Old Edwards Wedding Consultants just returned from “The Wedding Party” Presented by Atlanta Weddings Magazine. All the options a bride-to-be could hope to choose from for her big day were featured at booths, displays demonstrations and events. There were custom couture wedding gowns, wedding dolls, ice bars, and truffles picturing the bride and groom’s engagement picture in sugar.

Our trend-spotters brought back the latest information on what’s hot and emerging in today’s weddings. Here are a few of the highlights:

· Multiple events are in vogue. Planners are ensuring guests have plenty of ways to meet, mingle, have fun and enjoy the experience—particularly at destination weddings. After-parties following the reception are gaining in popularity. They are planning the rehearsal, rehearsal dinner, rehearsal dinner after party, the wedding, the wedding reception, the wedding after-party and the farewell brunch, not to mention golf outings, group spa visits and even outdoor adventure treks.

· Patterned table linens are gaining favor over solids.

· Purple is popping up again, particularly light shades and lilac.

· Couples are stepping out of the box for their rehearsal dinners. Some are shedding evening clothes for jeans and khakis to enjoy a more casual event—like picnics and BBQs. Uniqueness is a top priority for many, such as orchard or farm dinners. And some are remaining true to the more established wedding traditions.

Wedding trends are continuing to morph with our society—unique, colorful, varied and customizable to suit any preference. If your taste runs modern, traditional, global, musical, over-the-top unique—or if you’re a back-to-nature-and-simpler-times person, there’s a wedding just waiting to be custom-made for you. The only limitation is your own imagination. Oh…and your budget.