Grey is the ultimate neutral, adding depth rather than fading into the background. Pair it with a spicy shade of tangerine or auburn, and you’ve got a timeless palette for all seasons.

Macarons via the sweet lobby, letterpress via Manolo, cake via Talia Events, orange socks via itty bitty bijou, orange door and bride via Merriment Events, rustic centerpieces via tiny white daisies, long table via Style Me Pretty, grey bridesmaids dresses via tutto bello

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Mara Opperman, co-founder of www.idonowidont.com, an online boutique specializing in secondhand engagement rings

What she is obsessed with: Antique, vintage and secondhand engagement rings, obviously! You’d be surprised by some of the amazing finds and deals from secondhand shops.

What is so 2011: Understated, budget conscious weddings are in. Your closest friends and family are the most important.

What’s the next big thing? Engagement rings set in yellow gold are making a comeback. For years, white gold and platinum were the most popular metals used in settings for engagement rings. The good news is that diamonds seem to sparkle more in yellow gold as the diamond tends to stand out more against the contrasting metal.

What should brides and grooms already know before contacting you? I think its most important to get an idea of your partner’s likes and dislikes before picking out the ring. After all, this is something they will be wearing the rest of their lives so you want them to love it! If you are trying to keep the proposal a surprise, here are a few tips to help find out her preferences:

One of the the easiest ways to find out your fiance’s likes and dislikes is to look straight into her jewelry box. You can get an idea of her favorite metal whether it be gold or silver, her taste, whether it be modern or vintage, and you can even find out her ring size.

Another helpful tip would be to subtly make comments about her friends’ engagement rings (assuming she has married or engaged friends) and asking her likes/dislikes about their rings.

Lastly, you may want to seek guidance from your bride-to-be’s friend or mother — assuming they can keep a secret@ Perhaps you can ask them to take her “window shopping” so they can find out exactly what she wants.

What sets you apart from others in your industry? We have built this brand on trust. Each diamond sold on the site comes first to the IDNID headquarters and is inspected by an independent GIA trained and accredited gemologist to assure the authenticity and quality of every piece of jewelry sold. In an internet-friendly world where so much is uncertain, this added step allows customers a way to buy jewelry in a trusting environment.

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One need not venture into the Wild West to achieve that rustic cabin feel. Take inspiration from this gentle color palette and these positively lovely organic details (we ADORE the log cake stand!) and bring the mystique of the Rocky Mountains to any destination.

Bouquet via Arkansas Bride, reception hall via Cactus Creek Daily, boutonniere photography by Little White Dresses, log centerpiece photo via Martha Stewart Weddings, wedding party photo by Maggie Heinzel-Neel, bird and twig cake via Tanja Lippert, boots via Fancy Bridal Footwear, couple with horse via Bridal Bubbly

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Nicole Janowicz, Wedding Stylist, Nicole R. Janowicz, LLC

She’s obsessed with: I will always be obsessed with shoes for everything! They are a fantastic way for brides to add surprising details like sparkle, drama and glamour to their wedding wardrobe. Unlike a wedding dress, which is generally worn once, brides can wear their wedding shoes over and over again. Shoes are an area I suggest brides and grooms splurge. They will wear them for hours walking down the aisle, dancing, and socializing with guests, therefore comfort and confidence is crucial.

For men, I am always obsessed with hand-tied bowties. I just love them! Hand-tied bowties are a simply way to add glamorous and classy touches while still remaining masculine. Tying a bowtie is very simple and there are many tutorials on YouTube and the Internet.

What is so 2011? Wearing a regular tie with a tuxedo (as much as some celebrities have tried to make this work on the red carpet) is a no-no in my book. If a groom is renting a tuxedo, politely refuse the clip on bowties that usually come with the rental package. Instead, grooms should buy a traditional bowtie from a department store like Barneys or Saks, or menswear stores like Brooks Brothers or Hugo Boss. Just match the fabric of the tuxedo’s lapel to the bowtie. While not a big expense, a hand tied bowtie makes a huge impact on the groom’s overall look. Remember, guests will be looking at the couple as a whole, not one or the other.

What’s the next big thing? The next big trend for bridal style is color. Brides are no longer confined to wearing shades of white. I think we’ll start seeing brides wearing dresses in shades of pinks, blues, yellows, greens and even black in 2012 and beyond. Color is a great way for a bride to express both her personality and her wedding’s overall theme through her dress. A groom can also incorporate color into his wardrobe. Menswear designers are embracing color and making tuxedos and suits in non-traditional colors like deep burgundy, purple and blue. I always suggest to my clients, both men and women, to have fun with their bridal style and wear what makes them feel beautiful and confident. It is their big day, so they should feel empowered to make their own rules.

I recently worked with famed Wedding Planner Mindy Weiss and styled Backstreet BoyAJ McLean, and his bride, Rochelle Karidis, for their wedding at the Beverly Hills Hotel. Their wedding theme was a mixture of romance, Goth, and the iconic Tim Burton world. Rochelle and I chose an all black Vera Wang gown for the ceremony. AJ loves the color red so I found a candy apple red bowtie and matching Hugo Boss shoes to wear with his Hugo Boss black tuxedo for the ceremony. Knowing the bride and groom’s personalities, as I do after working with the Backstreet Boys as their personal stylist for the past five years, a white wedding gown for Rochelle and a traditional black and white look for AJ would have felt out of place and not true to their aesthetic.

I also styled Backstreet Boy Brian Littrell and his wife, Leighanne, for their 10-year anniversary celebration and vow renewal ceremony. They started the festivities with an outdoor cocktail hour, for which I dressed Leighanne in a Mandalay turquoise beaded, one-shoulder gown and Brian in a J. Lindeberg black tuxedo with a grosgrain lapel and matching bowtie.They both radiated old Hollywood glamour and style. The turquoise brought life and vibrancy to the first photos of the day. They changed two more times: the ceremony, for which Leighanne wore a cream David Meister wedding gown and Vera Wang veil, and Brian wore a Brooks Brothers cream tuxedo; and the reception, for which Leighanne wore an elegant Enzoani black strapless gown and was adorned in Neil Lane and Judith Ripka diamonds, while Brian wore a Hugo Boss grey, deep blue, and black plaid suit with a black bowtie accented by Neil Lane diamond cuff links.

What should brides and grooms already know before contacting you? Ideally, couples should have an idea of their budget before contacting me. The budget greatly affects where we shop, the designers I contact to do custom work, and my overall game plan for developing their customized looks for their engagement photos, wedding ceremony, and reception. If a couple does not know how much they should allot for wardrobe, they are more than welcome to ask me. I can show them examples of what is available to them at various price points.

What is your specialty? What sets you apart from others in your industry? I work with high-profile, accomplished men and women who seek assistance in creating the perfect cohesive image for their engagement pictures, weddings, and receptions. I create beautiful, one-of-a-kind looks specifically tailored to my clients’ individuality and overall wedding themes. As an international celebrity & wedding stylist, I specialize in helping my clients define, refine, and communicate their unique style and image for the biggest day of their lives. I have styled clients for major red carpet events including the Academy Awards, movie premiers, high profile charity events, the renowned New York Fashion Week and performances in front of thousands of fans where they are under intense scrutiny from an unforgiving media. Therefore, I can empathize with, and understand, the pressure of preparing my clients’ for their wedding!

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In fine art and literature, music and history, skeleton keys have symbolized the power of possession. To hold the key to another’s heart is a magical state of being, one full of possibility, discovery and promise. You can unlock this powerful, romantic wedding theme with a little It! Inspiration:

Cake via Fabulous Cakes for Every Occasion, Boutonnieres via Pobke Photography, Invitations via Wedding Wire, Flowers via The Brides Cafe, Scrapbook via Green Wedding Shoes, Love Keys via The Knotty Bride , Pillow via Wedding Elegance, Groom holding Key via Merriment Blog, White Wedding invitation via Wedding Chicks, Escort Cards via Wedding Bee

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Jeremy Brown, artist/ entrepreneur, Love Is Art

What he is obsessed with: Love

What is so 2011: Hate

What’s the next big thing? Universal unconditional love

What should brides and grooms already know before contacting you? Simply put, LOVE IS ART is a kit that comes with everything a couple needs to safely make a tangible piece of abstract expressionistic art while being intimate with each other. What is left is a one-of-a-kind abstract painting that represents that special moment, that can then be stretched, framed and hung on the wall — a reminder of the love that was shared. The kit also provides a unique bonding experience for the couples involved, as they work together as a team to craft their own unique masterpeice.

What is your specialty? What sets you apart from others in your industry? There is no other product similar on the market.

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We love a wedding theme that is both posh and practical. Whether you and your wedding guests are shielding yourselves from sunshine, rain or snow, a vintage parasol adds a touch of whimsey and romance that turns inclement weather into cause for celebration.

Crowd under cover via June Bug Weddings, parasol centerpieces via Cheap Umbrellas,  bride with green parasol via Ruffled, floating groom via Bella Umbrella, bridal party via June Bug Weddings, dancing couple via Gabriel Ryan Photographers, bride with red parasol via Jen Stewart Photography, cocktails via Wed Loft, cake table via Koyal Wholesale

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Kara Reinhardt, Associate Editor, Cheapism.com

What she is obsessed with: Finding wedding gowns that fit tight budgets. I bristle at the prevailing message that the perfect dress is worth any price. Not all engaged couples and their families have the means or the desire to fork over four figures. Luckily, online resources and alternatives to traditional bridal salons have made it easier than ever to find an affordable gown.

What is so 2011? Strapless will continue to be a popular style, but there’s a definite trend away from bare shoulders. The most obvious catalyst for this is the long-sleeved Alexander McQueen design that Kate Middleton wore last year in her wedding to Prince William. That look of unlined lace was prevalent on Bridal Fashion Week runways. The 2012 collections also showcased cap sleeves and capelets. Staying open to a wide array of necklines makes you more likely to happen on an inexpensive dress.

What’s the next big thing? The social-networking site Pinterest has suddenly gotten a ton of media attention and is already a favorite among brides-to-be. It’s essentially a digital corkboard where you can “pin” content from around the web — images of wedding gowns you like, for example — just as you would attach photos cut out of a magazine to a physical inspiration board. You can also gather ideas by perusing other people’s boards.

What should brides already know before contacting you? At Cheapism.com we have an extensive buying guide dedicated to cheap wedding dresses. We’ve reviewed half a dozen purveyors of bridal gowns under $500 and concluded that two of the best are Nordstrom and J. Crew. Both stores impressed us with their quality and customer service.

What is your specialty? What sets you apart from others in your industry? Cheapism is the only review site that focuses exclusively on low-cost products. I often see people recommend so-called “budget” wedding gowns that don’t exactly fit my definition of the word. A $1,248 White by Vera Wang dress from David’s Bridal may be a bargain compared with one of the designer’s couture gowns, but it still costs $1,248 (or at least $948 — part of the collection is currently on sale). At Cheapism we set our price ceiling as low as we can without sacrificing must-have features and quality.

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