Weddings these days are much about nothing — as in nothing traditional, nothing classic, nothing orthodox. Think neon-colored cakes. Two-piece wedding gowns or pantsuits. Hashtags on invitations so guests can tweet the wedding.

As the season of matrimony draws near (June is the most popular month to tie the knot, followed by September and October), many went searching for what’s trending in weddings in 2014. Some of them get a big “I do.” Others? Well, they’re kind of like the in-laws. We’re going to have to warm up to them.

“Clearly, most of these things would not have been done nor expected at weddings 25 years ago.”

Technological Takeover

This @wedding is fab #johnandjennysbigday.

Not everyone wants their wedding broadcast to the world. But in this day of social media, many couples adore the idea of having memorable tweets and Facebook posts from that special day. Brides and grooms are creating blogs and Facebook pages to fill people in on everything related to their wedding. Some couples include hashtags on their invitations for guests to use when uploading photos or tweeting. The more serious social media types are installing cellphone charging stations at tables or behind the bar, displayed creatively, of course, throughout their reception. Couples are also live-streaming weddings so loved ones not able to make it to the ceremony can see it all.

On the flip side, there’s also a trend for those couples who truly want their guests to go unplugged for their reception, even asking guests to leave their phones at a device drop-off station when they enter.

Save-The-Date Cards

It’s not quite time to send those official wedding invitations. But the bride and groom want to make sure the valued people in their lives show up for their big day. Entering the latest trend in wedding stationery: A pre-invitation or save-the-date card. It’s usually a fun postcard that couples send to their invitees, asking them to save their wedding date on their calendars. Many of these cards give guests wedding websites, blogs and Facebook addresses to check in for further details. Also, many are packaged in a fun way, coming as a message in a bottle or with a photo collage of the happy couple. The cards also help with long-range wedding planning.

As for the actual invitations?

Brides are using lace and romantic touches mixed with rustic and burlap. It’s a mix of the classic with a modern touch.

Cake Conversion

A traditional round, tiered cake can still be found at many wedding, but some couples are choosing to jazz up dessert. That traditional wedding cake’s time has passed for some. Variety is in: colored cakes, themed cakes, box-shaped cakes, staggered in tiers. Even cakes based on interior designs for the home.”

Organ Be Gone

The organ conjures up sounds of a funeral. And who wants that on their wedding day? Replacing that keyboard of pipes and pedals is the elegance of string quartets and brass groups. ‘The strings’ great strength is the grace, elegance and sheer beauty of sound that can only come from a group of live musicians. There is also a highly artistic element. Many couples are asking for contemporary music rearranged in a more elegant style suited to the harp; that way, the music that is important to the couple can be used, but still sounds like it fits in at a wedding. Many guests still recognize the melody but appreciate the elegance the harp brings to the music.

Half Up, Half Down

The wedding hair style question used to be a no-brainer. Of course, sweep that coif off the neck into an up-do. But flowing hair from those romantic-looking woodland weddings has taken over, with a twist. Keep those locks down, but pin a few strands up. It’s called the half up, half down style. It’s a perfect solution for the indecisive bride. The new hair style goes along with a broader trend in weddings — to look natural, to look like yourself on your wedding day. Most brides want to look at their wedding pictures and see themselves, not someone who is so made up they don’t recognize them.

Disco Fever

Reception dancing used to begin with that sweet father-daughter number. These days, wedding reception dancing is a production in itself. Many wedding parties are opting to kick off the boogie time with their own version of the Harlem shake. Others have choreographed entire disco routines that even include grandma getting down with a move or two.

But…. There’s More

• Radiant orchid is the color of the year, according to the Pantone Color Institute, so expect to see varieties of this beautiful, rich purple in all aspects of weddings, as well as in fashion and interiors.

• Chop that dress in half. Two-piece wedding gowns with cropped tops that show a little midriff are popular. Some brides are opting for shiny white pantsuits.

• No more black and white tuxes.

• Food stations have been the trendy way to dine at weddings, but 2014 will see more couples asking for family-style dining at their receptions.