BY SHARON NAYLOR

CREATORS.COM

The new wedding color palette has been announced in the Pantone Fashion Color Report Spring 2013, a comprehensive overview of fashion designers' use of color in their upcoming collections.

The palette's mix of vibrant brights and soothing neutrals work together to create what the company calls "a harmonious balance."

Among the brights are the following colors:

Poppy red: A deeper, richer red brings a radiant, bold burst of color to wedding style, whether for fashion or decor color palettes, and lets the bride make a statement in spring. Pantone calls this shade seductive, sensual and celebratory."

Emerald: Green is a hot color for spring, in this jewel-toned shade that has taken over for past seasons' preferences for soft, pale sage greens. Deeper greens provide a vivid backdrop to other colors, and evoke a sense of spring in an eye-catching way.

Greens are especially popular, says Leatrice Eiseman, spokeswoman for Pantone. "Because, just as in nature, green goes with everything!" Wedding bloggers and journalists are raving about rich mint shades on the bridal fashion runways, giving you a slightly different hue of blue-green to consider.

Lemon zest: Yellow is one of the leading colors this season, with a stronger, more vibrant shade than last spring's softer buttercup yellows.

Monaco blue: More of a sapphire blue in a deep shade, blue is being shown on the fashion runways as the new black.

Nectarine: Oranges remain hot this spring, with last season's "in" color, tangerine tango, softening a bit for a bright orange with more coral undertones.

Among the pastels are the following colors:

Dusk blue: A softer shade of blue that some refer to as "beach glass." This color paired with Monaco blue and lighter neutrals creates a one of the most popular palettes today. It's a deeper blush blue, departing from sunnier Caribbean blues, for more romantic appeal.

Tender shoots: This yellow-green shade coordinates with emerald and again pairs with other hot spring colors in a more traditional spring-like shade.

African violet: This 'exotic statement color' can be mixed with soft neutrals or bold brights.

Grayed jade: A subtle green with gray undertones, this shade plays a part in green's position as a top color for spring weddings.