Chocolate has long played an important role in wedding traditions. The Mayans and Aztecs drank a cocoa concoction at their wedding ceremonies, flavored with chilies, vanilla beans, and cornmeal (yum?). In Europe, chocolate is said to have first appeared during the 1615 marriage of Anne of Austria and King Louis XIII of France, when Anne gave her royal hubby chocolate as a wedding present. So, to follow in the footsteps of the chocoholics of old, here are our favorite ways to include this treat in your big day.

Chocolate Mini Cakes

Gone are the days of the traditional (and often untouched) white buttercream-frosted wedding cake. More and more, we see brides opting for unique flavors, shapes, and sizes when it comes to cakes. Instead of one large wedding cake, why not surprise each guest table with a miniature cake of their own? They'll revel in the novelty, and it will also encourage guests to get up and mingle with other tables.

Photo Credit: Ananda Shorey of Bliss Fotography / Cake by The Whole Cake

Another fun idea: Use chocolate chocolate cake pops as escort cards!

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Strapless gowns are essentially a bridal fashion staple — they typically dominate bridal fashion runways and wedding day aisles alike. However, each new season brings with it the possibility of a new popular style. This season, it’s gowns with straps. Before you jump to a strapless conclusion, just think of the possibilities: cap sleeves, long lace sleeves, spaghetti straps, halters — the list literally goes on. We say it’s time to pop the bubbly, because straps mean you can dance the night away with your sweetheart without ever having the make a dress adjustment. Vintage, destination, glam, and rustic, here are 10 of our favorite strapped dresses perfect for your wedding’s style.

1. You can never go wrong with a classic — hello, spaghetti straps!

Preston Bailey is one of the most in-demand event planners for the rich and famous — he's worked with Oprah Winfrey, Donald Trump, Joan Rivers, Matt Lauer, Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones, and Uma Thurman, among others. This past year, he designed the $10 million Lord of the Rings-inspired wedding of Facebook/Napster billionaire Sean Parker to singer/songwriter Alexandra Lenas, as well as NBA star LeBron James' elegant San Diego wedding to his high school sweetheart, Savannah Brinson.

As 2013 comes to an end, we asked the famed designer to share some of his favorite trends and ideas that he saw emerging this past year.

Light-Up Tents
"Gone are the days of the ugly white plastic tent exteriors," said Bailey. "Projections are a great way of creating a statement and transporting guests into a new realm." 

Outdoor Weddings
Sean Parker's majestic forest wedding became one of the year's most talked about celebrations. With strands of flowers cascading from the trees, a petal-strewn aisle, and rustic benches as seating, it's easy to see why. "Outdoor ceremonies are still very popular, in spite of Mother Nature’s unpredictable moods," said Bailey.