Weddings are very personal and there is no wedding that fits all, everyone has their own taste and wants something different be it the venue, dress, makeup, catering, styling or flowers. Along with trends people's tastes are changing and what they wish their special day to look like.
I have researched the latest trends in the wedding industry to give you some inspiration for your wedding planning.
RELAXED AND INFORMAL
Informal gatherings are top on the list for 2020/21 weddings. Going smaller with more to spend on quality instead of inviting everyone on your friend's list for your big day is gaining popularity as couples opt for more intimate, meaningful celebrations with their nearest and dearest.
I see more and more bookings for ‘Micro weddings’ meaning having a guest list of around 40 people or fewer. They can be formal or informal, keep with tradition, take a more modern approach or can be a fusion of both.
As there is more budget to spend on the personalisation you can make your wedding bespoke and offer your guests extra entertainment such as wine tasting, some quality favours and a 5 star dinner. You have more budget to add those little extras which make your wedding extra special and reflect your personality.
One of the most important qualities of smaller gatherings, they allow the bride and groom to spend more quality time with each and every guest.
Sami and Lee had a micro wedding at Lusty Glaze last year, what a great place to have a reception with your nearest and dearest
SUSTAINABLE / ECO WEDDINGS
In a world of imminent climate change it is ever more important to do our part to save the Earth’s natural resources. Now more than ever, couples are looking at ways to host responsibly.
This means cutting back on unnecessary waste and trying to be as eco-friendly as possible. There are plenty of 'greener' wedding venues to choose from and a lot of caterers offer deliciousness made from locally sourced food.
Another way to do your part to save the environment is to use upcycled and DIY décor , it doesn't just add a personal touch to your day but has been a wedding trend since a while and continues to grow.
I have also seen a lot of couples going 'plastic free' or even zero waste in swapping plastic straws for paper ones, using dried flower bouquets, compostable confetti or even sharing décor with other couples using the venue. Offering to 'replant trees' or 'giving to charities' as a wedding favour has become popular too.
There is plenty more...please also read my article on:
Dylan and Jake opted for compostable dried flower petal confetti and a dried flower bridal bouquet
GOING BIG AND BOLD ON STYLING AND LIGHTING
A smaller number of guests means you can spend more on styling your venue, so, it’s no surprise that one of the latest wedding trends right now is for oversize decor and giant statements.
Giving your wedding that personal style makes it different and more your day. Think giant balloons, giant centerpieces, floral arches, hanging displays and fancy lights.
Great lighting is often underrated and can transform your wedding venue and your images if it's indoors or outdoors. When the sun sets the lights come on, make them count and create an athmosphere for your reception. Even the simplest venue can start to glizzen with the right lighting installed.
Look at different ways to integrate lighting in a creative way. From exposed vintage style bulbs to funky lampshades, vintage chandeliers or candles in recycled jars to light up indoor and outdoor spaces. There’s lots of different ways that you can bring a touch of sparkle to your evening.
Bold Neon signage and lights have been around for a while and continue to be popular. With plenty of hire companies you can choose what you need to make a personal statement if you have the space.
Lighting can add a great ambience to your room and is often underrated. It also makes the photography more athmosperic. Hanging vintage light bulbs and fairy lights flood the room in a warm and light and can create some beautiful bokeh on your images.
make your wedding stylish with some hanging vintage lights
a warm atmosphere for your reception with the hanging vintage light bulbs
bold neon signage stays on trend if you have enough space to display it
the rustic barn at The Green Weddings in Cornwall with vintage lighting is a unique place for a ceremony
bridesmaids portrait in the old rustic barn with vintage lighting
THE DRESS
We all remember the Megan Markles beautiful wedding dress, designed by Clare Waight Keller it was elegant, chic and modern with a long veil and had a great impact on the wedding gown trend.
Sleeves are also making a comeback. Long-sleeved wedding gowns are often paired with a backless dress to balance out the look, and adding a touch of sexiness.
Wedding dresses with pockets are one of the hot bridal trends for this year. They don't just look great they are also practical for storing things like phones, lipsticks etc...or your hands when you don't know where you should put them during the photoshoot, only joking!
Along with weddings tending more and more towards being unique and personalised comes the trend of a professional tailored or upcycled weddingdress, a way to have your own unique wedding dress like no one else and to suit your style.
Finally, along with the trend ‘going big’, extravagant and unique, flashy red statement lips are one of the makeup trends to look out for too.
Melodie’s vintage style dress was chic and elegant
simple elegance!
back less dress with added accessories
long sleeves are making a comeback!
Jenny’s custom designed wedding dress with tassel handbag , so gorgeous!
red lips are hip!
LARGE FLORALS
Flowers play a major part in every big day.
More and more couples are sourcing their flowers from an independent local florist.
Some even ask for seasonal locally sourced flowers, which is another great way to add a personal touch to your special day.
When choosing your flowers it's all about bold statement colours layered up with different textures and shapes. Speak to your florist about how they can layer up displays with an explosion of colour contributing to your colour scheme.
Add a bit of colour as floral hair weaves for the bridal party.
And when it comes to your bridal bouquet, it’s all about understated tidy bouquets with plenty of overflowing greenery or even add some succulents.
Jenny’s bridal bold bouquet was just stunning!
big flower arches
oh those succulents, I’m a big fan!
colour, succulents and vintage glass, a stylish combination
VIDEOGRAPHY
In recent years I have been asked for videographer recommendations by more and more couples. Having your wedding day captured as a film is becoming more popular and a great way to relive your day.
With videography gaining popularity we also see the rise of drone footage. Perfect for the videographer getting some stunning shots of you and your guests as well as your venue and the surroundings from above.
I have a list of talented videographers I work with, so please email me if you want some tips in the right direction.
FOOD AND DRINK
As everything else becomes more unique and personal so does the food and drink choices. From DIY bars with custom signature cocktails to unique canapés and desserts that reflect the couple's taste. Gin bars seem to be a favourite!
I have seen a lot of variations of grazing and dessert tables instead of a tradional wedding cake. I asked couples why they are not having a wedding cake and most of them answered that the 'cutting of the cake' is the biggest non-event of a wedding and with so much food on offer lots of it goes to waste and a grazing table or cheese tower/board makes much more sense.
So yes, if you want to be hip offer your guests cheese tables with artisan bread and crackers. Cupcake, donut towers are also popular choices or ask your guests to bring some homemade cake and offer a cake buffet. I have seen a 'bake off' competition, where the couple judges which is the best cake offering the 'star baker' a prize so your guets are inspired to bake the best cakes ever!
Homemade Cake crazing table
homemade tastes best!
Winner of the ‘cake bake off’ competition
DO IT YOUR WAY
So these are some of the most popular things I have discovered , but whatever the trends remember this is your day, so make it your own and don’t worry about what’s popular and what others are doing. Instead use it for inspiration, to have your day your way.