In this blog, we look at wedding trends – what was in fashion then and what’s heading up the list now? Weddings are always changing so let’s explore how trends have evolved over the past five years.
Wedding fashion through the years
First on our list is the shift from big ivory ball gowns to unconventional designs.
Brides tend to go for more minimalist features now than the traditional princess dress with puffed up sleeves and a large floating skirt. Some don’t even wear a bridal gown on their wedding day, opting instead for two-piece bridal separates, a tailored suit or a jumpsuit.
More surprising is the move away from wearing white, as many more brides are embracing colour in their wedding attire like blush, nude and grey tones.
New wedding décor
Out with the old and in with the new: traditional, rustic wedding décor is on its way out and in its place is contemporary, simple décor.
There has been a huge hike in the use of modern accessories such as industrial fittings and neon signs, as well as eco-friendly themes with recycled accessories and the use of grasses as opposed to flower arrangements.
Advancements in wedding technology
Although technology has certainly been around for more than five years, it’s apparent that social media now has an even bigger impact on weddings with the app often being at the forefront of the day.
There’s the possibility to live-stream the ceremony and bring along virtual guests to the celebration… #everyonesinvited.
Furthermore, aerial drones compliment ordinary videography to offer a different angle of the wedding.
Food & Beverage trends
Next up, we talk about food and drink, which has developed massively in recent years. Not only are couples moving away from traditional wedding breakfast menus but they’re also demanding sustainability.
Many venues now offer locally sourced ingredients for their weddings, with some growing fruit and veg on-site or rearing their very own cattle/pigs/poultry in order to provide the freshest and best quality produce.
Food trucks have also soared in popularity, with lots of newlyweds hiring interactive food stations to please their guests as well as food from across the globe. Why order a takeaway when you can dine-in with your favourite culinary delight!
And if inspirational menus weren’t enough, couples are falling hard for signature cocktails and craft beer selections. Lots of venues will let you rename one of their house cocktails after yourselves or design your very own refreshment to go on the bar list.
Wedding entertainment
The move from DJ and disco has been a long time coming, but how are couples replacing this guaranteed crowd-pleaser? Well, many brides and grooms are booking live performers to woo their guests, but that’s not all.
Over the past few years, there has been a significant increase in the use of circus acts and fire dancers at weddings. Is this people wanting to live life to the fullest after years of restricted living? Who knows, but it’s definitely going to make one hell of a party to remember!
Now that weddings are back with a bang and we can celebrate in mass once again, many people also choose to have interactive entertainment across their venue like photo booths with props included such as blow-up musical instruments (more than a few epic bands will be formed that night, no doubt) as well as fascinating AR experiences to give guests a surreal ‘out of body’ moment.
Eco-friendly and sustainable weddings
And finally, there has been no bigger development in weddings than the rise of the eco-warrior brides and grooms. And long may it last!
If the couple hasn’t got their family drying flower petals to make biodegradable confetti with then they are on the hunt for eco-conscious wedding favours to hand out. Probably both, in fact.
What will weddings look like, years from now?
If you are reading this and currently planning your very own wedding, you may be wondering what else could possibly change by the time you get married.
The key thing to remember is to embrace your unique style and your individual take on the various aspects of wedding planning. You don’t have to follow in the footsteps of other newlyweds and can develop your very own wedding trends, which may or may not go down in wedding history.
We look forward to seeing how weddings continue to evolve. For current venue options, explore wedding décor at Parklands, Quendon Hall.