Wedding Trends for 2021 and Beyond…

Without question, the wedding trends for 2021 (and 2022!) are going to be influenced by the Coronavirus lockdown of 2020. With a myriad of wedding couples postponing their nuptials, 2021 is certainly going to be a busy year, so here are our wedding trends for those of you that are currently planning your big day!

 

Quality over Quantity

Having to manage smaller numbers has focused bridal couples to ensuring their loved ones have much more of a personalised experience on their special day. High quality food, drinks, décor have all become much more important to ensure the guests on the day feel loved. This is the year to go ‘all out’ for a limited number of guests rather than having to stretch the budget for a much higher attendee number.

We are now seeing the emergence of more lavish drinks receptions, with locally sourced and visually stunning fresh canapes, and personalised cocktails served on dry ice to create an immersive experience for guests & Instagram!  For many, the traditional three course wedding breakfast is now also rather dated, the trend of bespoke four and five course menus are becoming ever more popular with a real focus on locally sourced and organic foods.  Couples are keen to support their communities and the communities around their wedding venue after Covid-19.

 

The Numbers May Change, But The Budget Remains

Couples having planned their wedding in 2020/ 2021 are itching to get to the alter and couples want to enjoy every single element after being in lockdown multiple times.

Whilst the numbers have changed for many, the original budget remains largely intact, so more money is now being spent on additional décor, personalised favours, larger floral arrangements everywhere (on the tables as well as around the reception and ceremony room) and live music. Lighting has become one of the key elements for 2021 with more candles, dangling chandeliers, fairy lights and pontoon lighting – Remember good lighting can create a magical ambience for all, and works well into the night to keep the celebrations going!

 

The ‘Look’

This year will see multiple outfits for the bride throughout the wedding, from the white jumpsuit the evening before for the rehearsal dinner, to the main wedding dress, finishing with a white party dress in the evening. Dresses for the upcoming year will absolutely have been influenced by such Netflix series as The Crown and Bridgerton.  We can expect more classic simple dresses made of Satin and lace with more of the dazzle to be statement jewellery and sparkling hair accessories. Think Caroline Castigliano and Caroline Herrera silhouette gowns.

 

Venues

With destination weddings placed on hold, Bridal couples will look to UK venues to host their big day. Couples should have in mind, larger spaces for their guests to feel more comfortable in, and also when visiting venues, try to see what the venue could look like dressed in you décor.  This is increasingly difficult for couples to see, so we suggest putting together a Pinterest board of ideas and elements you would like to include, this way you already have an idea of what you would like when visiting venues.  Use the venue’s coordinators to help when you visit your venue, as they have seen many weddings and can help to suggest different ideas / themes you may not have thought about.

 

It’s The Small Things

As the wedding industry has had to adapt to intimate weddings, there are many small ways to ensure your guests feel special and cared for. If your guests are staying with you the night before, a beautiful small welcome basket with a personalised note goes along way to set the tone for your celebrations. This can include an invitation to meet the bridal couple in the bar for drinks to an intimate casual dinner or BBQ to get everyone acquainted.

After the Ceremony the drinks reception can be a part of the day where some guests (children and those that have travelled a long way to get to the wedding), may start to flag, so ensure you have something for them to do or someone to entertain guests during this time. This could be outdoor games, a flair bartender that interacts with the guests or a musician that roams the grounds and gets guests dancing.

Items such as your escort cards can also play a fun detail to enhancing your guests experience.  If you are having a more outdoors theme, you could have them fitted onto a sprig of lavender, alternatively you could have them attached to a small bottle of prosecco or miniature Patron Tequila bottles to really start the party!

Any small thought or gesture will be apparent to guests and as we say, its always the small things that count!