Upcoming trends for fabulous weddings

Around 71% of couples in the UK have postponed their wedding due to Covid-19 – reports wedding site Hitched – with problems such as small guests limits, reduced venue options and limited mobility taking the “party” out of weddings and other social gatherings. Many forward-thinking brides and grooms, however, are refusing to wallow in misery, taking the time to plan instead for a memorable wedding that family and friends from near and far will be able to attend. Those who are a brides or grooms who have had to cancel their venue or ceremony, why not get clued up on the latest wedding trends that will be taking over the industry? From wedding jewellery to fashion, venues to choice of entertainment, these are the products and services to watch out for.

Sustainable weddings

Sustainable is the buzzword across a wide gamut of industries, including fashion and décor. Research by Deloitte indicates that around 43% of consumers are actively choosing brands for their environmental values and many wish to extend the green lifestyle to big celebrations such as birthdays and weddings. Etsy trend expert Dayna Isom Johnson reports that reclaimed wedding items – everything from vintage glasses and crockery to delicate lace dresses, antique cufflinks and jewellery – are all the rage. The penchant for sustainability will extend to wedding décor. Dried or sustainably grown flowers, zero plastic, compostable dinnerware, plantable party favours, potted (instead of cut) flowers for decoration and unique touches such as leaf place cards, vintage mugs turned into lanterns and up-cycled central table decorations are just a few additions some may be partial to. To seal the trend, opt for sustainable suppliers and choose an eco-friendly venue with firm policies regarding recycling, renewable energy and the like.

Micro weddings

When creating a wedding list in typical years, brides and grooms often report that keeping numbers to below 100 is difficult, owing to social, work and family commitments. The year 2020 forced many couples to create ultra-pared-down lists, sometimes with as little as 15 or fewer people. This necessity has got couples thinking and many are seeing the bright side to having only immediate family and their closest circle present. These benefits can include a lower carbon footprint and having more funds for photography, the honeymoon and other wedding expenses.

Rings that break with tradition

Rings (engagement rings and wedding bands) are one of the most traditional components of a wedding, but these days, many brides and grooms are opting to break with tradition when it comes to style and design. Coloured diamonds are all the rage, for instance (think Carrie Underwood or J-Lo, who opted for yellow and pink diamonds, respectively), as are more creative rings for men – who said diamonds couldn’t be a boy’s best friend as well – including diamond engagement rings and pavé diamond bands (see YouTuber Ryland Adams’ beautiful rings for inspiration). Of course, some things about rings remain unchanged. There are many traditions surrounding wedding rings. These include selecting rings together, asking a friend to be guardian of the ring on the big day and of course, having a ring bearer (human or canine) who carries the ring to the groom during the ceremony.

Virtual weddings

Virtual weddings will be part and parcel of ‘the new normal’, reports Insider, since live-streamed events are an excellent way to ensure that loved ones living far away are able to catch all the special moments even if they cannot travel. These weddings are increasingly becoming etiquette-heavy as well, with new “rules” including dress codes (even for virtual attendees), digital timetables (so guests logging on know more or less when key events take place) and scheduled Skype or Zoom calls for specific guests during the night.

In recent months, arguably the biggest trends in the wedding industry were outdoor and micro weddings. As health solutions start to prevail and couples have more freedom to celebrate in their chosen way, they may find that these trends continue to be useful. This is the case, for instance, for small and virtual or semi-virtual weddings. Other trends – such as vintage jewellery, colourful rings and sustainable décor – will be predominant in both small and large weddings alike.

The editorial unit