Posts Categorized: Design & Inspiration

I know I know, we all kind of loathe the word ‘trend’ but they happen in all walks of our lives from music to food, and I think as a stylist and planner it’s good to look at what couples are choosing for their wedding days, from which creative ideas they are hoping to include to what elements they feel is important to incorporate so I’ve put together a few favourites of what I think [and hope!] we’ll be seeing a lot more of in 2013. If I’m waaaaay off the mark at least we can have a laugh on the eve of 2014 and see how wrong I was…

Shaken or Stirred | Cocktail Bars

Cocktails have quite often played a part at weddings but rather than just serving one at the drinks reception part of the day, I think we could well be seeing cocktails take centre stage. A few ideas could be to have a dedicated cocktail hour in the evening after the meal, or a cocktail bar with mixologists serving up classic and signature cocktails named by the bride and groom. If you can entrust your guests to be fairly civilised, a whisky bar trolley could be perfect for a nightcap or fruity cocktails served from mason jars for an outdoor summer’s day celebration. Expect to see cocktail paraphernalia to dominate too, straws, crystal decanters, stirrers, glasses in all shapes and sizes and fun ‘bar’ styles will emerge too.

Cocktail Sign: Elizabeth Anne Designs / Whisky Bar Trolley: JL Designs / Cocktail Stirrers: Martha Stewart / Gentleman’s Bar: Elizabeth Anne Designs / Travelling Cocktails: Travelling Gin Company / Mason Jar Cocktails: Southern Weddings

Fast Food | Street Food Style

I wrote this post last month on street food at weddings, and it received a really positive response from couples getting married. Food is getting more creative license at weddings, moving away from the typical 2.5 hour sit down meal of chicken and vegetables the idea is for food to encourage social interactaion for guests, to start conversations, be interesting and of course to satisfy their stomachs. High quality food can now be served with ease from food trucks or mobile kitchens keeping costs lower which is part of the appeal. Evening snacks and fun food such as hot dogs, gourmet scotch eggs and popcorn will be popular and we may also see more diy buffet tables or food bars where guests ‘create’ their own meals such as bruschetta, eton mess or even salads. I’m very much looking forward to seeing more creativity with food at weddings – it proves it doesn’t have to be boring!

Hotdog Bar: MMJ Events / Anna Maes / Hotdogs: Sunny Days Photography / Food Stalls: Marianne Taylor / Popcorn Bar: Hostess with the Mostess / Pieminister

Glitter Bug | Sparkling Details and Decor

If you are looking to add a bit of decadence and glamour to your wedding, what better way than with a bit of sparkle? Whether it’s shades of metallics, sequins or glitter details weddings in 2013 will be shining bright and I have to say I think this is one of my favourite trends. Glittering details can be added to lots of areas of the wedding, seeing it used creatively across details such as the wedding stationery, or cake but also on brides themselves as they opt for glamorous sequinned gowns and sparkling diamond jewellery. Another fun way to add a bit of sparkle is with actual sparklers for a send off or as favours to guests for the evening and of course no dancefloor is complete without a glitter ball!

Sequin Bridesmaids: Haley Sheffield via Style Me Pretty / Glitter Tablecloth: Jose Villa / Mirror Balls: Rue Magazine / Bride with sparkler: Elizabeth Messina / Sequin Wedding Dress: Stephanie Swann via Love My Dress / Gold Metallic Cake: Vicky Starz Photography via Style Me Pretty

Old School Hollywood Glamour

Where 2012 was the year of vintage inspired shabby chic we’ll be swopping bunting for black ties as we see old school glamour make a return. Suave style and sophistication is back and the key will be elegance. Parisian inspired black and white with hints of gold or muted pastels such as blush and mint will be popular as colour choices. The fabric of sophistication and elegance is lace so we’ll be seeing new twists on stylish lace wedding dresses and more modest long sleeve details and sexy fishtail silhouettes. Details and decor will be more sophisticated but pretty and considered and will include small luxurious touches, but all with old school style.

wedding trends 2013 old hollywood glamour

Lace Wedding Dress: Brumley and Wells via Once Wed / Elegant Table: Lisa Lefkowitz via Style Me Pretty / Wedding Invitations: Savannah Redtop / Classic Cake: Cory McCune Photography via Wedding Chicks / Statement Necklace: Aruna B. Photography via Style Me Pretty / Black Tie: Kate Murphy via Once Wed / Glamorous Bride: Michael Falco/ Christian Oth Studio via Harpers Bazaar / Getaway Car: Southern Weddings

;

Best Of The Rest…

Second Dress

Many couples are choosing to have an emphasis on a ‘party’ and so, while brides may choose a classic wedding gown for the ceremony if they want to hit that dancefloor they may well slip into something more comfortable. Short, sexy ‘cocktail’ style dresses will allow the bride to change their look for the evening and to party in style.

Calligraphy

Hand drawn lettering is a huge design trend and I think we’ll see this trickle through into many elements of weddings. From bespoke ‘art’ calligraphy on walls, and signs – it will be consistent on more type orientated stationery such as invites, place cards, menus and even table plans.

Technology

Couples will be embracing technology more and more for not only the planning of their wedding but also on the day. Fun phone apps such as Wedding Party mean all your guests simply upload their camera snaps to one place online for all to see, tag and share. Save the dates will continue to be sent digitally via email and for those that long distant relatives or guests unable to attend the wedding, ceremonies may well be filmed and recorded for live streaming.

Patterns

Graphic patterns of all types (stripes, spots, geometry, floral) are being used amongst wedding details such as tablecloths, stationery, and even on wedding cakes. It may also translate into wedding fashion with bridesmaids dresses, shirts for the boys and maybe even brides themselves opting for a graphic edge, This has to be done carefully (not a trend to go ott on!) but when done well can add texture and fun to a clean wedding.

So, if you are a 2013 bride will you be incorporating or considering any of the above elements. Do tell! Likewise, anyone in the industry see any other trends emerging?