We are officially in 2023, and don’t know about you but I can’t quite believe it. Getting back into a routine has been interesting after the indulgence of the festive period but we are excited about all of the amazing weddings to come this year.
We would like to say the wedding environment will become a bit more settled this year, but there are still many weddings taking place that have been delayed due to COVID so it’s another busy year ahead for the industry.
Ahead of another busy year, what are the top 2023 wedding trends that you should be looking out for? Weddings aren’t the traditional affair they once were, and couples are getting more and more adventurous in stamping their mark when they tie the knot.
Here are my top 10!
The retro bride
Bridal looks are always evolving and this year, I expect to see a return of the 80’s. And no, I don’t mean the late Princess Diana’s dress designed by the Emmanuel's, but think 80’s on steroids. Puff sleeves, texture and shorter looks. I predict many brides will capitalise on detachable elements of dresses - removable skirts, removable puff sleeves to have two looks at their weddings, without the additional price tag.
Not only that - bridal suits are in! Searches on Google for “Wedding Suits for Women” are up +125% with almost 10,000 searches each month for the chic wedding look.
2. Something blue
Green was the most popular colour for bridesmaid dresses in 2022, but bridesmaid dresses in blue hues are selling out for the 2023 season - perfect to have your bridal party as your “something blue”.
This also means that you can accentuate this accent further in your wedding with blue shoes, blue florals and blue in your decor to really hammer home the traditional rhyme.
3. Intimate weddings
COVID meant that people had to have smaller weddings to reduce the risk of spreading the virus, but since weddings have since returned, the size of the average wedding has reduced from well over 100 to between 50-70 guests. Weddings are more intimate, personal and the happy couple can invite those that they love the most, and therefore spend some time with all of their guests.
It also saves on costs and means that you don’t have to invite aunty Agatha that you haven’t seen in over 10 years…
4. Outdoor weddings
Ok, so the UK weather is unpredictable and you can plan all you want for an outdoor wedding and it may or may not happen, but if the weather holds out it can be truly magical. More and more couples are opting for venues that have the possibility of an outdoor wedding so that they have the option. On the day, most venues won’t give you the choice and ultimately the decision lands with them and the registrar - and actually this is a good thing. It’s not something you can control (unless you believe some of those weird superstitions that I recently shared on Instagram…sausage burials anyone?)
5. Let’s elope
The elopement has risen in popularity and is set to continue to rise into 2023. More couples are choosing to elope and then have surprise “weddings” in the weeks that follow - disguising them as an engagement party or just a get together. I have to say, I find this kind of beautiful. It means that you can have a private celebration just the two of you, or with immediate family, and then have the celebrating with your wider friends and family at a fraction of the price because the word “wedding” isn’t always attached…
6. Grazing menus
Long gone is the three-course sit down meal and wedding breakfasts will become more creative in 2023. Think grazing boards as starters, perhaps not even served at tables but served at stations to allow all of your guests to continue mingling after the canapés - or perhaps grazing boards replace canapés as we know them.
Sharing mains and dessert stations as well mean that there is no forced sit down section at your wedding but the chance for everyone, including the couple, to continue mingling and eating throughout the day and into the evening.
7. Mix & match bridesmaids
Some brides will continue to opt for the same colour bridesmaids, but different styles which continued to be popular in 2022. However, I think we can expect the mix and match to go even further in 2023 with different tones of the wedding colour being worn by the bridal party - think different blue tones rather than sticking with a single dusky blue.
8. Feathers
Feathers, feathers and more feathers! Feathers add luxury to any bridal look, whether the bride opts for a wedding suit, 80’s chic or traditional Grace Kelly vibes - we will see more feathers at the cuffs of outfits.
9. Honeymoon funds
Couples have continued to opt for cash gifts as opposed to the traditional gift registries. In the 21st century it’s very rare that couples move in after the wedding, and it’s likely they have everything they need at home already so there aren’t many things that their home needs as they have been building it for a number of years already.
However, what couples do want to do more of is head off on an exotic honeymoon - especially as COVID is no longer hampering entering countries (for the most part - maybe let’s continue to avoid China for now…). 2023 will see more couples asking for honeymoon contributions as a wedding gift, allowing them more time together to create special memories with extraordinary experiences across the globe.
10. The bow
Just like feathers - bows are making a comeback in 2023. Think head bows in replacement of traditional veils, large bows at the back of dresses (Esme Young will be chomping at the bit!), and even bow cuffs. We’re about to see a beautiful and girly revival.
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