2020 may have put many wedding plans on pause, but there’s no stopping love and we predict a bumper season to come for celebrations large and small. Here are nine of our favourite wedding trends for everything from bridal fashion to honeymoon bliss
Wedding trends are always evolving, but right now there’s so much to love about everything from bridal fashion to venues, honeymoons and jewels. Perhaps it’s this time of pause, but creativity seems to be shining through. So if you’re waiting to set that date or confirm a new one, here are some inspiring ideas to add to your wishlist for your dream day.
1. London looks
London fashion has always been as distinctive as the city itself and that’s got to be something to celebrate. So here’s a shout out for the healthy crop of smaller studios led by brilliant designers who bring refreshingly different style to bridal dressing.
Names we love right now are Nikeen Asar for dramatic silhouettes and luxe fabrics, Hermione de Paula for high-glamour gowns with botanical influences. Also check out the designs of Rita Colson, light, airy and so elegant – her second collection is now available at The Wedding Club.
We recommend…
* nikeenasar.com; hermionedepaula.com; Rita Colson @ thewedding-club.co.uk
2. Long weekend weddings
With longer to plan and a real reason to treasure time with loved ones we expect many more long-weekend (or midweek) celebrations to make more of an event that takes so much time to plan and can be over way too fast if you only have one day. For rural idyll with cool accommodation we’d choose Sibton Park in Suffolk’s Wilderness Reserve.
Deer Park in Devon is a front runner for elegance and home-comforts, with its gorgeous manor, romantic Italian gardens and superb local produce. If you’re hosting a crowd, we can’t resist Gosfield Hall in Essex – the former royal palace within the Country House Weddings portfolio boasts a dramatic 120-foot aisle, stunning ballroom and grounds and plenty of accommodation, including an amazing Rococo Honeymoon Suite.
We recommend…
* wildernessreserve.com; deerpark.co.uk; gosfield-hall.co.uk
3. Totally bespoke rings
One of the biggest trends in wedding jewellery is for personal and bespoke. More couples are incorporating family stones, even the gold from old rings, to create a new treasured piece. There are lots of things to love about this, not least the fact that it incorporates sentiment and memories to give you a lovely new heirloom to treasure forever.
For choice bespoke options, we love Taylor & Hart’s and Lebrusan Studio. For custom-made wedding bands that you create yourself – perhaps the ultimate romantic date – head to the Hatton Garden studio of Daniel Christopher.
We recommend…
* taylorandhart.com; lebrusanstudio.com; dcjewellery.com
4. High-glamour bridesmaids
The days when bridesmaids had to wear a matching dress – whether or not the colour or style suited them – are gone. Hurrah on behalf of all future bridesmaids! The gurus at Maids to Measure tell us that the trend on numbers is up (six plus bridesmaids is not so unusual), so the likelihood of them all liking the same design is, let’s face it, vanishingly remote.
There are lots of positives about this trend. Glamorous attendants are much happier and more likely to smile for the camera – and they may even wear their dress again if it’s one they have selected because they love the way it makes them look. Mix and match is definitely one way to go. Blending plain and print looks great, as does one colour in different styles or the same dress in tonal hues. Maids to Measure offers showroom appointments and online ordering. Also check out the wonderful floaty and sophisticated options at TH&TH and Motee Maids.
We recommend…
* maidstomeasure.com; thandth.com; moteemaids.co.uk
5. Hideaway honeymoons
Wedding trends are vital, but honeymoons are what many couples are focusing on right now. Romantic solitude is set to be a travel theme of 2021. Kuoni, always a bellwether for honeymooner trends, reports that demand for its private villas has never been higher. Our pick would be its beach villas in the wonderful Maldives island of Milaidhoo – a big star-filled sky above, a private pool where you can have a proper swim and in-villa dining for barefoot luxury. We also dream about a bespoke road trip through the wilderness open spaces of Canada with Turquoise Holidays. Closer to home, how about a cosy shepherd’s hut in Eype, on Dorset’s Jurassic Coast? It’s beautifully decorated, deliciously rustic and perfect for a minimoon.
We recommend…
* kuoni.co.uk; turquoiseholidays.co.uk; shepherdshuteype.co.uk
6. Heirloom heels
Do you have to start with the dress? There’s a strong argument for dressing from the ground up with so many exquisite heirloom heels around that you can splurge on in the knowledge that they can be worn again. Emmy London’s bespoke service offers endless opportunities to tailor colour, size, heel height and trims while her made-to-order shoes such as hand-beaded Isadora are luscious.
Freya Rose’s signature mother of pearl heels are heavenly (and surprisingly robust), with options such as brass inlay and even initials. Diane Hassall personalises her collection with everything from embroidery to ribbons.
We recommend…
* emmylondon.com; freyarose.com; dianehassall.com
7. British classics
There is a long tradition of fine tailoring in this country – and the bridal industry is the place where we have the opportunity to experience this first-hand. Long-established names such as Louise Selby and Sassi Holford have earned their reputation because they create beautiful gowns with fine detailing right here – and they know how to make brides look and feel beautiful.
And for mothers of the bride and wedding guests, that impeccably tailored coat or dress by Lalage Beaumont or Joyce Young (both also designed and made here) is both a confidence boost and smart investment dressing since both design with the approach that these are outfits you will want to wear again for business meetings or parties long after the big event.
We recommend…
* louiseselby.com; sassiholford.com; lalagebeaumont.com; joyceyoungcollections.co.uk
8. Gifts with love
Gift lists are evolving, just like weddings, and there’s no need to feel stuck for ideas if you don’t need another dinner service or feel uncomfortable asking for more stuff. From honeymoon funds and charity contributions to social gifting (where you ask people to gift their time), there are brilliant ways to let people say how much they love you. Of course, if you do need a classic dinner service or sofa (perfect for group gifting), there is every reason to add it to the list. Some guests are traditionalists and most would rather have a firm idea of what you want. For inspiration and list making, head to Prezola, The Wedding Shop and The Wedding Present Company.
We recommend…
* prezola.com; weddingshop.com; weddingpresentco.com
9. Heavenly headlines
Top dressing for brides (and guests) is rising up the list of priorities and we love this love affair with hats, crowns and the rest. Our pick for the ultimate wedding halo is one of Jane Taylor’s regal pearl designs.
But it doesn’t end there. From Ann-Marie’s Faulkner’s fantastic veils and headdresses to Awon Golding’s bridal collection with Bianca Jagger-style picture hat, no excuses needed to grab the headlines on your wedding day.
We recommend…
* janetaylorlondon.com; annmariefaulkner.co.uk; awongolding.com
MORE WEDDING TRENDS INSPIRATION?
Isabella Eckett discusses jewellery trends with Emily Mortimer
