Given the time lost to the pandemic, 2023 is set to be wedding central, with new engagements and postponed nuptials all packed into 12 months. For the top tips on planning your perfect day, we've put together a list of predicted wedding trends for the year ahead.
For all the suppliers you need for your dream day, don't forget to visit The Wedding Day at the SETU Arena, Waterford September 24th.
The 80s are Back!
Think Princess Di's dress- with a Gen Z twist. The 80s have made a comeback in cinema, TV and music - and fashion is no different as puff sleeves, strong shoulders and dramatic accessories dominated wedding runways.
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For those horrified by the idea of a retro dress, you'll be pleased to know that wedding suits have also received more runway treatment, with working girl-inspired power woman fits.
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Lastly, the nod to the 80s can also be seen in dramatic accessories, with the beloved bow making a play for centre-stage. Dresses and veils were seen adorned with bows, and other dramatic elements such as organza, floral overlays and pearls had a catwalk comeback.
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Exceptional Entertainment
Singer, Band, DJ: wedding entertainment has become so formulaic, couples are now looking for that extra element to make their matrimony all the more memorable. Gone are the days of one form of entertainment as couples are opting for more unique and interactive elements that guests will rave about.
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Think beyond photo booths - palm readers, petting zoos, casinos or dance machines, custom temporary tattoos, fire dancers, prosecco pong, and even mini golf!
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VIPs Only
Caps on wedding numbers haven't gone away with Covid, as many couples are now opting to keep numbers low. Intimate weddings began to trend in the pandemic and are now considered less gauche and more tasteful, not to mention more economical. Pre-pandemic, the average wedding numbers were over 100, and now have fallen below. Spending has yet to drop, however, as couples seem to be spending any money saved from the guestlist on more luxurious catering and entertainment.
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Miss Matched
Goodbye to all the girls in all the same colour. Brides are now having bridal parties with groomsmaids, men of honour, and even mixing hens and stags into 'stens'. In terms of bridal party fashion, a palette rather than a single colour has become the norm, with bridesmaids wearing a fusion of complementary colours, eg. orange, ruby and mustard rather than one block of a single colour.
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One Love
Weddings can be so wasteful (and hard on the wallet) so it's no surprise many couples are opting for more sustainable solutions to their big day. Searches for 'dress rental' and 'second-hand wedding dress' have all spiked, and as many as 22% of couples in the U.K. are saying sustainability was a factor in their wedding planning.
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Using local caterers and suppliers can reduce your carbon footprint, as well as choosing a venue with a clear sustainability policy. Upcycling "something old" into something new can be a fun way to put a sustainable twist on tradition, and assisting in planning your guests' travel route can also help reduce your carbon footprint. Wedding carpool anyone?
For everything you need for your wedding, head to Beat's Wedding Day, September 25th at SETU Arena, Waterford.
Book tickets here
