From what to wear to how to decorate, we unveil 2018’s best wedding trends. Even better, they’re not just inspiring – they’re achievable too!
Often, we hear of brides being worried about choosing something too trend-led because, inevitably, times change. But don’t be so afraid that you miss out on ideas that are actually totally you.
New doesn’t always mean it won’t last, nor that you won’t love it forever even if it doesn’t. If a trend really resonates with you, it’s probably because you really do love it. And if it’s something you love, something that suits you down to the ground, then why should that change, even if what’s trendy does?
Here, we embrace exactly that spirit and compile some of our favourite finds from weddings to inspire your own in 2018. From fantastic florals to gorgeous gowns, covetable colour schemes and DIY details your guests will remember, we’re sure there will be more than a few trends here to tempt you. You never know, you might even find an idea that could become your own take on ‘something new’. Enjoy!
2018 Bridal Fashion Trends
Veils
You don’t have to wear a veil pulled forwards over your face if you don’t want to, or even wear one at all, but your wedding is your one chance to try the tradition for yourself. Choose a length you’re comfortable with, then match the fabric, colour and embellishment to your dress and you’ll be ready for the aisle.
Statement Backs
From daringly low dips to sophisticated scoops and glitzy detailing, backs now have bags of appeal for bridal. And why not? Making the back a focal point of your gown is a stylish and simple way to wow your guests when you turn to exchange your vows.
Statement Shoes
Next year is set to see some of the most stylish, statement and show-stopping heels of all time walk down the aisle, so shoe lovers, we salute you! Just keep a comfy pair close by for dancing in later on.
Trains
Sometimes, the simple addition of a train is all it takes to make a dress feel truly bridal. Whether a sweeping tulle affair, delicate scalloped lace or a pretty puddle design, trains are topping more and more bride’s wishlists. Will they feature on yours, too?
Tweed Waistcoats
One of this year’s grooms asked each male guest to wear an item of Tweed to complement his own suit, while many others have opted for a subtler addition of a waistcoast. However you style it, Tweed introduces a twist to make any suit special.
Mix and Match Maids
Quite possibly one of the most popular trends with our real brides ever, mix and match bridesmaids combine style with staying power! You could choose multiway dresses, a range of colours for the gowns or even several different styles to make the trend your own.
2018 Wedding Decor & Styling Trends
Trestle Tables
If you love the laid-back attitude that continues to breathe life into weddings, then long trestle tables make perfect sense for your reception seating. Relaxed and rustic yet still refined, you can dress them up or down as much as you like.
Metallic Suggestions
Metallics continue to shine bright in 2018, like this understated menu and table number. Amy Nichols, Amy Nichols Special Events
Pre-Ceremony Rituals
Who says you have to wait until cocktail hour? Pre-ceremony cocktails and Champagne are increasingly popular with couples who want their guests to fully enjoy themselves.
Floral Chandeliers
Wedding décor is now a 360-degree affair, and what better way to capitalise on the trend than with flowers, quite literally, everywhere? Hang flowers from the ceiling, create a flower wall, and position blooming vases on every surface you can find.
Blush and Gold
Glamorous, glittery and feminine, this colour scheme is fast becoming a classic on the wedding scene. Perfect for country houses and barns alike, these hues are romantic and opulent – everything a wedding should be!
Mismatched Crockery
Vintage plates and the eclectic look are very popular for sit down dinners, afternoon tea style offerings and even cocktail hour. Amy Nichols
Typewriter Guest Books
Want your guest book to be practical and pretty? You could hire a vintage typewriter for your guests to leave good wishes and marital advice for you, old-school style.
Tipi Weddings
We’ve seen tipis on the beach, tipis in fields, tipis in forests… couples arriving by helicopter, by campervan, by bus… However you style your tipi wedding, choose this chilled out, bohemian venue and you’re pretty much guaranteed fun, flair and a feel-good vibe.
Burgundy
Romantic, rich and reminiscent of red wine, burgundy is one of the best colour choices for autumn and winter weddings. Pair it with brushes of gold, navy or teal for a stylish scheme.
Pure White
White weddings are far from bland. In fact, the more you layer white upon white, the more spectacular it gets!
Highlight Heritage
Injecting elements of personality shows guests more about the couple’s cultural background. This couple, who have roots in Ukraine, purchased small Matryoshka dolls popular in the region and used these as name cards. Shelby Reynolds, Shine Event Design
Perspex Perfection
Remove all ideas of tacky plastic from your mind now; we’re talking perspex, and it’s on a whole other level of prettiness. From feature transparent seating to delicate, suspended baubles and even fishbowl centrepieces, perspex creates a glass-like finish that is ultra contemporary and glam.
Greenery
Since being chosen for Pantone Colour of the Year, the trend for greenery has gone wild… literally! Forget structured fronds and think rustic garlands, trailing suspended chandeliers and a freshly picked aesthetic and you’re there.
Ultra Violet
Pantone’s 2018 Colour of the Year is certainly an out-of-this-world choice, with Ultra Violet being welcomed by many as a means of adding galactic sparkle to your special day. Mix it with glitter and metallics to add glitz and romance to the punchy purple look.
2018 Wedding Cake Trends
Ruffled Cakes
Want to rock a rustic look for your wedding cake but not quite ready to relinquish tradition? Ruffled cakes offer the best blend of both, embracing classic flowers and ivory icing with a relaxed, ruffle effect.
Cheese Cakes
Give your evening buffet a mouth-watering makeover by dishing up a tower of cheeses. Serve draped in plump grapes and ripe figs, alongside every cracker and chutney you can get your hands on, for a feast that’s a favourite with every guest!
Metallic Cakes
With copper and rose gold rocketing to the top of wedding colour charts, metallics are also making waves in cake design. Choose from metallic leaf, airbrush effects or even edible sequins to steal the style.
2018 Wedding Flower Trends
Peony Posies
One of the most exclusive wedding flowers thanks to their short season and sensational style, peonies create a bouquet unlike any other. A compact cluster of barely open, ruffled buds is the epitome of romantic.
Statement Bouquets
We’ve been seriously swooning over South Africa’s iconic bloom, the protea. Sculptural, stand-out and available in so many shades, this floral centrepiece will be remembered, and can easily be paired with other flowers to complement your theme.
Bold Colours and Varied Textures
Bold Colours: “Brides are open more than ever to bold colours in their bouquets, linen and even the groom’s suit design. Now we have brides requesting bouquets with beautiful wine-coloured dahlias mixed with spiked blue thistle.” Leneille Moon, Special Event Factory
Incorporating Varied Textures: Adding unexpected but complimentary additions to floral arrangements, like fruit.
2018 Entertainment Wedding Trends
Sparklers
For something a bit special that’s still low key, try a sparkler send-off. We recommend you send your bridesmaids to gather your guests towards the end of the evening, before lighting your sparklers and enjoying a magical moment (and photos) to end the party on a high.
Pets at Ceremonies
Ring bearers, bridesmaids, best men… we’ve seen your four-legged friends adopt all of these roles on the big day this year! This couple chose their Labrador for their ring-bearer, who trotted down the aisle wearing a Go-Pro to capture the moment.
DIY Photo Booth
Whether you want Polaroids to stick into your guest book or simply to give your guests some great, interactive entertainment, a photo booth is a popular choice. Make yours unique by creating your own – we’ve seen everything from suspended frames to full-on backdrops becoming photo spots for the night, and if these couples can pull it off, you can too!
2018 Wedding Food Trends
Food Trucks
This festival-feel theme for weddings is still thriving. If your venue allow external caterers, then hiring a food cart could seriously save on your budget. Plus, who doesn’t love a bit of posh nosh festival grub?
DIY Stations
Shake your own cocktail, build the ultimate burger and stack your waffles with the perfect combo of toppings… this won’t fail to impress adults and children alike.
Locally Sourced
From farm to fork, guests and couples love to know where their meal comes from.
International Menus
In a society that is becoming more geographically educated and well-travelled, couples will opt for international menus for their special occasion. African, Persian and Middle Eastern are a few on the list…
Gourmet Comfort Food
We’re seeing a real rise in the number of brides asking for comfort food favourites refined for their big day. And why shouldn’t you have the best of both worlds? After all, you’re more than likely going to be feeding a large number of guests. Gourmet crowd pleasers are making weddings even more wonderful this year.
Pair and Share
Serve a selection of mini classic pairings, such as oysters in the shell and mini Bloody Mary tasters – the perfect modern take on creative canapés that everyone will love.
Source: WeddingIdearMag
