by Johanna Osborne

 

2013 has been a truly dazzling year for weddings and we have rounded up some of our favourite trends for you to enjoy and ogle over. Nothing like gaining inspiration and taking excitement up a notch when looking all the beautiful ideas and options out there. Sigh, if only we could get married every year!

Lighting has been HUGE this year! Candles, fairylights, show-stopping chandeliers, anywhere and everywhere from inside grand ball rooms to marquees and even trees!

The gown! For several years now, body-hugging silhouettes have reigned supreme in bridal fashion. Fall 2013 collections, however, reversed that notion. Designers such as Reem Acra, Vera Wang and Lazaro sent light and airy ball gowns down the runway, reminding us all that sometimes more is more!

Back detail! We just love the idea of shimmering 360° with detailing on the back of your dress. How gorgeous! And 2013 has seen plenty of designers, and subsequently brides, following this trend.

Gatsby everything! With the unforgettable movie release came a massive resurgence of vintage weddings: elaborate headpieces, feather centerpieces, Art Deco venues, cocktails galore and sparkles everywhere!

Lazer Cut Stationery! Fancy fancy, my oh my! Wedding stationery has been taken to new heights with bespoke laser-cut designs. Precise and elegant, this is one way to ensure your invite has a firm place on your friends’ and family’s fridges for many months to come.

Lounge Lizard! Although the reception lounge has been big for a few years now, 2013 continued to see couples opting for comfortable couches, plush pillows and romantic curtains to set the scene for a place where guests can kick up their feet, mingle and relax the night away.

Top of the morning to you! Brides have been reverting to more sleek and classic styles, and the sophisticated top knot has been a big favourite this year. We love it! What a great way show off pretty earrings, your slender neck and of course pretty necklines too.

Sweet tooth! Nothing could or should ever steal the wedding cake’s halo, but 2013 has seen the sweet table reign supreme for another year. Brides and grooms have given their guests something to really savour on those lounge chairs and we agree that finishing off on a sugar high is a perfect way to end the night!

I scream! Another alternative (or addition, why not do it all?!) to inject some sweetness is the ice cream/gelato cart. Your guests will love it and the photos opps are endless. Ice cream is a good time filler for afternoon photographs and a nice way for guests to have fun in the sun. Equally as a night time dessert (with fireworks or sparklers!) could also prove a huge hit.

Cocktails! Hand crafted drinks with unique and sometimes surprising favours have made their way into the wedding scene this year, much to everyone’s delight. Naming cocktails after the bride and groom using funny nicknames or jokes that guests appreciate has been one way of trademarking weddings as unforgettable and truly unique!

You + me! Personal touches have been as popular as ever in 2013. Monogramming and labels make it easy to give something a custom-made feel. By adding a monogrammed sticker or even creating your very own wedding logo to stick onto your favours, the welcome bags etc, you automatically put your “stamp” on your day.

Garlands galore! On chairs, table runners, backdrops, headpieces, cake toppers and more. Their versatility and universal appeal will ensure that we will be seeing more of them.

Blooming gorgeous! Soft, lush, romantic, the peony is one of the most-requested wedding flowers ever! But with the bloom available for only two months out of the year, brides need a backup or a very very good fake.

Bite me! Bite-sized finger food has been an extremely popular accompaniment to all those divine cocktails and enables brides and grooms to incorporate different styles and flavors into their wedding.

Wine and dine! Just because hor d’oeuvres are a major trend, does not mean plated dinners are any less in style. In fact, the fancier the better. Gold silverware, sophisticated vintage dining sets – it all goes with the Gatsby and vintage trends perfectly.

Minty fresh! Pretty much as beautiful and vibrant as it sounds, mint coloured bridesmaids dresses or general minty accents on the day have gained popularity this year and we can see why. A perfect match to peach or blush.

SOURCE: Weddings Illustrated, The Bridal Guide, Brides Magazine UK, The Huffington Post