The pandemic has wreaked havoc on the world’s wedding plans. As the UK begins to open up, the business end of 2021 and onto 2022 looks set to see an explosion of weddings, as couples seek to reschedule postponed ceremonies from the previous year and newly engaged couples are eager to get married fast.
Those big, lavish affairs that we’re used to? They might just be a thing of the past. Instead, here are 7 top wedding trends we’re going to be seeing this year and beyond.
WEEKDAY WEDDINGS
Weddings once seemed solely reserved for Saturdays. However, since the beginning of the pandemic, more couples are choosing to get married during the week. Glamour reports that “the proportion of Saturday weddings has declined from 57% in 2019 to 53% 2020, according to Bridebook, and even further among engaged couples. 17% of postponed couples will marry on a Friday and 11% will marry on a Sunday”.
We expect this change to expand further, with weddings shifting from a weekend focus into the midweek.
Not only is it cheaper to marry midweek, but cancellations of weddings over the past year have meant that weddings all over the country are being rescheduled. As such, weekend weddings are like gold dust and the prices….well, it’s not worth thinking about.
Couples are now less precious about having a weekend wedding, with the pandemic providing the perfect excuse to host the event on a more affordable day. Choosing to have a weekday wedding with fewer guests means that couples don’t have to wait another year – or longer – to get married. Moreover, they are more likely to get the wedding photographer, caterer and florist of their choice.
As such, keep those calendars clear, and don’t be surprised to receive a weekday wedding invitation soon.
ELOPEMENT WEDDINGS
The pandemic has certainly made organising nuptials for couples problematic. Indeed, over the past year, countless couples have been grappling with the decision of how to move forward with their wedding plans whilst managing to please everyone and endanger no one.
With the uncertainty and risk involved in planning a wedding, many couples are re-evaluating what was important to them in the first place. That is getting married, not whether their third cousin removed should sit next to crazy aunt Beverly at the reception.
As such, some bridegrooms-to-be are choosing to elope instead of dealing with the headache of planning or rescheduling their wedding completely. A chic and discreet option, eloping is also an attractive alternative for couples who aren’t actually all that fussed about the intricacies of wedding planning, especially if you’re someone who has never had an interest in deciding between fondant and buttercream.
BELATED CELEBRATIONS
Some couples are choosing to get married now with close friends and family, then celebrate more comprehensively with a larger group when restrictions fully lift.
Indeed, getting married now, in a compact, cosy way, is a smart option as it means couples can celebrate together and start their married life, then celebrate with a wider network of friends and family when it’s safe to do so.
Choosing to take this route removes the anxiety and all the pressure that comes with having to wait, while giving couples something to celebrate right now and look forward to later. Moreover, the need for a knees up has never been greater – and this way couples can get their cake and eat it, too.
SIMPLE WEDDINGS – LESS IS MORE
The growing trend towards minimalist matrimonials and simple weddings, seen before COVID-19 was even a familiar term, looks like it’s set to continue, and according to Pinterest, it’s a movement that’s here to stay.
The Huffington Post reports that the trend forecasting team at Pinterest have concluded that “regardless of covid restrictions…smaller, laid-back venues and no-frills elopements (are) continuing to gain popularity.” They reveal that searches for “small backyard wedding” were up 160% while searches for ‘’courthouse weddings’’ more than doubled.
With the ever rising costs of weddings and the future of travel uncertain, expect this to be a trend which lasts long after things have returned to ‘normal’.
RECEPTIONS AT RESTAURANTS
We’ve already seen many couples completely cancel their plans and instead, choose small, more intimate affairs which don’t necessarily follow the usual timetable of a wedding in the UK.
Couples with a particular focus on food and letting their hair down are choosing to have their wedding receptions in a restaurant as a way of keeping numbers tight, time commitments down and the quality up. Bring it on!
TECHNICOLOURED AFFAIRS
Let’s not deny that the past year has been a bit beige and we’re all in desperate need of some colour in our lives. While white, of course, never goes out of fashion for weddings, neutral hues such as ivory, taupe and dusty rose are so pre-pandemic.
We’re set to see a pop of joyful colours in all shades at weddings this year – from bright, vibrant invitations to vividly coloured dried floral bouquets and bold statement hues as a backdrop – and personally, we can’t wait.
Bright, vibrant, vivacious weddings offer an upbeat, celebratory vibe – and right now, we all need a little colour in our lives, don’t you think?
SURPRISE WEDDINGS
Let’s face it, the circus that comes with organising a wedding can be plain stressful – be it trying to meet the demands of an interfering family or juggle meddlesome mates’ expectations. One trend that has become increasingly popular during the pandemic is surprise weddings, mitigating all that fuss beforehand in favour of something a little more guerilla.
Surprise weddings reduce a good amount of the stress that comes in the lead up to the wedding, with much of the fluff and finery less necessary. After all, your guests will be dazzled that the event is taking place at all, regardless of whether there’s the requisite bling and bluster involved.
Instead, expect a raucous, rebellious atmosphere and a celebration of living in the moment. That sounds just about IDEAL to us.