At the start of a New Year and engagement season we can look forward to changes on the wedding scene and 2023 is no different. It’s always fantastic to be a part of so many weddings and see how couples interpret trends and themes to fit their own unique style and personalities and this year is particularly an exciting one for the wedding industry. After the pre-pandemic boom of weddings and so many weddings in such a short period of time after lifting of restrictions we’re about to see the biggest and quickest shift in wedding tradition throughout 2023. It’s going to be all about couples reinventing the wheel and having the wedding celebrations they want and making it a real experience for all of their guests.
From more considered guest lists, sustainability continuing to have a huge impact on wedding choices I’m bringing you the top wedding trends of 2023 as well as what’s fallen by the wayside and what you can expect to see if you are planning or attending weddings this year.
Before we dive into what’s new on the wedding scene for 2023 let’s look at what’s out. Wedding hashtags seem to be a thing of the past alongside out of town bags, which in an ever-increasing environmentally conscious society just seem like an unsustainable choice and unnecessary waste. In fact all unnecessary wedding waste seems to be up for negotiation and sustainability is here to stay – in a big way!
Statement couple cocktails are also being forgone in favour of a more whole rounded drink experience such as tableside martinis, a gin cart, tequila bar’s or champagne stations. In 2023 we’ll be seeing more couples ditching the fireworks and saving not only their budget but the planet too!
Welcome Parties and Pre-Wedding Get Togethers
With travel well and truly open for business and on the upward rise since the pandemic, more couples are continuing to opt for a destination wedding than ever before, whether that is abroad or on another side of the country. This has paved the way for extending the wedding celebrations with rehearsal dinners, pre wedding festivities and welcome parties on the rise. From casual beach days to sit down dinner rehearsals, gathering wedding guests for a daytime event is a welcome addition to destination weddings. Plus it’s a great icebreaker too for those guests that have travelled.
80’s Fashion
At this years wedding fashion shows we saw a lot of 80’s inspired wedding attire hitting the runway and Google searches for 80’s inspired wedding fashion is up almost 40%!
From huge puff sleeves, rah-rah skirts, pearl detailing and lots of bows, iconic 80’s fashion details are hitting the 2023 bridal scene in a big way. From huge dramatic statement pieces and details to incorporating these elements in a subtle way there’s lots of playful ways you can pay homage to the 80s and stay completely on trend this year. If you’re going to be going wedding dress shopping in 2023 you’ll be sure to see plenty of 80s nostalgia.
Wedding Party
The term wedding party as opposed to bridal party is more inclusive and representative of the world we live in and we see more and more couples choosing to move away from gender-focused roles in their wedding day.
Searches for male bridesmaids have risen dramatically in the past twelve months as couples seek to have wedding parties that actually represent their true friendships. Searches for ‘Man of Honour’ hit an all time high in 2022 and it’s something we don’t see slowing down throughout 2023. Couples are also steering away from same-sex pre wedding celebrations; searches for ‘Sten Parties’ and ‘Sten Do’ are up 100% from 2021 with engaged couples seeking to celebrate with their entire friendship groups in the pre-wedding build up.
Another trend that’s come of the back of the pandemic and one that is here to stay is the smaller guest list. Couples seem to be relishing in having more control than ever in who they invite to their weddings and have been to taking that pandemic attitude to tackling the guest list with couples only inviting the people they truly want to share their day with rather than for some other pressured reason. Although the average number of guests is down from over 100 pre pandemic to now just over 70 per wedding, the average amount couples are spending on their experience is up. Couples are using the money they are saving by not having so many guests to invest in better décor, entertainment and food.
Something Blue
In 2022 we saw Bridgerton fever hit the wedding world with regency style and blues and lavenders adorning plenty a wedding celebration from dainty flowers delicately placed on grand wedding cakes, Bridgerton inspired bridesmaids dresses to dramatic tablescapes you can’t have missed the impact that the hit Netflix show Bridgerton had on couples choices for their wedding. With 2023’s Pantone colour of the year being a rather warm shade of pinks and ‘Digital Lavender’ being named as an interior colour of 2023, we can expect to see more shades of pinks, rose colours, blues and purples across the wedding scene over the next 12 months.
Going Green
From upcycling to making more ethical choices couples are well and truly continuing to go green in 2023. Almost a quarter of couples consider sustainability an important part of their wedding planning. A relatively easy way to be more mindful is to upcycle your ‘something borrowed’ and to repurpose something that’s been loaned to you by a friend or relative.
Couples are also looking to be more conscious with their wedding favours and making more sustainable choices when it comes to gifting for their guests. Seeds, edible gifts or charity donations are all great options if you want to embrace this wedding trend in 2023.
Wedding outfit rentals are also on the rise with hiring your wedding attire becoming more and more mainstream. Renting your wedding dress is also a great way to save costs and have a little cash left over in the budget too.