The 2019 Wedding Trend Report

If you’re new to the world of wedding planning, are new to the utterly delicious and inspirational pages of Coco Wedding Venues or have simply stumbled across this very feature then WELCOME to the annual Coco & Kat (aka Coco Wedding Venues & Katrina Otter Weddings) collaborative Wedding Trend Report!

If, on the other hand, you’ve been following us since our very first report way back in 2013 (this is our 6^th trend report to date… how and when on earth did that happen?!) then HELLO and once again, you’re in for a mammoth trending treat with 15, yes that’s right – 15 jam packed wedding trend predictions for the year ahead!

Firstly, let’s start off with a little trip down 2018 memory lane!

In November 2017 we unveiled our 2018 Wedding Trend Report and amongst our predictions were… velvet, clear/glass marquees, the return of gyp, small bouquets, dirty pinks and weekend weddings which have of course all been BIG news this year. And some of our predictions are set to be even bigger news for 2019 – step forward the hotly anticipated trend of intense/bright colours.

So that was 2018, let’s talk 2019!

Although just before we do, our annual note/caveat…

Our report is merely a bit of inspirational fun with a good dose of pin-spirational pretty before the festive break. A chance to reflect and be inspired. It’s an opportunity for us to sit down with a glass of bubbles and discuss the emerging trends from beautiful real weddings, inspirational styled shoots and the world of fashion (we use this as an excuse to mask our current TOAST (Mrs Hla) and ba&sh (Kat) addictions!), design, architecture and interiors (once again to mask/fuel our obsession for all things interior design, especially the new Farrow & Ball colours).

Whether you choose to incorporate our trend predictions or not, the main thing is that you create a wedding that’s truly yours and a personal reflection of you as a couple. You see, trends are just that, they’re trends (that come and quite often go) and what follows are merely our predictions. Whilst some may turn out to be BIG news, others may prove to be a little off the inspirational mark (code for too many bubbles!). The main point when planning your wedding is to have fun, be creative, be inspired and above all, create something that’s truly, fabulously and timelessly you.

Annual note/caveat over and 15 trending treats coming your way!

Shall we begin?

Vibe over palette

Every year we, as an industry, make a BIG deal about colour trends and colour palettes with the PANTONE colour of the year being the oracle for the year ahead. We too have, and always will have our colour predictions as part of our Wedding Trend Report and this year is no different HOWEVER, we’re also predicting that 2019 will be the year where the industry and couples alike focus more on planning weddings that permeate around the notion of a vibe or mood rather than a specific theme, colour or colour palette.

I for one am thoroughly excited about this slightly more relaxed and creative outlook as it allows greater flexibility in encapsulating a couple’s style rather than pigeon-holing them into a potentially more restrictive palette.

Forgoing favours

I’ll be totally honest here… favours depress me. Why? Well as a wedding planner I spend a considerable amount of time at the end of every wedding collecting favours that have been left by guests at the end of the night – whether that’s because they’ve forgotten them, they don’t want them or they simply didn’t even realise they were there in the first place and this is especially the case if they’re not edible or drinkable.

A lot of time, energy, consideration and even money can go into favours and more and more couples are now realising that favours are no longer a necessary ingredient to planning a wedding. In 2019 this trend will continue with couples forgoing favours and instead allocating the money elsewhere, making more conscious decisions or charitable donations instead.

Outdoor, personalised and celebrant-led ceremonies

In 2017, 20% of my couples had celebrant-led ceremonies. This year the figure jumped to 40% and next year… 100%. Yes, that’s right – ALL of my couples next year are forgoing legal and religious ceremonies (on the day) in favour of celebrant-led ceremonies that embrace and celebrate their unique story and individuality in a place and time of their choosing.

Surely I can’t be the only one that’s seen such a sudden jump in figures and a significant change in the way couples now say, ‘I do’?

Independent celebrant, Tamryn Lawrence of Wild & Oak says “Personalised ceremonies are going to be BIG news in 2019, particularly if 2018 is any indicator. It seems that more and more couples are taking a step away from legally acceptable ceremonies and are, instead, embracing personal ceremonies in a way that we’ve never previously seen.”

Tamryn continues “By the end of this year, I’ll have conducted twenty ceremonies and the majority of these will have taken place outside. For such a long time, there have been huge restrictions on outdoor weddings and whilst it looks like these regulations might eventually change, outdoor weddings are already possible when you opt for a personalised, celebrant-led ceremony… hence one of the reasons for their rapid growth in popularity. Yes, to complete the legalities, you have to go to a registry office to sign the paperwork but what you then get is a wedding ceremony that’s personal and meaningful, a ceremony that can be hosted wherever and whenever you like and a ceremony that allows you to include who and want you want and say whatever suits. If you’re coming from overseas, there’s also no need to worry about residency or UK paperwork and a whole new range of locations opens up to you.”

And this right here, this option to say what’s in your heart and what’s important to you in a setting of your own choosing is why we’re seeing such a significant change in the way couples now say ‘I do’.

Burgundy, Red and Plum

As promised, our first colour prediction! And this one is fuelled by my own and current obsession for richly elegant, dramatic and intensely autumnal tones. Just think about the amount of fun that you can have with these moody hues?

From just-bitten berry and rosy make-up to tablescapes adorned with dark plum vines, dramatic foliage, beautiful blooms and an abundance of tumbling fruit displays. Absolutely and exquisitely delicious!

If ever an image personified my adoration for this colour prediction it would have to be this beaut of a bouquet courtesy of Jenni Blooms Flowers.

Matte Black

Now for Emma’s first colour prediction – matte black.

Emma spoke about this dark hue in the ‘Witching Hour’ from last year’s report and this year the trend has had a subtle makeover. Think softened blacks and charcoals, rustic textured dinnerware, dark linens  and Scandi-inspired matte black candlesticks. Add blackberries to your fizz and serve deliciously decadent dark chocolate puds to complete the look!

As we’ve mentioned before, black isn’t for everyone, but paired with simple wooden chairs (as seen above) and plenty of neutral florals it’s a classic palette. Throw in a black tie dress code and suddenly it’s all rather chic.

If it’s still all a little bit morbid for you, then perhaps try midnight? This black-blue hue is a fabulous alternative.

The Meghan Effect

There’s no denying it, the wedding of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry has understandably imprinted itself on the wedding industry and will affect wedding trends for years to come and this will be especially discernible in 2019. From the dresses to the natural bridal beauty, the statement yet foam free floral and foliage installations to the Swiss meringue buttercream… to name but a few. It’s no surprise that The Meghan Effect has made it onto our list of 15.

And just when we thought that was it, along came Jack Brooksbank and Princess Eugenie with her backless gown, their rich and vibrant autumnal blooms and foliages and of course their embracement and public celebration of the ‘mindful wedding’.

Foam free

The ‘mindful wedding’ will be a thread throughout this piece, but let’s talk a little more about foam free because we NEED to talk about it and we NEED to embrace it wholeheartedly as an industry moving forwards, so therefore this isn’t a ‘trend’ but rather something we should all take rather seriously.

So, what exactly do I mean by foam free?

Step forward Brigitte of Moss & Stone Floral Design…

“As more of us become increasingly aware of the environmental impact of so many activities we take for granted, it’s not surprising that we are seeing a shift towards more sustainable practices within the wedding industry too. Of course, no one wants to go without on their wedding day, but more and more couples are keen to ensure that their special day does not cost the earth – literally. One simple way couples are doing this is by choosing a floral designer who does not use floral foam and even better, one who uses British grown seasonal flowers and plants wherever possible too.

Floral foam or Oasis as it is often referred to, is that innocent looking, green, house brick sized, squidgy lump used ubiquitously in floral designs to hold flowers in place and act as a water reservoir. But looks can be deceptive. It is actually made from a form of non-biodegradable plastic and because of its cellular structure it easily crumbles into tiny micro plastics that go down the plughole after an event and then out into the wider water system. The bigger bits that are left over are thrown into landfill where they will stay for thousands of years because they do not biodegrade. Not so innocent really then!”

Brigitte continues “But do not despair…you can still enjoy the most spectacular and stunning floral displays on your wedding day. Many of the designs that you might covet on Pinterest can easily be recreated foam free with a few clever adaptations. You just need to find a great florist who will spend the time to devise a suitable solution to support and hydrate your flowers or suggest an equally beautiful alternative.

The good news is that floral designers who are turning away from foam tend to create the most exquisite, garden style, natural florals – celebrating each individual stem rather than massed ranks of blooms. Full of scent, movement and texture and using locally sourced British grown flowers, their inspiration comes from nature and the season so creating beautifully considered pieces of delicate art with flowers.

The trend going forward will be for a more holistic and considered approach towards wedding florals…

• Plants, even trees will be used to create height and impact, which can be replanted and enjoyed after the event for years to come (and given to guests as gifts) or simply hired for the day
• Foam will be ditched in favour of garden style arrangements using beautiful vessels, chicken wire and water
• Buying British flowers, buying local and so supporting small artisan flower growing businesses will become the new normal”.

Stress free, foam free, low environmental impact and did someone mention considered pieces of delicate art.

I’m 100% on board.

Food

A Coco & Kat trend report wouldn’t be a trend report without mentioning food, right?!

This year, step forward…

• The return of fish
• Dietary and allergen menus that are tasty and served to all guests (as a nut allergy sufferer myself I am rejoicing at the prospect of not being served a token fruit salad!)
• The celebration of vegetarianism and veganism
• Supercharged and luxe grazing (don’t have the foggiest what I mean? Then you absolutely must check out Grape & Fig = oh, hello and yes please!)
• Home comforts… think next level mac ‘n’ cheese, comforting pies and the ultimate sticky toffee pudding.

Masculine vibes

This trend has my name written all over it… literally! That’s because it’s my style/dress code to a T.

When it comes to weddings this can be applied to everything from the attire to the finest of details and the whole concept is this; think simple, classic, elegant, pared back/minimal, moody, sophisticated, neutral and clean. Less, well… pretty!

Emma says “Throw a blazer over your shoulders or go all in and wear a suit instead of a dress as Marina London recently did for her gorgeous destination wedding! If you’re a wedding guest then take inspiration from Cara Delvingne’s recent sartorial choices. Serve masculine cocktails like an Old Fashioned or a Whiskey Sour (my fave tipple). Let your stationery do the talking with simple tones and editorial typography”.

Who says weddings have to be all frills and froth? Just blur those gender roles and lines all round we say.

Moving projections

Not exactly a new thing, but certainly something that we hope to see more of at weddings!

Adding moving projects to a blank canvas space will add a certain depth and immersive dimension to your dining experience, as seen here at the recent Thoroughly Modern Marriage event at ACE Hotel. Film of swaying corn added to the autumnal picnic vibes created by Knot & Pop and gave guests a feast for the eyes.

Projecting moving elements or landscapes will add add a new meaning to bringing the outside in! But be subtle and be inspired by the natural surroundings of your venue or the seasons.

Dried flowers

This might be the marmite one… more so than Emma resurrecting black for the second year running!

So why dried flowers?

Emma says “This one was a no-brainer for me. We’ve seen more and more grasses and foliage sneak into weddings and installations over the last couple of years, such as pampass and the delicate lunaria (also known as honesty) being big news. I feel there is a romanticism in dried flowers and it’s a natural step from where we are now. I’m sure most of us had a flower press when we were younger, but the act of drying flowers has been around since ancient times. From the Egyptians using dried flowers to concoct fragrances, to the Japanese art of  drying flowers called Oshibana, to the Victorians using dried and pressed flowers to enhance their appearance.”

Emma continues “I think a dried bouquet or a crown of dried flowers would feel wonderfully nostalgic and yet modern all at the same time. Tie a little bundle of corn or lavender to your place-settings for a subtle touch, or go big and create a statement hanging installation above your tablescapes. Sprinkle dried rose buds into a saucer of Champagne and of course embrace the dried petal confetti.”

Earthy and honey tones

Following on rather nicely from our dried flower love is the chilled-boho-gathering vibes and with this these earthy/honey tones – Emma’s final colour prediction. Earlier this year Dulux announced Spiced Honey as their Colour of the Year for 2019 and this versatile shade filled with warm and inviting tones of amber and rich caramel signals positivity, purpose and transformation. A pretty apt palette for a wedding don’t you think?

For inspiration purposes, Emma’s turned to the interiors of one of her favourite Greek destinations – Casa Cook – and the skills of interior designer Annabell Kutucu. Emma says “I’m completely taken by these warm earthy neutrals and delicious summer textures such as rattan, straw and linen. Combine these with tropical plants for an exotic vibe or dried flowers and grasses for a scorched summer feel. Oh and shells… add shells to this look. That’s going to be massive for 2019.”

Clips and slides

Now Emma is a little partial to a crown as seen in our recent brand campaign for Holywell Hall, but for the year ahead we’re predicting a slightly more subtle and back-to-school vibe with clips and slides taking the spotlight. Emma says “My favourite hair look is this simple slide as seen on Style Memos – a perfect ‘wedding guest’ outfit.”

This look is great whatever your hair length! Think tousled locks and a simple slide (or three) adorning your hair – we love Tilly Thomas Lux for a spot of magpie-esque jewels.

But if you still want that crown… heck go for it!

Checks and patterns

Last year we championed Chinoiserie as the pattern du jour and this year we’re saying embrace the prints again! From polka dots to checks, bold florals to stripes, we’re loving them all.

We’re smitten with the subtle detail in the napkins above at the recent Thoroughly Modern Marriage and who doesn’t love a Groom in something a little different! We think Ross looks particularly fetching in this velvet jacket with subtle gold print. This sartorial choice immediately ups the style and interest stakes!

So whether you want to go bold or add subtle touches, we say experiment with pattern and texture across all elements of your wedding – stationery, tablescapes and fashion!

Fashion

We asked our fashion partner Perfect Day Bride for a few hints at what’s hot in the world of bridal, this is what Laura said (and we’re kicking off with the most important)…

Sustainable Fashion

As humans we are seeing a big shift in awareness when it comes to sustainable living in general. This is no different in the bridal industry with each Bridal Designer learning ways, adapting methods to become more ‘eco friendly’ something these days brides are aware of and believe in. From fabric sourcing to minimising packaging, each designer is trying to do their bit.

I spoke to one of our Designers Alexandra Grecco as this is something she feels very passionate about, Alexandra said “All of our pieces are made to order for our brides, nothing is mass produced and each piece goes to a loving home. Also our pieces can be passed down to future generations. We also make everything in the same building as our studio in NYC, so we can oversee everything and ensure that we are saving and using excess fabric as much as possible to minimise on waste”

Emma adds “Couples are increasingly seeking out sustainable fashion in their everyday lives (especially now thanks to Stacey Dooley’s BBC documentary highlighting the shocking facts behind the production of cotton) and so with an extravagance such as a wedding where your choices are for just one day, perhaps more brides and grooms will start embracing items they will rewear and cherish for years to come. The brogue, the classic jacket, a two-piece for the bride rather than a dress and asking your bridal party to wear their best suits and frocks instead of buying new”.

Polka Dots

Everyone loves a polka dot right? And this trend is certainly emerging in the bridal scene. Charlie Brear, leading British designer has introduced this in her new Day to Night 2019 collection. It’s brave, bold and just so beautiful.

Colour

Designers have ‘played’ around with colours for the past few years introducing a few into each seasons collection. The modern day bride is prepared to stand out from the crowd and move away from the traditional Ivory and I’ve certainly witnessed a shift in brides taking the plunge and ordering variations in colour from a soft pink blush, or maybe embracing a sand tone to add dept and definition. Oh and who isn’t crushing on Mandy Moore’s bridal look right now? A vision in pink and all the pampas!

Instagram Influencers / You Tube Vloggers

The ‘Who wore what’ effect. There’s no getting away from the fact that this has got to be one of the biggest game changes for the bridal industry. Female Influencers have huge followings. An audience of female consumers ready to watch, listen and engage. An audience of a similar age, going through similar life experiences. Getting married is one of them. Lydia Millen and Millie Macintosh both took Instagram by storm earlier this year wearing Kate Halfpenny – will this inspire their fans and future brides  – absolutely!

Australian Labels

I talked about this last year. And the Aussie storm isn’t going anywhere. Beautifully inspiring marketing campaigns, lifestyle imagery and the laid back vibes captivates brides to be. What do you expect to see and from who? My money is on Anna Campbell channeling her new ‘Wanderlust’ collection for the modern bohemian bride, featuring exclusive embroidered fabrics, floating silks, custom-designed laces and mesmerising hand-beaded embellishment. What’s not to love.

Customisation

Getting more for your money – this trend isn’t going anywhere next season. Maybe we might not all be as lucky as Megan Markle having two dresses, however there are various ways of customising wedding dresses these days, it’s all about accessorising and how you style it.

Mixing it up with a lace over lay or just by simply adding a gold leather belt. Perhaps you want to layer your own jacket or favourite cashmere knit over a simple silk dress – the list is endless.

Our brides love thinking up new ways and adding their personality and spin on styling the final look.