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 6th 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
