The 2014 Wedding Trend Report

Planner extraordinaire, Kat is a newly-wed herself and launched her own wedding planning service in 2013 after a successful career in London planning events across the UK, Europe, the Middle East and America – from intimate weddings to gala dinners for over 2,000 guests!

So… with those credentials I simply had to ask Kat to be a guest on Coco!

Plus how flippin’ gorgeous does she look with her beau Tom…? Very.

Kat’s first post on Coco is all about wedding trends for the year ahead…

Excited…? Me too.

Over to Kat…

A big hello everyone and a belated Happy New Year from Katrina Otter Weddings & Events!

As a wedding planner and stylist I often get asked for my opinion on current wedding trends and I am delighted to be able to share with you some of my predictions for the biggest trends of 2014.

When I started writing this article I was curious as to what other industry professionals were predicting for the year ahead.

Do a simple Google search on wedding trends and you will come across literally hundreds of predictions covering everything from coloured wedding dresses to your choice of cutlery.

I’ve therefore decided to do something a little bit different…

Rather than repeat what has already been written, I wanted to give you my guide to the wedding trends that I think and hope we will start to see in greater frequency on wedding blogs and in wedding magazines.

If I was to plan my wedding all over again these are the trends that I would incorporate into my own wedding because they are practical, they won’t go out of fashion too quickly, they will make your wedding stand out for all the right reasons and more importantly these are the trends that are easy to incorporate.

PANTONE

Top Row Left: Image by Jose Villa. Top Row Right: Image by Katie Stoops & Adam Barnes. Second Row Left: Image via Marchesa. Second Row Middle: Image by Alexandra Meseke. Second Row Right: Image by Elizabeth Messina. Bottom Row Left: Image by Elizabeth Messina. Bottom Row Middle: Image via Your Cloud Parade. Bottom Row Left: Image by Awake Photography.

If you are a regular reader of US wedding blogs like Style Me Pretty, 100 Layer Cake, Ruffled or The Perfect Palette or you are just as Pinterest as obsessed as I am then you will already know that the wedding colour predictions for 2014 include… Mint, rose gold, glittery gold, grayed jade, radiant orchid, blush pink, dusty blue, citrus, coral… and so the list continues!

Personally, the real front runners have to be mint and blush pink.

Yes these trended in 2013, but, these two colours will be bigger than ever in 2014, and especially a combination of the two.

Fresh, pretty, soft, timeless and feminine –  what is there not to love about this pairing!

I can’t write about blush as a wedding trend without mentioning blush wedding dresses… From barely blush gowns to bold coral and pink, blush wedding dresses are already the standout bridal trend of 2014.

The Midas Touch      

Top Row Right: Image by Kristyn Hogan. Top Row Middle: Image by Gert Huygaerts Photography. Top Row Left: Image via Everly True. Second Row Left: Image by M & J Photos for Rock My Wedding. Second Row Middle: Image via Charleston Class. Second Row Right: Image by Justin Marantz. Bottom Row Left: Image by Lara Hotz Photography. Bottom Row Middle: Image Ever Whim Photographs. Bottom Row Right: Image by Milou + Olin.

You can never have too much glitter… right..?

Rewind a few years and adding a little glitter to your wedding was a huge trend over in the US.

From tablecloths and DIY projects, to sparkly accessories and sequin dresses.

An abundance of ideas emerged on how to incorporate glitter into every aspect of your wedding!

In the UK it was a little harder to replicate this trend due to the lack of supply of sequin tablecloths.

Numerous wedding discussion posts cropped over the years asking for help in trying to find suppliers in the UK.

In 2014 our wishes have been met, with sequin tablecloths now available expect to see couples becoming more creative with their table linens and weddings with a generous helping of bling!

Mismatched Maids

Top Row Left: Image by Lara Hotz Photography. Top Row Middle: Image by Jordan Maunder Photography. Top Row Right: Image by Tec Petaja. Second Row Left: Image by Dan O’Day. Second Row Middle: Image by Elizabeth Messina. Second Row Left: Image by Lelia Scarfiotti. Bottom Row Left: Image by Elisa Bricker. Bottom Row Middle: Image by Clary Photo. Bottom Row Right: Image by Braedon Flynn.

It’s no secret that shopping for the perfect bridesmaid dress is tricky.

In all likelihood you are trying to find a dress to suit a variety of different skin tones, body shapes, hair colours, hair cuts… and opinions!

A simple solution to this dilemma is mismatched bridesmaids’ dresses. Last year I started a Facebook discussion post on this very subject.

The resounding response was a definite no, with most people preferring the more traditional approach.

Towards the end of last year and especially this year, I’ve noticed that couples are now a lot more receptive to the idea of mismatched bridesmaids’ dresses and with dozens of options and articles now available on how to mismatch your bridesmaids’ dresses expect this to be a bigger trend in 2014.

Art Deco / Vintage Glamour

Top Row Left: Image by Brighton Photo. Top Row Middle: Image by Steve Gerrard. Top Row Right: Image by Brighton Photo. Second Row Left: Image by Jay C. Winter. Second Row Middle: Image by Scott Andrew Studio. Second Row Right: Image by Mike Larson. Bottom Row Left: Image via Pinterest. Bottom Row Middle: Image by Jordan Weiland. Bottom Row Right: Image by Josh Gruetzmacher.

Love My Dress kicked off the year in vintage style by featuring a 1920s jazz age, prohibition and Charleston inspired vintage wedding that oozed sophistication and glamour.

Take one look at this wedding feature and you can understand why Art Deco, vintage inspired weddings will be one of the strongest trends for 2014.

The Art Deco look can be incorporated into every conceivable detail of your wedding, from the dress and accessories, right through to the stationery and entertainment.

Detail Defined

Top Row Left: Image by Allie Rae Photography. Top Row Middle: Image by Ian Davies. Top Row Right: Image by Ryan Ray Photography. Second Row Left: Image by Greer G Photography. Second Row Middle: Image by BHLDN. Second Row Right: Image by Anne Robert Photography. Bottom Row Left: Image by KT Merry. Bottom Row Middle: Image by Lily & Bramwell. Bottom Row Right: Image by Michelle Gardella Photography.

Couples are now allocating larger proportions of their budgets to props, décor and lighting.

In 2014 you can therefore expect to see more detail defined weddings featuring neon signs and letters, giant balloons and tassels, vintage props, paper cranes, oversized furniture, chandeliers, outdoor lighting and an abundance of candles.

FOLIAGE

Top Row Left: Image by Alixann Loosle Photography. Top Row Middle: Image via Rue Mag. Top Row Right: Image by Trent Bailey Photography. Second Row Left: Image by Scott Michael Fraser. Second Row Middle: Image by Emily Blake Photo. Second Row Right: Image by Bonnie Sen Creative Photography. Bottom Row Left: Image by Segerius Bruce Photography. Bottom Row Middle: Image via Vanilla Bean Blog. Bottom Row Right: Image by Laura Gordon Photography.

If you are looking to create the perfect rustic woodland wedding or add impact to your day without spending a small fortune on flowers then using foliage as décor can add real impact and fill a larger space than traditional floral displays.

In recent months wedding shoots have been using an abundance of foliage, showing some fabulous ideas and inspiration on how to incorporate foliage into your wedding décor.

From floral wreaths and chandeliers to table runners and chair décor the possibilities are endless…

With so many inspiring ideas appearing on blogs and in magazines you can expect to see more and more couples incorporating foliage into their weddings.

Love at First Sight

Top Row Left: Image via SnapKnot. Top Row Middle: Image by Kayce Schoffner. Top Row Right: Image by Joanna Gourley. Second Row Left: Image by Joyeuese Photography. Second Row Middle: Image by Justin & Mary Photography. Second Row Right: Image by Diana 212 m Blogspot. Bottom Row Left: Image by Guy Collier Photography. Bottom Row Middle: Image by Meredith Lord Photography. Bottom Row Right: Image by Pinterest.

With changing times comes changing traditions.

Like mismatched bridesmaids’ dresses, couples are increasingly becoming more receptive to the idea of breaking certain wedding traditions / wedding etiquette.

The standout tradition that couples will be breaking more and more frequently is the moment at which they see each other before the wedding.

In recent months I have seen several bogs posts with photos of couples getting ready together on the morning of their wedding.  The “first look” is also becoming increasingly popular as it is felt that “first looks” are often more intimate, passionate and emotional whilst at the same time creating some truly heart-warming images.

This is certainly a more personal trend that some close to you may not expect, however meet any unreceptive comments with the belief this is your day, your way. You will no doubt treasure those last moments before you become husband and wife.

feast

Top Row Left: Image by Jose Villa. Top Row Middle: Image via Design Sponge. Top Row Right: Image by Sam Docker. Second Row Left: Image by Ann-Kathrin Koch. Second Row Middle: Image by Joanna via Irrelephant Blog. Second Row Right: Image via Pieminister. Bottom Row Left: Image via Pinterest. Bottom Row Middle: Image by Shane Shepherd. Bottom Row Right: Image via This Is Glamorous.

It’s a fact of life that I love food.  For me, this is one of the most important aspects of a wedding and a topic that I could talk for hours about.

So I’m going to try and simplify things by listing my favourite gastronomic choices for 2014…

• Social Dining ~ guests becoming more involved through interactive culinary experiences i.e. Tasting Stations.
• British Classics ~ pie & mash followed by chocolate brownies is my idea of heaven!
• Street Food ~ mobile hi-tech and sophisticated trailers offering a variety of different restaurant-quality dishes.
• The Naked Cake ~ my favourite foodie trend of 2013 and one that I hope will be a firm favourite for years to come.
• Manapés (man sized canapés) ~ substantial man sized canapés i.e. fish and chip cones and Yorkshire puddings filled with roast beef.

Delicious… Don’t you agree…?

Top Row (Left to Right) Image by Elizabeth Messina, Lara Hotz Photography, Dan O’Day, Scott Andrew Studio. Bottom Row (Left to Right) Image by Allie Rae Photography, Alixann Loosle Photography, Kayce Schoffner, Jose Villa.

So there you have it… Kat’s predictions for the hot trends for 2014.

Which have taken your fancy…?

For me, obviously being the magpie that I am, I love the touch of gold and glitter!

Oh and the first look…? Ummmm yes.

I certainly think that when your eyes meet walking down the aisle post first look there will be a charge of excitement, like a secret only you two know… Electric.

Thanks to Kat for some fabulous ideas for the year ahead…

If you are looking for any further wedding planning ideas, inspiration or advice then hop across to Katrina Otter Weddings & Events to see how Kat can help you…

Oh and if you want to see more inspiration for the above trends then pop across to the Coco Pinterest – it’s very pretty!

Happy planning folks…

Lots of love…