Top 10 Trends for Weddings in 2013

Now it can be said that at Bellissimo we don't subscribe to the following of fashions when it comes to weddings. It's YOUR wedding so we believe you should have whatever you want and like, whether its the height of fashion or not. However that doesn't mean to say that current fashions won't influence you and your decisions and it isn't to say that current fashions shouldn't influence you- as long as you like it! That's the most important thing- it is your day after all. We have noticed some popular "trends" emerging for weddings for the coming season or two so we thought we would share with you at the start of this new season what we think Brides will be incorporating into their day.

1. "Vintage" elements / influences 

Vintage wedding styling has been very popular for a few years with the use of vintage china and old fashioned accessories. However, we are seeing a decline in strong vintage styling, with many people now choosing to incorporate vintage items into a different overall theme rather than the whole wedding being centred around vintage styling. Don't panic - vintage is still very much here but we are seeing it being incorporated in different ways with subtle vintage accessories and touches, for example vintage style photo frames and post boxes.

Image courtesy of Damien Bailey Photography

Image courtesy of Tatty Lashes stationary

2. Clean lines - less is more!

We are seeing  more modern weddings coming through with cleaner lines and simplicity and less frills and detailing. They are equally as beautiful with a big wow factor and many still bringing in traditional elements but keeping it much simpler and eye catching. "Less is more" is definitely the motto for 2013 weddings. Weddings will remain decadent with the materials and items used but will be less elaborate in the amount of wedding dressing. 2012 saw lots of DIY 'Stuff' being incorporated into weddings- bunting, cupcakes, ti-pis, mason jars etc however for 2013 we are seeing the beginnings of a switch to classical elegance with the simplicity doing all the talking.

Image courtesy of Michele Austin Photography

3. The romantic look- peaches and pastels

This is quite an 80's colour scheme but it is having an resurgence but without the 1980's vibe! This time round it has a very soft and romantic ambiance but feels much more up to date and modern with less of the frills and not so much emphasis on the large sleeves and shoulder padding from the 80's! We're seeing lots of peach and pale pink roses and peonies making up beautiful, full floral displays.

Image courtesy of Erika Delgado Photography

The combination of mint green with the pale peach and pinks is also looking to be very hot in 2013. It has a very whimsical, romantic yet fresh summery feel to it.

Image courtesy of Three Nails Photography

4. The Roaring 20's

Whilst we think vintage is calming down, there are some eras which will be BIG this year! The iconic design led eras, the 1920's, 1930's and the 1950's will be huge this year. We're seeing lots of vintage cars and lots of Jazz bands being incorporated into weddings as well as lots of Art Deco fonts and styling in stationary and beautiful vintage Bridesmaid dresses. We can't wait to see the Charleston and Jives coming out. The decadence yet clean lines of the 1920's makes it a perfect theme for those who want a more stripped back yet romantic wedding.

With the popularity of Downton Abbey and the wedding which featured in the last series, its no wonder the 1920's has become a popular influence for weddings.

Image courtesy of blsciblogs.baruch.cuny.edu

Image courtesy of www.roaring30.co.uk

5. Lace

Lace is a classic embellishment which will never go out of fashion but in 2013 we will be seeing it every where- not just in dresses but running throughout weddings. Kate Middleton's wedding dress will still be a huge style influence for wedding dresses this coming season- big, beautiful and full of lace detail.

Image courtesy of AFP

6. Statement back dresses

Another huge trend we are predicting for 2013- our Facebook fans have gone made for the photos we have posted of dresses with beautiful statement backs to them. You will have your back to your guests throughout the ceremony so its lovely for them to be able to see your beautiful dress. 

Image courtesy of Ariel Ranae Photography

Image courtesy of Galia Lahav

7. Patterns

2012 has seen a few patterned bridesmaid dresses but next year they are looking to be really popular, with florals, geometric prints, paisley, stripes and spots. Patterns will run throughout weddings, being incorporated into the table dressing to add interest without the fussiness and having lots of 'stuff' on the tables. However, its important not to go too over the top- remember less is more and try to stick to two or no more than three colours featured for your bridesmaids to avoid everything being too busy. 

Image courtesy of Gabriel Ryan Photography

Image courtesy of Jonathon Canlas Photography

8. Dessert Bars

So sweetie tables have been big in 2012 but next year will see the rise in popularity of the dessert table. Dessert tables are a great option if you don't want a traditional wedding cake and cupcakes aren't your thing. A dessert table can also be a great way to display your wedding cake if you are having a traditional wedding cake. Make it a real feature of the room, plus its great for the evening as it gives your  guests something to nibble on if they're feeling a little peckish! We also think macaroon towers will be a bit hit this year- they have a real wow factor and are something a little bit unusual. You can do well to combine the sweetie table with the dessert table too for a great combination of little sweet nibbles to suit all your guests or why not sweet and savoury?

Image courtesy of Thayer Allyson Gowdy Photography

Image courtesy of Martha Stewart Weddings

9. Naked Wedding Cakes

The back to basics theme has continued through to the wedding cake with sponge and buttercream cakes without royal icing becoming very popular. They are a more rustic option but very beautiful when adorned with beautiful roses but practically speaking we're not convinced that they are the best option- they won't keep very well and you will be testing your baker as it will have to be made very last minute!

 Image courtesy of 4 eyes photography

We have seen the emergence of Macaroon Towers in 2012 and we think they are going to be even more popular in 2013. They are a great alternative to a traditional style wedding cake and will really get a 'wow' when your guests see it. They can be in any colour to match the theme of your day and they can be made in a large variety of flavours to match your tastes.

 

Image courtesy of Allyson Meredith Cakes

Another type of cake we see emerging this year is Temeri cakes which are a fabulous alternative to cupcakes and having a really special sentiment, perfect for a wedding day behind them. Temeri cakes are inspired by Japanese Temeri balls which are beautiful handmade silk balls which mothers make for their daughters to play with. Traditionally it is said that the balls bring good fortune and happiness to the recipient. This sentiment Temeri cakes the perfect favour for a wedding.

Image courtesy of makiscakes.com

10. 'Posh junk food'

People have grown bored of having a buffet for evening food. 'Posh junk food' and street food is becoming very popular. People are wanting their guests to be served food in a casual way rather than serving themselves. Having food vans is proving to be a popular option- for example, fish and chip vans, Mexican food, Paella etc We have also seen the idea of posh burger and chips or Kentucky fired chicken emerging, served in wrappers by usherette waiters. We think this will really take off as buffets have become a bit tired and guests would rather have something a bit different. With receptions often going on long into the night with more taking place on private land, we have seen people wanting to serve a 'midnight snack' to keep them and their guests going. Cookies and boozy hot chocolate have been favourites! 

Image courtesy of Damien Bailey Photography

Image courtesy of Trevor Pearson Productions

We're also seeing a change in the drinks being served at weddings with signature or bespoke cocktails being on the Menu. Select the Bride and Groom's favourite cocktails shaken or stirred to order, with a little help from your wedding planner as to what goes down well with guests. Its great to make it really personal by having a  menu made up of the Bride and Groom's favourites but remember, your favourites might not be every body else's! Our advice- keep them light and not too alcoholic and choose cocktails made from a variety of different base alcohols, for example a vodka based cocktail, a rum based cocktail and a champagne based cocktail. A good selection for a summer wedding could be a Mojito, a Cosmopoliton, Lychee Martini, Strawberry Daquri and Espresso Martini.

Image courtesy of Angela Ward Brown Photography

We can't wait to see all of these trends in real life in our weddings this year! They are going to be beautiful!

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How will you name your wedding tables

 If you look across wedding forums on the internet, it would seem that one of the most difficult decisions to make when planning your wedding is choosing the names for your tables. But picking your table names can be fun and allow you to be creative as a couple. Pick something personal and meaningful to you or something that fits into the theme of your day. We thought we would give you a helping hand and have come up with some ideas for you below.

Special places to the couple- places with special memories together or places of meaning to the couple e.g. names of street they grew up, where they went to uni etc

Image courtesy of Erin Hearts Court

Image courtesy of Hinkley Photo

The word 'love' in different languages- It might sound a little cheesy but can look really elegant and after all, it is a very romantic day!

Image courtesy of www.cutiecards-weddingwishes.com

Hollywood actors and actresses or Titles of Movies- This can work well if you're having a really glamorous theme or if you're both movie buffs. 

Image courtesy of www.inthetreehouse.co.uk

Names of beaches- This has been popular among our couples at our venue, Beach Weddings Bournemouth. Many of our couples have chosen beaches around the world as their table numbers and then displayed them on a map of the World for a table plan.

Image courtesy of www.inthetreehouse.co.uk

Flower names- Perfect for an English country wedding

Image courtesy of Tanja Lippert Photography

Cities or countries- choose cities you have traveled to together and therefore have a special meaning or if you haven't had the chance to travel together very much then the names of the Cities you want to travel to together, looking forward to your future married lives together.

Image courtesy of S6 Photography

 Song titles- choose songs that have meaning to you as a couple or your favourite songs. Or why not name each table after a different word in your first dance and keep your guests guessing as to what it will be!

Famous Landmarks of a favourite city or special place

Image courtesy of www.bunnydelicious.com

Traditional table numbers- these aren't so popular now but are perfect if you want the detail to be in the colour scheme and not the theme as such. You don't have to opt for the normal consecutive numbers 1-8. One of our couples had very bizarre table numbers- we were trying to work out what they were for ages but couldn't! There wasn't any correlation at all. It was a real talking point as none of the guests knew what they represented either, not even the Brides Father, who had made the table numbers knew what they meant! All was revealed in the Groom's speech. One was the number of their house, one the number of seconds they had been engaged, one the number of hours they had known each other, etc- each number had a special link to the couple.

Image courtesy of www.etsy.com

Take inspiration from your venue- e.g. if your venue is a castle, use names of Kings and Queens

Words associated with the season of your wedding- e.g. winter- snow, icicle, blizzard, for a Christmas wedding the 12 days of Christmas would make great festive table names

Cocktails- if you are a party couple then there are some great cocktail names

Titles of books- You would actually put books on the table as the table name rather than having a card with the table name on

Image courtesy of www.weddingfavours.wordpress.com

 

Famous partnerships- This could be a really fun one to create- it could be people or food, for example Ginger and Rogers or Fish and Chips!

What names did you choose for your tables? We would love to hear your thoughts or see some pictures!

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