Your wedding décor is responsible for setting much of the atmosphere you create at your wedding reception – whether you want a relaxed mood or something a little more formal.
When thinking about wedding themes, most couples start with their stationery and work from there.
“We think 2014 is going to bring a lot more colour,” says Kay Patel of stationery specialist Intricate Creations. “A few years ago classic and traditional colours, such as golds, creams and soft pinks, were the way brides went. Now clients are requesting rich, bold and contrasting colours – we feel people are starting to have fun with their stationery, ensuring that when the invitations land on the doormat or when place cards are laid on white linen tables that they are showcasing their personalities.”
If you love a bit of sparkle on your stationery, good news – diamanté detailing is coming back in a big way. “Another trend coming up is glamour in the form of crystals…and a lot of them!” says Kay. “Clients are noticing that when different sizes of crystal are placed together, it can dramatically transform a very simple design into a glamorous work of art. We believe that 2014 will be the year of glamour and Hollywood glitz.
Unusual centrepieces make an impact
Moving on to table dressing, wedding design experts Essential Couture have noticed that brides-to-be are decorating their venues with more and more unique items.
“More exotic and unusual props are being booked by couples such as bird cages, crystal trees and contemporary centrepieces,” they comment. “Items like these can be dressed with fewer flowers but still give an amazing effect – so the budget-savvy bride can still have something spectacular.”
As seen on screen
A popular wedding planner will always notice new trends emerging, as brides request something for their wedding day they’ve seen in a film, on television or in the news. So we asked The UK Academy of Wedding & Event Planners what they’ve been hearing about. “Thanks to the huge popularity of the Great Gatsby there is going to be more of the same for 2014, with art deco being in the forefront of all design elements,” they said.
“Vintage isn’t going anywhere either, and many couples are choosing to feature family heirlooms as part of the design of their wedding and treating them as focal points within the decor.”
“Along with the trend above goes the use of old family photos and portraits being used as decorative elements.”
“Vintage furniture is also being seen more and more within the design of weddings with one or two well chosen statement pieces being featured,” they add. “Many wedding designers will go to local antique stores and hire pieces as the owners are surprisingly open to this type of thing.” Wedding Ideas thinks this is a top tip!
“Social media sharing is another big trend. This isn’t exactly about décor, but it is something all wedding professionals should be thinking about incorporating into any wedding. Couples will be looking to share their weddings using hashtags and Instagram photobooths to get great photos from their guests.”
We think this a great way to share your wedding day with those guests who couldn’t make it – particularly friends and family overseas.
Just about anything goes
What do we think at Wedding Ideas magazine? Well, looking at the conversations about wedding planning going on on our Forum between busy brides-to-be, we’d say that the DIY wedding trend isn’t going out of fashion – in fact it’s going from strength to strength.
We’d also say that we think wedding décor is becoming much more individual to the couple and today’s bride and groom aren’t afraid of making a statement – whether it’s arriving at the reception Hollywood-style in a vintage Cadillac, picking out design elements of a classic movie to style their reception or even choosing a song from a classic flick such as Pulp Fiction like the real couple below!
Where’s a good place to start looking for décor themes to inspire you? Well, we think Pinterest is fabulous – every bride to be should have a Pinterest account in our opinion. For example, on the Wedding Ideas Pinterest boards we have put together ideas on beach, 1920s, rustic and metallic décor themes that might get your imagination going. Best of all, Pinterest is free!
Finally, don’t forget to get photographs taken of your carefully-chosen wedding décor – a shot of the reception tables before the guests arrive is a must-have. Good luck – and don’t be afraid to be individual. We’d say that’s the biggest décor trend for 2014!
