Goodbye 2014, hello 2015! We’ve teamed up with wedding styling experts at Darby and Joan to bring you fabulous theme inspiration for the coming year. What’s going to be hot… And what’s not?
Bunting is not dead
With the ever-growing popularity of vintage-inspired weddings, bunting is the perfect décor to adorn ceilings, tables, tipis, marquees, and in fact, anything. It’s a cost effective way to transform your wedding venue and whatever your theme, you’re bound to find a style of bunting suitable. You can even try your hand at DIYing it; use your favourite patterned fabrics or make garlands with colourful paper or card!
Paper perfect
Tissue paper makes for fabulously fluffy pom-poms, tassel garlands and can be hung from beams and tables. How about using paper or card to make paper cranes and hang them with string? Pinwheels or pin lanterns also make a fabulous statement up above! They look amazing tied to trees drifting in the breeze and makes stunning backdrops for photobooths or the top table.
Centre stage
Large floral centrepieces will never cease to wow and amaze, but if your budget is smaller, or your style is a little more low-key, you’ve still got lots of options to create beautiful centrepieces. For a rustic style, tree-stump slices are a really effective choice, holding a mix of vases filled with your fave blooms, or vintage books. Or for a magical, whimsical feel, cloches or bell jars are great for displaying flowers and your favourite trinkets.
Don’t forget to look up!
If your venue is a blank canvas – and if it allows – the ceiling is a fantastic space for some super pretty styling. A humble village hall can be instantly transformed with some voile marquee draping. A rustic barn adorned with ribbons or lace gives the rustic, shabby chic affair just the right amount of elegance. A trend taking hold right now is suspension. Think large floral displays hanging from the ceiling, ladders wrapped in fairy lights, or a mix of vintage lampshades to bring a quirky look to your venue.
Dressed to impress
Round tables, trestles or long banquet style – whatever you choose, those tables are going to need to be dressed in their best outfits. A growing trend is opting for bare tables and simply dressing them with a stylish table runner. Hessian and lace work well for the vintage or shabby chic do, but a trend we’re sure to see more of next year is sequins. Glam or vintage, a sequin table runner is both pretty and versatile, and will certainly add the wow factor.
Sitting pretty
Full covers and sashes aren’t for everyone, and sometimes, changing the colour of the ribbon just isn’t unique enough. But just like every other aspect of your wedding, there’s always something to suit everyone. You could choose to tie the sashes in a different way or use different materials like hessian. If your chairs are pretty enough, then it would be a shame to cover them completely. Instead, how about using ribbon garlands, attaching flowers, mini pom poms, or signage?
A growing trend
From seeds as favours, fragrant herbs as centrepieces to brides growing their own wild flower bouquets, there’s no denying the botanical trend is a popular one. There’s so many ways to incorporate it into your big day, but one little plant has really taken weddings by storm: the succulent. With mint being such a gorgeous wedding colour, looking great teamed with every colour under the sun, the succulent’s minty hues are a great addition to your wedding déco, and last a long time too. Add them to your bouquet, buttonhole or centrepieces, or give them as favours!
Mixed metal
Metallics have been so popular this wedding season and they are here to stay for 2015, with lots more bronze tones like rose gold and copper. Perfect for summer and winter weddings alike, this elegant colour palette is fab for adding a touch of sparkle for your big day. DIY brides – it’s time to get your spray paint out, up-cycle those jam jars, vintage candle sticks and other fabulous trinkets.
Subtle slate
For those wanting to create a subtle, fresh and rustic feel, slate is the perfect material to add to your wedding day. Chalkboard signage will be going nowhere in 2015. From your invites, to your place settings, to serving platters for canapés, you can incorporate chalk and slate in so many ways. Team with a palette of neutral hues and add lots of greenery for a stunning organic feel.
Cocktail and canapé hour
If a full sit-down meal isn’t for you, and you fancy a more relaxed feel to your reception, how about hosting a cocktail and canapé hour, or two or three. Have a host of tasty treats for your guests to nibble whilst they sip cocktails to a wonderful live band or acoustic guitarist. It gives you more time to mingle and chat to your guests in an informal fashion, whilst still having an air of sophistication!
Three’s not a crowd
Treat and dessert tables are becoming increasingly popular and a great way to keep your guests sweet all evening long! Fill vintage jars with sugary delights, and instead of just one main cake, how about three smaller ones sat on a mix of vintage cake stands? Naked cakes topped with fresh flowers, macarons, cakes pops and cupcakes look and taste great, and you chould choose to serve them as dessert instead of a traditional pudding.
Geo gorgeous
We’ve had stripes, spots and chevrons, and whilst these drop dead gorgeous patterns are here to stay, there’s a new pattern in town – geometric shapes. Hexagons, triangles, scallops and tessellating shapes look fabulous in bright pops of colour. Consider cutting your table stationery in geometric shapes, finding unusually-shaped vases, creating backdrops or adding a certain design to your cake.
A new take on pastel
Pastel colours can be incorporated in every element of your wedding day. A new trend that takes a slightly different look at pastel colours is watercolour and marble. Think subtle shades of pink, blue, green and purple washed together, making for a truly whimsical touch! Instead of blocks of colour, it adds a bit of texture and a slight ombré effect perfect if you can’t decide on set colours.
Haven’t decided on your wedding venue yet? You can find out what kind of venue is best for you and your wedding in our Venues section.
