The Wedding Trends You Need to Know for 2024
Whilst every wedding is a very personal occasion and each and every bride has her own idea of the perfect wedding, ever changing trends often dictate certain aspects of the big day
90S NOSTALGIA
Sleek 1990s wedding gear is becoming the number one choice for many brides. Slinky slip dresses, higher hemlines, sequins and pearls all are popular and many designers are more than happy to see this continue, with classic columns, dropped waists, crystals and shapely corsets set to be even bigger in 2024.
MAKE IT A MINI
London Bridal Week saw bridal minis making big waves. This new trend meant minimalist styling but plenty of detail, perfect for the modern bride wanting to make her own short statement.
FLOWER POWER
Bridal trends obviously follow fashion and we’ve seen lots of flower appliqué this summer which looks set to carry on into next year. You could even tie in your flower detail into your wedding theme, perfect for a country garden wedding. But for those wanting something sleeker a well placed rosette-style flower will help to elevate the simplest gown.
THE CELEBRANT CEREMONY
It’s the old new way to get married. By using a celebrant you can celebrate your wedding your own way, with the flexibility to add meaningful personal touches, anywhere you want, when you want. Experienced celebrants such as Love Jo will work with you to create your own ceremony for a truly unforgettable and unique wedding day.
Be More Sustainable
Sustainability is becoming more and more important to brides who are opting for digital invitations, repurposing props, foraging for flowers, and more and more vintage and heirloom pieces are being incorporated into the day as brides become even more environmentally conscious. If you haven’t got a vintage dress to upcycle then why not hire your wedding gown and bridesmaids dresses? After all, the boys have been borrowing morning suits for a long time. Isabella West, founder and CEO of Hirestreet, points to a 245 percent increase in bridal rentals for this year. As she points out, ‘it’s far more environmentally friendly but it also reflects the trend of brides wanting more than one outfit as celebrations are extended over two or three days, so it makes economic sense too.’ So whether it’s a dress for the day itself or you want outfits to cover extended celebrations, renting is a great option. Similarly for bridesmaids, renting dresses means you don’t face that issue of buying something you know they may not wear again. Don’t want to rent? Still White is another sustainable option. As the world’s largest wedding dress market place, you’ll find new, pre-owned and sample wedding dresses often at a fraction of their original price here.
Cape Crusade
Capes are becoming increasingly popular in bridal collections and whether it’s lace, silk or tulle it can really switch-up your bridal look. Elie Saab’s hooded cape is a great alternative to a veil for a winter wedding and the best thing is that a carefully chosen cape will work over most gowns, and can really add a touch of drama to your walk down the aisle.
THE BIRD CAGE VEIL
More of a hair accessory than a traditional veil, the neat ‘bird cage’ face veil is a great alternative for the modern bride. It works just as well with a jumpsuit or trouser suit as a fitted dress and is perfect for that civil ceremony. Bespoke milliner, Eleanor Bunney will make any veil long or short, cathedral length or birdcage style to fit with your dream dress or outfit, or choose from a selection of ready-to-wear options.
COLOUR HAPPY
White is of course the traditional colour for a wedding (thanks to Queen Victoria who chose white over gold or silver) but more and more designers are incorporating colour into their collections, and not just as detailing. Bold blue is big for 2024, and black is becoming more popular, but if you still see yourself in white why not opt for a coloured veil to make a statement? Colour is carried right through with eye-catching details incorporated into wedding decor for a ceremony that radiates energy.
KEEP IT SEPARATE
Not the event, the outfit. The biggest new trend for bridal wear in 2024 is wedding dress separates. This fits in perfectly with the increase in desire for brides to change outfits and designers are embracing the trend. When one look is not enough, separates are the perfect choice and wedding designers are adding details and accessories such as capes, jackets, removable outer (and under) skirts and detachable sleeves and bows just to mix it up, giving a bride more looks within one outfit. And of course a wedding suit can be just as romantic and possibly more sophisticated than a dress, just switch the pants for a skirt for your evening do.
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Informal Feasting
Food is still important but it seems many couples are opting for a far less formal set up when it comes to the wedding breakfast. Chip and pizza vans vie for space with sharing boards and even take-away themed Nando’s chicken is appearing on menus up and down the country. The traditional three-course sit down meal has been replaced by laid-back dining options which help bring guests together (and reduce the often tedious sit-down time). This laid back approach is one that family-run wedding caterer Ginger Snap take very seriously. Fanatical about using only the best local food producers and foraging to produce their exciting and unusal dishes, they can happily cater for everything from a relaxed wedding picnic to your wedding breakfast.
THAT’S ENTERTAINMENT
From big bands to single saxophonists, and the first dance to DJs armed with your favourite playlist to party late into the night, music remains a central part of every wedding and needs careful consideration. Wedding planners report the rise in popularity of DJ and band combos, and also choreographed acts and effects to bring energy to the room. Aurora Strings are one of the North East’s most popular music choices for weddings. The string quartet or trio have a vast repertoire of music and can play throughout the day and can move seamlessly from ceremony to reception. Want to mix it up more? Freddie Douglas Events are seeing boom in brides booking their 360 Photo Booth which brings a whole new (often hilarious) dimension to wedding photographs. They also supply an audio book in the shape of an iconic phone box where instead of the traditional notes, guests can leave voice messages on a vintage-style phone.
GO LOCAL
Locally-sourced food helps to cut down on food miles and the same goes for flowers. In the heart of Teesdale, Pink’s Flower Farm are lovers of natural, seasonal and sustainable flowers and sow, grow and arrange stunning British flowers for a select number of weddings each year and will help match your vision with seasonally available fresh or dried flowers from their farm. Mother and daughter team, Lyn and Jen at Jones & Jones Flowers are passionate about sustainability and work closely with brides, sourcing locally grown flowers to create their floral masterpieces and encouraging their reuse throughout the day to reduce cost and waste. Based in Rowlands Gill, Jasmine & Pear specialise in sustainability using locally grown flowers in their stunning hand-tied bouquets and wedding flowers.
