Including a return to romance and classicism, what to know about planning a wedding now? ELLE has spoken to the experts, from our favourite bridal fashion designers to the experts who plan the tiny details for the world’s most famous affairs, discover the trends to know for weddings — from flowers to menus — here.
Weddings in 2024 are a thought-out affair, with the leading industry experts telling us that it is all about bespoke, memorable and once-in-a-lifetime moments that are as memorable for the happy couple as they are the guests invited. There’s no cookie-cutter nuptials around here anymore.
Personalisation is everything as sentimental touches and exceptional experiences triumph over the usual way we think about wedding trends to offer up a more unique affair for each and every couple heading down the aisle.
That being said, a sense of classicism is breaking through as brides and grooms return to their roots to embrace familial tradition in a way that is unique to their very own love story. From the new hem length to know to the way to make up a wedding breakfast menu, here’s what to know about 2024 wedding trends.
1) Find The Romance
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‘Wedding requests are becoming more about tablescaping- which I love,’ says fashion’s favourite florist Rachael Baker, who is as comfortable with a wedding brief as she is one from the world’s biggest brands. ‘I’ve had many requests for fruit and vegetables to be included on the tables amongst the florals in a nod to Dutch Masters and the infamous floral designer, Constance Spry.
‘I’ve noticed that less is more and that’s something that I’ll always respect and agree with when it comes to negative space, with airy and minimal aesthetics to allow flowers to breathe,’ she adds. ‘Ultimately, it allows the detail to really shine. And that’s what I love the most. Details.
‘Relaxed bows are my absolute favourite,’ Barker shares on what’s trending when it comes to hand-held bouquets. ‘I will always, always choose Lancaster and Cornish silk ribbon for my brides and bridesmaids and I will always bind their bouquet with this heavenly ribbon. My Brides will always ask what I think when it comes to their bouquet and their bridesmaid bouquets; but what I do is always ask that they send me images of things that they love- a personal moodboard- so that I can gain a better understanding of who they are.’
2) Go Small, Bespoke & Exceptional
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‘Intimate gatherings with premium offerings,’ says Mathilde Maitre, corporate director of events sales at Maybourne, who has organised countless weddings and events at Claridge’s, on what’s trending now. ‘[Couples are looking for] experiences second to none. This has meant that clients are choosing completely bespoke menus, with some even offering a la carte on the night. Claridge’s has recently held its first full-vegan wedding and hosts are becoming more insistent on ‘surrounding the topic of sustainability and locally sourced produce.
’Statement culinary centrepieces are big news too, with Maybourne brides choosing to serve large-format wines and Champagne for unbridled ‘wow’ factor. Another way couples are choosing to ensure their nuptials are unforgettable for all guests is by carrying on the occasion across multiple days, embracing spaces that aren’t conventionally used for events, like Claridge’s The Painter’s Room.
3) Embrace Your Unique Culture
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Matthew Shaw, founder and creative director of Sauveur has noticed a return to embracing — and blending — cultures for the weddings he and his team are working across. ‘Historically, weddings are linked to cultures from around the world, celebrating the nationalities and the coming together of two individuals. Something that we at Sauveur have noticed more, is an increase in people wanting to weave their two cultures together to create a new experience that will be enjoyed by the couple, their families and their guests,’ he tells ELLE UK. ‘By blending and combining elements from each of their cultures, the result is something truly unique, informative to others, enjoyable and spectacular.
’‘From the guest list curation, to the entertainment, to particular cultural traditions – by bringing together specific elements from different cultures/heritages, the couple offers an opportunity for all to embrace a variety of wedding traditions. For example, last year we planned a London, winter wedding that weaved Azeri, Italian and traditional English heritages to create something totally new.
For those in attendance, both sides of the couple’s guests were familiar with their own traditions, but by blending new cultures, they had the opportunity to discover and celebrate something totally new and unique too.
While weddings tend to have a ‘dominant’ culture – by blending heritages and traditions, wedding planners with the couple, have the opportunity to think of creative ways to inform their guests about the particular traditions. It’s a very eye-opening and heartwarming experience, and something we expect to see more of.
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’With Shaw working with a wide variety of clients, we asked him if there were any repeating words or themes that they’re all asking for:
Interestingly – even though everyone loves a trend – words that keep cropping up when going through the briefing and planning process with our clients include “unique”, “different”, and “personal”. Now for something to be truly “unique” it needs to be different to everyone else, which is therefore the opposite to a trend! To help with this, at Sauveur we have a few tips that will help create that really personal touch and experience for your special day and help avoid it feeling like a “seen before” Pinterest board.’
4) Embrace A Classic Silhouette
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‘A great wedding dress in 2024 is defined in my opinion by precise design and tailoring which is paramount: tradition and classicism and a modern interpretation of femininity,’ Emilia Wickstead tells ELLE UK. ‘2024 brides seek dresses that take them from day to night as there’s a growing desire for versatility and ease in some of our brides lending itself to softer fabrications and lighter weight fabrics. It’s not uncommon for our brides as of recently to also have shorter length hems or to have a full wardrobe designed for their wedding weekend inclusive of not only one main wedding dress which is something we see more and more in 2024 and which we love to create – a brides wedding encompasses the entire Emilia Wickstead world within a
weekend.’
Wickstead also notes a change in hemlines. ‘Some brides prefer an ankle-length hem over full-length, often to showcase their exquisite bridal shoes as a central element of their ensemble,’ she tells. ‘Additionally, the trend of opting for a shorter hem later on extends the dress’s usability, allowing brides to enjoy their gown beyond the wedding day.’
5) Lit-From-Within Beauty
The biggest trend I’m seeing this year focusses on fresh, healthy, glowing skin,’ says Annabella Brayne, a bridal make-up artist known for her glowing approach. All of her 2024 brides she notes have levelled up their skincare ahead of The Big Day, choosing efficacious ingredients and results-driven skin tech.
However, she warns, your wedding day is not a time to experiment, be it potent formulas or bold make-up looks. ‘Instead, think about timeless beauty and an elevated version of you for a look that will never go off-trend,’ she says.
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Is there a particular shade of lipstick or gloss/matte finish people are choosing most in 2024? ‘On the lips, my brides want textures that are balmy, nourishing formulas, that hydrate, hold pigment, and reflect the light. To achieve this, I like to use a lip pencil such as Charlotte Tilbury’s Lip Cheats as they hold for hours and are perfect to create shape. Pair with juicy formulas like Charlotte Tilbury’s Happikiss, which is packed with nourishing ingredients or Armani Prism Glass Lip Glosses for a natural sheen, which doubles ups for the cheeks too.
For those wishing to switch up their makeup look on their wedding evening, I’ll suggest a richer colour with more of a satin/velvet finish to suit your party mood.’
6) Get Personal
Now more than ever, hosts want to make sure their wedding feels like ‘their wedding’ – as opposed to a generic event seen all over Instagram countless times before. And so, they’re turning to the likes of Ruth Kaye Design to help them create bespoke touches that reflect their personality.
‘There’s a huge drive towards attention to detail and a strongly personal direction,’ says Sophie Lewis, a production designer at Ruth Kaye. ‘This takes many forms like incorporating hand-drawn illustrations and also hand-written text.’
‘Recently we have printed from one of the hosts’ handwriting to make the details of the event feel even more personal. Notes to each guest and even illustrations of each guest are also used within table plans and place cards.’
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Co-founder of Gigi & Olive, Georgie Le Roux, for example ‘placed embroidered napkins on the table, which doubled up as place names that everyone got to keep’ at her August 2022 wedding. ‘I love wedding favours, especially ones that guests can keep after the wedding that aren’t disposable.’
And if the host fancies themselves a bit of an artist? Wedding favours featuring their work are practically par for the course nowadays. Think sweet sketches of guests as place cards, calendars of their best prints and even crystal decanters with hand-drawn etchings.
As for gifting, gone are the days of gift registries – 2023 is a time for bespoke. ‘Presents should be thoughtfully selected to celebrate your love for the couple and commemorate the event,’ says Victoire Tardy-Joubert, the founder of The Go-To. For Liane Wiggins of Matchesfashion, ‘Gifts for the home that they wouldn’t necessarily buy for themselves are always a great idea.’
The extra touches don’t end on the wedding day either, with ‘thank you’ cards becoming elevated beyond all recognition. ‘After a wedding we worked on recently, all guests received a knock on the door from a driver who handed over a linen box filled with a Diptyque candle, a bottle of ice cold pink champagne, an envelope with a thank you note and a night’s stay at the hotel in the Cotswolds where the wedding took place,’ says Lewis.
While not all budgets can stretch to quite that level, personalised stationery from the likes of Papier is a great place to start – and will instantly make the celebrations feel truly unique to you.
7) Go Sustainable
Sustainability isn’t so much a trend as a way of life nowadays – and thank goodness for that. So it follows that whilst planning one of the biggest events of their lives, wedding hosts are increasingly incorporating eco-friendly elements into their big day.
From sending out e-vites and printing menus on recycled card to using local suppliers wherever possible, the ‘reduce, reuse, recycle’ motto is very much at the forefront for modern brides. ‘Stationery that doubles up as gifts ensures that items are not thrown away and can be re-purposed,’ says Ruth Kaye. ‘For example, hand painted fans with guests names scribed by a calligrapher used as place cards or embroidered napkin rings that guests take home and re-use.’
The same rules apply to the wedding outfit, and brides are increasingly turning to rental platforms and second-hand stores for their chosen look. Victoria Prew, founder and CEO of HURR, noted a 180% year-on-year increase in bridal rentals since 2022.
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Renting is not only the more eco-friendly option, but it’s better for the purse-strings too – particularly since, as Prew notes, ‘on average, brides are now looking for 3-4 outfits across the entire event, planning looks for everything from engagement parties and rehearsal dinners to multiple outfit changes on the big day.’
But if rental isn’t your thing, then you can still shop sustainably by going second-hand, vintage, or simply considering re-wearability. ‘Multiple wedding looks means that even more importance is placed on brides being able to rewear their piece long after the wedding day,’ say Jess Kaye and Rosie Williams, co-founders of The OWN Studio. ‘Many are opting to dye and tailor their pieces afterwards, so investing in silhouettes and fabrics suitable for dyeing are increasingly important to brides.’
8) Crazy For Colour
The days of perfectly co-ordinated, all-white-everything weddings are long gone. For 2024, it’s all about big, bold colours – and the more eclectic the better.
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Want to pair a ‘classic’ dress with a bright red veil? Go for it (and go to Molly Goddard). Bridesmaids dressed in every colour of the rainbow? Why not! Tablescapes featuring a mish-mash of all your favourite shades? Clash away! Colour screams fun, celebration and personality – and really, isn’t that what we all want on our wedding day?
Wedding dresses are increasingly getting the bold colour treatment too. As designer Clio Peppiatt puts it, ‘Interestingly, wearing white only became the norm for brides around the 1800’s. I think given traditional values attached to wearing white, many of the clients we work with feel like this doesn’t necessarily represent the bride of today and instead have opted for touches of pinks, blue, silvers or golds.’
9) Find A Second Home
Forget converted barns and bell tents, now is the chance to find a venue that ‘feels like a second home’, says Gaby Harvey, co-owner of the newly-opened wedding venue Kin House in Wiltshire.
‘The little moments you share with all your favourite people the night before, on the morning of your wedding, and as you recuperate after the party are really special, so find a venue that has places where you can spend time together. And most importantly, make sure you’ll be well looked after so you can enjoy every minute,’Harvey adds.
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‘Look for somewhere that offers something outside the usual formula. Could you host your rehearsal dinner in the gardens, or invite guests back the next day for lunch? Venues that have multiple spaces and are flexible on how you use them mean you can get creative. Thinking outside the box in ways that reflect you as a couple will make your wedding really memorable.’
Hot wedding venues this year include London’s The Standard, The Cadogan Arms and House of St Barnabas, and Wild Thyme & Honey in the Cotswolds.
10) Ditch The Status Quo
Whether it’s a pre-wedding pub quiz and vitamin IV drips à la journalist Tish Weinstock, or using deadstock fabric for a Savannah Miller gown like model and slow-living advocate Danielle Copperman, 2024 brides are all about the personal details.
‘We wanted to make it a three day affair without going too overboard on the first night so we took over a pub nearby the castle and did a fancy dress – in a nod to Halloween – pub quiz with a mixture of questions about us and general trivia,’ Weinstock tells us. ‘We also had the best man’s speech so there weren’t too many speeches on the actual wedding night. It was a good ice breaker for those who didn’t know each other and last rounds were around 1am which meant there was a clear curfew. The next day we had IV drips at the castle to help with hangovers and energise guests for the day ahead. The actual wedding was themed black tie gothic again in nod to Halloween which is when we got married. The main advice I can give is to tailor your wedding to you. It’s the most personal day and should be a celebration of you and your loved one.’
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As for blending a touch of tradition with modernity, Copperman tells us: ‘I wanted a vintage look (I generally am not drawn to anything modern. to be honest!) but with a modern edge to make it a bit more wearable and current, while still being timeless.’
For her dresses she used vintage styles and enhanced parts on one and added a slit to another to make it more modern and relaxed, despite their ‘dated’ origins. ‘I also went for a pretty modern hairstyle which I didn’t expect initially, and kept the jewellery quite bold and statement, so it didn’t feel too “bridal” or too classic and “pretty”,’ she says. ‘I think bridal dresses do all of that in some ways, so it’s good to have fun with accessorising – and better yet, you’ll be able to wear the pieces again beyond the big day.’
11) More Is More
Bridal accessories are big for 2024. ‘As soon as I saw Nicola Peltz’s ceremony look, I knew gloves would be a trend,’ says Annelise Sealy, founder of the Fall Bride, who suggests adding detachable bows and voluminous sleeves.
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‘Gloves are great if you want to add a sense of formality to a more relaxed gown or a fun element to a reception look. Bows are a big trend and this also extends into accessories. Hair bows – on their own or with your veil, you can’t really go wrong with one. Bows are so easy to put on once your veil has come off. If bows aren’t your thing then another accessory trend for 2024 is a halo – a more unique accessory, our brides are loving Lelet NY’s scattered pearl halos to add a sleek and contemporary look to their hair do.
Clio Peppiatt says if an outfit change isn’t possible, start with a veil or add a pair of tulle gloves. ‘[They] could be enough to transition your look from ceremony to party,’ she adds.
Check out the Original Article At ELLE UK
