U.K weddings are being influenced by many factors such as the Royal weddings, beautiful lush scenery and the trend in historic, authentic venues. They create unique and visually exciting backdrops that blend the old with the new and incorporate the stunning natural surroundings of the British countryside. As pre-raphaelite influences merge into many aspects of the trendiest wedding styles of 2020, we are seeing the rise of the modern day, fairytale-esc wedding. What could be more enchanting and fairytale like than Britain, especially in spring? As Britain begins to bloom, we think of fresh flowers, birds tweeting, freshly cut green grass and lush meadows in the countryside filled with fields of lavender and barley - making it the sought after destination for a trendy fairytale vision.
Fresh seasonal flowers, natural colour palettes and fragrances that are inspired by nature, added with touches of glam and British quirks, all add to the wow factor contributing to the look and feel of a bespoke U.K wedding. Traditional features are making a comeback with contemporary twists to create timeless statements inspired by current trends. The desire and need for more authentic, tactile and sensual experiences means that weddings are becoming more textural, fragrant, organic and inventive. The use of colour, flowers, material, smells and sounds accumulate to create quality, sensorial and memorable weddings with a unique story. The U.K is normally voted the top destination for winter weddings for many reasons, but here is why spring can be the alternative for your idyllic, luxurious, modern day ‘fairytale’ style wedding - because there is nothing more tactile than nature!
Venues
British celebrities such as Ellie Goulding who held her reception at the stunning Castle Howard in Yorkshire, are leading the way when it comes to U.K wedding trends. Many couples and millennials alike are particularly inspired by celebrities and influencers in their choice of wedding venues and are now choosing alternative, ‘instagrammable’, historic and fairytale-like settings, broadening the desire to get married in the U.K. Grand and impressive stately homes, manor houses, barns, country clubs and historic castles are increasingly becoming popular as exciting backdrops for fairy lit, pre-raphaelite style weddings. Long stretching tables and decorative styling tied in with English heritage creates glamour, charm and modernity. With their lush gardens and authentic character incorporated with seasonal floral decoration and lavish, traditionally inspired concepts, more couples are selecting their venues to provide unique and instagram worthy experiences. Other exciting and alternative options include botanical gardens, forests, greenhouses, vineyards and museums – adding a little flare and whimsical magic to your day, whilst also looking fab on social media!
Glamour & Maximalism
Individuality and hyper personality is becoming a driving factor in weddings in 2020, with the bride and groom keen to show off their personality throughout their day. Couples in the U.K are looking for something more lavish, glamorous and upbeat to create an uplifting mood. There is an urge for more decadent and luxurious decoration throughout the decor, especially in table settings and floral design - for fuller, fresher and more fanciful schemes. Decorativeness and chintz are exploding onto the scene with pattern clashing, mixing of materials, novelty crockery, feature vases and much more, taking the classical fairytale concept and merging it with personalised, modern and quirky stamps on the style. It is becoming less about minimalism and all about maximalism with emphasis on grand statements that create the allure of a pre-raphaelite type scene, creating mystery and elegance. Whilst shabby-chic washed-out tables, rustic venues and wild flowers still remain, they are being incorporated into bolder schemes inspired by regal influences, British quirks and fairytale styles with a contemporary twist.
The concept of fuller, more tactile and intricate styling with the use of texture and colour to bring together a tailor-made look is being addressed in all aspects of wedding design. From the clothing to the décor, the aim is to create a sensual and visually exciting experience for guests that will look stunning in an outdoor rural English setting as well as inside magnificent and quintessentially British buildings. Picture staple features such as statement chandeliers and candelabras that create amazing lighting. Linear banquet tables and the alternative use of eclectic and rustic furniture and props such as bathtubs and wheelbarrows used as pop up bars, create eye catching and quirky installations. Murals as well as loose, naive and linear sketches and illustrations are also being incorporated in stationary and signage. Archways made of draped fabric that guests can pass under to enter your ceremony space and finishing touches of cushions and blankets add more texture and depth, all creating visual stimulation everywhere you look.
Colour
Classic blue is this year's pantone colour of the year, a colour of anticipation and mystery and very reminiscent of the sky at dusk on a spring or summer evening. Purples, blues and lavenders as well as hot pinks and fuchsias are creeping into colour schemes, floral concepts and table settings, replacing tones of blush with bolder colours that scream British glamour for a quintessentially British spring wedding.
Floral Design
Voluptuous flower displays and floral touches are a key factor in bringing the overall look together beautifully. There is a move towards more informal bespoke and relaxed bouquets. The use of wild greenery and foliage, smoke tree branches, pampas grass and dried flowers such as lavender and gypsophila are being used to create textural, voluminous and fragrant arrangements that are unstructured, natural and a little rough around the edges. This will be a prominent feature in lavish, hyper personal and hyper sensual weddings based on the modern fairytale style, with impactful floral arrangements and styling ideas that engage with the guest. For example, long grasses or trees that guests can walk through, archways, floating floral clouds hanging over tables, flower crowns, floral buttonhole touches, decadent floral swings and much more.
As we seek more emotion and touch, tactile and sensory experiences are becoming more essential in wedding design. We expect this important element to be brought to the foreground through natural textures cleverly incorporated to surprise and delight. Coinciding with more authentic, and organic weddings is the need for fresh seasonal flowers associated with the time of year or certain emotions. The use of fresh plants and flowers with natural fragrances are heightening guests senses and emotions in relation to the day.
Coincidently, the ‘it’ flower of 2020 is the classic rose, a flower associated with Britain. Other more traditional flowers are also making a comeback such as lavender, that also make for a delightful scent. Woven amidst extravagant centrepieces or seen in single colour formations during the spring and summer months, these classic beauties are the symbol of elegance and romance that wouldn’t look out of place in an English courtyard or historic manor house.
Dresscode
We are seeing a rise in ‘princess’ bridal dresses and black tie weddings this season, inspired by regal and fairytale-esc influences, for a more lavish and glamorous look.
Dramatic yet feminine, delicate and pretty gowns with big trains, sleeves and veils are appearing, in line with more traditional designs. Veils and vintage style tiaras as well as other alternative hair accessories such as headbands, hats or ribbons are being seen to complete the look. An explosion of pattern, chintz and frills are making a comeback with texture appearing in suits and gowns as well as in the wedding decor. The modern take on a modest Victorian look of high necklines and low hemlines, long sheer sleeves, period-inspired layers and lace are giving a contemporary take on boho breeziness. You’ll see more grooms and ushers choosing personalised, tailor made suits and brides and grooms opting for different ceremony and reception outfits as they find more ways to show off their personality, style and individuality during their wedding day, to add to that wow factor!
For any information on planning your U.K wedding, please contact us at hello@ruthalexanderweddings.com
