The Wedding Trends To Know In 2023
HALFPENNY LONDON
FASHION
The 80s Are Back
According to retail site Etsy, the 80s are back for 2023 – albeit in a modern and tasteful way. Think of this as a rebellion against the minimal bridal trends that have dominated in recent years. Statement sleeves, high necks and lots of volume will be everywhere this year – Etsy has already reported a 65% surge in searches for cathedral length veils and jumps in searches for glamorous accessories like wedding gloves and capes. To keep this trend timeless, try picking just one dramatic element and running with it – you don’t want it to look too overdone.
Read our recent round-up of the new bridal collections here.
No More Single Use
Now more than ever, there’s an emphasis on brides wanting to rewear their wedding outfits. Designer Kate Halfpenny says she often gets requests for shortening and restyling dresses and separates after the big day – something she and her team actively encourage clients to consider.
Shorter Is Better
Brides have been rocking mini dresses for registry office weddings for decades, but Kate is now seeing more women opt for shorter hemlines, regardless of the venue, and pair them with sheer overskirts or long veils. “Our brides love a transformation moment and the great thing about choosing a detachable overskirt is that you can wear it over a mini and transform your look between the ceremony and reception,” she explains. “Have fun with it and people will think you’ve completely changed your outfit. Plus, it’s a great way to show off a killer pair of shoes.”
Check out our edit of short bridal dresses here for more inspiration.
CHRISTIEN NICOLE BRIDAL; HALFPENNY LONDON
Show Your Bridesmaids Some Love
In recent years, brides have paid bridesmaid dresses the attention they deserve – and that shows no sign of stopping in 2023. “Elevating the bridesmaid looks and choosing pieces that are worth the investment, so they remain a much-loved item in their wardrobe forever allows them to look and feel amazing in a dress they love, but also tie in with the rest of the bridal party in the same colour and fabric,” says Kate.
Megan Ziems, founder and CEO of Grace Loves Lace, is anticipating a real shift towards copper and rust tones for bridesmaids this year. “I’ve loved seeing the shift towards these more rich, earthy tones and have no doubt this trend will continue in 2023. Brides are looking for something that makes a statement, while still being timeless and complementing most wedding themes.” Other trends Megan expects to continue include the 90s throwback: “Slip dresses are easy, so chic and such a timeless addition. In 2023, we expect to see this continued, with brides and their bridesmaids opting for this style in a more luxe fabrication.”
Shop our edit of bridesmaid gifts here.
Grooms Looking Good
Whether it’s velvet dinner suits, interesting fabrics or bold colours, grooms have never looked so good. The team at Jack Bunney’s expect burgundy and forest green to be big colours this year, while Savile Row-based bespoke suit designer Kabiru Abu says more toned down, subtle pastels will be bigger in the warmer weather. Both believe double-breasted jackets will be the silhouette of choice, as will a dropped shawl lapel. Waistcoats are also set to make their mark in 2023, while dark navy will be a flattering choice for anyone looking to avoid the formality of black.
Find out how these stylish grooms found their wedding suit here.
KABIRU ABU
ENGAGEMENT & BRIDAL JEWELLERY
Oval Is On The Up…
When it comes to engagement rings, the team at Queensmith see oval diamonds finally replacing round diamonds as the most popular shape in 2023. “We could also see diamond set bands replace the classic solitaire as the most popular style, and we’re seeing a huge rise in couples choosing for hidden diamond details – like a hidden halo or diamond set bridge,” they say. As for other bridal jewellery, they expect most brides to continue favouring platinum, although there is a strong case for yellow gold.
…So Is Lab-Grown
The Queensmith team have also noticed a significant upward trend in demand for lab-grown diamond rings. Towards the start of 2022 around half of Queensmith clients chose lab diamonds, but now this is closer to 80%. “We also think customers will have bolder and more specific design ideas due to an increased exposure to jewellery design online through TikTok trends and celebrities. We also think collaborative rings will be big in 2023, with more couples designing their engagement or wedding rings together.”
Read about where to find affordable engagement rings and wedding bands here.
@PHOSART.PHOTOGRAPHY
LOCATION & STYLE
Bigger Bashes
According to Kate, the micro weddings of pandemic days are slowly being confined to history – and maxi weddings are back on the agenda again. “Now the world has gone back to celebrations on a big scale, I think people are partying harder. That said, they are choosing to spend money in a more mindful way, considering and investing in the things they love that really make them feel good.” A result of the cost-of-living crisis and greater environmental awareness, expect to see brides embrace maximalism but in a conscious way.
Outdoor Weddings Are In
The pandemic saw lots of couples opting for outdoor weddings for safety reasons, so temporary permission was granted to allow licensed venues to host ceremonies outdoors – whether they had a structure outside or not. This proved to be so popular that it has become a permanent thing at venues like Gorcott Hall: “The flexibility this offers is a huge bonus for couples, who can now marry in beautiful locations previously off the list, enabling them to tailor their day to their needs more than ever before. We can set up your ceremony out or indoors and if the weather is unkind on the day, we’ll always have a fully prepared wet-weather plan.”
Browse a list of our favourite outdoor venues here.
EURIDGE MANOR
Green Is Good
Divya Chadha, wedding planner and founder of A Klass Apart, expects to see plenty of innovation when it comes to making weddings more sustainable this year. “For example, digital invitations are the way forward, but if you must print invites, then opt for seeded or plantable paper,” she suggests. “I'm seeing a lot of couples find ways to reuse their wedding florals for multiple events and I'm also loving the fact that brides and grooms are choosing to rent their wedding outfits instead of buying them – check out websites such as By Rotation, Hire Street and even Selfridges.”
Intimacy Is Key
According to Divya, couples are more likely to splurge on intimate destination weddings in 2023 than larger at-home events. “Couples are looking for exclusive and unique venues that can offer accommodation and multiple indoor and outdoor spaces, so up to 100 wedding guests can all come together. We also expect to see more couples putting their funds towards a longer honeymoon now travel has opened up again.”
Experience Over Expense
Finally, Divya says it's no longer about how much is spent on a wedding, it's more about the guest experience. “Couples want to ensure that whether it's outstanding hospitality, alternative forms of engaging entertainment, gastronomy, curated beverages, the overall experience leaves every guest in awe. I’m already seeing lots of requests for interactive live musicians, on-site artists as well as immersive dining experiences.”
EURIDGE MANOR
@PIERRAGPHOTOGRAPHY
DÉCOR
British Is Best
According to the team at Lavender Green Flowers, there’s still a major focus on seasonal and British-grown wedding flowers, in line with concerns around sustainability and supporting local suppliers. “Hand in hand with this, an English country garden feel has been a very popular choice for a lot of our couples, keeping everything naturally beautiful and effortless. We’re also seeing a move away from more classic flower choices and a willingness to include more unconventional florals such as anthurium, protea and poppy seed heads. Reflexed roses are a simple, statement floral either by themselves in bud vases or en masse, while colour palettes are also having a moment.” As for floral themes, the team say they hear the words ‘Bridgerton’ and ‘Palace of Versailles’ a lot.
Use & Use Again
As eco-consciousness grows, the Lavender Green Flowers team have also seen more couples asking for advice on how to reuse decorations and florals throughout the day. “The biggest trend that we are seeing is a concern for reusing flowers between the ceremony and the reception where possible – as well as the question of what happens to everything post-event. We like to donate to our local network of charities.”
Green & White Forever
Bridal colour trends come and go, but the Lavender Green Flowers team believe green and white will always remain a timeless combination. “That said, we are finding more couples are wanting to inject a subtle pop of colour as well. The biggest colour trend we are seeing is a delicate, pale neutral palette of nudes, creams and palest pinks with vintage tones, and antique roses such as quicksand, early grey or amnesia.”
LAVENDER GREEN FLOWERS
FOOD
Grazing’s Back
Lettice Events says grazing tables are back again after a pandemic ban – along with deeper experiences such as tasting tables and more adventurous flavours. “We are also seeing less demand for fussy canapés, and instead a desire for more filling little plates and longer receptions."
Stay Local
Amid rising costs and the after-effects of the pandemic, Sameer Taneja – executive chef at Benares Mayfair – thinks couples are turning to local suppliers more often. “People want to support small businesses, and it’s part of a wider move towards being more sustainable.”
Organic Growth
With restaurants increasingly aware of the importance of sustainability, Sofian Msetfi – executive chef at Ormer Mayfair by Sofian – expects to see more and more ethical and organic ingredients on wedding menus. “Kitchen gardens are a brilliant way to do this – we are proud to source our fruits and vegetables from our own one-acre kitchen garden in Essex.”
Spice Things Up
Sameer expects couples will also get more adventurous with their dishes, choosing to incorporate spicier dishes that are big on flavour. “A range of spices have already cemented their place in the kitchen as part of everyday cooking, so I expect more people to experiment as they find cost-effective ways to add bold, enriching flavours to their menus.”
For more inspiration, read what top chefs would love to serve at their dream wedding here & check out our list of recommended independent caterers here.
To stay up to date with all the latest in wedding news and trends in 2023, subscribe to the SheerLuxe Wedding Edition here.
@GRAPEANDFIG
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