The height of wedding planning season is upon us, and many of you are in the throes of planning your summer or fall weddings. In an effort to help y'all find that "something" to make your wedding really special and unique, I thought I would center today's post around the trends shaping up for 2013 weddings, from attire to decor to atmosphere!
Elegance & The Roaring Twenties
In 2012 we saw an abundance of vintage lace dresses and pretty, ornate details -- and I don't think this is going away in 2013. An emerging trend for 2013 is a throwback to the "Roaring Twenties", where romantic lace, delicate beading, and and soft colors dominated. The popularity of shows like Downton Abbey (the beautiful dresses of the Crawley ladies!) and upcoming movies like The Great Gatsby will only further highlight the elegant, gilded atmosphere of this time period. Look for even more throwback details this year, like beaded headbands, delicate veils, or crystal elements around the room to showcase this particular vintage trend.
Small Scale and Intimate
A few years ago, weddings were huge and quite extravagant -- an excuse to invite practically everyone you knew to your big day and party with you. I'm not saying they're not huge or extravagant now (there will always be someone who knows a lot of people!), but I do think that there is a trend towards smaller, more intimate gatherings over huge ballroom affairs.
As I pointed out above, though, smaller and more intimate does not mean skimping on everything. If anything, rich fabrics, opulent details, and elegant atmospheres are staging a comeback! It rather seems that couples are looking
for ways to make their day more special, and as a result, are opting to
invite only close friends and family who will truly cherish
participating in the event.
Carefully Handmade
In the past few years, the biggest trend around has been DIY, and websites like Pinterest only continue to add fuel to that fire! Couples often
want something that truly showcases their personality at their wedding - which
often requires putting your artsy hat on and making it yourself.
Now, I know when you hear "DIY" or "handmade" your mind associates "budget" and "crafty"...but let me tell you: DIY and handmade can be beautiful! The key to making DIY look great is all in the details, and the care and time put into making it (hence my "carefully handmade" section title above, with emphasis on the "carefully").
In the past few months, I have seen the trend move from "do-it-yourself-to-save-some-money" to "do-it-yourself-to-make-a-lasting-family-keepsake". Couples are putting their own spin on everything, from incorporating custom artwork into their invitations to creating beautiful centerpieces that later become keepsakes in their home.
Fun and Quirky
At
this point, I should just have a whole new category labeled "unique"!
But in all seriousness, couples in 2013 are looking for personal
touches to add to their celebrations that differentiate their day - and that
entertain their guests! This fun and quirky element also goes somewhat hand in hand with the carefully handmade trend I just mentioned.
For quite some time now, weddings have been
drifting far from the more serious, black tie affairs of old towards fun
parties with lots of quirky elements. Things like photo booths with
mustache props, latenight munchies and milkshake buffet bars, bridal parties wearing personalized Chucks, and
scavenger hunt table cards are popping up everywhere!
