2018 + 2019 Master Wedding Trend Report
This is it, you guys! 2018 is officially coming to a close and 2019 is just days away. To celebrate the start of a new wedding season, we asked a few experts in each of their respective fields to help us build this year's annual trend report! We're wrapping up 2018's hottest trends, predicting what's to come in 2019 and dishing on the trends that we kinda-sorta hope will disappear in the new year. Here's everything you need to know.
Photo: Rebecca Arthurs Photography, Floral: Hana Floral Design
TREND #1. FLORAL AISLES
The 2018 floral aisle trend was one of our faves. And it sounds like we're not the only ones! Yumiko from Hana Floral Design is here to weigh in... "We love the floral aisle trend! We do this quite often for weddings that have a staging area to camouflage and make pretty! The floral aisle can be moved post ceremony and placed along the length of the stage. It softens the staging/scaffolding area and dresses up the dance floor!"
Photo: AXIOO Bali
TREND #2. SHEER WEDDING GOWNS
From the runway to the aisle, sheer wedding dresses ruled 2018 - and it’s not hard to see why! Sheer dresses make for the most romantic, delicate gowns. They are effortlessly beautiful with a side of daring. Sheer dresses are truly perfect for the fearlessly feminine bride-to-be.
Photo: Ashley Caroline Photography, Floral: Hana Floral Design
TREND #3. LIVING WALLS
Couples are getting creative with tented receptions by adding living elements like lush greenery to the entryways. "We love the use of greens as entries to tented receptions or above along with lighting fixtures! Smilax greens are such a naturally beautiful and drapey green. It goes a long way softening up an entry space or above the dance floor with specialty lighting" says Yumiko from Hana Floral Design.
Photo: Megan Sorel, Hair: TEAM Hair & Makeup
TREND #4: LONG & LOOSE WAVES
“For hair, beach waves and braids have been popular for a while, however, this year we were being asked to create fuller braids with added hair, longer hair and looser waves” says Mar from TEAM Hair & Makeup. “More and more brides are wearing hair extensions and now with so many options, there is something for every one! Half up styles or all down make for a soft and romantic look, especially in a strapless dress. Many of our brides wanted their hair down to give them a little more coverage around the neckline.”
Photo: Vicki Grafton Photography, Floral: Holly Heider Chapple Flowers LTD
TREND #5: LUSH FLORALS & HARLOW STANDS
Modern Classic was the new "must" when it came to overall wedding style in 2018. "We saw contemporary vibes, mixed with romantic classic touches. Think industrial structures, with classic garden roses and old world blooms. The Harlow stand which is a gold square contemporary lift was used wildly throughout the industry both as a lift for a single design or as a structure to create elevated hanging installations" says Holly from Holly Heider Chapple Flowers LTD.
Photo: Will Reid Photo, Invitations: Plume Calligraphy
TREND #6: HANDMADE PAPER & ARTISANAL CALLIGRAPHY
Romantic handmade paper stationery has bewitched us, body and soul and we love, we love, we love it."One of my favourite trends from 2018 has been the combination of typography paired with organic handmade papers. The contrast creates a beautiful, fresh aesthetic" says Aileen from Plume Calligraphy — we wholeheartedly agree!
Photo: Vicki Grafton Photography, Floral: Holly Heider Chapple Flowers LTD
TREND #7: WHITE & GREEN COLOR PALETTES
2018 brides kept to a classic, clean and sleek color scheme of all green and white that allowed for the most beautiful, minimalistic designs. How gorgeous is this bouquet showcasing the all white and green trend arranged by Holly Heider Chapple Flowers LTD? We're absolutely living for this look!
Photo: Babsie Ly Photography, Planning: Amorology, Floral by Siren Floral Co.
TREND 8: PAMPAS GRASS
Let's just say it - pampas grass made a HUGE splash in 2018 and we're not complaining. Some of our favorite weddings from this year have elements of pampas grass in the ceremony arch, bouquets or centerpieces. It always allows for a major statement and guaranteed wow-factor. Here's a picture of one of our favorite pampas grass arches of 2018 by Amorology Weddings!
Photo: Judy Pak Studio, MUAH: Face Time Beauty
TREND #9: GLOWY, NATURAL SKIN
Brides have ditched the matte look and have opted for a more glowy, luminous look in 2018. "This year was all about skin, skin, skin. We loved the switchover from matte skin to a more luminous finish, giving the face a super fresh and healthy allover glow. We also saw some extra enhancement on the cheeks with long-lasting cream blush and soft highlight just above the cheekbone" says beauty queens Katharine and Mar of Face Time Beauty.
Photo: Winsome and Wright, Planning: East Made Event Company
TREND #10: INTIMATE WEDDINGS
We love the fact that 2018 couples decided to keep their guest lists short and sweet. Elizabeth from East Made Event Company explains, "We were so fortunate to plan a number of intimate weddings in 2017 and 2018, where the guest list included only 30-50 people. Really focusing in on the guest experience allowed our couples to elaborate more on their details and upgrade on their menu and tabletop items, which always creates a gorgeous reception look and ambiance."
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Photo: Kristina Adams Photography, Floral: Oak and The Owl
1. COLOR, COLOR, COLOR (ESPECIALLY CORAL)
Yumiko from Hana Floral Design is sure we'll see a major color comeback for 2019 weddings! "Pantone's color of the year (living coral) is so vibrant and optimistic. I think this will speak to many brides in the Spring/Summer months. Neutral flowers will always be here and a white and green floral palette is always classic, but I think brides will dare to use more color" says Yumiko. Heather & Mackenzie from Amorology agree, "We predict that couples will opt for more color in 2019 as we have found that more and more are moving away from the blush and neutral palette that has been popular in the last few seasons, and we are more than happy to let that go!"
Photo: Jose Villa, Floral: Flower Allie
2. PETITE BOUQUETS
Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton will be inspiring brides more than ever in 2019 - particularly in the bouquet department. Yumiko from Hana Floral Design adds, "Smaller bouquets will overshadow the large, wispy, organic bouquets of seasons past. Thanks to both Royal weddings, brides may opt for a more petite bouquet or go for something a bit more tailored than in the past few seasons."
Photo: Jodi & Kurt Photography, Floral: Holly Heider Chapple Flowers LTD
3. HANGING INSTALLATIONS, CLIMBING FLORALS & SELF STANDING ARBORS
Floral is getting a major upgrade in 2019. We're talking floral hanging from ceilings, self standing arbors and climbing floral arrangements that truly take your breath away. For example, check out this amazing hanging centerpiece from Holly Heider Chapple Flowers LTD! Can you say stunning?
Photo: Michele Beckwith, Planning; Amorology
4. INTERACTIVE ESCORT DISPLAYS
In 2019, couples will be focusing on ways to enhance guest experiences — particularly when it comes to escort cards! More and more couples are adding an interactive element to their escort displays that make for a fun, unexpected moment for their guests! How awesome is this "it's electric" escort display created by Amorology Weddings that features a musical surprise (the headphone were used later in the evening for a silent disco!)
Photo: You Look Lovely Fine Art Photography, MUAH: Face Time Beauty
5. NATURAL BEAUTY & HAIR
Our girls Katharine and Mar of Face Time Beauty are predicting natural makeup & hair styles among 2019 brides. "In 2019 we are hoping to see a lot more of the flush cheeks and bitten, rosy lips to match. We love how bright and beautiful this looks, without feeling too overdone or unnatural.We're also noticing the use of natural elements, specifically pearls and quartz, in hairstyles and we cannot get enough! Whether a bride is wearing her hair up or down, natural pieces like this are a fun alternative to add a little interest to the hair without being too showy."
Photo: Jeremy Chou Photography
6. DRAWING INSPO FROM INTERIOR DESIGN
"With lounge furniture and rental options increasing each year, brides are having more and more inventory to choose from when designing their weddings. We love creating spaces (both lounges and reception tables) that feel inviting yet elegant, and reflect a couple's ideal interior style in their wedding design" says Elizabeth from East Made Event Company. We're so on board with this exciting new concept!
Photo: Lacie Hansen, Planning: Callista & Company
7. PERSONALIZED GIFT GIVING
"Impersonal favors are a thing of the past" says Callista of Callista & Company… "I see intentional gift giving as a big trend for 2019. Brides and grooms want to give back to their guests before, during, and after the wedding with personalized favors and gifts, so we're finding unique ways to thoughtfully customize the guest experience. Consider sharing a special wedding weekend playlist along with local, artisanal treats in your guest welcome bag or box. We love to personalize wedding day components whenever possible, such as adding calligraphy guest names to each menu at the dinner table or sending guests back to their hotels with a mini-cake with their name on it. After the wedding, mailing each guest a curated set of printed photos can be a beautiful way to share images from your big day." All such amazing and thoughtful ideas! We've always felt that the more personalized the wedding, the better!
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1. WASHED OUT COLORS
This is without a doubt the number one most mentioned trend that wedding pro's wish would go away in 2019. Don't get us wrong - the muted tones we've seen in so many beautiful weddings are GORG… we're just exciting to see brides have a little fun with colors in 2019 and dare to be bold! But if that's just not your style, consider us your most devoted blush fans
2. OVERUSE OF MARBLE
Let's be real, marble is amazing… but sometimes it can be a bit overpowering when used too heavily in the overall decor. We love the idea of keeping marble around for the long run, but maybe just used in small elements that can still make a big statement.
3. HEAVY MAKEUP CONTOURING
Listen up, ladies! You are all so naturally beautiful and don't need all that Krazy Kardashian contour on your wedding day. Take it from the experts at Face Time Beauty, "A trend we couldn't quite get on board with this year was the heavy contouring. We love to elevate the amazing features that brides already have to keep them looking like themselves. A little contour on the nose and on the cheeks is perfect, but we like to keep it light and natural."
4. FOLLOWING PINTEREST TOO CLOSELY
Pinterest is one of our all time favorite ways to get inspired and see what's trending in the wedding world. But in 2019, Elizabeth from East Made Event Company would love to see brides take that inspiration and make it their own entirely! Here's what she had to say, "We LOVE Pinterest for its mood board sourcing and inspiration capabilities, but it's so easy for brides to ask their vendors to exactly replicate a photo they've seen before. By allowing your creative team a bit of flexibility in their design process, they'll be able to create something even more personalized and unique to your day."
