2019 wedding trends: From dresses to themes and flowers to decor

Weddings used to be simple.

You'd book a church, a venue for your wedding breakfast, buy a dress at your local bridalwear shop and set off for the altar.

And while the key elements of getting hitched remain the same, weddings in 2019 are a whole different ball game. Now we're all obsessed with making our special day as unique and memorable as possible and there's a lot of wedding one upmanship going on. 

They had a Mexican food truck? Then you get a Prosecco van. They had fireworks? Then you and your bridal party carry smoke bombs.

In fact, the average cost of a UK wedding has risen to an all time high of over £30,000 which isn't surprising when you consider how the industry is always evolving and keeps coming up with new and interesting ways to get married every year. 

And while 2018's summer of love may be over, there's a whole new batch of lovebirds saying their vows (traditional or otherwise) in the next 12 months. So what will the biggest wedding trends of 2019 be?

Read on for our lowdown. 

1. It's all about you, you, you

"The overarching trend for 2019 is that it will be the year of the hyper-personalised wedding," says Hamish Shephard, founder of wedding planning app Bridebook and owner of  wedding venue Hedsor House. "Millennials have lots of strong views and opinions and using social media they have a big brand identity for themselves, so you’re going to get weddings that are the personification of two people celebrating the stuff they love."

Adding individual touches to every aspect of your wedding is the easiest way to make it memorable and, of course, Instagram-worthy. So what details can you bring to your big day to surprise and delight your guests?

Customisation - There's been a move towards having bespoke illustrations and designs incorporated into save the dates, invitations, wedding signage and even table linen. Use your initials, a song lyric or just a romantically themed picture and your wedding will be as unique as you are.

Experiences and entertainment - sorry selfie fans but the photo booth idea is so overdone it's practically a goner. So time to branch out with your quirky ideas for games and gaiety. And think big. The sky's the limit. "At Hedsor House we had a bride who was really into dinosaurs so the groom arranged for a robotic dinosaur to join them for their first dance," says Shephard. "So if you can dream it, it’s possible now."

The ceremony - One area that was always stuck in tradition was the actual marriage ceremony. But Katrina Otter, a wedding planner based in Suffolk, says 2019 is all about the celebrant led service. "Next year all of my weddings are celebrant led ceremonies," she says. "None of them have got a church." This means couples have a civil ceremony a couple of days before the wedding with just one or two witnesses, leaving them free to customise their big day even more.

"They want it to be personalised to them," Otter says. "They want to say what they want to say and don’t want to follow rules and regulations. It’s breaking free from someone telling them what they have to say about their life, love and commitment to each other. Making it about the two of them."

And it's not just the vows that can be changed. With a celebrant led service you can seal the deal with a hand tying ceremony, by planting a tree, lighting a unity candle or even burying a time capsule. The options become endless.

Favours - Otter predicts favours will all but disappear. "Most of my clients don’t do favours anymore," she explains. "Most guests don’t realise they’re there. So much love, energy and attention goes into them and then they just get left. So a lot of people are doing charity donations instead or doing away with them altogether."

If you're keen to still provide favours then 2019 will require you to up your game. Sugared almonds? You've got to be kidding. Think custom hangover packs, luxe eye masks, personalised biscuits, mini succulents, a CD mixtape. And for those of you creating a whole wedding weekend, you'd better set aside some budget for artisanal welcome baskets, placed in each room.

A first look moment - seeing the bride for the first time as she walks down the aisle is so last year. Now couples are planning a private 'first look moment'. Private, that is, apart from the photographer who is on hand to capture the amazed look on the groom's face.  

New traditions - who says you have to stick to the wedding etiquette rule book? 2019 says you don't. In fact Shephard believes that sticking rigidly to tradition is on the wane. "People are cherry picking what’s important to them," he says. "You should be doing what’s important to you, not what somebody has told you is important."

But there's one new tradition in particular Shephard is keen to see break out. "2019 is the year of bridal speeches," he says. "Meghan made a speech, Eugenie made a speech and we’re encouraging everyone to make speeches. There are loads of archaic, negative traditions surrounding the position of women in weddings. They’re being given away, they don't speak. That’s in the past, screw that. The rise of the bridal speech is awesome and long overdue."

So don't be shy, get up there and take the opportunity to say your own thank yous. It doesn't need to be a stand up routine and it definitely doesn't need to be long. Just some heartfelt gratitude will be enough.

Bending, or even breaking, the rules is a satisfying way to make your wedding your own. Don't be beholden to what others have done before. As Fleetwood Mac said; 'You can go your own way'.  

2. Epic events vs intimate affairs

You've got two choices in 2019. Going large or going under the radar.

While classic one day weddings will always exist, mainly because the majority of venues won't allow a longer booking, opting for a full weekend of celebrations is becoming the norm. "I do find that a lot of the briefs I get from my couples is to find a venue where they can do a two or three day event," says Otter.

Going large isn't necessarily about the number of guests on your list, it's about how long you can drag out the shenanigans for. "Weddings are becoming more international so it’s likely you have friends flying in and if they are then it’s nice to make a bigger occasion of it," explains Shephard. 

Day one sees you welcome friends and family with a barbecue, Hawaiian luau or pool party.

Day two includes a hearty group breakfast, an activity like a treasure hunt or walk, followed by the main event in the late afternoon and dancing until dawn.

And day three is all about the recovery brunch and reliving the best moments of the night before. 

It's an expensive option but lots of loved up duos want to keep the fun going as long as possible.

On the other end of the spectrum is a trend for keeping things as low key and intimate as possible. 

Many couples in 2019 will be reserving their nuptials for only the closest friends and family, saving their money for their lives post-wedding, while some will even take advantage of the trend for elopement weddings.

There's no need to run away to Gretna Green or Las Vegas for this, as lots of venues now provide ceremonies and overnight stays just for the bride and groom.

"People are saying ‘let’s do it our way’," says Shephard. "And our way can be three days or it can be in the pub."

3. The Royal wedding effect

The weddings of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle and Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank will see their influence last well into 2019. 

And Shephard believes it was the personal touches of their nuptials that have led to the trend for customised weddings going interstellar. "The biggest impetus is the two royal weddings this year that give you carte blanche to do whatever you want and to mix traditions," he says. "If they can bend the rules then everyone can."

From Harry and Meghan's dramatic floral arch and naked wedding cake to Princess Eugenie's fairground and plastic free policy, it looks like couples will be inspired by the royals into 2019 and beyond.

"I think we’re going to get a lot of people showing images of their flowers as references for things they might want," agrees Otter. "Lots of foliage and white but also the autumnal tones as well. I think there might be slightly more adventurism and more colour. More of the autumnal colours and getting the richness of those jewel tones in there."

4. Flowers

Every wedding needs flowers but what will the brides of 2019 be carrying down the aisle? And are flower walls still a thing?

Maddie Dawkins, Wedding and Business Development Manager at Lavender Green Flowers, says the biggest trend will be for couples wanting their flowers to make a statement: "At the moment our clients are looking for something a little bit more dramatic."

Colour

According to Dawkins we'll be seeing a new wave of shades being used together. "Next year there’s a lot of light and shade colours, pops of burgundy and plums and then you’ve got the peaches and lilacs all together," she explains.

But that doesn't mean classic whites and greens are going anywhere. It's just that they'll be used in more interesting ways.   

Fragrance

Most brides are now well aware that using seasonal flowers is the best route to go down and while that means there isn't a break out floral bloom for 2019, there's been a shift towards placing an importance on scent. "Fragrance is becoming really important to brides," she says. "It’s creating a memory of their wedding day that’ll last forever. Equally we talk to brides who say they really want sweet peas because it reminds them of their youth. Things like jasmine, lily of the valley and also wax flower which looks like a daisy, but smells like lemon." 

The bouquet

"Brides are beginning to realise that you should treat the bouquet like the most exquisite piece of jewellery you’re ever going to wear," says Dawkins. "You don’t spend all this money and time finding a beautiful wedding dress and then cover it up, so we always suggest designs that only enhance and complement the bride and what she’s wearing."

And in terms of style it looks like in 2019 the loose and wild bouquets have had their day. "The one thing we have seen an increase in recently is wired bouquets," she says. "This is where you take each flower off individually and wire them into a specific shape. Kate and Pippa Middleton both had wired bouquets so there’s definitely a shift to having something more specific."

The bridal party

And it seems that the Royal wedding influence extends to the inclusion of more and more flower girls at the expense of grown up bridesmaids too. "People are more interested in flower girls than they used to be," says Dawkins. We’ve had a lot more interest in hair circlets or things for them to carry that aren’t a bouquet. We design lovely little bespoke hearts that are covered in wax flower or spray roses. It’s finding the little details that set them apart from everybody else."

Floral decorations

Flowers aren't just to be carried. They're crucial for creating the vibe you want. And while Dawkins believes tablecentres will always be popular, there are a couple of decorating trends she thinks are on the wane. "I think arches have had their day and that while tall designs and things that fill spaces will still be important, I don’t think it will necessarily be a hanging design anymore." So scratch those from your plans people.

There will be other ways to wow your guests, however, and she suggests ideas like meadow runners down the aisle, or a floral lined pathway to the church, pillars of flowers or even bespoke shapes which are then covered in flowers and foliage. "People are now recognising the importance of making their ceremony look beautiful," she adds. "That could be in a church or a field, but it’s creating those key pockets for photo opportunities. What can you do that will make that backdrop look amazing?"

5. The Dress

"People seem to think wedding dresses don’t change but I think they do change as the season changes. Every six months and you’ve got to keep it rolling." So says wedding dress designer to the stars Phillipa Lepley, whose creations have been worn by everyone from Geri Halliwell to Tanya Burr.

So what influences trends in wedding gowns? Lepley say both fashion and events like royal weddings have an effect and that over the last few years there's been a move away from very detailed dresses to a more minimal aesthetic. "Meghan has made people more aware and slightly braver with a clean dress," she explains. "I call them clean not plain. A clean dress is the hardest thing to make because you’ve got no adornments to hide any little wrinkles. But you shine, your face comes out so much more. But it so depends on the person. Some people can take decoration and some people can’t."

And in 2019 it seems we'll be saying goodbye to the strapless wedding dress. "Strapless is not as popular," Lepley says. "A lot of people are less comfortable with it these days." 

The trend for sleeves will continue to grow but Lepley warns that while they are lovely with a more slinky or Bohemian style dress, they add an extra layer of formality to a fuller gown.

And when it comes to necklines brides are feeling braver. "On the edge of the shoulder is good, but a lot of people are going further and showing the whole shoulder," she says. With Bardot necklines a huge trend in mainstream fashion for the last few summers, this is perhaps not a surprise.

And again much like the Duchess of Sussex, lots of brides are opting to have two dresses, although Lepley says this is usually more for those who are having a three day event, rather than having an extra dress to change into for the evening. "I have to say I do try to discourage that," she adds. "I think it’s such a shame to wear your dress for such a short time. You fall in love with your dress and you don’t really want to take it off."

And other things to consider if you're getting married in 2019 are dresses with pockets, jumpsuits, bows, tiered skirts and choosing a colour instead of classic ivory. See Mandy Moore who recently wed wearing a candyfloss pink dress by Rodarte.

But whatever style you go for, heed Lepley's advice when shopping for your dream dress.

"It’s really good to stay open minded and leave your pre-conceived ideas at the door," she says. "Think about the years to come and how you’d like to look back at that picture. Sometimes if you come with too many people or there are too many opinions that makes it difficult. It’s got to be you and the mirror and your body and how you feel. Just enjoy the process, it goes so quickly. Just enjoy it and don’t get stressed."

6. Food

"Food is an amazing way to add personality," says Shephard. "There’s never been more choice and possibility in food and people have never been more inspired by food. So it’s endless."

And both he and Otter agree that the days of silver service are in decline with couples preferring a more rustic approach to their wedding breakfast. So there'll be more sharing platters and feasts next year which encourage guests to interact and get to know each other. "Home comfort foodlike mac 'n' cheese and pie and mash are big," says Otter. "People are going away from the fine dining style and towards the bigger family style food." 

And there's a steady rise in vegan and vegetarian menus too alongside a focus on seasonal, organic and farm to table produce. 

And don't worry street food fans. Food trucks are still on trend in 2019 and they'll be joined by food stations (a more upscale version of a buffet) as well as dessert tables holding an array of delicious sweet treats rather than just the cake.

Bring it on we say.

7. Decoration and theming

Otter predicts a sharp move in terms of how couples approach their wedding decoration.

"I think there will be a trend for people talking about vibe over palette," she explains. "People just saying 'these are colours I like' instead of saying 'this is the theme I want'. It’s a sense of 'we don’t want someone walking into our wedding and being like 'oh it’s a blue wedding' or 'oh it’s a pink wedding.'"

So rather than picking one or two colours and running those through the whole shebang, have a broader idea of how you want to feel at your wedding and how you'd like your guests to feel.

It's perfectly okay to amalgamate different aesthetics so that the effect is just one of a beautiful space filled with beautiful flowers. Aim for effortless over too rigidly styled.

But what about the venue itself? Marquees and country estates remain popular and thanks to the Royal Weddings at Windsor this year, there has been a spike in searches for castles on the Bridebook app says Shephard.

But it looks as though barn weddings have had their moment. If you're city based, consider a more industrial space like a warehouse, old mill or stark white studios which you can then decorate in an interesting way. In fact some of those Boho rustic touches from the converted barns will actually work brilliantly in a contemporary venue.   

8. Technology 

Like in every area of our lives, technology is having a huge effect on the way we do things and weddings are no different. 

And while you do get the odd bride and groom using a drone to capture aerial shots of their guests, it's in the run up to the big day that new technology is really making itself useful.

More and more couples are using wedding planning apps which help to streamline all the varying aspects of what are complicated occasions. In fact half of UK weddings are now planned using Bridebook, where users have access to 139,000 suppliers as well as other tools like a guest list organiser and budget planner. Shephard believes that this, along with the countless options to be poured over on social media, means weddings are becoming more influenced by technology than ever. 

"Through technology planning is a lot easier," he says. "And that gives people more time to embrace doing the fun stuff."

But what about using technology and social media on the wedding day itself? There are those who create a special wedding hashtag and encourage all their guests to use it when posting pictures to their Instagram and Twitter accounts, but it looks like 2019 could be the year that 'unplugged weddings' become the norm.

This is when couples ask guests to turn off their phones during the ceremony so they can truly be present rather than watching it all happen through the screen of their iPhone. "A wedding is an experiential event," says Shephard, "Please be in the moment, this is the most important moment of people’s lives. You’re there as a witness, so please witness it."

So whether you want to update your Instagram story as you walk down the aisle, or you ask guests not to post any pictures of your day, it's now something you need to make a decision about so be clear from the outset what you want.

"I think people are a lot more savvy about letting people know where they sit," says Otter. "They communicate it beforehand saying 'go to town here’s our hashtag' or 'please don’t and here’s some info about unplugged weddings.'"

For more wedding guides and features go to https://www.telegraph.co.uk/weddings