With the fantastic news that weddings can go ahead on the 21st of June with no limits on guests, couples across the UK can finally get to be truly excited for their big day as they originally planned it.
2020 was the year of compromise for weddings. From cancellations and constantly sending out ‘Change the date’ cards, to be able to get married in front of a small, socially distanced gathering of loved ones, weddings as we knew them were far from view.
Covid wedding rules were discussed as much as the wedding dress; health concerns and lateral flow tests were debated alongside the menu, but now - FINALLY - wedding bells will sound a bit more hopeful as we head into the summer!
The pandemic will undoubtedly have had an impact on weddings, but what sort of styles and trends can we expect to see as we once more venture into the world of weddings?
Traditional
After the strangeness of the last 18 months, experts think that there will be a great revival of the traditional wedding. There has been a definite shift in our priority and values, and so more emphasis will be going back to basics and cherishing what means the most to us, namely loved ones. Traditional weddings echo these traditional values, and so expect to see church weddings, large receptions, classic cakes, and elegant dresses!
Shopping at home
‘Buying British’ will become a habit that extends further than weddings as the UK recovers from the effects of the pandemic. There is a national desire to support those businesses that have struggled the most during lockdowns, many of them small, independent businesses. Many couples will find everything they need right on their doorstep, from flowers to catering!
Glamour
Think Duchess of Cambridge and Princess Diana of Wales - lace, elegance, and long veils are back! And why not, after a long year of pajamas and jogging bottoms? Expert hair and makeup, pearl or sparkle accessories, and classic statements are likely to shape the bridal look of 2021.
Entertainment and concentration of guests
Expect to be made to feel like the guest of honor as you turn up to the reception! After having so much time apart, couples are likely to place great emphasis on ‘fun’ and making their wedding an incredible occasion to be remembered by everyone attending. From palm readings to photo booths, there’s a whole host of both new and exciting and traditional ways to make weddings fun for all attending!
The return of the heirloom
Expect to be made to feel like the guest of honor as you turn up to the reception! After having so much time apart, couples are likely to place great emphasis on ‘fun’, and making their wedding an incredible occasion to be remembered by everyone attending. From palm readings to photo booths, there’s a whole host of both new and exciting and traditional ways to make weddings fun for all attending!
Ethical Shopping
News reports of poor working conditions in fast fashion in previous lockdowns have made more of us more conscious of where we shop from when we can afford to. This will apply to wedding dress shopping too, as well as all the other wedding necessities. Couples are more likely to spend more money on sustainable brands, as well as local resources.
DIY Weddings
After the cooking, baking, crafting, knitting, and sewing escapades of the last 18 months, it is no surprise that couples are looking more into making and creating things for their wedding in place of outsourcing! Anything from wedding favours to invitations, couples are getting crafty and reducing their wedding costs.
Micro Weddings
As much as we expect to see big weddings make a triumphant return, it is likely that smaller weddings will remain for some time too. In fact, some couples will want to keep things more intimate and have a guest list of only their closest friends and families. In this way, they can turn their funding and attention to other areas in which they can make their wedding incredible, and look forward to sharing it with those they love the most.
Experience
There will be a lot more emphasis on the experience as a whole, for both the guests and the couple. Immersive experiences and a carefully created ambiance will be an important feature of 2021 weddings. From extravagant flower tunnels and lantern-lit pathways to fairy light cascades and hangings, I’m sure there will be plenty of ‘wow’ factors to look forward to!
Breaking free from tradition
Although traditional weddings may be making a comeback, it will not be a surprise to see more modern weddings too. After a year of following the rules, some couples may use their wedding as an opportunity to break them (wedding rules, of course!). Breaking free from the traditional mold could be anything as it is open to interpretation, but it would not be surprising to see a great emphasis on aesthetics, with a focus on fashion and design.
And of course, how can we talk about weddings without discussing the honeymoon? There are still restrictions around travel, but holidays at home can still be just as, if not more so, special. Check out these staycations that are perfect for stargazing, adding that touch more romance to your special getaway as a new husband and wife:
There will certainly be a lot to look forward to as weddings go ahead, from small modern weddings to large traditional ones, and everything we could possibly imagine in between. But following the challenges of the last year, it’s safe to say that we’ll need to be well-stocked with tissues as we return to seeing our loved ones tie the knot. And after so many cancellations in 2020, I’m sure our 2021 to 2022 calendars will soon start to fill up - dust off the fascinators and hats and dig out those glad rags, as it’s off to the chapel we go!