HOT TOPIC

2023 TRENDS SPECIAL

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Join us as some of Kent’s wedding aficionados discuss their top 2023 trend predictions

A DAY TO REMEMBER

Kylie Christie from The Old Kent Barn (www.theoldkentbarn.co.uk) says: Modern lifestyles leave less time for wedding planning, so couples are looking for planning support from time of booking, along with resources and advice with remote meetings and solutions to fit around busy schedules. Many are looking for impressive settings to say their “I dos.” Ceremony locations have become a top priority when choosing a venue, with nearlyweds looking for the perfect outdoor location with stunning backdrops.

The 2023 couple are stylish, fashion focused and keen to reflect their personalities. Florals never go out of fashion and many are experimenting with colours and choosing layers of hues, tones and shades for styling. Nature and natural colours are popular palette themes and we expect to see more monochrome styling and black tie looks – classy, elegant and timeless. Locally-sourced menus complementing the season will be key. We also anticipate a rise in popularity of pairing menus with English sparkling wines, Kent being in a perfect location with many vineyards within easy reach of venues in the county.

Expect to see more wows! Soon-to-be weds are opting for highlight moments during the day such as live artists painting watercolour mementos for guests, and spectacular evening celebrations with live music, performances and surprises for family and friends. Finally, remember: it’s all in the details! From beautiful embroidered veils and embossed stationery, to specially selected accessories for curated detail shots, 2023 weddings will focus on the finer things.

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Lyndsay Allen-Trott from Cake It Or Leave It (www.cake-it-or-leave-it.co.uk) says: This year, wedding cakes will be back stronger than ever! Naked and buttercream bakes are here to stay and will continue to feature heavily in 2023. They’re great for rustic, rural, vintage or countryside weddings.

In terms of decoration, marble cakes will be a big favourite. These will be perfect if you want a sugar paste cake without the shrillness of huge decorations. Grey and white is a perfect combination for a simple cake that oozes elegance. While other blends of blues, white and rosecoloured marble will also be feature.

Hexagonal cakes look set to play a part in 2023 as well. These offer the ideal mixture of modernity and elegance, with a striking appearance. They’re best kept simple.

When it comes to flavour, red velvet is making a comeback along with coffee cake, which can be harmoniously paired with chocolate. We’ll also see more tropical-themed flavours, with chocolate and fruit combo bakes set to trend.

Kate Blott from Atlas Flowers (www.atlasflowers.co.uk) says: Gypsophila is one of the most popular filler flowers used by wedding designers, and has long been a top choice for centrepieces, bouquets and hair adornments, along with several varieties of eucalyptus. While roses, gypsophila and eucalyptus are all still very popular with brides and florists alike, it’s clear that many couples have been inspired to try something new.

Meanwhile, searches for ruscus and bunny tail grass has grown 37 per cent and 21 per cent respectively between summer 2021 and 2022. There’s no single reason why ruscus and lagurus ovatus have surged in popularity, but a quick glance at Instagram and Pinterest make it clear that their popularity is still snowballing. For dried grasses in particular, we’re sure that some of the fresh interest has come from influencers like Mrs Hinch and Stacy Solomon showcasing pampas and other similar grasses in their own homes.

The shift towards artificial and dried bouquets that happened throughout the pandemic also looks like it’s here to stay, with the popularity of these long-lasting options still outstripping interest in other bouquets by a considerable distance each month. Aside from the fact they can be prepared and viewed well in advance of the big day, they also come with the benefit of easy, long-term storage should you decide to keep it as a memento. Some budget-conscious couples are also looking for floral options they can resell once the big day is over, to recoup some of the cost of the event.

CANDID CAMERA

Fatma Keeley from Smiley Huseyin Photography (www.smileyhuseyinphotography.com) says: Candid photos have always been a fabulous way to document the realness of weddings, which in turn provide couples with actual memories of the joy and excitement experienced on their special day. This type of photography can be achieved as long as couples are out there enjoying their wedding party with their guests.

In the past two years since weddings have been back in full swing, I’d noticed a massive emphasis on group photos with couples having endless lists of shots they wanted, as they valued every member of their wedding party and so wanted to make sure they have a photo of each and every one. This in turn meant they’d have less time to enjoy their pre-breakfast drinks and also meant that there were very few candid shots with their friends and family. Towards the end of 2022, I noticed a change in photo requests, couples are still wanting some group shots, however, what they really want is to enjoy their wedding and to get on with being in those natural candid moments. I predict this will continue into 2023.

www.rachelmannsweddings.com

SMALL AND PERFECTLY FORMED

Becky Bosman from The Lost Village of Dode (www.dodevillage.com) says: Following the forced scaling back of weddings during the pandemic, we’ve certainly seen more couples looking to continue with this trend of keeping things small, intimate and simple; sharing the day with those who really matter the most. Along with the current rise in cost of living, having a scaled-back wedding can also help with those budgets, but remember, just because a wedding is small it certainly doesn’t mean it’s any less magical.

www.holliecarlinphotography.com

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