Over the past few seasons, we’ve seen our share of charming, romantic weddings full of pastels and sequins. For 2018, expect us to run full force from this light and airy feel, as we’re predicting weddings will take on a more dramatic and edgy vibe in the way of deeper colors and richer textures. A more bohemian style is taking over and will replace rustic, and couples will be more relaxed in their approach to planning—it’s less about honing in on a specific wedding theme or color combination and more about creating a vibe or mood for your big day.
Style: Bohemian
Rustic has been all the rage lately—weddings held in barns with DIY-style floral arrangements, casual food (hello barbecue!) and more. For 2018, bohemian will be the new rustic—still a somewhat relaxed look but a bit more elevated than your average hoedown. We’re thinking an undone look that’s edgy but still romantic.
Colors: Deep and Rich with Black Accents
Say goodbye to the cotton-candy colors! Those light, airy shades are taking a backseat to a deeper, richer palette. More dramatic hues like burgundy will be popping up in floral arrangements, and edgy black accents will make an appearance as well. Don’t forget about those metallic accents. Gold and copper have been in demand for a while now, and we’ll start to see more silver and chrome as well.
Décor Details: Macramé and Crystals
Going off the whole bohemian trend, expect to see macramé and crystals as a big part of 2018 wedding reception trends. Table runners, bouquet wraps, chair décor and more all will see their fair share of both. We’ll also see crystals scattered on tablescapes the way that typewriters and other knick knacks were present at vintage weddings in years past.
Venues: The Industrial Space
Outdoor weddings are still going to be huge, but indoor venues, especially industrial spaces, are the new “it” spot. They have that same relaxed feel and blank-slate vibe as barn venues (which aren’t going anywhere) but with an edgier, hip feel. And the fact that they’re indoors makes coming up with an alternate plan for bad weather one less thing you have to worry about.
Cakes and Desserts: Drip Cakes and Doughnuts
No big shocker here because who doesn’t love doughnuts? This is a bit of a holdover from 2017, but drip cakes will still be big in 2018—they pair quite well with the relaxed bohemian look. Naked cakes are making their way out the door, but cakes with a thin layer of buttercream will still also be in style. Don’t worry; the doughnut trend won’t be going anywhere, as couples look to show their personalities with unusual dessert options including ice cream, dessert cocktails and more.
Flowers: The Cascading Bouquet
We’ve gone from short and sweet petite bouquets to full luxurious cascading flower arrangements. For 2018, the bigger the bouquet the better. We’re talking a more modern look here than our usual British wedding—and it’s an opportunity for your florist to mix lots of favorite blooms in an array of hues, as well as showing off all that greenery that will still be on trend.
Wedding Dresses: Celestial Chic, Puff Sleeves, Edgy Jackets and More
Bridal designers were definitely feeling the bohemian-meets-edgy vibe when thinking about 2018 collections. From starry-appliqued dresses to edgy rocker jackets, 2018 wedding dresses certainly complement the wedding décor of the moment.
Bridesmaid Dresses: Velvet and Pants
Velvet pants?! OK, so the bridesmaid dress doesn’t actually have to be a dress anymore. Bridesmaid pants (both separates and jumpsuits) will be right on point this year. And if you’re still opting for dresses for your gals and are hosting a cooler-weather wedding, velvet is the must-have fabric. How many of us ladies out there have frozen in our too-skimpy dresses while our guys roasted in their suits? No more! Other trends for bridesmaid dresses include wrap dresses and jewel-toned hues.
Menswear: Burgundy is the New Blue
While we don’t think the blue suit is going anywhere just yet, expect to see more burgundy suits at weddings in 2018. As wedding colors are moving in a deeper direction, this hue will certainly fit right in. And burgundy does look great on many a guy, so it’s definitely a win-win.
By Lindy Petersen