Wedding trends to expect for 2021:
Are you planning an upcoming wedding? From eco-friendly tree-planting parties to palm readers, the latest wedding trends are eclectic and meaningful.
Without question, the wedding trends for 2021 are influenced by the Coronavirus lockdown with a ‘go big or go home’ mentality for postponed weddings, for years family and friends have been stuck in their homes unable to hug one another, which will have a profound effect on how couples choose to celebrate.
With a greater planning period couples have been increasingly incorporating their own personality into their special day, so we’ve seen some fantastically creative and unique weddings.
Here are some of the biggest wedding trends to embrace for 2021.
1. Buying British
Lockdown and the recent cost of living crisis has put a huge strain on the UK economy and, in 2022, we’ve seen couples favouring UK based suppliers, bridal boutiques and independent businesses with their hard-earned money.
The excitement of going out to a bridal shop, to see the styles in person and try them on will be such a luxury and encourage more brides to invest in British brands. More couples will turn to independent shops on Etsy and local designers to buy their décor and stationery instead of choosing Amazon or a big corporate brand. Local suppliers, from bands to photographers, will get more booking as couples choose to invest in the economy on their doorstep by wanting to support local.
We provide an extensive list of recommended local suppliers, to our couples, who we have worked with to help with your wedding planning.
2. Acts of gratitude
You can easily incorporate poignant acts of thanks into your wedding day and after the tough time coronavirus brought us, there is so much more to be thankful for.
Though time-consuming, a personal note on each guest place setting is a hugely meaningful gesture and requires next to no cost. Alternatively, if you’re looking for something more a special ‘thank you’ biscuits for each guest could be perfect. Or choose some special guests to take home one of the flower arrangements at the end of the night.
3. Locally Sourced Menus
Buying British will be typically seen as wedding trends in 2021. Think locally-farmed meats, ingredients, seasonal fruits and vegetables, and modern British twists on classic wedding dishes. This supports British beef and dairy industry which has been particularly hard hit recently whilst enhancing environmental sustainability. At Manor Hill House our head chef uses as much local produce as possible when creating our wedding menus.
4. A Return to Tradition for Wedding Trends
Weddings will go back to their heart: making treasured memories with friends and family. Experts across the wedding industry are predicting tradition to be a defining feature of 2021 weddings, from timeless dresses to nostalgic fragrances and traditional speeches.
“I am seeing a return to the more traditional side of weddings,” says Jennie Evans of bespoke floral designers Liberty Lane Flowers. “Many more of my clients are choosing their local childhood church for their ceremony, with a statement archway to frame the entrance, and delicate meadow flowers lining the aisle.”
Private settings such as Manor Hill help create an intermate homely feel for your wedding as a wedding venue ‘home from home’ set in beautiful grounds.
5. Entertainment Experiences
2021 wedding trends will be more about experiences, couples will want to focus on celebrating their vows, ever more valued following a tough few years. That means couples will focus much more on entertainment and looking after their guests, ensuring their day is memorable.
Palm and tarot readers have boomed in popularity for weddings, as well as interactive experiences like street artists to sketch your guests, petting zoos, acrobats and fire performers, roaming musicians, magicians and more.
We have seen all of the above at Manor Hill House and we love exciting entertainment! If you have an idea of something you wish to incorporate into your day, speak to us!
6. Pastel Shades Wedding Trends
Pastel tones are predicted to be huge for 2021! Colour schemes are a core part of any event aesthetics, and next year, weddings will be washed out in pastel hues. They will be key in delivering cool, calm and relaxed yet personal wedding vibes. Think gorgeous lilac, pastel pink, yellow and peach tulips and sweet peas, with a pop of colour such as orange or coral, and stationery of complementing colours too.
7. Sustainability
Following climate concerns, couples are increasingly putting sustainability as a top priority for their wedding day and 2021 will continue to see a big growth in this.
Sustainable approaches for couples’ special days can be simple to adopt, for example, plant trees as wedding guests’ favours to reduce their carbon footprint, keeping food miles down by opting for locally grown meat and vegetables or a vegan menu, serving local beers, wines and spirits and choose a venue with a beautiful backdrop that doesn’t require lavish decoration that will end up in landfill.
From food to drink, it is really important to us at Manor Hill to support as many local businesses as possible and we spend time sourcing local produce.
8. Full-On Hollywood Glamour
“After we’ve all been stuck inside wearing jogging bottoms and messybuns, I think we’ll see a return to full-on Hollywood glamour,” predicts Tilly Thomas Lux founder Sally Thomas. “Hair accessories adorned with sparkles or pearls will continue to be popular and I think we’ll see renewed interest in chandelier earrings and statement necklaces.”
Following weeks of elasticated waistbands, couples and their guests will want to go all-out for 2021 weddings. As well as statement and sparkling accessories, expect photo-perfect hair and makeup while there’s a professional photographer around as we make up for lost photo opportunities. Many people will have had to cancel holidays so will be turning to the salon for a sun-kissed look and a bronzed goddess glow to cap their glamorous look.
9. Micro Wedding Trends
In 2021 we’ll see more micro weddings or elopement weddings with less than 20 guests for an intimate style. In some cases, it might be about budget constraints, but for a lot, the reasoning will be that couples simply want to scale back to just a few family and friends that they can’t live without.
Lockdown has been a period of reflection for many about what’s truly important, and for some couples, that will crystallise exactly who they want by their side on their special day.
10. Weekday Weddings
Guests can expect to see an influx of invites to weekday weddings in 2021. This is in part due to the build-up of weddings following on from coronavirus but also with budget considerations for couples who’ve been more stretched than expected recently. Hiring venues and suppliers is cheaper on weekdays and there’s more likely to be availability.
Check out our ‘why you should consider a weekday wedding’ blog for more info!
Photographer credits: The Brand Studio // Tom Humphries // Julie King // Nicholas Rogers
