Everyone wants a unique wedding – and guess what? EVERY wedding is unique, because it’s all about you! The more personal your big day, the more exciting and different it will be. So that’s sorted! But unless you’re going to just slide effortlessly into a characterful wedding venue which needs no extra decor at all, you might need a little help getting started with styling.

That’s fine. Remember – none of us have planned a wedding before. It’s new to everyone, the first time! And there’s so much information out there, it’s easy to get lost in the world of Pinterest weddings. If you haven’t a clue where to start with styling your big day, maybe we can help out with a few of our favourite ideas to turn any wedding into a stunning, unique and exciting celebration!

 

 

1. REFINED RUSTIC – IT’S A HUGE WEDDING TREND RIGHT NOW!

Shabby chic is all in the past; vintage has been consigned back to where it should be. The style phenomenon we’re loving right now is refined rustic – a relaxed and natural wedding look with a super classy twist.

Think bare wood tables and chairs (but dark, polished oak, not stark beech or pine) in luxe, cared-for boutique wedding venues. Add extra styling touches to walls with beautifully crafted macrame decorations or colourful pinwheel clusters for a statement backdrop in luxe surroundings.

Decorate tables with elegant handmade ceramics and include hints of real gold on handwritten name cards. Fabrics are key – choose lush table runners and coloured luxury napkins instead of plain old white and your place settings will pop!

Our fave candles for 2019 receptions are elegantly tapered and in soft, natural tones – especially beautiful for autumn weddings.

Serve signature cocktails in timeless glassware for the most exquisite contrast with those bare wood tables, and place clear acrylic menus as centrepieces nestled amongst statement foliage. Arrange eucalyptus, ruscus, ferns and grasses in antique vessels for a distinctive modern look as guests join you for the reception of a lifetime!

2. ESCAPE, ELOPE, (AND GO BIG WITH AN AFTER PARTY!)

 

Elopements are the loveliest of intimate weddings, tiny celebrations for just the two of you. But while they’re tiny in that sense, they’re huge for 2019!

How better to escape the stress of wedding planning than to wander off, elope together in a romantic location and celebrate in a way that’s perfect for just the two of you and exactly how you dream it could be?

If you elope, you can make it magical: spend the day by a lake, in the mountains, at a festival, in the pub…. location is key, so choose your favourite place for a dream elopement!

Of course, celebrating with an after party is as important as the wedding itself! But avoid pressure and planning stress by taking all your friends and family out for the day to your favourite foodie haven – or simply planning a celebration with no seating plan, no ceremony, and all the focus on dancing the night away!

3. THE MEGHAN EFFECT – CHOOSING YOUR DRESS

Sleek simplicity and modern styling is everything in 2019. Meghan Markle’s wedding dress was as minimal as can be, focusing on simple lines and an immaculate fit. The off-the-shoulder look is fabulous if you have the figure; but straight and unfussy necklines are what I love most about the royal wedding dress.

To follow in Meghan’s footsteps without copying her style exactly, look for luxury fabrics which flow gently as you walk; light enough for the skirt to move with you, and heavy enough to rest by your side as you stand to say your vows.

The most common mistake in choosing a wedding dress is fit – it’s essential to find a bridal boutique where you’ll get honest and gentle advice to help you find a dress which fits perfectly and flatters your figure – whatever style you choose! Full length veils and tiaras are optional… in this day and age, they’re best for princesses in cathedrals!

4. FOLIAGE INSTALMENTS FOR WOW FACTOR

 

Flowers aren’t just for bouquets and vases any more – think creatively and find a modern florist who’ll help you with floral chandeliers, flowers hanging on the walls and other exciting arrangements to style your reception! I love floral archways, table plans draped with foliage and blooms, and backdrops (we’ll get to those!) incorporating floral arrangements for a really modern look.

Flower walls are cropping up everywhere – they’re amazing, but it’s more than likely a big flower wall will take up ALL of your budget unless you can hire one locally. So dare to be different and go for a hanging chandelier in your marquee, or a cascade of greenery at the bottom of your venue’s stairs – make use of the walls in a wedding barn to display foliage ‘creeping’ up a wall and add an amazing table plan display for your guests to enjoy!

The trick with flowers and foliage is to keep things seasonal. There’s a statement bloom for every season, from tulips to peonies, hydrangeas and dahlias – mix them with plenty of foliage for texture, and you WIN!

5. EVENING DRESSES – SPARKLE LIKE THE STARS!

Formal wedding gowns can be… restrictive. All that corsetry and structure… as beautiful as wedding dresses are, they’re not what we’re used to wearing – but modern brides are really embracing a two-dress trend and delighting their grooms, guests and photographers with a stunning entrance to the evening reception.

How? By twirling and sparkling the night away in dresses MADE for dancing.

The beauty of a second dress is that there are no rules or expectations. It doesn’t have to be white; it doesn’t have to be floor length. It can be vibrant red or neutral, dusky pink. It can be sequinned or backless – however you like to dazzle, bring more of your personal style to the night do with something you can OWN that dancefloor in!

The same goes for grooms: guys, lose the tie and jacket in the evening. Open necks and snazzy waistcoats come into their own here, so choose vibrant colours and designer styles which are comfortably YOU – and join your beautiful bride when the music kicks in!

6. BACKDROPS – YOUR DIY DREAM FOR 2019

 

Putting the personal touch on your wedding is a big deal – but if you’re not a prolific crafter, it can be really hard! If you’re feeling the pressure to ‘DIY’ but dreading making your own invites and stationery, why not make a backdrop instead?

With a simple frame – often the job for a dad who’s keen to help out! – you can create something beautiful with draped fabrics, ribbons, macrame, foliage or geometric shapes.

For those of you who are desperate to put your creative talents to the test, you could create a calligraphy backdrop or a wall of paper decorations, hanging streamers or cut out circles or hearts… or upcycle a huge picture frame, decorate the corners with paper flowers and use it as your photo booth for the evening!

 

7. COLOUR YOUR CELEBRATIONS!

 

Soft pinks and pastels have been ‘in’ for a few years, and wedding suppliers are excited to see more vibrant colours coming into play for 2019 weddings. Brighten your day with pops of gem colours: ruby, sapphire and amethyst papers, fabrics, dyed ribbons and even florals will make a beautiful statement, especially set against a palette of more muted or even darker shades.

You can use colours throughout your day to bring together a cohesive theme, and by working with a ‘palette’ of five colours you’ll add interest and depth to your styling. Invitations could be illustrated with watercolour florals, an envelope liner and rich, gem-coloured envelope – carry the same design through to your table plan and place settings.

Use coloured fabrics to tie around chiavari chairs (no chair covers, please!) and match them to napkins or table runners. Dying your own fabrics can be a fun project if you have the time!

Your florist will help you choose blooms or berries to suit your colour palette and fit with the season… buttonholes look gorgeous with a foraged, berry theme! And for that last, essential pop of colour choose a vibrant lipstick for a glamorous bridal look!

8. THE MOST ROMANTIC WEDDING TREND OF ALL… YOUR FIRST LOOK

The hour before your ceremony will be one of the most nerve wracking of your life!

You’ll feel the anticipation and excitement of months of planning, plus the knowledge that everyone is waiting for you, and the stress of not seeing each other while you both get ready…

So why not join the thousands of couples who are choosing to spend a few precious moments together, just the two of you, before the ceremony.

He’ll see you in your dress, and you’ll see him in his suit for the first time, privately and away from all of your guests. I can’t think of anything more romantic – and if ever you need a hug, that’ll be the time, right?!

A ‘first look’ away from everyone else is a huge weight off your shoulders, so if either of you are going to be nervous about the ceremony – or you just want some romantic pictures and couple time before all the big stuff starts happening, I really recommend it!

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Whatever your plans, however you choose to style your wedding, I promise you it will be an epic day. You’re marrying the love of your life; sharing your love and commitment with the people you love most in the world. Whether the sun shines or it pours, whether you follow trends or go completely against the grain – it doesn’t matter.

The day you marry the love of your life is GUARANTEED to be your best day ever. But I hope these tips will help you along the way!