It’s a question we’re so often asked by brides: “how can I plan a wedding that won’t date?”. Yes, trends make the wedding world go round. Across bridal-wear and floristry styles, table decor and colour palettes, there’s no escaping that some of the trends we love today, will be gone tomorrow - but what can you do about it?
Well, first off, don’t worry - trends are actually a good thing. As the wedding industry continues to expand into other creative sectors, every year we’re flooded with more ideas, expertise and inspiration from artists, stylists, sculptures and planners, which gives us, and you, more ways to uniquely express your love. After all, if we all picked from the same few ‘classic’ styles, our celebrations would lose all the character that makes them special.
When it comes to wedding trends across 2024 and 2025 - and especially those which work beautifully for smaller wedding venues - we’re excited that both suppliers and couples are being more creative than ever. Speaking to one of our favourite Nottinghamshire florists Elder + Wild, the brand’s co-founder Becky notes, “throughout 2024 we’ve been seeing decor and tablescapes draw on sculpture and art, with stylists pushing to incorporate objects and ornaments. The effect is more like an installation itself than just somewhere to eat, and this artistic flair is spilling out into every element of the event.”
We’re also loving that content creators like Chloe of The Relaxed Bride are coming to the forefront, helping couples to capture those personal, intimate moments of the day, alongside beautiful reminders of their venue documented with a design-focused eye. While, textile designers like Mia Sylvia are leading the way for bringing fine art fabric installations into wedding celebrations, rooted in sustainability using leftover textiles, organically dyed with foraged vegetable skins.
But, while it’s wonderful to see such an influx of inspiration, it can be overwhelming to know which trends are really, truly you. Verity Wright is the founder of The Fior Collective, a wedding planning service which specialises in contemporary and trend-focused concepts. “Brides often ask me how to get a balance when it comes to exploring the biggest wedding trends for 2024 and 2025, and my biggest piece of advice is to use the rule of thirds,” she explains. “Give yourself a third of the day’s aesthetic to pick out those trends you feel really connected to and just can’t get enough of; ensure a third feels classic and timeless; finally, leave a third to fill with completely unique touches to you as a couple, that show your personality, interests and story.”
Here, we’ve reached out to some of the best suppliers across Nottinghamshire and the UK, asking for their expert take on the wedding trends they love for this year, and what to watch out for next. From bridal looks taken from the catwalk to the colour palettes we’ll be seeing more of, this is your cheat sheet for wedding planning for 2025, especially for smaller celebrations.
Creating a Dinner Party Atmosphere
As intimate receptions continue to grow in popularity, couples want their celebrations to feel more like the dinner party of their dreams, than a traditional wedding, with a focus on good food and quality time.
“We’re loving this shift towards dinner party-style receptions and a huge part of this is design of the tables which really represent the identity of your day, bringing together your stationery, flowers, design choices and food preferences,” shares Chelsea Croft, Director of The Old Vicarage.
If you’re keen to lean into this from a design perspective, Becky, co-founder of Elder + Wild, says that layering up details is the way to go. “The table is everything at smaller weddings and right now, we’re seeing stylists integrate set design into these concepts, which makes me really excited as we’re pulling influences from art, fashion and design,” she says. “I’ve seen beautiful examples with pearls, bows and ribbons, shells and fruits, being used in a more artistic way which allows guests to get lost in the details.”
This also means making a moment of simpler aspects, like you would at home. Head Chef Ben at The Old Vicarage left school at 15 to train as a baker back in his native France and says that paying attention to small details is how you create a personal feel. “When guests first sit down there’s freshly baked bread on the tables, infused with fresh herbs like dill and chives which smell amazing. We serve this with whipped, salted butter on interesting serveware to make those smaller moments feel like important ones,” he explains.
Fior Collective, Faye Wilde, Gigil & Bloom, Samantha Colling Designs, Alba Tableware, Clare Ellen Cakes
“In the past, wedding breakfasts have been seen as a traditional, if not a little boring, part of the day,” agrees Chelsea. “But, now, couples are treating it like they would an expensive meal out with their best friends or a dinner party you’ve spent weeks preparing for, agonising over every detail and a chance to enjoy hours soaking up each other’s company.”
Drop Waists and Basque Bodices
Fashion editors have long been talking about Y2K but now, this trend has officially made it into bridalwear. “Fussy details, layers of applique and embellishments are out and instead, we’re seeing brides focus on strong, structured shapes which make an impact without the need for too much pomp,” says Chelsea, Director of The Old Vicarage. “For 2025, expect more dropped waist styles and while it sounds like a difficult silhouette to pull off, it really can flatter every shape, just find the right look for you.”
Left: Moira Huges Couture, Sarbo Studio, Bold & Blooming Right: Helsa Studio, Adrian Martinn, Leah Darcy Makeup, Hair by Ruslan
Julia Kellam, founder of Frances Day Bridal, says that Noughties-inspired shapes were all over the catwalks at Barcelona Bridal Fashion Week and while it sounds like a throw-back, fluid materials and the use of draping keeps things contemporary. “As we all know, there is no escaping the 90’s in ready to wear fashion at present – and bridal is no different,” she explains. “The biggest trend we saw at Barcelona Bridal Fashion Week was the resurgence of the dropped basque bodice, which is best paired with a draped skirt for an ‘of the moment’ aesthetic. It feels romantic and contemporary at the same time.”
And, if a bodice isn’t your thing? Julia recommends paying closer attention to draping, instead. “Draping is back with a vengeance in 2024 and beyond. From slipper satins to stretch mikados to French crepe silks, nothing is out of the question for this trend. It’s the perfect way to achieve ‘detail’ whilst still maintaining a super crisp silhouette.”
Textured Tablescapes and Decor
Texture is the big mood of the wedding world right now, from flowing, textured gowns to cascading fabrics, draped from ceilings and across entranceways. The effect should be lush and plentiful, especially when it comes to decor, with layers of rippled, ruched linens hanging from ceilings and pooling silks at table ends for a luxurious waterfall effect.
As an industry leader, textile designer and fabric sculptor Mia Sylvia works internationally across a spectrum of events, using fabric-led installations to bring her own special magic to these spaces. To create even more intimacy at a smaller reception, layered texture overhead and across tables can lower the eye level of the room and bring the focus inwards.
“In a smaller space, I’d concentrate on framing the room with floor length pieces and adding between two and seven overhead pieces, depending on the length of the room,” Mia says. “Right now, from my clients I’m seeing a love of organic textures, luxurious pleating and bolder pops of colour and pattern, while our waterfall table ends have been really popular and gaining a lot of traction online, too.”
We loved working with Mia on our open day at The Old Vicarage, who transformed the space with ceiling drapery and sculptural centrepieces, a perfect way to present your wedding cake or spotlight floral installations.
Stay true to the Seasons
Seasonality is having a moment across the wedding industry, and in other sectors, too, like hospitality and travel. There’s a sense of authenticity that comes with using produce and suppliers who are working in tune with the seasons, and that’s what people are looking for - an experience that feels grounded, not overly orchestrated. For wedding breakfasts, seasonal ingredients are a must and you can update old favourites by incorporating fresh fruits and vegetables.
The Old Vicarage’s Head Chef Ben explains, “across summer, our couples want to see produce that feels really vibrant, so we’re pairing mains with seasonal asparagus and broccoli. A favourite of mine is our arancini balls - an Italian-style starter updated with wild mushrooms which flourish around this time of year. Chopped incredibly finely, we mix with shallots and garlic for what I like to call a ‘surprise’ at the centre of each ball.”
But, it’s not just about the food; seasonality is huge in floristry, too. Becky of Elder & Wild works solely with seasonal blooms taken directly from her cutting garden in Nottinghamshire and says that couples are considering ways to be environmentally conscious, and that working with seasonal, British-grown flowers is one of them.
“It can be tough if you’ve imagined an exact flower as part of your aesthetic, but I think it can actually make your florals even more beautiful,” she says. “We feel that each arrangement is an interpretation of the exact moment you’re getting married and not always knowing what will be blooming encourages us to create designs that are totally unique to you.”
Experiential Desserts
The cutting of the cake still has its place, but right now we’re seeing couples explore more contemporary attitudes to dessert. Verity Wright, founder of The Fior Collective, launched her business in 2023 and says that relaxed, communal dining will be big in 2025.
“With a move into less formal dining, we’re seeing a focus on experience-led food, especially when it comes to presentation. What brings this idea to life is creating a moment that’s interactive so that it becomes a memory,” explains Verity. “Dessert is a great course to do this because it lends itself to playfulness and by this point, people are ready to move around a little bit and have fun.”
This experience doesn’t always have to be physical like a dessert table or a make-your-own station. It can be about making the dessert the centrepiece and a talking point for the table, too. At The Old Vicarage, we use seasonal desserts to create something a little different. Head Chef Ben explains, “fresh meringue is perfect for summer and we experiment with different shapes, sizes and colours for a considered but irreverent look. Instead of classic cream, we infuse raspberries and lemon zest to bring through these gorgeous pastel colours, which look and taste really fresh, too. Top this with fistfuls of berries because accessorising with fruit is huge at the moment and it will be the talk of the table.”
Naturally Occurring Palettes
Instead of extreme minimalism, couples are leaning towards natural colours and textures to ground the aesthetic of their day. Calming shades of off-white, stone and oatmeal are still popular, but mixed with soft greens, pale yellows and earthy pinks to bring a holistically natural feel, instead of clinical, one-size-fits-all whites.
Becky of Elder + Wild calls this a “naturally-occuring palette” and likens it to the strains of colour often found on the edges of flower petals. “I’ve found that clients are drawn to lighter palettes but not in a bleached way. Instead, it’s about embracing a neutral base, while letting natural elements come through, like the pink edge of a daisy petal or the yellow centre of a flower. I’ve been calling it a ‘naturally-occurring palette’ and it can work across a spectrum of blendable tones that are complementary,” she says.
“There’s a range of ways to do this and you can still embrace moments of colour across tables or with plinth arrangements - while keeping the rest of the day natural,” she continues. “But, one thing clients don’t want is a rainbow wedding - instead, we’re looking to stay in tune with the seasons and follow their lead on colours, materials and flowers.”
Edibles as an aesthetic
Fruits are the decoration du jour and being used everywhere from unusual centrepieces to decorating wedding cakes, and even in bouquets. Becky of Elder & Wild says, “I love to think about the origins of new trends as many of them are actually rooted in history. If you’ve noticed an influx of silverware and decorative fruits on tables, this look is reminiscent of the Dutch Masters period in the art world, which ran throughout the 17th century.”
Think footed bowls filled generously with pears and apples, draped grapes and rich produce like pomegranates, figs and lemons laid across serving platters or cut open and adorning plates of food. The vibe is bountiful; piled high and full of colour which looks beautiful contrasted with silver tableware or organic ceramics, and off-white tablecloths.
Edibles are working their way into florals, too, with natural arrangements featuring fruit-bearing branches or delicate flowers from raspberry and strawberry plants. Becky continues, “My style is rooted in an English country garden, so I love to bring in organic elements that have a whimsical feel. It could be a long pear tree branch for texture, or Alpine strawberry plants with their tiny white flowers.”
Orchestral Soundtracks
“There’s a difference between a fad and a feature,” says Chelsea Croft, Director at The Old Vicarage, “but some trends really do stick around and are totally worth the hype.” Imagine that your wedding day has its own soundtrack; the tempo might change throughout the day, but it should take guests on an adherent journey which feels connected, just like the soundtrack of a film or series.
And, which series is instantly recognisable for its soundtrack? Bridgerton. While it may be obvious, orchestral sounds aren’t going anywhere and as this trend is all about historical nods with a contemporary spin, it’s unlikely to date, too. Wedding content creator, Chloe Docherty, of The Relaxed Bride works with couples to create social media coverage of their day which taps into the mood of their event.
“There’s a growing trend for vintage nods, both in effects and overlays on videos, as well as music choices for couples. For example, black and white will always be timeless, and slightly grainy effects which give an old-fashioned or nostalgic feel have been really popular with my clients and audience,” Chloe says. “Across music, orchestral sounds and songs from the 1920s have been particularly asked for this year, which add an elegant quality to videos.”
At a smaller venue where guests are grouped closely for both the ceremony and welcome drinks, a string quartet creates the perfect atmosphere with soft, palatable sounds floating across guests. "At The Old Vicarage, string musicians are welcome to play anywhere across the lawn for the ceremony and are repositioned to the Orangery afterwards, to accommodate guests both inside and outside with non-intrusive music,” Chelsea shares. “It’s something we’ve found can really transform that part of the day and make it feel like a ‘moment’. We’ve had wonderful feedback from couples and guests and would definitely recommend using string musicians for a special touch.”
Read '10 things to consider when choosing a wedding venue' from our Journal.
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