Getting married in 2021? Here are 15 of the hottest wedding trends in Australia
Getting married in 2021-22 and looking for inspiration? These are the 15 hottest wedding trends in Australia right now.
Lifestyle
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Australia is set for a “weddings boom” in 2021-22, following a year of cancellations as a result of COVID-19, and a bunch of new proposals. If you’re planning your special day and looking for inspiration, here’s what Adelaide bride and grooms are loving right now...
Wedding flowers and installations
It might sound grandma to say so, but dried or “preserved” flowers are oh-so-now.
“There has been a huge surge in the floral markets for preserved arrangements,” says Irene Moon, who has worked as a wedding and event stylist for 20 years.
“They’re starting with ceiling installations and what stands behind them in ceremonial backdrops.”
Gabrielle Boulton of She Runs Wild flowers says most, if not all, of her current quotes for bridal bouquets fit the trend.
“There is a lot of preserved stuff, dried palms are on-trend, but still incorporating fresh Ecuador roses in muted tones – sandy coloured roses, quicksand (nude colour) and cappuccino (dusty pink).”
Ecuador roses are popular because of their large size, with the outer petals turned out to create a more open look. “Brides also tend to want falanopsis orchards in their bouquets,” Gabrielle says.
The popular pampas grass of the past two years is now illegal because it is considered a noxious weed in Australia. Instead, palms, grasses and pods are being used to create texture.
The figure-hugging wedding dress
Sleek silhouettes have overtaken the big princess gowns, but brides are also looking for a point of difference. Liz Foubert, wedding dress designer at Caleche, says she is seeing “a lot of fitted corset style bodices in beaded and 3D laces, paired with a fitted or full sheer skirt”.
“We are also seeing a lot of detachable trains and over skirts, which gives the brides a second option with their dress for later in the reception,” she says.
“They can remove a train or over skirt and reveal a slim gown.” GretaKate founder Greta Rumsby says sleeves are also a continuing trend form 2020, “but I’m seeing a shift in the length and volume – slightly shorter and quite exaggerated”. “Due to the surge of smaller weddings and ceremonies shorter style gowns have also been quite popular,” she adds. Architectural elements and bows are popular additions to sleek silhouettes.
Grooms suits - Hamptons style
It’s all about the Hamptons-look, says Dawn Heath of Tailors of Distinction.
“A lot of chinos and spots jackets, teamed with brown shoes and brown belts, and open-neck shirts,” she says. “It’s a casual-smart, Hampton-ish look. Paul Tredrea of Peter Shearer Menswear & Suit Hire agrees. “Because of COVID, we have smaller wedding party groups so that more casual look has crept in,” he says. “It suits winery and outdoor weddings.”
Dawn adds: “We’re also seeing made-to-measure sports coats in prominent checks, worn with a slim-fitting chino with turned-up hems, no socks and loafers.”
For those not into the ensemble, navy remains popular, as does the classic “black tie suit with all the trimmings”.
The great outdoor wedding
The coronavirus pandemic and restrictions have encouraged weddings and receptions to move to outdoor properties, which has influenced the style. Think marquees with fairy lights or rustic-set tables on the lawns. At Lake Breeze, Ashley Hocking says they can do a bit of both. “We’ve got a few weddings where we’re going to put the dance floor outside,” she says. Stylist Irene Moon says some brides are even opting for more casual day-time celebrations at her Maison de Moon property in Clarendon. “One is a lunch... it forgoes that night-time event that requires a tent, lighting and all other components,” she says.
Creative wedding arbours
Dried flower arrangements come in strong here, but some couples are going the extra mile.
“People are opting to have something that speaks to them a bit more,” says Ashley Hocking of Lake Breeze. “We had one couple who were farmers, so they built an arbour from farm gates and even brought a big windmill on to the property. It looked amazing.”
Wedding food, family-style
Canapes or table antipasto platters, followed by shared mains is popular at the moment, says Maria Maglieri of Serafino in McLaren Vale, and caterer Todd Steele. But rules apply – due to COVID-19, cocktail food must be indivual serves and meals must be shared within tables. “The idea is that it’s a group or family that have come together,” says Lake Breeze’s Ashley Hocking.
Wedding photography and videography
Photographer Evan Bailey says couples are moving away from having the “same photo in five different locations”, often staying on-site and scheduling bridal party pics within the hour-or-so that guests enjoy pre-dinner canapes. “How you remember the day and experience is way more important that all the photos you put up on the wall,” he says. Ashley Hocking of Lake Breeze says more couples are organising “first look” photos in the coming year, whereby the bride and groom (or bride and bride/groom and groom) are photographed looking at each other for the first time in their wedding outfits, before the ceremony. Videography is also becoming more popular, says Bailey and Steven Duncan of Sven Studios. “Even if it’s not a whole day doco but more of a highlight for people,” Duncan says.
Personalised bomboniere
With smaller numbers at weddings, brides and/or grooms are getting creative. Think personalised stubbie holders or embossed cookies. “People are having fun,” Lake Breeze wedding coorinator Ashley Hocking says. “We had one wedding where people had little hand sanitisers.”
Let them eat wedding cake
Texture, texture, texture. Terresia Welch of Lyons Den Cakes says while semi-naked and “clean white” cakes with fresh florals will stand the test of time, more people are incorporating new mediums to create a sense of texture and movement. “Things like wafer paper,” she says. “Also niche trends that are becoming more popular – coloured cakes, even black cakes, and different shapes. There are a lot of dried floral arrangements coming through and there’s a lot of natural colours like nudes and blushes this year.” Pet figurines and “nerdy elements” are also being incorporated. “People are putting their stamp on it and creating one-of-a-kind designs to make it personal to them,” Terresia says.
Weekday weddings
With all the rescheduled weddings, weekday ceremonies have naturally become more popular. “It started as forced weekday weddings, but now people are asking, ‘why didn’t we consider this?’” says photographer Evan Bailey. “People can have their wedding on the Thursday, take Friday off and roll into the weekend.” This lends itself into the trend of couples extending their wedding celebrations over a few days. Ashley Hocking of Lake Breeze in Langhorne Creek says, “We’re only an hour away, but a lot of people stay in the region so they can catch up the next day,” she says.
Wedding guest dress codes
Couples asking their guests to dress to a particular theme or colour palette is becoming more common. Dress codes may range from “muted tones” to “coastal”. Newlywed Jessica Battams of Plympton Park said she decided to include a colour palette for guests, as she and her now-husband weren’t having a traditional bridal party. “The dress code felt like a fun way to include everyone in the wedding and make them a part of it,” she says. “Plus it looked amazing in photos!”
Smaller is better
“Couples are opting for smaller weddings, averaging around 88 guests,” says Alyssa Brown of industry website Easy Weddings. SA stylist Irene Moon says she has seen this at her Maison de Moon property, with some couples opting for more casual day time or high tea events. “The newer brides contacting us, they’re hesitant to want big days” she says. “I’m certainly not seeing the numbers that I have done in yesteryear – 200-300 people.” Local photographer Evan Bailey adds: “Some of the best weddings I’ve been at has been in parents’ backyards.” “I’m also seeing more elopements as couples’ realise their family from overseas are not going to be able to be here,” he says. “The last one I had, it was just the bride’s parents and immediate family, and the groom’s couple of mates. The most important thing is that they’re making that commitment to each other.”
Live streaming
This trend, which started as a result of COVID-19, is set to continue as overseas travel restrictions remain. “Couples are looking to live stream ceremonies, and also play video speeches from groomsmen or other people who can’t make it,” says Lake Breeze wedding co-ordinator, Ashley Hocking.
Wedding websites
Online invitations aren’t a new phenomenon, but they are becoming more common as a simple way for couples to share information such as transport options and pre- and post-wedding celebrations. “It also helps guests to be able to communicate,” says Lake Breeze’s Ashley Hocking.
Make it personal
Trends aside, what many couples are doing now is looking for ways to “make it their own”.
“Couples aren’t bound to traditions,” says photographer Evan Bailey. “Years ago, everyone had to have a sash tied to the back of their chair. Now, couples are taking elements of tradition – they’re still having the white dress and still walking down the aisle with a bouquet, but they’re doing things like ‘first looks’ or maybe not having a wedding cake but a share platter instead. The emphasis is on having a lot of fun.”
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