Top 10 Wedding Trends of 2021

By Emma Horner

2021 has begun a little strangely with England being plunged into another national lockdown, and with many couples having to postpone/reschedule their special day and rethink how to approach their nuptials in a socially distanced, Covid safe way but still making it a special memorable day. 

Now we can’t predict when weddings will return in a ‘normal’ capacity but whilst we’re staying safe and working remotely, the wedding team at Missenden Abbey have come up with our predictions for the top wedding trends of 2021. 

 

The Intimate Wedding

The pandemics effect on weddings will remain for now, and we hope we can at least get back to weddings at a capacity of 15 & 30 again soon within the tier system. Whether it is due to budget constraints, wanting a more intimate vibe or simply scaling back to just the few family and friends the couple can’t live without; the intimate wedding will be huge in 2021. Most importantly of all, they also allow the bride and groom to spend quality time with each and every guest, which is just one of the reasons for its surging popularity. 

Photography by Piers Photography

 

DIY Wedding Decor

For the creative budget-savvy bride this was never not a thing. However, we believe 2021 will be filled with couples crafting meaningful and creative wedding decor with all the skills they’ve learned in lockdown. Whether it be baked goods as favours, upcycling all those empty bottles for table centrepieces or reusing that old mirror to redecorate for your table plan! Not necessarily decor but… that TikTok dance you and your fiancé mastered, could be your first dance!

 

PANTONE’s Colour of the Year

Every year PANTONE release what they think is the colour of the new year. This year we have two, Ultimate Grey (a soft grey) and Illuminating (a vibrant yellow) and the sentiment behind this is just what we need this year. The union of an enduring Ultimate Grey with the vibrant yellow Illuminating expresses a message of positivity supported by fortitude. Practical and rock solid but at the same time warming and optimistic, this is a colour combination that gives us resilience and hope. We need to feel encouraged and uplifted; this is essential to the human spirit! 

Photography by Serenity Pictures

 

Shopping Local

Why not opt to support those local businesses or small businesses online for all things wedding. That beautiful gift shop you walk past every day, the local florist, even if it’s a small transaction it makes a HUGE difference to them and the community. And whilst were staying home, go online to sites like Etsy and Not on The Highstreet, who host thousands of creative businesses perfect for all aspects of your wedding. 

 

Sustainability

While sustainability shouldn’t be a ‘trend’ and should be an ongoing effort made by all. It will feature heavily in 2021 couples wedding plans with couples opting eco-friendly wedding stationary, sustainable caterers who locally source all their food and just wanting more low-waste options because at the end of the day you pay for all of it! 

 

Have Your Cake and Eat It Too!

During a time when some traditions must be altered to prioritise safety, couples appreciate a part of the wedding that doesn’t have to be changed, and the wedding cake is one such tradition (Thank God, I hear you all scream!). With smaller, intimate gatherings on the rise, brides and grooms no longer need to have skyscraper cakes to feed all those mouths and can opt for a smaller cake but no less beautiful confection of one or two tiers. 

Photography by Yellow Door Photography

Social Distancing, Masks and All That Jazz

Weddings in 2021 will undoubtedly still see the effects of Covid. Guests will still require to socially distance, wash hands regularly and use copious amounts of hand sanitiser and everyone will still have to wear masks. Couples are opting to personalise the presentation of these elements within their wedding and if the big white dress isn’t enough of a clue, add a printed or embroidery ‘Bride’ to your facemask! You could even gift your bridal party, groomsmen or all your wedding party with memento facemasks, personalised and date stamped. 

 

Alternative Hen Party & Stag Party Celebrations

Whether it’s small dinner celebrations, zoom hen-dos, online stag-dos, or Airbnb getaways with your nearest and dearest when restrictions are lifted; pre-wedding events are going to look a little different this year. Online shops like Etsy have well priced downloadable hen-do party kits, that every member of the bridal party can print at home and get in that pre-wedding spirit even if you’re not all physically there together! 

 

Epic Florals

Brides are changing the scene with massive statement bouquets and epic floral installations. Weddings in 2021 are going to be filled with an abundance of flowers and foliage. Bringing the outside in and blurring the line between outdoor and indoor spaces. Wedding flower choices are also getting very interesting for 2021 with florists seeing more of a demand for colourful & unusual blooms such as orchids and anthuriums. Even dried flower bouquets are becoming very trendy, meaning it can be kept for much, much longer!  

Photography & Floristry by Polly & Petal

 

Make Your Day Your Way

There’s no doubt that there’ll still be restrictions on weddings throughout this year, but that said, couples can really choose how they really want to spend their day. Traditions are changing and new ones are being made. The wedding rule book is going out of the window. So, tailor your wedding to you, because at the end of the day it’s all about you, your partner and the love and devotion you are vowing to make to each other for the rest of your lives. 

 

By Emma Horner

 

If you’re looking for some more inspiration for your wedding day take a look at our wedding page here https://missendenabbey.co.uk/weddings/ and see how Missenden Abbey could be the perfect venue for you.

 

Sustainable, eco-friendly options have become an increasingly important part of the planning process in recent years. If you would like to find out more about the positive environmental impact of sustainable weddings, click the link below to take a look at this useful guide from 77 Diamonds.

https://www.77diamonds.com/sustainable-weddings