The BIG 2013 Wedding Blog

Happy New Year! Especially to those of you who have found themselves being proposed to over this Christmas period and are now starting to think about your upcoming wedding! It's nearly the first day of 2013 - and I'm writing this blog to discuss all thinks fashionable and fabulous for 2013 weddings.

 

First of all, congratulations. Congratulations on the new jewellery addition you are now sporting on that ring finger, wear it with pride. I hope you're still on Cloud 9 from the excitement of it all, but it's time to start getting down to the nitty gritty. Planning that wedding!

2013 is going to be a fabulous year for fashion and creativity. I'm going to first talk to you about the trends that we will see from the fashion world that will wean their way into the wedding realm. It is what tends to happen, a trend or fad will start in the fashion industry, make it's transition from the catwalks into couture shops, from there it finds it's way into the high street that we all know and love, and then that fashion is sometimes then transferred into a woman's wedding planning. The reason that weddings are the last to receive the fashion trend, tend to be because planning a wedding takes so much time. So when the bride is deciding on colour tones and what style dress to wear - she looks at the culture around her, the magazines full of current styles and colours - then 6+ months down the line when the wedding is oh so very close, the fashion industry design something new, and the cycle repeats. This is normal, it doesn't mean to say that the bride is being unfashionable or "sooooo last spring, darling!"; the wedding world is a completely different ball game as to what is defined as "fashionable". I'm writing this blog to tell you lovely readers, what you can expect to see at any weddings you may be attending this year, whether or not it's your own.

 

Firstly, mint green. Perhaps my favourite colour trend that has ever come about. If you were to look in my own personal wardrobe at home the amount of this colour you will see is enough to make you sick of it... Even my bedroom walls have been painted this beautiful colour. It truly is a fabulous colour, and for 2012 it has been a popular colour choice in fashion.
 

Keira Knightley:

 

Diane Kruger:

 

The Queen even wore it on her own jubilee!

 

As we all know, each year when Spring comes around, we are bored to death of hearing "Pastel colours are going to be big this spring." - WE KNOW. Every year it's the same, but what I really do love about this particular pastel colour, is that the palest of the pale (such as myself) can pull it off without looking pasty or washed-out. This again is what makes it such a fabulous colour for bridesmaids, if in your bridal party there are mixture of skin tones, mint green is guaranteed to suit them all!

 



 

Pastels in general for 2013 are going to be all the craze I think, especially for those who have opted for the "vintage theme". Baby pink has proved popular over 2012, particularly at the end of summer, so perhaps this summer it will be even more popular.

 

 

The Vintage Theme, is also going to be THE theme of the year for 2013. The great thing about it is couples are able to interpret "vintage theme" however they want. They can add as much sentiment or originality as desired, and this means that not one wedding with this  theme is ever the same. For example, "Vintage" could be anything. It could be taking inspiration from any particular era or decade, e.g. 1950s - this was proved popular over 2012 and reintroduced the fashion of tea-length dresses and birdcage veils. I think that we'll find the 1920s/1930s the most influential era for "Vintage" themed weddings this coming year, as we saw Art Deco fashion popular in retail and on the catwalks. Art Deco in the wedding fashion industry is already causing a stir, as proved by Amanda Wakeley in her new 2013 collection:

 

 

1920s styled brides, really are impeccably dressed. The photo below captures all the glamour and beauty this vintage style has;

 

 

The Chantilly lace, the glamorous waved hair and the cathedral length veil with that gorgeous capped headdress. It really isn't hard to see why this is going to be a popular look for 2013... Especially the capped veils! The capped veils just complete this fabulous look and are the piece-de-resistance for any 1920s vintage-themed bride! 

 

 

 Continuing with this vintage fashion for 2013, the men will have some involvement too! Forget cravats, and welcome the bowties. Bowties of any size, colour or pattern - this simple little piece of fabric is going to be big for this coming year. What's fabulous about them is that they give a groom the chance to get involved in the vintage theme too, in a very quirky and stylish way.

Not only do I think the bowties are going to be a hit - what's going to be more fashionable is bowties with a pattern on them. Paisley, polka-dot, floral, velvet, you name it - he can wear it.

 

 

So why not get your hubby-to-be to wear this staple fashion piece of 2013, to heighten the quirkiness, the trendiness and the fun factor.

I personally adore this vintage lace mint green one - it wraps all the wedding trends for 2013 up in one!

 

 

Bows in general are going to big for 2013, not just to around the necks of the groomsmen; expect to see them in hair, on flower girls, in bouquets and on wedding dresses:

 

 

 Most importantly however is the bows that will be on the wedding dresses. The little detail can make such a huge impact on the dress and how it looks; such as this beautiful silk gown by Ritva Westenius (below). This dress to look at is rather plain, but it has that fabulous matching silk bow that practically covers the entire waist area, giving an illusion of a seriously tiny waist. What else is wonderful about this dress?... It has pockets!

 

Style: 598801

 

Pockets are a great little bit of detail and fun in your wedding dress, and on big skirts like this one, they're well disguised so people won't actually notice them until you start posing with your hands casually in your pockets. They're great for storing your lipstick too - just for touch-ups after dinner!

 

Pronovias - Style: Dakar

 

Nature will play a huge theme in many weddings in 2013. With outdoor venues becoming more and more chic, expect to see nature involved in a lot of weddings. Couples start taking inspiration from the location of the venue itself and turning it into a nature filled theme; this means bird motifs, wild flowers, feathers and bohemian looks all coming together for one wedding.

 

Bird motifs and inspiration will be a plenty, on invitations and in the décor...

 

Wild flowers will decorate the bouquets and floral arrangements...

 

 

Feathers on dresses has started to become quite a desirable style for many brides, Pronovias designers have proved this through many of their designs for their 2013 collection.

 

 

Pronovias - Style: Benicarlo

 

So that's everything (for now) about 2013 weddings! I could go on and on, but what I have listed is what I believe is going to take weddings by storm for this fantastic new year.

This by far has been our longest post, and I hope it can help to some of you ladies and keen wedding planners, by opening your eyes into the fashions and upcoming trends of 2013. Keep your originality flowing and your ideas sparking - this is the year of individuality.

If anybody else has any other trend predictions or some fantastic ideas for their big day in 2013, share them below in the comments - sharing is caring!

 

Happy New Year, and much love to you all.

 

X

 

 

Winter Bride Accessories

So you may have read my last post, all about Christmas themed weddings. I covered topics such as Wedding Dress ideas, entertainment and venue decoration... But I want to take a little bit of a more in-depth view as to how to become The Ultimate Bride this Christmas.

One of the most important planning issues is how you're going to accessorise The Dress. Are you going to make the dress the main feature and aim for simplicity and a low-key look? Or do you want diamonds dripping off you, and lots of non-stop detail? If you're the latter, and getting married at Christmas time - then this is the blog post for you!

 

I have to admit, I do love it when a bride is willing to push the boundaries and look extra-ordinary. It makes my job a whole lot more exciting when a bride is wanting to try on something I've never seen another bride dare try on. For example, the birdcage veils. As you've probably read me mention elsewhere - the vintage theme is HUGE at the moment!

Q: What completes a themed wedding?

A: Attention to detail.

 

Lets take an example; from a personal perspective, the birdcage veil immediately creates that vintage look. Forget about the dress for a moment (did I really just say that?!), an engaged woman could walk down that aisle in nothing but a garter and a birdcage veil and I would immediately think "Vintage Wedding" just by looking at that glorious accessory on her head. A birdcage veil is a major statement piece, and all though a little daring, you'd be surprised how many can pull it off. You don't need a particular head shape, hair colour or jaw line to carry off this fantastic, bold look. All you need is confidence and a clear image in your mind of how many heads you want to turn on your big day!

 

 

Sorry - there I go again, waffling on about vintage weddings! I promise I'll try stay on track. My point is, when you find your theme - why not really devote your day to it? To make a really impressive impact on your guests, keep your eye out for ways to incorporate the theme itself. The best way of doing this basically, is by accessorising yourself appropriately!

 

OK, you're a bride, getting married in Winter, with the theme Christmas guiding you through your planning. What on earth can you do to your outfit on the day, that insinuates Christmas, winter and magic subtly - without wearing a Santa Hat and arriving to the ceremony on a sleigh being pulled by reindeer? 

Well, there is an awful lot that can be done to a wedding dress. A lot of brides tend to think when the dress is bought, that's that. Her outfit starts and ends with that dress how it was bought....... wrong! Things can be added, taken away, designed and sewn, to personalise that dress and make sure no one else has anything like it!

My favourite way of doing this for a bride, is by adding a belt (and by belt I do not mean a nice black, leather, buckled belt). There are so many on the market, and they can really add a touch of glamour and uniqueness to your dress. Such as this Justin Alexander, pearl and diamond encrusted sash made of dupioni fabric. The leaf and floral motifs really add to that winter feel.

 

Style: A003

 

Belts like this suit dresses that have very little beading, sparkle or detail. They can really liven up an all lace gown, by having it sat on your waist, and drawing the eye to the smallest part of your body.

Another option (or necessity, especially if you're in England) as a bride getting married at this time of year is a cover of some sorts. Whether that be a little lace bolero, or a full hooded cape. There are so many options out there for a bride, whatever the season! Winter time however, is a fabulous way to add some sophistication and sobriety to your wedding dress.

The best website I've seen for this is www.wonderfulwraps.com. They have some incredible options available to you, and not at too steep a price either!
One of my favourite pieces is this fur shrug at an amazing price of just £95.00. Not only this, but for a little extra cost you can get a personalised label inside, and have your new name embroidered on it. They also ship worldwide which is a massive bonus!
 

 

A piece like this looks gorgeous in any winter wedding, and it's great for pictures too. Especially ones taken outside, it really adds to that winter feel with that little touch of glamour!

Little shrugs like this also look absolutely adorable on flower girls, and very classy on bridesmaids! It's amazing how one little piece of fur fabric, can add so much class and style to a mixture of people. No matter the age or role at the wedding, a piece like this is not to be overlooked!

 

 

If you're wanting to fur-get the fur (...I'm so sorry), why not take a step closer to covering yourself in some sparkle instead? Nothing screams winter-wonderland, than having you glinting and shimmering in the light of your venue. Add some glamour another way, by having an eye-catching head piece like this very snow-princess-looking tiara. Although they can be worn at anytime of the year, they just seem to look a lot more fitting during the winter months. The regal look of them is something to be admired, and can really make you feel like the ultimate-princess that day.

 

 

 

Still not enough sparkle for you? You should consider exchanging your flowers for some bling! Brooch bouquets are taking the wedding market by storm and are becoming incredibly popular. One benefit of this idea, is the fact that you won't have to worry about it dying or staining anything! You can choose your brooches, or find a ready-made one, and that's it! The best thing about them, is that regardless of the season they can be as bright or as simple as you want, for a very Christmassy look - why not try silvers, golds and ivories?

 

 

They really are a show-stopper and are only just growing in popularity. If you want something that's hardly ever been done, a brooch bouquet is definitely an option. Visit www.broochbouquet.com for some inspiration on this fantastically unique idea!  

 

If you've just started your planning and are getting married at Christmas time in the next few years - I hope this may have inspired you to consider some unique detailing!

If you're near the end of your planning and are getting married this Christmas - I hope this may have helped spur you to go do some last-minute shopping!

 

X

 

 

 

'Tis the season!

Christmas is quickly creeping up on us, and a lot of engaged couples getting married at this time of year,  take inspiration for their wedding from the holiday season! And what a good theme to have.  Let's face it, everyone defines a wedding as something different - but for me a wedding is all about the family being there, getting together, joining sides and celebrating the love of the two getting married. Due to this, the Christmas wedding theme is one of my all time favourites, as Christmas itself is my favourite holiday of the year where families visit and celebrate together. A wedding at this time of year, therefore, is an opportunity to celebrate with twice as much excitement.

But how does a bride-to-be decide on how to incorporate the Christmas spirit, in a stylish, elegant and subtle way, and having the day still be all about the newlyweds? 

 

 

Firstly, she needs to decide just how much of Christmas she wants involved. Whether this be full-blown "Winter Wonderland" with fake snow, a Santa Claus, reindeer and Christmas songs. Or subtle decoration, such as a nicely decorated tree in the corner, wreaths on each door of the venue, mince pies and mulled wine. There are a billion and one ways a person can incorporate the Christmas spirit into their day, so I'm going to highlight a few ways it can be done, from minimalistic, to stylish, to full-blown Narnia...

 

The best place to begin on deciding any theme, is colour. With the Christmas theme, there are many ways you can go about it. Obviously - there is the typical crimbo colours that spring to mind; rich reds, forest greens and deep golds. This is a classic, and can really heighten the Christmas excitement all whilst pulling off a very memorable wedding. This colour palette also works great for a bride who is wanting to get married in another colour other than ivory or white. With the next two most popular wedding dresses after ivory and white, being red and gold... why not push the boat out and wed in a Christmas colour yourself? Take inspiration from this Vera Wang red dress from her new 2013 spring collection...

 

Style: Kendall

This rich red, strapless gown is draped in tulle, Chantilly lace and ruffle detailing.

 

The great thing about wearing an unusual colour for your big day, is the fact that you can be even more adventurous and different from any other wedding. A different coloured dress kind of sets its own theme in a way, as its unexpected, and unique; which allows you to include elements of surprise throughout your day to make it truly memorable. For example, with the bride in a different colour, why not put the bridesmaids in ivory to include that traditional style... with a twist.

 

 

 

 

If you're wanting something a little less classic, and a little more contemporary, why not try an all white colour palette? A very risky and difficult theme to pull off, but when done right - it can certainly make a massive impact on the guests and the atmosphere of the wedding. By "all white", its very easy to imagine a clinical, cold look, but it can be warmed up by adding a splash of other colours. Why not include a warm, deep purple, or navy blue to warm up the colour tones?

 

If planning on an all white theme, you want the guests to feel comfortable and at ease in your wedding reception, and I personally love the set up of this table decoration below. The black table cloth and the warm, glowing candles really add a sense of magic and mystery to the ambiance and will ensure that your guests can roam around freely without worrying about marking or staining and crisp white table decoration...

 

 

One of the great things about marrying at this time of year, is the fact that the sun goes down a lot earlier. Some would obviously think of this as a disadvantage, but why not making the most of it? Create a cosy and warm atmosphere by playing with lighting, whether that be candle light, or a cool, modern, luminous glow like the photo below...

 

 

To take a step closer to the traditional, why not pick a venue that allows you to have open fires to really give that toasty, winter feel. Between the ceremony and the reception, allow your guests to roam around rooms that have wide open fires, where they can mingle, sip mulled wine and nibble on some mince pies!

 

 

A couple planning a wedding are also faced with the issue... "Do we invite children?". This again depends on what sort of atmosphere you want, I understand that some prefer that sophisticated feel, all adults, enjoying fine wines and culinary delicacies. However, for a Christmas wedding, if you really do want that family-togetherness feeling, I feel that children are a must! They again, heighten the excitement... and entertainment. If you're worried at all about them running havoc and causing chaos at the venue... fear not! At Christmas plenty of distractions and games can be organised for the little ones, to ensure that you can relax and not worry about having to pay any unexpected damage costs the next day. Have you thought about hiring a "Santa" to keep the kids occupied whilst the adults mingle? I understand at first thought, it may sound a little tacky and "shopping mall" like, but I've seen it been done and it can work really well.

 

 

So if you have your heart set on a Christmas wedding, I hope this post may have inspired you to add some little touches you hadn't thought of before. Good luck with your wedding! And don't forget to e-Mail us your photos to voguebride@gmail.com to feature as our "Bride of the Day" on Instagram and Facebook.