It's officially wedding season! And since Spring has Sprung, the latest wedding trends are at last here for your inspiration. Couples across the country have chosen how to celebrate their very special day in their own personal way. So what should we expect from weddings throughout the next year?

Initial wedding initial map print

Make it colourful!

Minimalist tones and those all black and white themes are out. So instead, couples have embraced the rainbow and are not afraid to shower their guest's senses with bright, bold, and vibrant colours. Pantone's COLOUR OF THE YEAR 2023 is Viva Magenta. And our 2023 brides and grooms have taken their ideas straight from this vivid colour.

What is Viva Magenta?
Pantone’s Colour of the Year, Viva Magenta 18-1750, vibrates with vim and vigour. It is a shade rooted in nature descending from the red family and expressive of a new signal of strength.
Viva Magenta is brave and fearless, and a pulsating colour whose exuberance promotes a joyous and optimistic celebration, writing a new narrative.

https://www.pantone.com/uk/en/color-of-the-year/2023#:~:text=Pantone's%20Color%20of%20the%20Year,a%20new%20signal%20of%20strength.
Bouquet in the colour of 2023 wedding trends Viva Magenta

This year’s Colour of the Year is powerful and empowering. It is a new animated red that revels in pure joy, encouraging experimentation and self-expression without restraint, an electrifying, and a boundary-less shade that is manifesting as a stand-out statement. PANTONE 18-1750 Viva Magenta welcomes anyone and everyone with the same verve for life and rebellious spirit. It is a colour that is audacious, full of wit and inclusive of all.

And we think this captures the perfect description of what a wedding should be. Vivacious and joyful!

Think Retro Wedding Trends

Those of us who were children in the 80s are pained to think that our greatest decade is now considered the height of retro fashion. And it seems like only yesterday that we were rocking our jelly shoes and crimped hair. The trend to turn back time can be seen across numerous popular television shows, like Stranger Things and Yellowjackets. But it's the more kitsch elements that are making it big in wedding trends. Think prawn cocktails for starters. Plenty of neon. And garish cakes. We say embrace the ruffles! And enjoy the over the top glamour, big hair, and sense of fun that can be found in revisiting the end of the last century.

A gooey black forest gateau for those retro wedding trends
Go retro with a Black Forest Gateaux Wedding Cake!

Destination Weddings

Other than a brief pause during the pandemic, Destination Weddings have never really gone away. But the smaller more intimate affairs we saw as we emerged from Covid have made way for much bigger events. We're seeing couples booking entire French Chateaus for long four day weekends. Italian vineyards surrounded by olive trees. And we've even sent our artwork out to a couple who chartered a yacht for a week for their nuptials!

Granted, that option isn't available for everyone. But there are numerous destinations right here in the UK that make the perfect 'away' venue for a special wedding. And after the pandemic years where we were all so isolated, it is nice to think there are some events where we can let loose and spend a decent amount of time with our nearest and dearest.

Wedding venue land registry foil print gift
Wedding Venue Land Registry Foil Print

At Bombus we specialise in destination memories. If someone you know if getting married abroad, have you thought about gifting them one of our personalised artworks? Or better yet, if you're planning your own wedding away, we have a range of spectacular bespoke wedding favours that can highlight your special location.

Personalised Map Wedding Favours

Sustainability

If you've seen any of our latest blogs or socials it won't have escaped your attention that we are HOT on sustainability at Bombus. It's our obsession! And the core of our business model. Every decision we make is based around how we can best benefit our environment while providing you with beautiful pieces of art. So imagine how delighted we are to see that sustainable weddings are one of the biggest wedding trends for 2023! It's not just about ditching the plastic straws, or choosing local ingredients for the wedding breakfast. Suppliers are now offering fully sustainable packages to their clients.

Look at this beautiful venue Hedsor House, who deliberately choose to make it as easy as possible to have a fabulous wedding with as little impact on the planet as possible.

Our top tips for a sustainable wedding?

  • Ditch the disposables. Instead of reaching for the plastic cups, paper napkins, or confetti…choose a glassware company that will collect your used cups without the need to wash. And as for confetti - there are lots of biodegradable eco-friendly ways to shower the lucky couple with colour. We love these grow bars that can provide a wedding party with real blooms to use, instead of the mass produced confetti!
  • Keep it small. We know you want to celebrate with as many of your loved ones as possible. But do you really need to invite your second cousin twice removed that you only see at funerals? Or the milkman? Keeping the guest list to the people you love the most means that not only will you be consuming fewer resources, you'll also have much more time to spend with each person on your special day. Instead of running about trying to fit everyone in.
  • Off-set your carbon footprint. It's inevitable that any wedding will create it's own impact on carbon emmissions. After all, people travel long distances to be with their loved ones on their special day. You can purchase carbon off-setting packages, such as this one, that funds projects to reduce and remove CO2 from the atmosphere. Or instead of giving your guests favours to take home, you plant a tree for every table at your reception? And even better, forget about the gift list and ask instead for donations to charities that directly work towards improving the environment for your local area.

And of course, you can always read our Sustainability Pledge here:

Sustainability (bombus.co.uk)

Don't forget to read our other blogs about how we're making a difference at Bombus:

Tell us about your wedding trends!

Are you getting married in 2023 or early 2024? We love to hear about your plans. Share them with us on our Instagram or Facebook page.