No matter where you're planning your destination wedding, luxury wedding trends have common themes all around the world. Giant Invitations have put together some of the top luxury wedding trends predicted for 2019...
Wedding Styling
"I've never been one to do trends— I'm much better at creating them," says Colin Cowie, the party and wedding planner of choice for celebrities like Jennifer Aniston, Tom Cruise, Jennifer Lopez, Oprah Winfrey, Ryan Seacrest and Kim Kardashian. "We work around our client’s unique DNA and cater everything guests smell, touch, taste, see and hear to that DNA. This means you end up with something unique that truly tells a story.
"Of course, being in the industry for as long as I have, I can quickly pick up on a few luxury wedding trends we can expect to see in 2019. Keep an eye out for the return of modern, contemporary, minimalist looks; this year, less is more. Out with the over-the-top floral walls and in with non-traditional florals composed of wheat or grass."
"Round ceremonies are something I've always enjoyed designing because they ensure friends and loved ones are no more than a few feet away from the couple, creating a more intimate atmosphere. Eco-friendly weddings will definitely be trending this year, and with that will continue the rise of vegan meal options."
"I've also begun to see many couples request limited phone use throughout their celebrations, keeping everyone present and unhidden by a phone screen. Without the constant iPad and phone use, a creative way to stay away from the usual photo wall is to create an interactive vignette that doubles as a photo opp."
Wedding Stationery
Giant Invitations is one of the leading luxury wedding invitation companies. Their designs are commonly chosen for celebrity weddings, including Vanessa Williams' big day.
They predict monograms, metallics and custom envelopes to be some of the biggest luxury wedding trends for 2019.
"Metallic hot stamp foiling has always been popular and it continues to grow. This year we will expect to see a higher demand for copper foiling, followed by the popular rose gold foiling. You will also see more nature inspired invitations and softer touches including the use of watercolours and deckled edges. A popular trend for 2019 includes adding your own custom illustration of the venue to the invitation!
Taking a page from the traditional and classic designs, interlocking monograms and monogram wreaths are back! Using the couple’s initials, monograms are an amazing way to add a personal touch.
Lastly, there will be a greater demand for custom designed envelopes. Expect to see more bold coloured envelopes and linings.”
Bridal Gowns
“Designers are just loving feathers! They are going to be everywhere," says Alin Le’ Kal, the celebrity couture designer who just debuted his bridal collection at Paris Fashion Week. "You can't go wrong with crystals and feathers, and I think they'll continue into 2020."
Wedding Flowers
“In 2019 we are seeing the move away from larger bridal bouquets to smaller, more delicate ones," says The Flower Appreciation Society, who were voted the best wedding florist in London by Vogue. "Seasonality and locally sourced flowers are becoming extremely important with issues of sustainability and the environment in mind. This means that we are designing bridal bouquets using delicate garden flowers, in considered seasonal colour palettes and in light, delicate and airy compositions. Each individual flower has lots of space to shine and be appreciated!"
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"Another trend for 2019 is floral foam free installations. We are trying to design all of our large-scale installations using chicken wire, water vials and vessels instead of the more traditional floristry foam. Floral foam has lots of nasty chemicals in, doesn’t properly biodegrade and releases tiny micro plastics into the water when you soak it. This means that installations are becoming more considered and looser in feel as florists have to think cleverly about how to design larger pieces using construction materials that can be reused again and again.”
Bridal Make Up
“I definitely feel that for luxury wedding trends in 2019, less is more," says celebrity makeup artist Melissa Sassine. "Even though brides want flawless long-lasting bridal makeup, they still want to look the best version of themselves, without overly dramatic eyes and harsh contours."
"My favourite bridal colour palettes consist of beautiful neutral tones and light champagne shimmer on the eyes, fluffy lashes, natural bronzers to warm up the skin, soft highlighters, and pink or nude lustrous lips.”
Wedding Hair
Tiffany Thurtell, the creative director at celebrity salon Alan Buki Hair, comments:
“The biggest luxury wedding trend we have seen coming into 2019 is hair accessories. Hair throughout 2018 became so undone and relaxe, giving a very bohemian vibe. Moving into 2019, hair is still looking relaxed with glossy loose waves. However, it is becoming more polished with a glam luxe vibe."
"The use of hair accessories is very of the moment. You could use a hair scarf, hair clips, or diamond hair pins. Ponytails are also on trend, with extensions being used to create a much fuller, textured look. Brides can also use extension ponytails for multiple hair looks on their special day.”
Wedding Cakes
Multi award-winning wedding cake designer Faye Cahill predicts artistic and fun styles for 2019's luxury wedding trends.
“Think painted watercolour finishes, palette knife textures, fondant ruffles, drippy icing and abstract sculptures of chocolate and isomalt (a technical clear sugar). You will also find fun and optimistic cakes."
"As Living Coral is the colour of the year, I think we will see a move away from dull neutrals to more vibrant hues. For wedding cakes, that will be more restrained than for celebration cakes. However, some couples will choose to go all out and express the joy of their union.”
To keep up with the latest in luxury wedding trends in 2020 and beyond, keep your eye on our blog.
The expert team here at Beyond Weddings is here to help you find the perfect destination venue, planners and suppliers. Whether something you have read here has caught your eye or you’re still looking, get in touch. We will give you free personalised recommendations for your dream wedding.