Wedding planning… “Aaaarrrghhhh! So much to think about, so much still to do…! What’s fashionable this year? What’s definitely not? What’s the one thing to remember? What’s the one thing you should try and forget? What’s the best way to…” And breathe.
Yes, wedding planning can get a bit hectic if you’re not careful, but with a few simple tricks you can make life much easier for yourself. GoHen spoke to twenty of the UK’s leading wedding experts to find out what’s in for 2019 and found out their best wedding tips.
Lauren Burvill
– Engagement Editor
Brides Magazine
– Wedding Magazine
What’s hot for 2019?
In terms of dresses and flowers, I think we’re going to see a return to minimalism. Meghan Markle has inspired many brides-to-be to bypass over the top bling and opt for more classic and refined wedding dresses. Thanks to Instagram we’re also seeing wedding flower arrangements becoming more like works of art with an emphasis on thoughtful and creative arrangements.
Top wedding tip?
Don’t be afraid to be selfish. I know normally our people-pleasing mode can tend to be on default, but when it comes to your wedding day, you’re allowed to really do what you want to do. Also don’t forget to take care of yourself. Check in with your mental health, treat yourself to a meditation session or go for a walk with your friend if you’re feeling stressed. Despite what everyone tells you, wedding planning doesn’t have to be stressful.
Hannah Davies
– Commissioning Editor
You & Your Wedding
– Wedding Magazine
What’s hot for 2019?
Festival-style weddings are definitely making a comeback, with tee-pees, glamping and live music. Even if a couple isn’t going full on ‘wed-fest’, often their big day will still include at least one festival-inspired element – glowsticks and glitter stations for the dance floor, for example, and gourmet street food trucks as the evening food.
Top wedding tip?
Once you’ve booked something, stop looking. That’s particularly true of the dress but applies to everything from your photographer to your venue – have confidence in your decisions. And make sure you have at least two evenings per week that are completely free from wedding talk, so you don’t get planning fatigue.
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Rosie Patrick
– Features Writer
Tie the Knot
– Wedding Magazine
What’s hot for 2019?
We’re seeing a lot of burgundy and blush colour schemes (as well as darker shades on the whole, like navy and emerald), décor that focuses heavily on greenery, gowns featuring either artisan lace or clean and simple lines in silk or Mikado, alpacas as ring bearers (and various other animal guests, but this is the most popular), barn venues (still going strong!), smoke bomb couple portraits, smaller, more intimate nuptials, eco-friendly details and more of an awareness on the environmental impact of your wedding (i.e. banning plastic, hiring instead of buying furniture and décor items, faux flowers), three-piece suits for grooms, scenting your wedding (with special, personalised fragrances becoming key for brides – see Le Labo and Dior’s offerings), mixed bridal parties (why should your male friend miss out on the maid of honour position just because he’s male?), pampas grass (as inspired by Mandy Moore’s wedding) and a return to elaborate, statement cakes – moving away from the naked bakes of late.
Top wedding tip?
As long as you are married at the end of the day, it has been a success. Couples can get so caught up in the minutiae, that they feel completely overwhelmed and like they are drowning in the details. Your day will be the best because you are marrying your love. It really is that simple. Also, stay true to your vision, and try not to let the flood of opinions and emotive expectations coming at you from family and friends cloud your judgement or what you want to get out of the day. The more the day looks exactly like the two of you, the better.
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Erin Balfour
– Wedding Expert
Way Out Wedding
– Wedding Blog
What’s hot for 2019?
The continuation of doing your day your very own unique way. Traditions and trends aren’t for everyone, and it’s been amazing watching a growing wave of couples pick and mix what they love from the world of weddings to create days that truly represent them. Long may it continue!
Top wedding tip?
My top tip is probably to not share too much what you’re planning with everyone. Well-meaning (or even not so well-meaning!) friends, family, colleagues can cause a lot of upset and doubt in a couple’s excited sharing. I’ve heard horror stories of “oh you’re not doing THAT, are you??” and just generally putting a couple off their stride with a not cool response. It’s your day – you do you!! You don’t have to please anyone! They’re invited to YOUR party, no matter what that style or theme is! OH and get a professional photographer and not a friend. PLEASE!! You will massively regret it if you don’t!!
Elle & Nikki
– Wedding Inspirers
Bride & Tonic
– Wedding Blog
What’s hot for 2019?
We love to promote ethical practices and we are seeing more and more eco weddings coming through with couples really resenting the throwaway aspects of modern weddings. So that could be using online invites or recycled paper for invites, plastic-free weddings, second-hand wedding attire, UK honeymoons, choosing local suppliers, organic produce and flowers, ethical jewellery…the list goes on!
Top wedding tip?
This is your wedding and you can do anything you want. You DO NOT have to follow traditions or what your family says you have to do! It is your special day and should be a celebration of you as a couple and the things that mean the most to you. If you don’t want a first dance, you don’t have to have one! 🙂
Alison Tinlin
– Wedding Expert
Mr & Mrs P
– Wedding Blog
What’s hot for 2019?
Weddings in 2019 seem to continue in the earthy and nature-inspired vibe with lots of botanicals, leafy plants, and in particular a lot of pampas grass. Copper seems to be a hot trend too and macramé with its retro look seemingly making a resurgence.
Top wedding tip?
You probably won’t be used to dealing with a project as big or costly as weddings can be, that is why it’s important that you trust the people you use to do the best job for you. Give suppliers as much information as possible so they can really understand your vision.
Lucy Scragg
– Wedding Dress Designer
Lucy Can’t Dance
– Wedding Blog
What’s hot for 2019?
We think colour schemes are out and weddings will be full of loads of colours. Why pick a few when you can have them all?
Top wedding tip?
My top tip when planning a wedding is to relax and enjoy it! When you start panicking about every single little detail then you will be much more upset if little things don’t go your way on the day. Just focus on the big important things! Whatever happens on the day, you will have the best time ever!
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Alan Law
Alan Law Photography
– Wedding Photography
What’s hot for 2019?
There’s a definite move towards natural wedding photography, capturing those real moments and emotions, rather than poses and staged images. Documentary wedding photography (or ‘reportage’) captures what you and your family & friends are about; great photographers in this field capture truly timeless images. Also how do you want to spend time at your wedding? Do you want to be having a great party with your family and friends knowing the best moments are being captured naturally? Or do you want to spend hours posing for your photographer? I’m incredibly passionate about documentary wedding photography, and that’s why I started This is Reportage, a worldwide community of over 500 photographers.
Top wedding tip?
The main thing I always say is to do things your own way; it’s your wedding, it’s something that you (generally!) only do once in your life – make sure it’s exactly how you want it to be, rather than feeling you like you need to please anyone else. Do you want a beach-side wedding with just ten of your closest friends? Do it! Do you want a large, traditional marquee wedding? Do it! There are even elements in the day that people can get really nervous about, like the speeches, or the first dance and there’s just no need at all to do these things if you don’t want to. It’s your wedding; get wed your way.
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Alex Beckett
Alex Beckett Photography
– Wedding Photographer
What’s hot for 2019?
I think there’s going to be a shift away from gimmicks and towards real true moments – joy, love and timeless elegance. The royal weddings have really inspired people to think about their wedding, not just in terms of the day but in what they want it to be remembered as in the future. I’m talking to and explaining to my couples more and more about the legacy of their wedding and what their children/children’s children will think about it. As a photographer I’m really lucky in that my photographs will get more and more valuable with the passing years and form a real part of family history.
I’m also seeing a growing trend for more elaborate pre/post-wedding shoots. Previously engagement shoots have been simple affairs: natural light; casual getting to know you shoots. With the rise of Instagram though, and championed by the Asian market, we’re seeing a growing trend in really epic shoots. In the last few years I’ve been taken all over Europe – Iceland, Italy, France etc – all for the perfect shoot. The brilliant advantage of this to the couple is that they can get fantastic photos while maximising the time they spend with friends and family on their wedding day.
Top wedding tip?
My big tip for couples would be to do what you want on the wedding day. I know politics play an important part in every wedding but I’ve known so many couples compromise their own vision for family and then regret it afterwards. It’s your day and anybody who truly cares for you will respect that.
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Phoebe Caramitsos
– Managing Director
Flossy & Leigh
– Wedding Hair & Make-up
What’s hot for 2019?
For the last few years we really have said goodbye to anything too structured or neat. The general trend going forward is lots of soft waves, as opposed to curls, and lots of gently woven, almost braid-like romantic dos. The thing that always helps these styles look their best is the addition of balyage and multi-tonal hair highlights. The different tones make every style look better, as they really give depth and dimension, and show off the movement and shape of the hair.
Top wedding tip?
NEVER plan an ‘early’ wedding. Ideally, never schedule a service that starts before 12.30/1pm. I do the schedules for our bride’s morning, and realistically you want to have your entire bridal party completely finished with styling and ready to dress at least 30-40 minutes before you leave the room for the service. Keep in mind that your guests also have to get out to their own appointments that morning, fit in breakfast and head to the ceremony (often with their family of youngsters) ahead of you, and there’s nothing more stressful than trying to get there on time when it’s before noon. The earlier you start, the more ‘hangry’, bored and tired the guests are likely to get, especially when the seated wedding breakfast part often rarely starts before 4/5pm.
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Jenn Edwards
– Creative Director
Jenn Edwards & Co
– Wedding Hair & Make-up
What’s hot for 2019?
All things ‘non-traditional’ and quirky. From venues to transport to the most unusual of ‘not cake’ wedding cakes. Just recently, each bride that visits our studio has something original up her sleeve to wow her wedding guests with. It’s become completely acceptable to customize the entire day rather than being limited by traditions and wedding etiquette, and couples are becoming more and more creative with their ideas and concepts. I have a bride getting married in May and she has a canal boat transporting her and her bridal party to their ceremony at a Canal Trust venue.
Ethical, eco-friendly, zero waste, and sustainable weddings are definitely on the up and wedding vendors are becoming more conscientious and ‘green’ – amen to that! Think locally sourced, recycled, pre-loved, home grown, cruelty free, fair trade, organic, biodegradable, reusable…. So, in a nutshell, I think the words ‘indie’, ‘alternative’ and ‘ethical’ will be hot in 2019.
Top wedding tip?
This is one single piece of advice that I genuinely do give to every single bride without fail – don’t leave yourself last in line for hair and makeup on your wedding morning. I know that all other hair and makeup artists will agree that this factor can have a huge impact when it comes to keeping our brides calm on their wedding morning. At the start of the day the champers is flowing, and everyone is relaxed and content with the number of hours they still have to get glam, but time disappears suddenly and a buzz of nervous energy takes over. In the final 1-2 hours everyone in the room is ‘clock watching’. It’s the worst possible time to be in the makeup chair! Your flowers arrive, questions are being fired at you left right and centre, and your Auntie May will be flapping. You get the gist…. A rough schedule is a good idea – you should put yourself somewhere in the middle and make sure you have at least an hour left once your hair and makeup is complete.
Grace Kingsley
– Creative Director
Grace Kingsley Make-Up
– Wedding Make-up
What’s hot for 2019?
Pastel shades are going to be huge this year! This can be carried through to your make up with fresh glowy skin and soft pastel hues on the eyes and cheeks, think natural but defined! Whether you are a minimal make up wearer or into full glam this look can be adapted to suit everyone!
Top wedding tip?
Book your Make Up Artist at the same time as you book all the ‘big things’. We get bookings come in up to two years in advance so once you know your wedding date it’s always a good idea to get your make-up artist booked in too.
Cathryn Kerwin-Rawlinson
– Managing Director
Make-up By Cathryn
– Wedding Make-up
What’s hot for 2019?
I see 2019 all being about glowing and gleaming skin. I’m seeing a massive switch from brides wanting a full cover and heavy eyes to glowing light base and peachy/pinky tones on the eyes. Very reminiscent of the looks we saw on the 2018 royal weddings less is more and more about enhancing natural beauty.
Top wedding tip?
For me the biggest tip is to get the most out of the trial by coming prepared with images of inspiration via Pinterest; come dressed up a bit more than normal, with hair styled or curled and wearing white on the top. If you come dressed down, you won’t get an overall feel for how it’ll finally look and it helps you visualise better when you are slightly more glam.
Emma McDonald
– Founder
Stems
– Wedding Flowers
What’s hot for 2019?
I’m seeing a lot of metal frames for wedding table centres. I love this style as you can achieve a good height and have that wow factor without compromising your guests being able to talk to each other across the table. Floral moongates have also become a big hit here, so I’ve decided to mix this up a little and have had a wooden hexagonal moongate made – I love a funky floral feature at a wedding! With regards to bridal bouquets I’m still finding most of our brides are liking the natural, unstructured handheld bouquets with lots of texture and foliage.
Top wedding tip?
My one top tip would be do you. Don’t get side-tracked by Pinterest and it’s 10,000 ideas. Think about the parts of the wedding which mean the most to you. No one is going to notice if you haven’t provided flip flops for every female attending to slip into later on…
Zita Elze
– Founder & Creative Director
Zita Elze Flowers Ltd
– Wedding Florist
What’s hot for 2019?
Pantone’s living coral ‘colour of the year’ is bound to be popular, besides it being a lovely colour for weddings. For brides who aren’t so fond of pink and don’t want to go down the white wedding route, it is perfect. I also think a combination of natural shades of green and organic toned whites will continue to be popular this year.
Top wedding tip?
I advise brides to focus on a memorable key display which will create a real talking point rather than a scatter approach which tends to dilute the overall design. For table decorations try a more interesting arrangement with designs at varying heights – this will create an interesting dynamic and more of a visual impact. Placing lots of candles in glass containers is a great way to create instant atmosphere. Work with a good designer – one who can both interpret and improve on your dream theme.
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Jon Fellowes
– Press Liaison
Last Minute Musicians
– Wedding Entertainment
What’s hot for 2019?
We can expect to see a real boom from some of the up-and-coming trends of last year. ‘vintage’ style acts are probably going to be the new ‘hit thing’. In the same way that the popularity of certain hit TV shows renewed an interest in 1920s/30s/40s inspired fashion, we’ve seen a similar thing happen in the music world. Bands like the viral sensation Postmodern Jukebox are now very popular – taking modern chart hits and putting a vintage jazz spin on them. We are seeing a lot of wedding bands doing something similar and sounding brilliant!
If we get nice weather predicted for the summer, we might continue to see the popularity of the ‘wed-fest’. These are usually Glastonbury style outdoor weddings, with large tents or even ti-pi’s! They comprise of lots of food, drink and fire-side dancing! Ideal for these events, folk bands saw a big rise in popularity, belting out various bits of traditional music, as well as Mumford-esq modern tunes. Of course, classic rock/pop wedding and function cover bands are always going to be popular as well!
Top wedding tip?
It’s tough to boil down all the different tips I’d have for engaged couples that are planning wedding entertainment, but I think communication is the key. A big problem bands encounter is not having enough room left for them to set up in, so always work out details like that with your contact in the band, as well as your contact at the venue and possibly your wedding planner. If you have any problems at all… ask! There are no such thing as stupid questions and your musicians will generally try and be as accommodating as they can. Don’t forget, your musicians are professionals and will always be able to offer advice on subjects like your first dance or set timings.
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Josef Church-Woods
– Marketing Manager
ROX
– Wedding Jewellers
What’s hot for 2019?
The ‘Meghan Markle’ effect took the wedding industry by storm last year, after she wed Prince Harry in a classic gown, with simple lines and ‘no frills’. 2019 will be no different as classic wedding dresses continue to make a comeback.This will be mirrored in bridal jewellery, with brides opting for minimalist and timeless styles that work in harmony with sleek silhouettes and elegant necklines.
Top wedding tip?
Don’t leave your wedding rings to the last minute! I’d recommend giving yourselves at least two months to browse and revisit rings that catch your eye – you want something you’re both going to love for years to come so it shouldn’t be rushed. If you’re planning a bespoke or engraved piece, go for a consultation early as this can take anything from a few weeks to a few months depending on the jeweller. It’s also essential that the rings are the perfect fit for the big day, so make sure you have them sized well in advance to avoid any awkwardness at the altar.
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Aoife O’Gorman
– Creative Director
CocoMio Bridal Boutique
– Wedding Dresses
What’s hot for 2019?
The top trends for 2019 include simpler Mikado and satin classics in both A-line and fitted styles, dresses which are a mix of detailed lace to the top and simpler crepe or chiffon skirts to the bottom. Full Lace dresses are mixed at the moment with some brides still loving the look and others who have seen it before and want something new. Of course, cut out trains, illusion backs and necklines are still on trend.
Top wedding tip?
My top tip for couples is to get organised earlier, don’t stress, be realistic on budget and enjoy the planning together. I always ask my brides what wouldn’t their other half like to see them in? We base our business on honest and professional advice, and we will help every customer as much as we can and if doubt we will source an answer for a customer from a professional in their field.
Shelley & Andrew Green
– Directors
Buy Our Honeymoon
– Wedding Gifts
What’s hot for 2019?
While the US and the Maldives have always been the #1 destinations for couples using our honeymoon fund service, we’ve noticed that Sri Lanka, New Zealand and Mexico are fast becoming just as popular, particularly for couples getting married in 2019.
Top wedding tip?
If you’ve been with your partner for a while and you don’t need all the traditional housewares from a wedding registry, consider using a service like ours to fund your honeymoon. You get the cash to help make your honeymoon dreams happen, while your guests still get to buy you a gift that’s meaningful and special.
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Emma Ball
– Founder
Emma Lou Cakes
– Wedding Cakes
What’s hot for 2019?
I think geometric patterns and themes with beautiful metallics and marble effects coming through will be hot this year.
Top wedding tip?
Weddings can be extremely stressful but the key is to enjoy every single moment of it.
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Leo Ferenc
– Director
Coco Photo Booths
– Wedding Photo Booths
What’s hot for 2019?
What’s in are quirky photos booths such as taxis, minis, phone boxes, caravans. We’d suggest the standard photo booth is out of fashion.
