by Hanami Dream | 30, December, 2018 | blog, trends
[As featured on page 65 of the December/January edition of Your Berks, Bucks & Oxon Wedding]
Couples are currently looking at ways to personalise their nuptials and break from tradition. Wedding styling is seeing an abundance of original alternatives that blend together cultures, creativity and lots of personal touches.
Mixing and matching seem a great way to compromise, as couples decide that they don’t have to settle on one particular style. This gives a great fusion of modern and vintage, along with contrasting textures, colours and mixed metals.
Here are my top wedding styling trends to look out for at the moment:
Bringing the outside inside
The greenery trend has meant less flowers and more plants and foliage are prevalent, with top tables awash with garlands running down the whole of the table and spilling off the ends to the floor, with gentle inclusions of white flowers. Think of the foliage arch that was around the door of St George’s Chapel for Harry & Megan’s wedding.
Couples are also thinking more seasonally with their choices and including foraged items such as moss, fruit, vegetables, feathers, cones and other seasonal items from the environment around them.
Alternatives to paper stationery
Couples are thinking beyond paper and using different material types such as Perspex, denim, wood or agate slices for their suite of wedding stationery. For the transparent acrylic trend, the use of Perspex chairs, tables, menus and signage means that stationery doesn’t detract but blend in with the surroundings. Clear ‘stationery’ will continue to grow in popularity for a modern style and this is evolving further to iridescent details.
Minimal look and feel
On average, wedding guest numbers are decreasing and micro weddings are on the rise; with couples wishing to keep things small, personal and more meaningful. This vibe is also transcending to the look of the day, with plain, simple and minimal styling. This can be enhanced by using one colour for maximum impact such as white for an amazing statement with a relaxed and tranquil atmosphere.
Festival vibes
Outdoor or tipi weddings with macramé ceremony backdrops are seeing a massive upturn at the moment. Think hanging greenery, trees, dream catcher favours, festoon lighting, ribbon drapes, food vans, chill out areas and fire bowls.
Alternatives to real flowers are better for the environment and the pocket – make paper flowers or borrow house plants for a great diy wedding.
Statement backdrops
Move over flower walls and arches – the ceremony wreaths are here! Archways are being superseded by moongates, circular arches and other impactful ceremony backdrops. Couples are using them to walk through on their way down the aisle, a spectacular ceremony or photo backdrop, behind top tables, bars or dessert tables. The wreaths can be decorated with flowers and/or foliage, all over or partially covered.
Air plants
Another alternative to flowers is air plants, which are a brilliant evolution on the succulent trend. Their delicate tendrils give a wonderful contrast against the soft tulle of wedding dresses.
Use them in bouquets, table displays or in glass suspended baubles.
Gem stones rock
Shiny rocks will continue to see a place in wedding venue styling with agate (or hollow geodes) still at the forefront of designs in cakes and name settings, as well as the revival of marble details.
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by Hanami Dream | 6, December, 2018 | blog, news, trends
Pantone® have picked a warm and energising orange ‘Living Coral’ as their colour of the year for 2019!
Living Coral
For me, it was always going to be one of the warmer tones of either a bright yellow or vibrant red. This seems like the perfect compromise mix of the two, called Living Coral (also known as Pantone® 16-1546).
As Pantone® Vice President Laurie Pressman said, it is an “an animating and life-affirming coral hue with a golden undertone that energizes and enlivens with a softer edge. Sociable and spirited, the engaging nature of Living Coral…embodies our desire for playful expression”.
Pantone® is the world-renowned authority on colour and the Pantone® Color of the Year is always really influential in any popular colour themes in fashion, interior design and weddings. They have been picking a colour of the year for 20 years now, taking into account cultural trends, as well as “how colors can embody our collective experience and reflect what is taking place in our global culture at a moment in time,” according to the press release from Pantone®.
Eco friendly
It seems quite fitting that this should be the colour next year especially when there’s such a focus on our oceans, climate change and protecting our natural resources. Living Coral seems the perfect ambassador to remind us of these important factors and to consider how to make weddings more eco friendly.
Living Coral instantly conjurors up images of life under the clear blue sea and makes me reminisce about happy days learning to scuba dive at the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. It is an absolute underwater paradise, literally awash with colour energised by the sunshine. I still dream about a phenomenal night dive when I felt like I was flying over mountains and as I shone a torch over the coral it all came to life when the light touched it. It was breath taking. I learnt how important coral is in the marine life for providing habitats and shelter, protecting coast lines, and also filtering the water. It needs to be protected.
2019 weddings
The 2019 colour of the year certainly would be fitting for a beach wedding although would also pair seamlessly with a sophisticated navy, grey or burgundy to make it a relevant colour to fit a wedding at any time of year. And of course coral is associated with a couple’s 35th wedding anniversary so it’s no stranger to being a part of weddings.
I’ve been desperate for a yellow or an orange colour to get top billing for a couple of years and my guess for the Color of the Year 2019 was for Aspen Gold or Mango Mojito (see my Spring 2019 report). I’m pleased to see a vibrant, playful colour leading the way again in 2019 and can’t wait to see couples incorporating Living Coral into their wedding colour schemes.
Living Coral wedding inspiration
See more about my Living Coral mood board from the UK Academy of Wedding and Event Planning’s SS19 Pantone® mood board competition from earlier this year.
#COY2019
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by Hanami Dream | 13, November, 2018 | blog, trends
This time of year often signals the end of the busy summer wedding season, though many couples are now seeing the benefits of having an off peak winter wedding.
There’s loads of great reasons why having a winter wedding will bring you comfort and joy:
Good for your pocket
Off peak weddings could be better on your budget plus wedding suppliers may have more availability at this time of year.
Decor taken care of
Some venues may already have their Christmas decoration up which could mean you don’t have to worry too much about decorating the space any further.
Rich colour palette
The rich warm winter colours are luxurious and comforting plus lend themselves for extravagant textures of velvet and gold metallic décor.
Dreaming of a white Christmas
Let’s be honest snow on your winter wedding would be the ultimate romantic weather scenario (providing your venue isn’t too hard to reach), so it’s exciting that there might be a chance of snow for some stunning wedding pictures.
Wet weather plans in hand
Contrary to a summer wedding, there seems to be less pressure about the weather for a winter wedding as you won’t be expecting it to be super sunny, so you’ll make inside plans regardless.
Wrap up warm
No fear of fainting like in the summer heat or sweating in all your attire. Guys can go to town in a full three piece suit and ladies can keep warm in wraps, boleros and fake fur.
Embrace hygge theme
With the nights drawing in earlier and light fading quickly, there lots of opportunities for romantic lighting options like candles and huddling up round a firepit toasting marshmallows.
Holidays are coming
If you have a wedding around Christmas or New Year then your guests might already be off work anyway, so they won’t need to take any extra holiday to come to your big day.
Fresh wedding season
Your guests shouldn’t be too ‘wedding-ed’ out as they may not be going to as many other weddings at this time of year. Plus your wedding may look more unique as it will utilise flowers and produce from a different season to popular summer weddings.
Fly off for some winter sunshine
There are some good rates around for honeymoons at this time of year and travel to some tropical countries is better as it won’t be during wet or stormy season.
Images on this page are taken by Squib Photography from Hanami Dream’s journey to the centre of the earth styled shoot at Oxleaze Barn. See all the fabulous suppliers that were involved in this styled shoot.
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by Hanami Dream | 22, October, 2018 | blog, trends
Obviously, I love a good wedding and even more so a royal one. Well, if you wait longer enough then two come along at once and we’ve certainly been spoilt for royal weddings this year!
I was glued to the television once again on Friday to see Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank get married for the Royal Wedding part two. Yes, it may only be 5 months since the last one, and yes, it was at the same venue of Windsor Castle again, but this wedding sequel still offered new trends and insights.
Royal wedding trends
You can guarantee that a royal wedding is sure to be a lavish affairs and an exaggerated Pinterest fantasy that will influence trends and weddings to come. Who can forget the puff ball dress of Eugenie’s mother on her wedding day to Prince Andrew in the 1980s.
And the affect of Kate and William’s royal wedding in 2011 is still apparent now as couples continue to choose to have trees inside at their weddings. Likewise, Harry and Meghan’s wedding prompted further foliage and minimalist trends – here’s my Royal Wedding Fever report from earlier this year.
I love seeing emerging trends and things that may influence weddings in the future.
Fashion colours
Along with the happy couple, the (celebrity) guests arriving gives a glimpse of fashion colours and trends. This wedding called for traditional morning suits to be worn, which even Cara Delevingne sported. The other ladies had to keep hold of their hats as it was such a windy day.
Guests wore bold seasonal colours of bright pink, greens, navy and pastel pink. Whilst the mother of the bride and Princess Eugenie’s sister and chief bridesmaid wore emerald green and royal blue respectively. Princess Beatrice topped off her outfit with a royal blue alice band hat – another new evolution in the hat world and perhaps playing it safe consider the weather (and previous hat faux pas that this Princess has fallen foul of!)
Art & culture influences
You could see nods of the Princess’s love of the art world in a number of elements at the royal wedding including the green and blue sashes that the bridesmaids wore which incorporated the Mark Bradford artwork also in the Order or Service. Their sashes also brought together the outfit colours of Sarah Ferguson and Princess Beatrice.
Green also featured on the Bride’s Russian inspired tiara with emeralds, which was borrowed from the queen.
Additionally the jacquard print of the wedding dress, by Peter Pilotto and Christopher De Vos, contained symbolic emblems such as a thistle (to represent their love of Scotland) which was echoed in her bouquet; a shamrock (for the Ferguson family); a York rose; and trailing ivy (to symbolise their home) which she also carried in her bouquet.
The cut and style of the dress were elegant and simple with long sleeves, nipped in waist, full pleated skirt and a voluptuous long train. The beautiful portrait neckline, with a nearly off the shoulder look, provided a low back feature. Also with the decision to omit wearing a veil, the low back showed that the Princess was not afraid to her scars.
Seasonality
For me the star of the show was the flowers. Once again, I was blown away by the floral display up the steps and around the west door of St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle where the royal wedding took place.
The theme of the wedding really celebrated nature and the season with leaves, berries, foliage and flowering branches foraged from Windsor Great Park. I love the immense autumnal vibe and the idea of using what nature has provided and going out to collect and bring back what you find. There were roses, hydrangeas, dahlias and berries in bright, bold oranges, pinks and purples. Plus those impressive liquid amber trees standing proud (albeit a little blowing in the wind) either side of the entrance.
The rich floral colours reminded me of a Wind in the Willows photo shoot that I did that encapsulated those deep autumnal colours.
Traditional versus modern
The wedding fell on the anniversary of the first Oktoberfest which originally celebrated a royal wedding in 1810. This wedding seamlessly blended traditional royal elements along with modern millennial thinking. It was a true celebration of the things and people that they love and wanted to be a part of their special day. As well as the pomp and ceremony of the ceremony, they had a two celebration with a festival and funfair themed party.
Their reading was far from traditional with an excerpt from The Great Gatsby and like so many brides nowadays, Eugenie chose not to obey her new husband.
It was good to learn that they had banned plastic from their wedding with the environment being a hot topic on everyone’s lips at the moment.
Plus they decided to shy away from tradition with their wedding cake, and enjoy a red velvet and chocolate wedding cake.
For me, Eugenie and Jack’s wedding conveyed some great messages: celebrating nature, embracing culture, thinking seasonally and considering the environment. Plus Princess Eugenie made a massive statement by not wearing a veil – to be proud of who you are and not to hide your scars.
by Hanami Dream | 6, September, 2018 | blog, trends
The current back to school vibe always makes me feel a little sad and melancholy. It’s the end of the summer and the seasons are beginning to change. It is back to work and back to reality, after a summer of fun. The lyrics of ‘Zorbing’ by Stornoway sum up what this time of year makes me think about
Conkers shining on the ground, The air is cooler. And I feel like I just started Uni.
But the exciting news from Pantone® ahead of New York Fashion Week about the Spring 2019 colours has certainly lifted my mood.
We’ll be seeing red next spring if the latest trend predictions from Pantone® this week are anything to go by.
The colours for next Spring certainly make a huge bold statement. They are rich, vibrant and indulgent yet not over powering. They are like a ray of golden light on a colourful kaleidoscope.
Autumnal evolution
You’d be forgiven in thinking that this is the fall report and not the spring one. There seems to be quite a lot of crossover with the current Fall/Winter 2018/19 colour palette with some rich earthy tones, though by Spring 2019 we will have lost the purples (and the Colour of the Year), neons and silver grey.
It is great to see such earthy colours featuring in Spring 2019 and hardly a pastel shade in there! These are all great transitional colours to take us in and out of seasons.
Confident red
The abundance of red related colours is over whelming and runs in to the oranges, yellows and pinks too. This set of colours are empowering, confident, bold, uplifting, fun, playful, cheerful and joyful. Plus I can’t fail to see the energy, passion and excitement that these colours evoke.
My best friend always advises to wear red to an interview or an important date (even if it’s just your underwear!) so that you feel strong and confident. There will be lots around next Spring to feel like you can rule the world.
Foliage and succulents
That warm feeling is translated in the addition of the deep greens that conjure up a terrarium full of succulents and foliage. Continuing that sense of bringing nature inside.
Spring 2019 colours
The top twelve colours for Spring 2019 are:
- Fiesta PANTONE 17-1564
- Jester Red PANTONE 19-1862
- Turmeric PANTONE 15-1264
- Living Coral PANTONE 16-1546
- Pink Peacock PANTONE 18-2045
- Pepper Stem PANTONE 17-0542
- Aspen Gold PANTONE 13-0850
- Princess Blue PANTONE 19-4150
- Toffee PANTONE 18-1031
- Mango Mojito PANTONE 15-0960
- Terrarium Moss PANTONE 18-0416
- Sweet Lilac PANTONE 14-2808
Spring 2019 extra colours from LFW
Plus a couple of paler substitutes of yellow (instead of Aspen Gold) and pink (instead of Sweet Lilac) from London Fashion Week round off the colours for Spring 2019:
- Lemon Verbena PANTONE 12-0742
- Pressed Rose PANTONE 15-1619
-
Neutral basics
Pantone® have also updated the Classic Colour Palette. These are a group of neutrals that are core basics in the form of a taupe, navy blue, cream and brown.
The bonus classic neutral colours for Spring 2019 are:
- Soybean PANTONE 13-0919
- Eclipse PANTONE 19-3810
- Sweet Corn PANTONE 11-0106
- Brown Granite PANTONE 19-0805
Colour themes
It’ll be great to see how couples incorporate these colours in to their weddings later this year. I can see how the classic neutrals will play a big part in coupling up with some of the more vibrant choices.
Pantone® is the world-renowned authority on colour and the Pantone® Color of the Year is always really influential in any popular colour themes in fashion, interior design and weddings.
See some of my trend predictions for weddings in 2018 and look out for my report when the 2019 colour of the year is released later in the year.
So sporting my new statement red jeggings I feel not only empowered but raring to go for the new season.
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by Hanami Dream | 22, May, 2018 | blog, trends
I was certainly swept along with the recent royal wedding fever. I loved the build up, the anticipation, the speculation and the excitement. Then on Saturday, I was glued to the screen – waiting, watching, weeping, and welcoming all the wonderful wedding attire at the ceremony for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.
Royal weddings
But what is it with our obsession with royal weddings? Is it that it is the ultimate in celebrity wedding? Or that everyone just wants to dream of a fairy tale ending? It is definitely nice to have something positive and beautiful to focus on as a nation.
For me, I love the pomp and ceremony. Royal weddings are sure to be lavish affairs and an exaggerated Pinterest fantasy that will influence trends and weddings to come.
My romantic idealism was peppered with weddings in films and television programmes that influenced my youth including:
- Charles & Diana (who can forget the puff ball sleeves and the huge long train! And I remember how my family rushed to go and get a colour television in time for their wedding!)
- Scott & Charlene in Neighbours (I still can’t believe that programme has been going over 30 years!)
- Monica & Chandler in Friends (how beautifully romantic to fall in love with your best friend)
- The One with All the Wedding Dresses episode in Friends (even though my husband thinks it’s a crazy idea I still want a wedding dress party with my friends sometime)
- Prince William & Kate (they got married the same year that we did so this event heightened the build up to our big day)
Wedding day build up
I personally, really felt for Meghan in the week before the royal wedding as I too was unsure if my own father would make it to our wedding. I’m sure they remembered their absent friends at their celebrations like we did.
Wedding trends
Now that I’m working in the wedding industry, not only am I immersed in this wonderful world every day but it also enhances my desire and need to follow trends and things that may influence weddings in the future.
The guests were following the current love of blue with outfits in various shades of it, whilst it was great to see Amal Clooney sporting a striking mustard yellow number, and a little disappointing that there were any extravagant hats from some of the royal family to talk about afterwards.
The affect of the royal wedding in 2011 is still apparent now as couples continue to choose to have trees inside at their weddings. Like this, Harry and Meghan’s wedding will no doubt prompt further foliage and minimalist trends.
Minimalist wedding
One highlight for me was the plain, simple and minimal look and feel that transcended the whole day. It gave the impression of a relaxed, personal and tranquil atmosphere. See my top tips for a minimalist wedding.
Meghan’s beautiful white off the shoulder boat neck (bateau) dress with long 3/4 length sleeves looked absolutely stunning. Adorned with Queen Mary’s tiara and a long flowing floral embroidered 5 metre veil.
Nothing could distract from its simplicity and beauty. All the accessories enhanced the look and it was completed with a small bouquet of foliage and white flowers with astilibe being my favourite amongst them.
Foliage
Additionally I was blown away by the foliage arch that was constructed around the west door of St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle where the royal wedding took place. It was reminded my of a secret garden photo shoot that I did last year which featured a top table garland awash with greenery running down the whole of the table and spilling off the ends to the floor along with gentle inclusion of white flowers.
The dream for my wedding was to collect armfuls of beautiful cow parsley and adorn the church with swathes of the lovely white flowers. Unfortunately I got married in August and by the height of the summer there wasn’t any cow parsley gracing the lanes of the British countryside anymore. I had to rethink my plan and pick flowers that were in season at the time of my wedding.
But a May wedding (and I imagine a much bigger budget than for our wedding) was perfect for this vision to become reality. The flowers at this royal wedding were reminiscent of the English countryside, driving along country roads past hedgerows peppered with white blossom and cow parsley jam packed in the verges. Through tree lined lanes where the hedges from both sides meet over the road and an arch way is formed from lorries passing through and clipping it to shape. It evoked picturesque images of tiny chocolate box cottages full of foliage brimming around the front door.
The back drop was idyllic and it didn’t detract from the couple who are so clearly in love. Much more than that, how brilliant that the royal wedding flowers were turned into bouquets for hospice patients afterwards. Here are some other suggestions for the enjoyment of your flowers to continue after the wedding.
Break with traditions
The overarching theme of this royal wedding was that in parts it was breaking with tradition. I love that Meghan opted to omit ‘obey from her vows and that Harry will wear a wedding ring. For me it’s about being a team. And what a touching something blue that she was sporting when the drove off to their evening reception.
This fairy tale wedding has firmly joined my list of influential weddings in my life. After all, we all want someone to ‘Stand by me’.
Now pass me another slice of lemon curd and elderflower cake!
by Hanami Dream | 22, March, 2018 | blog, guest post, trends
Absolutely delighted to share this year’s wedding fashion report from Lyst, a global fashion search platform where you can search thousands of online fashion stores at once, bringing together 5 million products from 12,000 of the world’s leading brands in one place. From emerging trends to worldwide fashion movements, Lyst is a unique source of global fashion intelligence.
Analysing search and sales data across 12,000 online stores and designers, global fashion search platform Lyst has compiled these 5 key insights about how brides are shopping for wedding outfits online this year:
1. Brides are breaking from tradition in a year of female empowerment
- Searches for bridal jumpsuits and bridal suits have increased by 113% in the last year
- Searches for wedding dresses including the words ‘backless’, ‘sexy’ or ‘nude’ have doubled year on year
- But modest dresses are popular too; ‘long sleeve’ and ‘high neck’ styles have seen a combined 47% increase in views year on year
2. Wedding dresses are getting cheaper
- Last April the average price of a wedding dress on Lyst was £832, 25% lower than in 2016. This year it has decreased a further 5% and is currently £790
- Wedding dresses from Topshop, Coast and ASOS are the most wanted cheaper options, along with contemporary brands Needle and Thread and Reformation
3. The Meghan Effect is a big deal for bridal brands
- Brands that Meghan Markle could wear on her big day have seen significant increases in wedding dress searches; Erdem (+43%), Ralph & Russo (+82%), Misha Nonoo (+79%), Roland Mouret (+38%)
4. 2018’s weddings will be the most colourful yet
- Searches for coloured bridal dresses are becoming more popular. White is still the number one most wanted option, followed by rose, yellow and red
- Searches for ‘black bridal dresses’ have increased 18% year on year
5. 1920s bridal accessories are having a moment
- Sales of hair clips and headpieces have risen 39% in the last year. Simone Rocha is currently the most searched for brand
- Brides are five times more likely to opt for jewel encrusted or coloured shoes with their wedding dress than cream or white
- There are 24% more feathered bridal products on Lyst than this time last year
The Top 5 most influential celebrity weddings of the last year Lyst looked at spikes in search and sales of some of the last year’s most talked about celebrity weddings to analyse which brides really set the trends:
1. Pippa Middleton married James Matthews, 20th May 2017 (Wedding dress by Giles Deacon)
- Giles Deacon saw the largest spike in searches of any wedding dress designer, with search increasing 148% in May
2. Serena Williams married Alexis Ohanian, 16th November 2017 (Wedding dress by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen. Wedding dress 2 and 3 by Versace, with bejewelled Nike sneakers)
- Serena had 3 designer wedding dresses, but it was her bejewelled Nike Cortez sneakers that got the world talking; searches for Nike Cortez increased 8% that week
3. Emily Ratajkowski married Sebastian Bear-McClard, 23rd February 2018 (Suit by Zara)
- Searches for Zara suits increased 58% week on week following Emily’s super Instagrammable marriage to Sebastian Bear-McClard in February. Searches for mustard yellow across all categories also saw a boost
4. Miranda Kerr married Evan Spiegel, 27th May 2017 (Maria Grazia Chiuri for Dior)
- It was Miranda’s Stephen Jones headpiece that caught brides’ attention in Australia, prompting a 43% increase in AU searches for bridal headpieces
5. Chanel Iman married Sterling Shepard, 3 March 2018 (Zuhair Murad)
- The Victoria’s Secret model tied the knot earlier this month, and her embellished cape led to a 29% increase in demand for lace capelets in the US
See more at https://www.lyst.com/articles/2018-wedding-fashion-report/
by Hanami Dream | 9, February, 2018 | blog, trends
I’m pleased we didn’t have to wait as long as last year for the Pantone® announcement of the Fall/Winter colours to look out for in 2018. In fact, it even took me a bit by surprise!
With the fashion week season just kicking off (this month is New York, London, Milan and then Paris) we start to think about those autumnal months.
And it seems that Pantone® are back in their stride, as we return to a top ten of colours (rather than a dozen that we saw for spring 2018). Plus I’m pleased to see the report continuing to be predictions again rather than a counting colours exercise from the catwalks.
It’s great to see an increase and update to the bonus colours that act as neutrals and core basics too.
Bonfire night warmth
I love this collection of bold colours that will trend in Autumn. They certainly pack a punch and make a huge statement.
Alongside some typical, rich autumnal colours, there’s some great accompanying vibrant shades that sit nicely alongside the colour of the year, Ultra Violet.
You can feel the warmth of the reds, orange, yellow and brown colours radiating out like the flames of a bonfire on Guy Fawkes night with Red Pear, Valiant Poppy, Ceylon Yellow, Martini Olive, Russet Orange (and Meerkat from the neutrals).
Peacock blooms
The dark, jewel colours (of Nebulas Blue, Ultra Violet and Quetzal Green) are fitting for my prediction of peacock inspired weddings this year. With the deep teal of Quetzal Green even named after a striking colourful bird.
Many of the names of the colours in this season seem so evocative and conjuror up images of space, sky, sea and land. With the interstellar cloud of dust of Nebulas Blue, Ultra Violet (the colour of the year tipped to suggest the mysteries of the cosmos), the cold, dark North Atlantic water of the Sargasso Sea and the expanse of poppies in Flanders Field reminiscent of Remembrance Day.
I’d love to have the job of thinking up the names of the colours – any one for a cocktail to accompany Martini Olive?!
Winter transition
With the start of the Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang today, it’s lovely to see some icy counterparts to take us in to winter with Crocus Petal (a paler version of Ultra Violet) and Limelight (a lighter version of Ceylon Yellow). They’ll make good transition colours to next spring too.
Fall 2018 colours
The top ten colours for Fall 2018 are:
- PANTONE 19-1536 Red Pear
- PANTONE 18-1549 Valiant Poppy
- PANTONE 18-4048 Nebulas Blue
- PANTONE 15-0850 Ceylon Yellow
- PANTONE 18-0625 Martini Olive
- PANTONE 16-1255 Russet Orange
- PANTONE 18-3838 Ultra Violet
- PANTONE 15-3520 Crocus Petal
- PANTONE 12-0740 Limelight
- PANTONE 18-5025 Quetzal Green
Fall 2018 extra colours from LFW
Plus a couple of additional pops of pink from London Fashion Week round off the colours for Fall 2018:
- PANTONE 15-1515 Mellow Rose
- PANTONE 18-2045 Pink Peacock
Neutral basics
Pantone® have also created a Fall 2018 Classic Colour Palette. These are a group of neutrals that are core basics in the form of navy, white, beige, grey and brown.
You could wrap yourself up in these warm neutral colours. This is hygge at its best – with a great addition of Meerkat brown – so comforting, warm and cosy.
The bonus classic neutral colours for Fall 2018 are:
- PANTONE 19-4031 Sargasso Blue
- PANTONE 11-4801 Tofu
- PANTONE 14-1116 Almond Buff
- PANTONE 14-4107 Quiet Grey
- PANTONE 16-1438 Meerkat
Colour themes
It’ll be great to see how couples incorporate these colours in to their weddings later this year.
Pantone® is the world-renowned authority on colour and the Pantone® Color of the Year is always really influential in any popular colour themes in fashion, interior design and weddings.
See some of my trend predictions for weddings in 2018.
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by Hanami Dream | 13, December, 2017 | blog, trends
Weddings are a wonderful celebration of love and marriage. They can blend together families, traditions, cultures, creativity and lots of personal touches. Whether a religious, civil or humanist ceremony, a traditional or themed reception, these special days are about what is important to each individual couple.
Despite some couples’ originality, there are always trends that appear and popular themes that epitomise a particular era (think puff ball sleeves from the eighties). Sometimes fashion, films, television programmes, interior design, celebrity weddings and even current affairs influence these trends. Of course, there are some timeless and classic themes that never seem to go out of favour like a ‘romantic’ theme and personalisation is still key at the moment.
So what does 2018 hold for the world of weddings? Here is a curation of some of the top trends to look out for next year.
Choices
Making your special day all about you is the name of the game. With Pinterest at our finger tips, there are lots of ways to personalise your nuptials and break from tradition. In particular, I think that alternatives for the following aspects of wedding days will continue to be more and more original:
- Alternative stationery – go beyond paper with different material types such as perpex, denim, wood or agate slices
- Alternative guest books – think about things you’ll use or see every day such as recipe books, furniture and artwork (see more ideas at alternative wedding guest book ideas)
- Alternative florals – the greenery trend has meant less flowers and more plants and foliage. Along with paper florals and other lasting alternatives to bouquets, consider new ways to wear flowers such as corsages, floral rings, anklets and chockers. My personal floral alternative favourite is succulents and air plants, as well as foraged items such as moss, fruit, vegetables, feathers, cones and other seasonal items from the environment around us. Plus the archway will be superseded by the ceremony wreath. And urns, vases, bell jars and different ways to show flowers will be big next year.
- Alternative rings – mixed metal trends will start to be seen in wedding rings as well as décor, plus more finger tattoos are emerging as another option to wearing a ring at all.
Culling
Uncertain times, call for purse strings to be a bit tighter. So I believe that budgets may be slightly dwindling in 2018. This could result in trends for:
- More couples to diy and create, source or design elements themselves
- Using industrial, blank spaces or open spaces as a blank canvas
- Minimalist styling with one accent or monochrome colour schemes
- Smaller guest lists
- Later weddings held at a different time of day so couples don’t have to feed people twice!
Clothing
Bridal wear is continuing to see a shift in trends to provide new, innovative and unusual styles to make sure the bride makes a statement and is different to any other on her big day. Fashion trends that are appearing on the catwalks (that will surely influence weddings next year) include:
- Covering up the arms with arms warmers, long sleeves or capes
- Adornments on dresses such as cascading shoulder bows, butt bows, feathers, shirt collars and 3D flowers
- Skirts will have plenty of drama with high/low hem lines or slits
- Whilst the backs of dresses will continue to wow with the 18th century style Watteau backs (a section at the back of a dress that is gathered or pleated at the neck and falls unbelted to the floor)
- Fabrics will be structured and sheer
- With metallic detail and even black accents
- Soft colour dresses will continue to grow in popularity
- Accessorise with big earrings and embellished shoes
Colour and styling
So much influences our daily lives which in turn spills over to the world of weddings, including decorative elements from different arenas such as interior design, architecture, graphic design, lighting, furniture and textiles. One part that overarches these elements is the importance of colour.
- The Pantone® Colour of the Year always plays a big part in influencing popular colours and I don’t think next year will be any exception. In 2018, the colour of the year is a striking blue-toned purple called Ultra Violet . Pantone are citing it as ‘optimistic and empowering color” for “originality, ingenuity, and visionary thinking” [take a look at my report about the colour of the year – https://www.hanamidream.co.uk/pantone-announce-the-color-of-the-year-2018/] and I’m pretty pleased as purple is my favourite colour! I think it will work particularly well teamed with the greenery colour of 2017. Here’s my take on the other colours to look out for in spring/summer 2018 – https://www.hanamidream.co.uk/top-spring-2018-colours-from-pantone/.
- Textures – crushed velvet will become more prevalent for more luxurious styles
- Transparent – Perspex chairs, tables, menus and signage will continue to grow in popularity for a modern style and this is evolving further to iridescent details
- Metallic – the metallic trend isn’t showing any signs of tiring just yet. Next year will be the turn of copper to take to centre stage
- Gem stones – agate (or hollow geodes) are still going to be at the forefront of designs, as well as marble. Plus pearl details are set to come back into the limelight in 2018.
- Mix and match – you don’t have to settle on one style for a great fusion of modern/vintage, different cultures and mixed colours. I’m hopeful for vibrant folk art style weddings to be a great evolution of the boho festival trend.
- Foraged items – my personal tip is for peacock feathers and all the bright associated colours of this beautiful bird
Catering
Family style serving is still a great way to share the wedding reception which works so well on long, large banquet tables lining the room. Plus couples want their food to look amazing so that it is Instagram worthy.
Other food and drink highlights to support emerging tends include:
- Local produce – organic, farm to table that supports local suppliers
- Cakes – marbling icing, amazing geode crystal detailing and metallic cakes
- Unusual catering vans, dessert tables and interactive stations at the reception – think gin bars, hot chocolate stations and make your own pudding
- Dietary requirements – upsurge is requests for vegan desserts so that it caters for all guests
- Personalised cocktails – have your own cocktails created and served as the ‘house’ aperitif instead of Pimms or Buck’s Fizz when guests arrive. Or how about two different personal cocktails to represent the different tastes of the couple.
Culture
The world of films and tv always influences trends and 2018 looks set to be a year of blockbusters to choose from such as:
- Comic book films like: Incredibles 2, X-Men: Dark Phoenix, Avengers: Infinity War, and Fantastic Beasts 2
- Children’s classics including: Jungle Book, Arctic Justice, and Mary Poppins Returns
- Sci-Fi movies such as: Solo: a Star Wars Story, Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, Black Panther, and Aquaman – wouldn’t an Atlantis underwater wedding be amazing!
- Action movies including: M:I 6 – Mission Impossible, and Ocean’s 8 – a brilliant female reboot set in New York
- Love stories like: Fifty Shades Freed, and Love, Simon
Plus big tv shows such as Peaky Blinders, Dr Who (complete with a new female doctor after Christmas) and a new adaptation of Vanity Fair (set in the 19th century around the Napoleonic Wars) will help some wedding themes.
Film and video will continue to be more prevalent at weddings with couples choosing 360 videos, virtual reality experiences and drones to capture their big day. Along with social media being a part of the day and a way to capture everyone’s pictures of the day (it’s just the modern version of the disposable cameras on the table!) with personalised snap chat geofilters and your own hashtags for the day.
Celebrities
As well as the wonders of Pinterest, couples are inspired by seeing others doing something first. So it’s no surprise that details from celebrity weddings will influence wedding trends. Here are some famous engaged couples that could make it up the aisle in 2018 and their special days will be ones to watch:
- Prince Harry & Meghan – need I say any more! This will be THE wedding of the year and will surely spur some British street party style themes
- Candice Brown & Liam Macaulay – she is a former Great British Bake Off winner so I’m sure there’ll be some wedding cakes goals emerging from this day!
- Kate Mara & Jamie Bell – perhaps some Fantastic 4 or Billy Elliot themes
- Matthew Lewis & Angela Jones – he played Neville Longbottom so will we see some more Harry Potter themes?
- Rosie Huntington-Whiteley & Jason Statham – surely an action packed wedding expected there
- Stephen Webb & Daniel Lustig – these guys are stars of Gogglebox and sure to have some original details to aspire to
- Robert Pattinson & FKA twigs – Twilight themed weddings are still popular and great outdoor weddings
Current affairs
You may be living and breathing your wedding and everything else in the world is taking a back seat. However, things are still going on around you and some national, local and annual events may have an impact on your guests involvement, availability and enjoyment. Here’s some events around the world that could influence your choice of dates and could also influence wedding trends:
- Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea 9-25 February 2018
- Commonwealth Games in Australia, 4-15 April 2018
- World Cup in Russia 14 June – 15 July 2018
These are a few of my predictions for wedding trends in 2018. I’d love to hear what you think are going to be popular wedding trends next year. Email me with your predictions and take a look at more of my curation and inspiration on Pinterest.
May I take this opportunity to wish you a very Happy Christmas and all the best for the New Year.
Are you getting married in 2018? Is your wedding going to be following one of these trends? Let me know if you’d like to share the detail shots of your day on my blog to inspire other couples who are wedding planning. If you (and your photographer) are happy, then take a look how to submit your wedding.
by Hanami Dream | 7, December, 2017 | blog, trends
Pantone® have picked a deep purple ‘Ultra Violet’ as their colour of the year for 2018!
What a wonderful, vibrant colour that I can’t wait to see couples incorporating into their wedding colour schemes next year.
For me, it was always going to be a toss up between a bright yellow or a brilliant shade of purple. I’m over the moon that Pantone® have gone for such an attention grabbing and bold purple to be the colour of the year. It is a remarkable blue-toned shade of purple called Ultra Violet (also known as Pantone® 18-3838) and I’m pretty pleased as purple just happens to be my favourite colour!
As Pantone® Vice President Laurie Pressman said, it is an “optimistic and empowering color” for “originality, ingenuity, and visionary thinking”. It feels futuristic, magical and regally majestic – which is quite fitting for the year of another royal wedding in the UK.
Pantone® is the world-renowned authority on colour and the Pantone® Color of the Year is always really influential in any popular colour themes in fashion, interior design and weddings.
I’ve been desperate for a yellow or an orange colour to get top billing for a couple of years and my guess for the Color of the Year 2018 was for Meadowlark (see my Spring 2018 report). But I’m so pleased to see a vibrant, bright colour leading the way again in 2018.
See more about my Ultra Violet mood board from the UK Academy of Wedding and Event Planning’s SS18 Pantone® mood board competition from earlier this year.
#COY2018
