You’ve asked and we’ve answered! Welcome to your weekly column ‘Planning Your Happily Ever After’ with wedding consultant Shikima Hinds.

Phew, 2022 was as big a year for the wedding industry as predicted! After years of postponing weddings, couples all over the world were ready to party and celebrate with their loved ones — which they did in style. Here are the trends I think will be taking over the wedding world in 2023.

Colour

These days, Pinterest is the go-to online source for inspiration, including weddings. As part of its trend forecasting, Pinterest found that colourful wedding details will be huge in 2023. I am personally very excited for colour to make its way back into the wedding industry, especially since I’m in love with the Pantone colour of the year! It’s nice to know that couples are embracing thoughtful colour references through patterned textiles, floral concepts, custom décor moments, and with their bridal fashion.

Florals

Flowers have once again officially become the star of the show at weddings. Couples are allocating more money to their floral décor budget to create impactful floral arrangements and over-the-top statement floral pieces. Florals are the décor piece that can completely transform a wedding space instantly, from the ceremony backdrop to the reception centrepieces.

Arches

Thick ceremony arches are also making a big statement. Curved or boxy, the shape is up to the couple; the bigger the better — more florals, more greenery, and more wow factor.

The party

Brides and grooms are increasingly prioritising the party. Parties are no longer just a welcome event associated with a destination wedding weekend; it’s the focus of the event. Couples just want to get to the dance floor and celebrate.

Candid, natural-looking photos are in

Wedding photography is all about candid photos and natural lighting. Typically described as editorial or documentary photography, this style nixes poses and focuses on imperfections.

Champagne towers

I am loving the reemergence of the champagne tower. In fact, it is the new rival of the cake-cutting moment for the modern couple.

Cakes

Go big or none at all! Gigantic, over-the-top wedding cakes are back. But there’s also another trend: the anti-cake couples who prefer to not have a wedding cake or just completely forego the public cake cutting during the wedding reception.

Destination weddings are a yes!

Post-pandemic travel desires have directly led to an increased influx of destination weddings. Whether it’s inside the home country or travelling far away to an exotic location, destination weddings have become more alluring as travel improves. Brides and grooms will be searching for sunnier climates in 2023 with multiple experiencial options, and Jamaica is perfect for just that!

Organic elegance

The simplicity, romance, and softness of the combination of white and greenery with a lot of foliage creates an authentically organic wedding. Expect to see the organic theme continue with colours added to the palette through touches of nature.

Stupendous chandeliers

Decorators are going all-out for elevating décor to make it more opulent and using chandeliers to take centre stage to add sheer grandeur and glittery looks.

Creative wedding signs

Gone are the days when your only stationery and signage options were simple flat-printed paper designs. Bespoke wedding signs are having a moment and are also not just functional but becoming a part of the décor concepts.

The look of a garden-cut bridal bouquet

These bouquets have longer stems and fuller blooms with loose foliage giving the illusion that you picked a handful of fresh florals just before walking up the aisle.

Embroidered fashion and slits

In 2023, brides will take statement-making fashion literally by sewing heartfelt messages onto gloves, veils, and dresses. Also, bridal gown designs feature high slits.

Add cash funds to the registry

Cash registry. Couples are no longer shy about asking for money. They have added cash funds to their registries to fund things like the wedding, honeymoon, and future home.