Photo (top) left: Print: Dasi - Photographer: The Fresh Light / center: Bridal boutique: JPC Collection - Brand: Pronovias / right: Jeweller: Scaldis - Photographer: MIRO Photography
1. Colors of the year: Digital Lavender and Viva Magenta
According to international trend forecaster WGSN and color coding system Coloro, the color of 2023 is Digital Lavender. Just like in 2022, it’s a light purple shade—called ‘Very Peri’ back then. This cheerful, soft lavender tone, also known under Coloro code 134-67-16, gives you a calm and serene feeling. The gender-neutral color creates a stable and positive environment.
We’re also seeing plenty of bright, bold blue shades. Tones of blue and lavender will therefore be a popular choice in 2023 for bridesmaids’ dresses or for the groom’s outfit. Incorporate these blues and subtle pastel shades into your stationery, your accessories or jewelry, your table décor, wedding cake, and so on.
According to the international color institute Pantone, the color of 2023 is Viva Magenta. The rebellious, rich, warm red shade, known under Pantone code 18-1750, aims to celebrate nature and create a powerful feeling.
2. Wedding dresses in 80s style
The 80s are back! Typical 80s dress details—such as full skirts, puff sleeves, and big bows—are being reintroduced into wedding dresses in 2023 in an elegant, stylish way. The result is a traditional yet playful look. Feathers and ruffles are also making a full comeback.
Prefer a sleeker look? The bridal “suit” continues to grow in popularity, just like minimalist wedding dresses.
Or combine both trends, for example with a minimalist wedding dress featuring striking details such as detachable sleeves, a deep (back) neckline, or pearls. Pearls, by the way, are appearing more and more often—either as finishing touches on wedding dresses or on accessories such as jewelry or shoes.
3. Sustainability at the forefront
Couples are increasingly looking for eco-friendly or sustainable solutions. Think local and seasonal catering and flowers, and a conscious choice for local bridal fashion and jewelry designer(s). Sustainable wedding favors, such as seeds and small plants, are also becoming more popular.
For this reason, we also see brides choosing wedding dresses more and more often that can still be worn after the celebration. The dress may, for example, consist of two pieces—perfect for taking the top and/or skirt out of the closet again for another suitable occasion.
There is also a growing interest in online tools that make wedding planning easier. House of Weddings responded to this wish and launched its own online RSVP tool. You send your personal link to your guests—your guests fill in their attendance or absence online for your wedding; your guest list is automatically updated. Easy as that, and absolutely eco-friendly!
4. Smaller groups and creative formats
In 2023, the effect of the COVID pandemic still lingers on couples’ guest lists. Wedding couples increasingly want to spend their special day with a smaller group of close family and friends. This makes them feel freer to remove acquaintances or plus ones from their guest list.
The current energy crisis also plays a role in shrinking guest lists. Couples try to save money by inviting smaller groups or organizing creative, budget-friendly catering formats and starting the dance party earlier. Frédéric Tombeur of event venue Hof ten Laere in Schelle confirms this as well.
5. Quality over quantity
Some couples who invite a more selective group, on the other hand, do so not to save money, but precisely to pamper the guests who are present with top quality.
Under the motto “More is more”, couples want to treat their guests at their wedding celebration to an intense experience and a unique atmosphere. They choose a beautiful location, top catering—with or without show cooking—and more, bigger, and more impressive entertainment such as larger musical acts, to make it an unforgettable party.
The “wedding weekend” is also growing in popularity, with multiple activities spread across an entire weekend. Think of a pre-party the evening before the wedding, and a cozy brunch the morning after. A venue with overnight accommodation is the perfect location for this.
6. ‘Petite’ bridal bouquets and bold, large floral installations
Pinterest Trends shows that demand for ‘petite’ bouquets for the bride and bridesmaids is rising significantly: bridal bouquets are becoming smaller, finer, and more subtle. The small floral arrangements on the tables are also rather minimalist.
Sleek, subtle tables are complemented by large decorative pieces in the venue or marquee, such as a floral arch. We’re also once again seeing more creative and striking backdrops for the ceremony, with a focus on seasonal flowers.
7. ‘Living room’ styling
On the rise for several years and now widely used: the wonderfully cozy living-room feel, creating a comfortable and intimate atmosphere at your celebration—both indoors and outdoors. Think cozy lounge corners with cushions, fleece blankets, and a few standing and hanging plants around them. Guaranteed to add a personal and welcoming touch to your wedding!
8. First look
Your ‘first look’ is that magical moment when you see each other for the first time on your wedding day, before your ceremony. This intimate occasion for the couple is often attended by close family and friends, and is one of the favorite moments for your professional wedding photographer and videographer. The ‘first look’ is increasingly being explicitly staged, captured, and cherished. This way, you’ll regularly relive this beautiful moment years later—as if your wedding celebration was yesterday.
9. Blur-motion wedding photos
Emerging in 2022 and totally hot in 2023: blur-motion photos to complement your wedding album. Blur-motion is a photography technique that uses a long shutter speed to let moving subjects move through the frame. These blurred wedding photos capture your moments of bliss together on your wedding day—as if you’re “drunk on love.” The photos feel more authentic, more natural, and less posed than most traditional wedding photos.
10. Tropical elopements, destination weddings, and honeymoons
What wasn’t possible for a while during COVID... Destination weddings are increasing again in 2023; couples preferably head to a wonderfully exotic location with their—rather limited—group, for a tropical wedding on a faraway beach.
Elopements also continue to gain popularity in 2023. With an elopement, you slip away as a couple to get married in an intimate ceremony, just the two of you. You can, however, involve your closest family or friends—traveling abroad together to reveal your big surprise on location.
For honeymoons, distant and tropical destinations also mainly return to couples’ wish lists in 2023. Mexico, the Maldives, Thailand... With the COVID pandemic behind them, couples want to travel farther and for longer again. They often like to combine multiple destinations in one trip, such as Tanzania and the Seychelles, for example. (source: House of Weddings market research)
