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What you can expect to see at weddings up and down the country this year
From the dress to the favours
With December being a notoriously popular period for marriage proposals, we're now in prime time for newly engaged couples to start browsing the internet for features, accessories and favours to make their big day extra special.
Trend analysts at Etsy have been monitoring which wedding-themed fashion, decorative and commemorative items have been garnering the most attention on the site, giving us an insight into what we can expect to see at all those beautiful summer weddings which are quickly filling our diaries.
While 2018 was all about statement veils, capes and dessert inspired interiors, there's been a shift in 2019 to velvet decorations, statement sleeves and veil alternatives from brides-to-be scouring Etsy.
Scroll through to see what you'll be noticing during your wedding calendars this year...
Statement sleeves
While last year was about the statement veil, this year, it's all about the sleeves. Think balloon, embellished, lace, sheer and frill sleeves to compliment the classic bridal dress. Perhaps inspired by the catwalks of Elie Saab and Chanel and new collections from Temperley and Charlie Brear, Etsy has seen an increased of more than 155,000 searches for 'wedding dresses with sleeves' over the past three months.
Wedding veil alternatives
Perhaps inspired by Princess Eugenie's decision to forgo a traditional veil at her royal wedding in October or Chanel's couture bridal swimming hat and veil combination, Etsy have seen more than 43,000 searches for 'bridal headpieces' from November to January. Instead of the traditional flowing veil, brides are checking out headbands, wedding hats and floral crowns too.
Sustainability
As we all make a collective, societal effort to be more environmentally aware through our fashion, food and work choices, this trend will, rightly so, be applied to weddings too. From only using reusable straws at the reception to digging out vintage decorations for the tables to opting for biodegradable confetti, there's been over 107,000 searches for eco-friendly items in the past three months alone.
90's style
We've already seen 90s nostalgia seep into fashion shows, entertainment and even baby names of late and now the influence from the game-changing decade will be seen at weddings, experts predict. Etsy have seen a 14% increase in butterfly clips compare to last year and over 307,000 searches for rhinestones.
Unexpected textures
A twist on the traditional can be applied to any part of a wedding and apparently searches for alternative textures and materials to use for stationery, accessories and even flowers are coming in thick and fast on Etsy. There's been 23,000 searches for 'laser cut wedding invitations' over the past year, a 105% increase for vellum wedding invitations, a 15% rise for velvet wedding items and searches for pampas grass - over the traditional bouquets - are up 692% compare to this time last year.
Secret messages
Though weddings are a time to celebrate your love for your partner often with 100 or so guests, there can still be ways to make it intimate, private and personal to just those getting married. Engaged couples are choosing to put heartfelt messages to each other on their tie clips, cufflinks, wedding rings and jewellery. Etsy have seen more than 3,000 searches for 'secret messages' in January 2019 alone.
Functional favours
Keeping in line with sustainability and reducing unnecessary waste, wedding favours which double up as something guests can actually take home and use are in. Whether it's pens engraved with the guests' names, salt and pepper shakers or thank-you notes that also serve as wine stoppers, there's a lot of ways to acknowledge your wedding guests while providing them with a useful present too.
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