wedding floral trends for 2016
The peony has officially met its match. This year, the perennial wedding favourite will be replaced by a more readily available (yet equally beautiful) rose varietal that comes in a wide range of hues. 2016 will also usher in a new trend towards less fussy flowers, with simple boutonnieres, mini bouquets and monobotanical arrangements taking centre stage.
1. David Austin Roses
Have your heart set on floral arrangements that are romantic and full? Look no further than David Austin roses. In the early 1950s, the flower’s namesake set out to create some of the world’s most gorgeous and fragrant blooms. There are over 190 types of David Austin roses today, each with its own distinct style, colour and aroma.
2. Hanging Florals
The infamous floral wall at Kimye’s 2014 wedding is still one of the most talked about celebrity wedding décor pieces two years after the fact. For 2016, we say out with the walls and in with hanging floral decor. From beautiful floral canopies set above the reception table to fun florals over the dessert bar, there’s an array of pretty ways to incorporate this fun trend into your reception.
3. Petite Bridesmaid Bouquets
Sometimes less is more, and such is the case with bridesmaid bouquets. For 2016, we adore petite floral arrangements that your girls can easily tote around. Smaller bouquets also tend to work better since most bridesmaids’ dresses lean towards form-fitting silhouettes. And, as a bonus, having fewer blooms is more cost-effective!
4. Fern Boutonnieres
The men in your bridal party don’t require lots of accessories, but classic boutonnieres are key. Pretty posies accented by leafy greens make a chic combination and one the guys will probably prefer over frilly flowers. Ferns, in particular, are on trend this year and the good news is that they’re both affordable and available year-round!
5. Monobotanical Bouquets
Beautiful bunches of a singular type of bloom are au courant for 2016. Go traditional with roses, peonies, hydrangeas or carnations, or experiment with more unique statement flowers like hellebores, protea and even pinecones. The more creative liberty you give your florist the more likely they are to produce a bridal bouquet that is truly one-of-a-kind.
wedding style trends for 2016
The freshest bridal style trends are anything but conventional—truly, anything goes! For dresses, we love separates as well as short frocks that are playful and sexy. Bridal makeup and nails will be awash in watercolour shades, while modern hair and accessories will reference time-honoured wedding classics: both the tiara and the French twist are making comebacks for 2016 and they’ve never looked better.
1. Tiaras
Our bridal accessory philosophy? A girl can never have enough bling, especially when it comes to dazzling headpieces. The tiara is back and the prettiest ones look as though they literally float on hair. Diamante bands, statement crowns, beaded halos and delicate painted floral bands are just a few of our favourite designs.
2. Twisted Updos
After seasons of long, loose waves, the updo is back. A sophisticated French roll is our ‘do of choice for 2016. Wear it high and mighty for an haute bridal beauty look or loosen things up by wearing your twist lower at the nape for a more romantic, bohemian style.
3. Separates
The crop top wedding dress styles made popular a few seasons back have given way to the more elegant and wearable trend of separates. These two-piece styles are not only easy to wear, but also look incredibly chic and modern. The best designs play with texture, fabric, top and skirt lengths, creating a one-of-a-kind bridal look.
4. Watercolour Makeup & Nails
Soft shades of lilac, baby pink, turquoise and mint are a pretty perfect choice for your wedding day beauty palette. Not only are these watercolour shades fantastically feminine, but they also allow you to incorporate some subtle colour when it comes to your makeup and nails. Don’t be afraid to play, we guarantee the results will be gorgeous.
5. Short Dresses
For 2016, hemlines are on the rise, with minis and knee-length skirts seen on almost every designer runway. This dress style is perfect if you want to go non-traditional for your day. We actually love the idea of having the best of both worlds for your wedding: choose a longer gown for your ceremony and reception, then kick it up for dancing in a LWD.
wedding food and drink trends for 2016
Ample food and free-flowing drinks are essential to any great party, and in 2016 so is variety. Consider offering up post-ceremony snacks to stave off hunger and opt for dinner entrees that can easily be tweaked to please even the pickiest eaters. Creative signature drinks are also a must for the year ahead. Our favourites? A selection of Instagram-worthy tipples garnished with cotton candy!
1. Interactive Food Stations
Let’s get one thing straight: this is not a buffet. Instead, at a time when food intolerances are extremely common, the interactive food station offers a way for guests to customize meals to suit their individual preferences. Think of it more as an art installation, complete with a range of choices to please even the pickiest palates.
2. Jarred Appetizers
First came cake in a jar, the convenient (and highly portable) alternative to old-fashioned slices, and now: behold the jarred appetizer! Unlike tired, takeout-boxed bites, these au courant hors d'oeuvres are as artful as any centrepiece and more filling than standard, run-of-the-mill canapés. What could be better for cocktail hour?!
3. Cotton Candy Cocktails
What better way to indulge your inner five-year-old than with signature cocktails topped with everyone’s favourite carnival treat?! Cotton candy cocktails have been cropping up at some of the world’s most swish restaurants and they’re especially appropriate for grand celebrations like your wedding day.
4. Ceremony Sandwiches
In the past, guests were expected to fend for themselves during the (sometimes lengthy) period between a ceremony and a reception. These days, the guests’ needs are much more top of mind – and that’s where the ceremony sandwich comes in. Instead of passing out bags of uncooked rice for post-ceremony tossing, serve up deli sandwiches in pretty packaging.
5. Custom Cider Bars
From tequila bars to hot cocoa tables, we’ve seen our fair share of custom drink stations over the years, but 2016 is bound to be the year of the cider bar. Showcase fresh, local apples with homemade hot cider in the cooler months and in summer offer an array of refreshing cold cider paired with bar snacks.
wedding cake trends for 2016
The "naked cake” signaled a shift in confection design. In 2016, the most coveted looks will be those that convey a sense of imperfect beauty. Haphazard schmears of icing, glorious drips of ganache and dollops of meringue have officially replaced the flawless fondant creations that were once wedding staples. Even candy sprinkles, typically reserved for children’s birthday parties, are appearing on modern wedding cakes.
1. Meringue Peaks
Lovely meringue kisses are the ultimate wedding cake topper for 2016. These light and airy treats have officially taken over where the macaron left off. With a look akin to piped frosting, use these yummy egg white sweets atop a simple, single-tiered cake to instantly create an edible work of art.
2. Sprinkle Cakes
Funfetti might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you conceptualize your wedding dessert table, but, honestly, what could be more festive for your big day?! A cool confection featuring a rainbow of candy sprinkles is the perfect way to indulge your inner child on a day that is otherwise all about growing up.
3. Black Cakes
Some girls dream of angelic white weddings and others, well, don’t. Non-traditional brides will be excited to learn that black cakes are all the rage for 2016. Whether accented with modern gold patterns or elegant gum paste flowers, a dramatic display of dark desserts can set the tone for a stylish celebration.
4. Floral Garlands
Floral cakes, a time-honoured wedding staple, get a garden-fresh reboot in 2016. Designers are embracing loose, free-flowing motifs, including leafy garlands and floral wreaths, which add a lovely natural look to wedding confections. Top your cake with a halo of blooms or adorn its tiers with leaves and buds to achieve this modern look.
5. Ganache Drip Cakes
Wedding cakes have come undone in the most artful way, particularly where icing is concerned. Perfect buttercream rosettes and elaborate sugar flowers have been replaced with the most unlikely adornments – drips of chocolate ganache. Go with traditional dark chocolate or get creative with a colourful cascade of pastel green or glimmering gold.
wedding décor trends for 2016
Wedding décor is having a flashback moment with retro design, calligraphy and crystalline colours taking centre stage. Mid-century modern themes are coming on strong, as are colour palettes that showcase Pantone’s new shades. Chic copper accents and decorative handwritten details will also grow in popularity this year, as will social media stations, which are on the brink of becoming a reception staple.
1. Modern Calligraphy
Modern calligraphy and hand lettering are pure art forms and look beautiful on wedding invitations and day-of stationery. It takes a steady hand to produce such penmanship but when done right, the results are gorgeous. From bold fonts to whimsical lettering–there’s lots of type to pick from and so many inventive ways to weave this 2016 wedding trend into your special day.
2. Powder Pink and Blue Colour Schemes
Something blue will no longer do unless it’s paired with something pink too. For the first time in history Pantone has picked two Colours of the Year and the duo just happens to be incredibly wedding-appropriate. These powder pink and blue hues, Rose Quartz and Serenity, can be used throughout your big day to create a dreamy, romantic look.
3. Mid-Century Modern Décor
Teak, Sputniks, Eames chairs and just about every other 1950’s décor touchstone has experienced a resurgence in recent years, and now this iconic period in interior design is permeating the wedding market. Use bold colours, like bright orange and surf blue, alongside vintage furniture and retro, atomic age symbols to create a whimsical, yet stylish, wedding celebration.
4. Copper Details
Silver and gold, step aside; the new metallic hue of the moment is copper and sourcing pretty, penny-coloured décor pieces has never been more simple. Work this lustrous reddish-orange shade into centrepieces, dinnerware, escort cards or seating charts and you’ll find it brings instant warmth to your wedding space.
5. DIY Selfie Stations
Photo booths and wedding hashtags have reigned supreme for years, so the selfie station seems a natural progression. Think about setting up a variety of DIY backdrops around your reception venue. This is a fun way for guests to snap photos of themselves (and this particular décor detail won’t set you back nearly as much as a photo booth).