Some couples were hopeful that by this year we’d be saying farewell to the challenging year we've just had, knocking back sambuca shots and doing cheesy dancing to 80’ hits with 120 guests at their wedding.
Unfortunately, despite the government announcement in February, life isn't exactly going to be the 'normal' we’d hoped for and without question, the wedding trends for 2021 are going to be strongly influenced by Covid19.
So… what does that mean for this year's weddings?
2021 will be the year of the authentic wedding; think smaller guest counts, more intimate occasions and an emphasis on the things we can control such as sustainability and ethics, food, flowers and personal details.
Ethics and Sustainability
Sustainable weddings have increased in popularity over the years, which is great news. During 2021 this trend will continue and in addition, couples are also considering their ethical impact.
Whether it's opting for giving without receiving, shopping local or thinking about more sustainable fashion ideas and decor, how to be kinder to the planet and each other is on everybody's minds.
You can make choices in just about every area of wedding planning that will help lower the impact of your day, so here are some ideas we’ve thought of:
Local food produce - Whether your venue is providing the wedding meal or you're hiring a separate team, you should be able to find a catering company with a sustainable ethos who source organic, local, Fairtrade and ethically produced ingredients where possible. By doing this you will cut down the carbon footprint and help distressed farmers in these times.
Flowers - Instead of using unnecessary amounts of floral arrangements, choose statement pieces that will really be noticed. Also, why not ask your florist to source locally-grown flowers – you could suggest some seasonal alternatives or provide living plants.
Cheryl, at Cheryl’s Flowers says she is determined to continue to be more and more sustainable. She says that in the summer she uses two local suppliers where she goes to hand pick couples’ flowers. “I also use string that is biodegradable and have started using paper to wrap bouquets instead of cellophane. All my floral arches are sustainable - no oasis is used at all!”
Visit here to see the list of florists we recommend for sustainability and ethics.
Reusable Décor - Dress your ceremony and reception spaces with recyclable or reusable items like glassware, bunting, and vintage candlesticks, some of which you can hire (check with the venue first as some won’t allow candles due to safety hazards).
It's also a good idea to source biodegradable confetti and biodegradable glitter for the big day. In addition, why not choose cutlery and crockery made of biodegradable materials like bamboo.
