From Thanksgiving until Valentine’s Day, thousands of nervous men bend down on one knee and pop the question. Once the question is popped, however, it’s usually the bride-to-be who is now the nervous one. Where does she begin planning? How much will this cost? What are the latest wedding trends?
Knowing the latest wedding trends can save money when planning a wedding. Keeping things timeless is a fine idea, but having wedding trends mean that the trendy ideas and products are more readily available and reasonably priced because of their popularity. Not only that, but part of the fun of looking at old wedding pictures is recognizing the wedding trends of that time! One of the biggest wedding trends of the last year, and one we can really support, has been to make sure the big day is as green as possible – and no, we don’t just mean the color (although we’ve read that the color mint green is huge for 2013). Yes, the eco-friendly wedding tops our list of favorite wedding trends. The Daily Meal offers some great tips about this year’s wedding trends that are easy on your wallet and also help Mother Earth.
The Top 5 Green Wedding Trends for 2013
Here’s how to go eco-friendly for your big day this year
According to David’s Bridal, almost 70 percent of brides went green in 2012, and that number will grow even more this year.
From invitations to attire, brides across the country are planning to weave more eco-elements into their décor. Here are some sneak peeks at this year’s hottest green wedding trends.
1. Attire
For the Bride: Vintage Lace & Perfect Pockets. The dress is the most important part of the wedding so it earns a spot at number one. This year we will see a rise in vintage lace-adorned dresses and fun and flirty pocket dresses made from eco-friendly fabrics. Once-worn off the shoulder dresses and spaghetti straps will also reign over strapless and sheer lace tops.
For the Bridesmaids: Pretty in Prints. Print dresses are center stage in 2013 and plain colors will move to the backburner. This is a great trend for green brides. You can find a wider variety of print dresses in thrift stores and secondhand shops. Simply ask your bridesmaids to mix and match in a certain color scheme and you will have an eclectic bunch of beauties. Skirts for bridesmaids are one of the most stylish wedding trends for 2013 weddings. Pencil skirts and short flowing dresses in vibrant colors are classic and eco-chic. Your bridesmaids can wear their outfits again, which is always a plus.
2. Décor
Moss: This is a natural and lush material that can be incorporated into so many design elements. Moss is versatile as it can be shaped, molded, and attached to different objects. Try a heart shaped ring bearer pillow or DIY moss picture frames. Place moss at the bottom of terrarium centerpieces or stretch it across your reception tables as the green table runner. Mix and match your moss decor with other natural elements like wood slices or river stones. After the ceremony reuse your moss in a plant, terrarium, or a clever sign.
Crochet Stones: This is another wildly popular natural decor idea. If you and your bridesmaids love to crochet then gather round and start collecting smooth flat stones to crochet. If you are not the crafty type you can find plenty of Etsy sellers who specialize in crocheting stones. You can scatter the stones on beds of moss as a centerpiece, or stack them one by one on top of each other. Experiment with different designs like flowers and leaves to coincide with seasonal themes.
3. Theme Weddings
1920s/Art Deco Weddings: The Great Gatsby is coming out in theatres this year which means the 1920s are on everyone’s minds. This is the perfect opportunity to go green with vintage décor and fashion accessories. If you have a roaring 1920s wedding, you don’t have to buy anything new! Everything from your dress, shoes, headdress, and jewelry can be vintage. Play around with the architectural beauty of the Art Deco movement. Your wedding cake can be organic and stylish! A structural design on a wedding cake will bring an edge of modernity in an otherwise classic setting.
Sustainable Ranch Weddings: Ritzy ranch and barn weddings are all the rage this year. These are eco-friendly to the max! You can make your ranch wedding even greener by choosing minimal decor and organic and local foods. Do your research when choosing a ranch or barn to see which ones in your area offer the best sustainable practices.
4. Food
Seasonal Frostings and Fillings: Disposable cake toppers are out; luscious frosting and sugary sweet fillings are in! Edible flowers and whispy, delightful dollops of frosting will take precedence over throwaway cake toppers. Brides will also be choosing delicious seasonal fruit fillings for their cakes. This adds an extra layer of flavor and a little more depth to the traditional wedding cake. For winter brides, organic blackberry fillings and frostings will be popular. For warmer climates or summer brides, pomegranate and peach will be a mainstay.
Wine/Food Pairing Stations: The dessert station is getting a makeover in 2013. Food and wine will be featured on buffet tables and food stations. Wedding guests can sip on local wines paired with only the best selections of local meats, cheeses, and greens. Wedding food will be taken more seriously this year than ever before thanks to the slow foods movement and wine lovers everywhere. Stations can even be split up into several courses so guests can select wine and foods from appetizer to dessert that are perfect complements to one another. Food and wine stations can save on food waste, too. Instead of being served a portion by a waiter, you can pick and choose what you want to eat and avoid piling your plate with too much food.
5. Venues
Historic Mansions: Mansion weddings are elegant, sophisticated, and give back to the community! Find a historic mansion venue near you that provides sustainable accommodations if you and your guests are staying the night. Old plantations and other historic places also offer classes on grounds keeping and natural resource management. In lieu of gifts, ask your guests to donate to the venue of your choice to maintain and preserve a historic landmark.
The Reception Lounge: An ultra-swanky low light reception area is a great way to keep guests going late into the night. It’s easy to add ambiance with soy light tea candles or LED lights. Rent furniture for the night or spread out old vintage couches, tables and chairs on your lawn for an ultra eco-chic feel. Beach lounge areas can be stripped down to the bare bones with tables and fluffy floor pillows. Make your lounge area modern with vintage retro furniture, bright accents, and modern tables with structural edges and sleek designs.
Because we host weddings at Southwick’s Zoo, it’s always good for us to stay on top of wedding trends such as these. Of course, if you hold your wedding at Southwick’s Zoo, not only will you be conserving the environment, but you’ll be conserving your energy; that’s because we take care of everything, from set-up to clean-up! Wherever you choose to have your wedding, we hope you will keep these and any other green wedding trends in mind. Every little bit helps!
