Mr + Mrs Reid
Meldrum House | 21st December 2020 | Guests:15
Instagram: @debs__reid | Photos: Nicola Stewart
Lisa and David
1st November 2020 | Ouseburn and Newcastle Quayside
Instagram: @lis_waa | Photos: Leopard Prints Photography
Lisa and David were due to get married at the beautiful Shotton Grange on 29th March 2021, but have postponed their wedding to 30th May 2022. They met on Tinder in 2013 and got engaged on Christmas Day 2019 with a beautiful diamond ring under the tree! Read all about their lovely Newcastle engagement shoots and plans for their big day.
In the wise words of Yves Saint Laurent, "Fashions fade, style is eternal". I often get asked how to ensure you don't look back on your wedding and hate the pictures. This is an entirely understandable concern, you're spending a lot of money, so the good memories should last. My Aunty Katie went for the incredibly bold choice of a pink dress with a matching top hat (in the 80s, sleeves n'all). You best believe she hates it now.
The wedding industry is full of choice. It's an industry which is in constantly evolving. So how do you ensure your wedding design is timeless in such a fast-paced world?
Timeless to you
I firmly believe that a wedding should reflect who you both are as people, as well as the lives you have ahead together. That may mean that you love something that other people dislike, and that's OK. I have always loved black and neutral colours. Some people think it's boring, but over and over again I've been drawn to not only working with these colours but wearing them and decorating with them too. Black and neutral are timeless to me.
If you're unsure what you like, start by taking a look at your home and wardrobe. Do you general play it safe with your décor? If so, you should begin with a reasonably safe wedding design and develop from there. Or perhaps your style is much darker; an Autumn wedding might be perfect for you. Don't feel any pressure to be something you're not.
Avoid trends
Pencil thin eyebrows, leg warmers, blue eyeshadow, and coloured tights. All things that were trendy at one point in time, but now most of us wouldn't be seen dead in! Trends tend to come and go. If you incorporate trends into your wedding, it is much easier to look back on the pictures and identify the exact year it took place.
Wedding trends are slightly more complicated, as often something which starts as a trend hangs around for quite a long time. For example, pampas grass began as a trend but has stayed and evolved. Because there haven't been any weddings for the last year, we're also yet to see 2020 trends fully emerge.
Use modern twists on tradition
Some classics will always be timeless and traditional, and that's not something to be scared of. I can guarantee that you're thinking of a white dress, red roses, and a church when I say traditional wedding. Or perhaps a stately home, three-course meal and first dance.
Whilst these elements are all very established, adding modern twists gives you the best of both worlds. For example, let's look at roses—perhaps the most classic wedding flower and incredibly timeless. Reflexed roses (opening the petals) are astonishingly popular at the moment and give this traditional flower a much more contemporary and stylish look.
Plus, you don't have to choose one or the other. You don't have to be modern or traditional. You can wear a ball gown in the day and a jumpsuit in the evening. You can get married in a church but have your reception in a warehouse. You can wear something blue and serve street food.
Have a neutral base
Some colourways will never go out of style, and all of them have a neutral base. By neutral, I mean white, grey, cream or something as equally harmless. Colour palettes like white and green, cream and blush, and grey and white will always be timeless because of their subtlety. They don't need to shout about how beautiful they are, they just effortlessly are.
The more colour you bring in, the more chance you have of it dating your wedding. A classic example being able to date something by colour is avocado bath sites. A bold choice at the time, now hated by many.
However, it's also important to ask yourself if it's better to have something you love now and hate later than to have something you always think is OK.
Accept that fashion changes
Fashion will always change and develop, in homeware, clothes, weddings, everything. The wedding industry if full of incredibly creative, talented people, who are constantly pushing boundaries and creating new styles.
Consequently, that means that there's always going to be something more modern.
Do a few things well
There are some things in life which are always going to be timeless. In the wedding world, those items are elegant tableware, flowers, and well-fitting suits. Instead of trying to spread your budget thinly over a lot of areas, pick a few elements and do them well.
A good quality, heavy napkin will always immediately lift your table and won't ever go out of fashion. Different coloured cutlery is also a way of making a statement that's never going to be unpleasant.
Tableware is a great way to bring some of your personality into your wedding. If you love pink, look at perhaps having a chic faded pink water glass. If you're more of a minimal person, you can reflect that in stylish san serif fonts of your place cards.
Stick to Calligraphy or san serif fonts
A font can tell you a lot about something. Comic sans has a particular impact on us all and speaking of impact, remember that!?
Swirly, elaborate fonts will often go in and out of fashion, so if you are trying to achieve a timeless but modern look, it's best to go for san serif fonts. San serif fonts are the ones without the fancy bits, like Arial and Helvetica. Try to stick to the simple ones too. Serif fonts are the more complex ones like Times New Roman. Fun fact: sans means without in Latin.
However, I'm quickly going to contradict everything I've just said by saying classic calligraphy will never go out of style. Classic calligraphy is an art in itself, and will always immediately lift an invite, place card, or menu.
But most importantly…
You should love your wedding. And if that means in 20 years you look back on the pics and can tell you got married in 2021, then so be it.
If you can reflect on your wedding knowing you loved it at the time and had an incredible day, that's all that matters. It's OK to like trends; weddings aren't permanent. You won't wear your wedding dress ever again, so if it makes you feel a million dollars for one day, let that be the lasting, timeless memory.
Great memories will always be timeless.
Written by Rebecca Brennan-Brown | @byrebeccabrennanbrown
Photos 1-6: Jada Poon
Photos 7-8: Lemonade Pictures
Mr + Mrs Iannella
22nd September 2020 | The Old Marylebone Town Hall | Guests: 8
Instagram: @jennytema @robertoiannella | Photos: Majat Solo Photography
It's the first day of spring and we can't think of a more appropriate time to share this gorgeous English Garden inspired styled shoot. Full of inspiration for a modern luxe ceremony and fresh reception decor, this shoot shows that barn venues don't always require rustic decor. Hayley, from the venue The Oakwood at Ryther, tells us all about the concept for the shoot.
Mrs + Mrs McBrolly
7th February 2021 | Mansfield Traquair
Instagram: @eyes.mac | Photos: David Louden Wedding Photography
Nicole & Henry
24th October 2020 | Castleton, Peak District
Instagram: @knicolethompson | Photos: Lauren Elliott Weddings
Nicole and Henry had their pre wedding shoot in Castleton, a quaint little village in the Peak District. It was the ideal location, full of beautiful backdrops, including walking through the valleys which made for stunning photographs. They also chose the perfect time of year, as the location was only complimented by the autumnal tones of of the trees. Nicola tells us all about their romantic love story and why, to them, an engagement shoot was an absolute must have.
Mr + Mrs Littler
25th August 2020 | Venue: The Bride's parents home | Guests: 20
Instagrams: @kayleybethgabriel @littler88 | Photos: Flawless Photography
Daniel and Kayley wed at their local church in August 2020. Their ceremony was followed by an intimate celebration back at the Bride's family home. The beautiful bride, Kayley, stunned in a lovely short strapless number (however is saving THE dress for their big 2022 wedding!) and the groom wore a traditional green kilt. Though they were wed in 2020, the couple are also planning a larger celebration at Drumtochty Castle for 2022, to celebrate their marriage with all of their nearest and dearest - we can't wait to hear all about it... and see the dress!
Mr + Mrs: Vanessa Russell & Nathan Wade
28th September 2020 | Buachaille Etive Mor, Glencoe
Instagram: @curvegirlmannequin @natewade87 | Photos: Artisan Photography
This gorgeous city elopement styled shoot in Winchester is full of amazing ideas and inspo for real couples! The cosy meal for two beautifully set up in the pub is modern and casual without losing the specialness of a wedding day through the styling and beautiful cake. The pink dress and suit combo looks so magical with the bride and groom running around the city centre together! Shoot organiser Katherine, of Katherine and her Camera, tells us all about the inspiration. Scroll down to the see the gorgeous video too, who said you don't need a videographer if you're eloping?!
This stylish boho inspired shoot took place at new Scottish wedding venue Kinmount House. We love all of the pampas grass and soft florals. The bridal style is modern and luxe, with sleek hair waves and a beautiful A-line gown. Naomi, of Naomi House Photography, tells us all about the shoot.
Mr + Mrs: Pamer-Coultish
26th September 2020 | The Bridge Hotel, Wetherby | Guests: 28
Instagram: @yorkshirebride2020 | Photos: Freya Raby Photography
This styled shoot is full of inspiration for a beautiful countryside wedding! An abundance of lush green foliage with a hint of purple florals and decor creates a modern yet rustic vibe. Scroll down for the lovely video of this shoot, which shows how magical a wedding video can be even if it's just the two of you! Katrien and Karolina, of South Event Specialists & Couple of London, tell us all about the inspiration behind this shoot.
11th September 2020┃Apton Hall, Essex┃Guests: 30
Instagram: @bb_got_wed┃Photos: Camilla J.Hards Photography
If you are part of the insta bride community, then this gorgeous wedding will be very familiar, as Becky shared her wedding journey on the 'gram as @bb_got_wed. The now Mr and Mrs Batchelor married back in September at Apton Hall, a beautifully rustic venue. They opted for a pastel colour theme with pops of warmer purple which made for some beautiful flowers and decor, and the bride stunned in a blush ballgown fit for a princess, with her signature pink hair! Becky tells us all about their fairytale wedding, and what it was like planning during a pandemic...
Inspired by microweddings, this gorgeous styled shoot is the perfect intimate affair with a romantic candlelit table set up for two. The minimalistic styling with dried flowers and neutral tones gives the space such a luxe feel. An elopement or small micro wedding can still have all the special elements of a big wedding like a cake cutting. Shoot organiser, Aimee Laoise Photography, tells us all about each aspect of the shoot and its inspiration.
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