Expert Tips On Battling Wedding Anxiety

Let’s face it, we all know planning a wedding can be stressful. While we know having your Bridebook app certainly helps organise your planning, nothing beats a little self pampering to make sure all those big decisions aren’t getting you down or keeping you up at night.

And who better to guide us through the best ways to battle any niggling anxiety and help you sleep better at night than the experts from Aromatherapy Associates. Terrence the Teacher, Aromatherapy Associates Mindfulness Expert, is here to impart his words of wisdom… here’s to a happy, healthy and stress-free engagement!

bridebook.co.uk aromatherapy associates oils

How To Reduce Anxiety:

CHANGE YOUR FOCUS

I would tell my client to change their whole focus for the upcoming day – let them remind themselves continuously that the day is about celebrating their love for another person. Plus sharing it with their family and friends. The only important thing to focus on. Could anything really change that? This should put the day in perspective and often makes them look forward to it more.

PLAY THE MIND GAME

Rehearse the day in your mind for a few minutes a day. Use your imagination to envision everything going perfectly. Create a really colourful movie. Add to the movie, seeing yourself being calm and happy. (Research has shown that this mind game, used by top athletes, actors and world leaders really works.) It is as if the brain does not distinguish between real or imagined. So, on the day, your rehearsal will pay off, as the mind will go “I have done this before, and it all will go well”.

MINDFULNESS IS KEY

A powerful Mindfulness exercise for stress is the 7/11 breathing. This breathing exercise is used by therapists all over the world to help with anxiety, stress and even panic attacks. It is known to relax down the whole body, including the parasympathetic nervous system, so really creating calm. Do as follows: Breathe in for 7 counts and breathe out for 11 counts. Do a few of these a day as often as you want. On the special day you can use it whenever needed.

How To Get A Better Night’s Sleep:

BREATHE IN, BREATHE OUT & RELAX

The first thing that needs to be done to get to sleep, is to relax. Stressing about not sleeping will just keep you awake. Let it go and know that the body is perfectly created to get the amount of sleep you need. By relaxing about it you might find sleep comes easier.

SET THE SCENE

Make sure that your sleep environment is geared for a good night’s sleep. Tech free, dark, the right temperature and the bed comfortable.

SET A ROUTINE

Last but not the least, create a night time routine that tells your mind that you are preparing for sleep. From an aromatherapy bath, beauty routine to undressing and getting ready for sleep. The connection your brain makes to the above actions will help the body and mind to start switching off in recognition of the routine.

Aromatherapy Associates Recommend:

Bathing – Bathing is proven to ease muscular tension and calm a wired mind. Use DeStress Mind Bath & Shower Oil to help clear the mind with Petitgrain, camomile to calm and soothe as well as Frankincense to focus the mind on the moment.
Keep a roller ball by your bed – for those nights that you may wake up in a panic Deep Relax roller ball with the sedating powers of vetiver will ensure you fall right back off to sleep.
Keep an essential oil in your handbag – We recommend Lavender which is a great tool for getting rid of any niggly headaches during the day. Place a couple of drops of the oil onto the tips of your fingers, and push into your forehead.

bridebook.co.uk pair of aromatherapy associates oils

Now you’ve got your relaxation routine sorted, how about perfecting the rest of your wedding planning? Be sure you’re on track, without the piles of brochures and endless spreadsheets with these top wedding planning tools!

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Our Favourite Real Weddings from the Best UK Blogs

There’s no denying that some of the best inspiration for your wedding can come from fellow brides and grooms who already tied the knot. So to help you along we’ve put together a selection of the best real weddings of 2017 handpicked from some of the best UK wedding blogs!

Go through the list and find out why we chose these real weddings and what our favourite idea “steal” was for each one. And when you’re all done and inspired, start building your dream by searching Bridebook for similar venues and suppliers!

Want That Wedding | Pilar & Sergei

Photo © Sara Lobla | See the full real wedding

Why we chose it: The mix of colours in this wedding is breath-taking. We love to see the warm reds, yellows and greens splattered on the golden wheat canvas of the Spanish countryside.

Steal this idea: Use a blend of vintage and modern fashion to add a splash of colour to your Bridal look! Pilar wore her Grandma’s vintage emerald earrings and a striking red stone headpiece by Spanish designer Cocoluco.

Find outdoor venues with scenic views in the UK !

B.LOVED | Ale & Andrew

Photo © Jessica Davies Photography | See the full real wedding

Why we chose it: As soon as you see the pictures you’ll know exactly why! This wedding in a beautiful Cotswold bard is the epitome of intimacy and style (that dress, that colour scheme!).

Steal this idea: Ale began her wedding day with a private yoga class for her and her bridal party – talk about ensuring you have that wedding day glow!

Discover the gorgeous Merriscourt wedding venue, where Ale and Andrew got married.

Love My Dress | Ric & Lene

Photo © John Barwood Photography | See the full real wedding

Why we chose it: Because it’s just so special. As you fall in love with the gorgeous setting of the wedding Lene just keeps dropping all of these touching and special details that pulls the wedding all together. One of our favourites ever!

Steal this idea: So many ideas to steal! Instead of wedding favours the couple choose to give their guests water lanterns for them all to set off and make a wish at dusk. Or a ‘ring-warming’, where you tie the rings together and pass them around all of the guests to be blessed before the vows.

It’s impossible not to fall in love with the Roman Temple at Larmer Tree Gardens.

Boho Weddings | John & Catherine

Photo © Emma Hare Photography | See the full real wedding

Why we chose it: The venue! We always love the classic barns or country houses, but we can’t help but get excited when we see more alternative venues that add an abundance of character to a wedding.

Steal this idea: John and Catherine let the venues direct the feel for their whole wedding, meaning their understated “distressed vintage” theme paired perfectly with the historical venues.

Discover your own perfect alternative wedding venue!

So You’re Getting Married | Lisa & Robert

Photo © The Gibsons | See the full real wedding

Why we chose it: How to pick just one reason! We are smitten over the light filled and airy photography, and the green, nature filled setting in Scotland.

Steal this idea: Lisa and Robert chose to have potted yellow azalea trees to decorate their aisle, such a fabulous idea because not only do they look great, but you can keep them and plant them in your garden after your wedding!

Discover Wedderburn Castle and Barns for your own wedding in Scotland.

Rock n’ Roll Bride | Belinda & J

Photo © Ed Godden Photography | See the full real wedding

Why we chose it: The colours, just look at those smoke bombs! We loved how much Belinda and J incorporated such striking design elements in their day, from orgami, to massive geometric shapes, to a colour theme of orange and purple throughout.

Steal this idea: Get your family and friends together for the whole week before the wedding! Especially great if they’re travelling from overseas.

Discover your garden wedding venue in the UK!

Junebug Weddings | Joanne & Rebecca

Photo © Sandra-Lee | See the full real wedding

Why we chose it: Can we just name this real wedding “puppies and mittens”? These two gorgeous brides definetly knew how to keep warm during their icy winter wedding!

Steal this idea: Hire a team you trust. Joanne and Rebecca kept their wedding extra intimate by hiring close friends and family as their wedding team. From the officiant to the musician, and even the photographer.

Discover UK venues with fabulous water views!

London Bride | Jen and Tom

Photo © Caro Hutchings | See the full real wedding

Why we chose it: Because you can feel the personality of the couple pouring out of the photos. They were determined to make sure everything was true to their personalities and relationship and it shows, just look how they look!

Steal this idea: We love that they held their reception at their local pub. Pairing the more traditional venue of Clissold House with the trendy, fun and familiar The Londesborough makes for a fun filled day!

Discover Clissold House, where Jen and Tom got married.

Nu Bride | Kyla & Mark

Photo © Marshall Gray Photography | See the full real wedding

Why we chose it: The vibrancy! This wedding, with it’s London Carnival theme, is bursting with colour, energy and culture. Nu Bride is the only UK wedding blog focused on diversity and we just can’t get enough of it.

Steal this idea: Have bespoke ties and pocket squares made for the groom and his party to match with the bridal party (especially when it’s a gorgeous pattern like that)!

Discover London wedding venues.

Bespoke Bride | Bekah & Lucas

Photo © Rachel Joyce | See the full real wedding

Why we chose it: The Wellbeing Farm is one of our favourite wedding venues this year, so we couldn’t miss a chance to give it a shout out. It’s one of the most fun venues in the UK and the team behind it get endless praise from the couples who get married there. Also, Llamas in bowties.

Steal this idea: Plan ahead! Bekah and Lucas wanted to give their wedding a “festival spin” so they took photos at every festival they went to leading up to the wedding and added them as table decorations!

Discover The Wellbeing Farm, where Bekah and Lucas got married.

Whimsical Wonderland Weddings | Amy and Gen

Photo © Photography by Paloma| See the full real wedding

Why we chose it: This classic wedding, overflowing with Victorian flower arrangements and greenery, is giving us major fairy-tale vibes! The Brides’ bouquets almost steal the show, but there were plenty of those to go around and everyone’s flowers looked beautiful.

Steal this idea: Amy and Gen’s florist left a succulent in their bouquets, so they could be replanted! A thoughtful and unexpected touch that you can add to your wedding.

Discover Rownhams House, where Amy and Gen got married!

Before The Big Day | Athena & Jonny

Photo © Our Labour of Love | See the full real wedding

Why we chose it: This is just one of those weddings that looks absolutely perfect in the photos. We fell in love with the adorable Bride and Groom and their vineyard venue covered in sun!

Steal this idea: Having a hot summer wedding? Get your guests personalized fans to keep them cool!

Find vineyard wedding venues in the UK!

Rock My Wedding | A & P

Photo © Ohala | See the full real wedding

Why we chose it: It’s a big, colourful, carefree destination wedding. The Bride and Groom rode a tandem bike, the guests got in the water and everyone looks happy!

Steal this idea: Ride away with your beau on a tandem bike! Just make sure you haven’t had too much champagne beforehand…

Discover UK venues with fabulous water views

Festival Brides | Angela and John

Photo © Photography by Paloma | See the full real wedding

Why we chose it: This is one of the most fun packed weddings we have ever seen. If you go through the photos you’ll see what we mean. There were outdoor games, an ice-cream cart, a live folk band and a mini tractor!

Steal this idea: Use locally sourced and handpicked flowers for your wedding to give it a rustic vibe (and save some money!)

Discover Barn Venues in West Sussex!

Planning your wedding as you read this?
Be sure to check out our top advice articles to help you along your way!

21 Question To Ask Your Wedding Venue

Tips To The Groom: Writing Your Wedding Speech

Introduction: Your Wedding Legalities

73 Must-See Wedding Venues in The UK

Weekday wedding bookings overtake weekends at South Farm – and it’s not difficult to see why

Photo: © Ria Mishaal Photography

In the past 12 months we’ve documented a notable shift in the volume of couples opting to book weddings on weekdays rather than opting for previously popular weekend dates.

And with couples saving an average of £1,679 by not booking a Saturday wedding it’s not difficult to see why, as a nation, we’re losing our love of the weekend wedding.

More of us are working flexibly these days too, so taking a day or two off mid week is no big deal anymore as many people will compensate by working the weekend instead.

The core theme of 2017-2018 is choice. Couples have more choice these days and flexibility is the trend of the Century.

But don’t take our word for it.

We met to discuss the weekday wedding trend with the team at South Farm.

Photo: © Photography by Bea

South Farm lies on the borders of Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire, and has been holding weddings for twelve years now. This well-established wedding venue boasts beautiful grounds, a gorgeous country farmhouse and lovingly converted barn buildings, as well as its very own organic smallholding providing much of the produce used for wedding breakfasts.

South Farm has experienced something of a weekday revolution over the last couple of years and, in fact, this wedding venue is now booking more weekday weddings than weekend dates.

James Paxman, Managing Director at South Farm says: “it is becoming more and more apparent that couples are keen to embrace a greater degree of flexibility around the date they choose for their wedding as it enables them to secure their dream venue at a fraction of the cost that weekend dates can command. We have long advised our couples never to underestimate how much people will want to come to their wedding, regardless of the day of the week, and we are seeing many couples now looking to take advantage of the lower venue hire fees offered on Mondays-Thursdays.”

Photo: © Milk Bottle Photography

Tip: Bridebook Business profiles that include pricing details receive 10x more enquiries than those who do not. Be transparent with your wedding venues weekday wedding costs.

The pricing structure at South Farm means that couples with their heart set on booking their wedding day at their dream venue can do so at a much lower cost midweek than they can on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday if they are able to be flexible. The savings this can afford couples means that they can free up their budget for other wedding costs, such as the all-important dress, booking other suppliers and even their honeymoon.

Because budget is so important, the South Farm team puts together a detailed and comprehensive cost estimate for each couple at their very first meeting.

James says: “as a venue we are completely transparent with regard to our costings; publishing all our prices and availability online, which helps hugely when couples are planning and budgeting for their big day. In fact we find, on average, that a couple’s final account is actually lower than their original estimate. By helping the couple manage their wedding costs with a working cost estimate, we enable couples to focus on the details and finishing touches for their wedding day whilst being fully informed of variations at all stages. At this first meeting we are also able to demonstrate to couples how much a weekday wedding can potentially save them.”

Photo: © Ria Mishaal Photography

Holding your wedding during the week at South farm could mean a saving of up to £4,000.

Tip: Regardless of how big or small a saving you could offer, wedding venues nationwide could explain what these kinds of cost savings could mean in real terms to wedding planning couples using Bridebook’s wedding budget estimate. You’ll surprise and delight them, and hopefully secure a weekday booking off the back of it.

Does having a weekday wedding mean that couples have to compromise?

At South Farm couples receive the same standard of service and catering options including a full range of menu choices and dedicated planning support in the lead up to their wedding day, regardless of the day of the week. If budget-savvy couples really can enjoy a greater choice of dates at a lower cost and enjoy the same quality of wedding day, it seems like a no brainer to us.

South Farm has also seen some of their recommended wedding suppliers follow suit and offer lower prices to clients for week-day bookings rather than weekend dates.

James says: “some of our suppliers, such as photographers and entertainers are now offering a price structure that reflects our own, with weekday bookings representing greater value for the same service compared with weekend dates. We expect that the industry will follow suit as couples increasingly demand high standards of service and greater price flexibility.”

Photo © Fiona Kelly Photography

So does that mean that weekend weddings are fast becoming a thing of the past?

“Despite the fact that weekend weddings command a higher venue price they still remain in demand, particularly in the summer months, and are usually the first dates to book up, however couples with a more flexible approach are taking advantage of our week-day venue fees. In 2017 we booked 93 weekend dates and 139 week-day dates at South Farm which demonstrates a shift in industry trends with lots of couples taking advantage of the pricing structures for weekday weddings and making great savings.”

These are interesting times for the wedding industry and South Farm are certainly seeing a shift in wedding day decisions.

Photo: © Lina & Tom

Does your wedding venue offer weekday discounts? Are you seeing more couples opt for weekday weddings?

We’d love to hear your thoughts.

Looking for more wedding industry trends and couple insights? Head to the Bridebook Business Hub, the home of wedding industry knowledge.

Bridebook Wedding Awards 2018 Winners!

The Bridebook.co.uk Wedding Awards 2018 results are in, and we couldn’t be more excited to share this year’s winners!

Determined by reviews of their past couples, these florists, photographers, caterers, venues and general dream makers, have each been crowned the 2018 Bridebook Wedding Awards Winner in their respective category.

Congratulations to all the winners, and a special shout-out to all our suppliers who won a Certificate of Excellence for their contributions to the wedding industry in 2017. If you’re looking for your dream team, be sure to keep your eyes peeled for these Certificates displayed on their Bridebook profiles!

And to the couples still planning their wedding, who knows if one of these champs will help put together your dream wedding…

See all the winners of The Bridebook Wedding Awards below:

UK Venue of the Year

Winner: Woodhill Hall

See all UK venues here.

East Midlands Venue of the Year

bridebook.co.uk bridebook wedding awards 2018 — Dodmoor House

Winner: Dodmoor House – “Winning the award has definitely resulted in our venue receiving more enquiries from Bridebook and we have also held the number 1 search position in Northamptonshire for more than six months.”

See all East Midlands venues here.

West Midlands Venue of the Year

Winner: Redhouse Barn

See all West Midlands venues here.

North East England Venue of the Year

Winner: The Grand Hotel, Tynemouth

See all North East venues here.

North West England Venue of the Year

Winner: The Wellbeing Farm – “It has certainly helped raise our reputation across the North West – we’ve been incredibly proud to say we were the winners of the North West Venue of the Year! It has been an amazing accolade and experience.”

See all North West here.

South East England Venue of the Year

Winner: The Night Yard

See all venues in the South East here.

South West England Venue of the Year

Winner: Quantock Lakes – “When we received the news, we were thrilled to share our Venue award win on our Facebook page which we pinned to the top of our page. The post has reached over 10,000 people and received over 1,300 clicks. The exposure we have received from the award has been phenomenal and we enjoy using the Bridebook hashtag regularly on both Facebook and Instagram. We have sold many weddings this year through our Bridebook listing and award. The award has helped install confidence in couples coming to view Quantock Lakes for the first time as Bridebook is trusted and well known by many couples.”

See all South West venues here.

Northern Ireland Venue of the Year

Winner: Larchfield Estate – “We were so delighted to be chosen as the NI venue of the year, it has meant a lot to the team as shows that our care and hard work ensures our couples have the best day. Our enquiries through Bride book have increased in the last year and I am sure the award has helped raise our profile within the industry.’

See all Northern Ireland venues here.

Scotland Venue of the Year

Winner: Broxmouth Park

See all Scotland venues here.

Photographer of the Year

Winner: Samantha Jayne – “The experience was fantastic. Simple to enter, great to market to clients etc. Winning was freaking AMAZING! It’s been a huge opportunity to create more awareness about my business, gain more clients and grow my business! I’d highly recommend that other businesses take part. It’s the best form of advertising! Clients and prospective clients love to see that you are doing well and this gives them more confidence in your ability to provide your service to them!”

Bridal Beauty of the Year

Winner: Dani Roberts Makeup – “It has boosted my confidence in myself that I am making my clients happy and with the title behind me it also increases confidence in future brides to book me and know they are going to be in good hands!”

Cake Maker of the Year

Winner: Cakes by Nina – “Wherever I’ve mentioned I have won 2018 Cake Maker of the Year people seem to have heard of Bridebook and have congratulated and recognised the reward. It’s a wonderful award to win because it is actually based on what your customers actually think of you and it is lovely to know what people truly think of your work.”

Caterer of the Year

Winner: Circa Events

Decor Supplier of the Year

Winner: GDC Weddings & Events – “Winning my award has given clients more confidence in booking. I’ve had lots of enquiries and actual booked Events since winning. A fantastic status also to have won this prestigious award!!”

Dress & Accessories Supplier of the Year

bridebook.co.uk bridebook wedding awards 2018 winners dress and accessories supplier of the year — Sarah’s Wedding Boutique

Winner: Sarah’s Wedding Boutique – “We really enjoyed entering the Bridebook awards 2018. Unlike a lot of awards in this industry, this award is based on actual feedback from our customers rather than a panel. Our customers really got on board and wanted us to win too so they were happy to write a review for future brides to read. (It was lovely for us to read them too!)”

Entertainer of the Year

Winner: The Wedding Crècherz – “Winning the Bridebook wedding awards 2018 meant the absolute world to us. It opened up so many opportunities for us, and added gravitas to our name and branding.”

Florist of the Year

Winner: Mrs Bouquet Floristry & event styling – “We display our award on our desk in the showroom and take it along to any wedding fairs we attend. Our upcoming brides absolutely loved that we won & of course our previous brides were ecstatic to say they had award winning suppliers.”

Stationer of the Year

bridebook.co.uk bridebook wedding awards 2018 stationary — RLA Wedding Designs

Winner: RLA Wedding Designs – “When I found out that I won I genuinely cried! I was so overwhelmed. Winning has boosted my confidence and given me a great platform. To say I am a national winner gives all my potential customers the faith and trust to book with me and also gives my current clients the ability to say that their invites were created by an award winner!”

Transport Supplier of the Year

bridebook.co.uk bridebook wedding awards 2018 transport provider of the year — Churchtown Wedding Cars

Winner: Churchtown Wedding Cars – “Being the UK’s transport provider of the year is an amazing accolade and we proudly display the logo for our customers to see. It gives them the confidence that our past brides and grooms have enjoyed an amazing experience and they can read the reviews too.”

Videographer of the Year

Winner: Veiled Productions – “Winning Videographer of the Year has been brilliant for the business. I’ve certainly had more bookings through Bridebook this year than last year – couples like reading from past clients and hearing about their experiences with us, on their wedding day and after watching their films back. It shows we are a trustworthy wedding supplier too which is so important when planning a wedding.”

Bridebook is the UK’s number one free wedding planning app, with over 16,000 registered wedding businesses and more than 100K couples planning their wedding with us.

Are you a wedding venue or supplier?

Get listed on Bridebook! Contact business@bridebook.co.uk

Are you are an engaged couple looking for your wedding team?

See the largest selection of the UK’s best venue & suppliers here!

A Valentine’s Day Playlist by Bridebook

Ah, le amour… It’s in the air, isn’t it?

A Valentine’s Day Playlist was in order, so the Bridebook team put together our favourite love songs, from different decades, genres and swooning styles.

So…

If you’re engaged and planning your wedding,

or you’re already married to the love of your life,

or you’re just a sucker for good love songs…

This playlist is for you!

Listen Now

While you’re listening to these tunes, why not read up on your wedding planning?

21 Questions To Ask Your Wedding Venue

The Ultimate Wedding Budget Breakdown

Tips To The Groom: Writing Your Wedding Speech

The full tracklist:

Thank You – Dido

Mad About You – Hooverphonic

You Send Me – Aretha Franklin

Something – The Beatles

To Know Him Is To Love Him (Live) – Amy Winehouse

Who’d Have Known (Acoustic) – Lily Allen

All of Me – John Legend

Somewhere Only We Know – Keane

Halo – Beyonce

Love on The Brain – Rihanna

I Wanna Be Yours – Arctic Monkeys

Movie – Tom Misch

Girl – The Internet

Feel Like Makin’ Love – Roberta Flack

Thinking Out Loud – Ed Sheeran

Make You Feel My Love – Adele

In A Manner of Speaking – Novelle Vague

Thinkin Bout You – Frank Ocean

YOU’RE THE ONE – KAYTRANADA

Telepathy – Christina Aguilera, Nile Rodgers

Visual trends influencing wedding photography in 2018

The new year is well underway and we’re already looking forward to wedding season 2018. Based on predicted trends it’s going to be a bold and beautiful year.

A few teasers have already landed on our desks with regards to popular wedding photography styles and wedding themes thanks to brave couples choosing to marry in January! And so we’ve gathered trends from the hottest wedding photos we’ve seen in this chilly month so far.

We’ve also scoured leading design publications to see which visual trends are leading the way in photography now, and how colour and artistic themes could influence the wedding photography landscape this year.

Here goes…

Wanderlust – documenting our great escape

When does a trend stop being “trendy” and become a way of life?

Wanderlust = life, right?

Wanderlust travel photography will of course continue its upward trend as the need for silence, solitude and wellness dominates trends for 2018. And with overseas weddings now more popular than ever before it’s no surprise that destination wedding photographers with a diverse geographic wedding portfolio are hot property.

Wedding photographers can inspire 2018 couples by showcasing shoots from beaches, countryside, mountain tops and more. It’s a great way to leave potential new clients with a lasting memory of your wonderful wanderlust-inducing work.

Portraying a carefree lifestyle, escaping the grind and ‘telling your own story’ is set to remain a popular theme amongst smartphone photographers and Instagrammers.

The irony of travelling to remote places to escape whilst documenting that solitude on social media does not elude us, however it demands behavioural psychology investigative work than we’re not qualified to provide at this stage.

Conceptual realism and surrealism

A preference for the surreal over reality is a trend that’s set to continue from last year into this, and it serves as a means of escape from political, economic and environmental world concerns.

However the desire for realistic, authentic and believable images in a world where media content is freely invented and shared is more important for both photographers and consumers now than ever before.

2018 photography is about blending incredible experiences with raw, uncut nature and adding a dose of human imagination to the mix to provide people with the escape they’re so looking for.

Be creative with your wedding photography but ‘keep it real’. We’re fortunate to work in an industry designed for capturing raw emotion from real subjects in photographs. With skill and experience, wedding photographers can create dreamy wedding stories within the realm of reality.

Banishing stereotypes

Male stereotypes are being challenged and many brands are looking to tackle overt masculinity by introducing more complex, gentle and emotionally astute representations of the gender.

As wedding photographers, you have an advantage here. You’re lucky enough to have the opportunity to capture these kinds of raw emotions in a pleasing, gentle and natural way…

“Accept me for who I am” is a visual trend based on challenging stereotypes. Expect to see photographers inside and outside of the wedding industry capturing women and men as ‘their true selves’. The interchanging roles of genders will also be a focal theme for many creatives.

And it was all…purple

This year’s must-know (and must include) colour is ultra-violet purple.

Pantone has officially named it colour of the year for 2018, and describe it as “a dramatically provocative and thoughtful purple shade, PANTONE 18-3838 Ultra Violet communicates originality, ingenuity and visionary thinking that points us toward the future.”

This colour inspires and represents the exploration of new technologies, the cosmos, artistic expression and spiritual reflection.

It is a colour that we often associate with mindfulness and meditation; offering an escape for those seeking refuge in an over-stimulated world.

We’re expecting all shades of lavender, plum and other purples to be popular too, not only in design, branding and photography but in homewares and fashion too.

Wedding photographers…if life gives you lavender fields, you’re one lucky shooter.

However you can still show that you’re at the cutting edge of photography trends by making sure that any wedding you shoot that does incorporate this colour is featured at the top of your portfolio and on your homepage.

Incorporating this Pantone is good for securing bookings from style conscious couples and great for getting you noticed prior to wedding awards in 2018.

Bold and brave colours in general are “in” this year, leaning away from the more natural palette of 2017. However a great way to make ultra violet purple less brash and more crowd pleasing is to combine it with greenery (Pantone’s 2017 colour of the year), greys and more neutral tones for a pared back yet on trend wedding look.

Space is ace

In keeping with our ultra-violet year, fantasy and space are set to grow in popularity across all consumer based industries, including photography. Shutterstock has seen a massive increase in search demands for fantasy characters and the most savvy photographers and videographers are already honing in on space-themed conceptual realism by enhancing an already starry night sky, for example.

Conceptual realism can be best described as imagery that looks real, even if the idea does not seem to be so.

This fantasy theme will continue to be seen in branding developments, including the use of vivid colours, creating a sense of escapism from reality.

#nofilter

Unfiltered images are expected to enjoy a long awaited revival after what we’re now creatively calling “the age of the #filter”. This style is also known as Dead Pan and was popular in the 50s, and it involves subjects represented as they are – raw and ready.

You’re ready to visually delight the critics of 2018

Wedding photographers – it’s time to develop your photographic style and more so, your portfolio, in keeping with this years hot visual trends.

Stay relevant, stay popular and earn critical acclaim.

Looking for more wedding industry trends and couple insights? Head to the Bridebook Business Hub, the home of wedding industry knowledge.

How wedding venues can work 2018 trends into any space

Wouldn’t it be incredible to know exactly what a couple is looking for in a wedding venue before they even visit?

Truth be told, a lot of the time, couples don’t really know themselves what they deem most important in a venue until they’ve visited a few and have come to realise what they are, and are not willing to compromise on.

What we can prepare for, however, is the fact that all of us are influenced one way or another by trends, and by what we’re seeing more of in shops, fashion and in wedding shoots.

Trends aren’t unique to each industry – they don’t develop in silos. They’re present in the clothes we wear, the interior decor we lust after and the media we consume. And whether couples consciously opt for a ‘fashionable’ wedding or not, they’re likely to incorporate accents of trends that they themselves may not have even noticed.

By subtly incorporating ideas from predicted 2018 trends in your wedding venue you can position yourself as a relevant and desirable place to wed.

And one of the best things about being a wedding venue is that you can work with other local wedding suppliers to transform your space. You can offer fellow suppliers an amazing venue to exhibit their finest work at, and in return, you benefit from having your venue perceived as on trend – no matter how traditional the foundations are!

Incorporating 2018 wedding trends into your venue

Here are 4 key wedding trends that you need to be incorporating into your wedding space on open days to win more bookings.

1. Open spaces and industrialised architecture is a key trend for 2018 weddings

Ok, so most typical UK wedding venues aren’t going to be dripping in natural, industrialised architecture but you can easily fake it, and include metallic touches to your events rooms and open spaces in a sympathetic and unobtrusive way.

Consider working with local wedding decor suppliers who can provide copper chairs, lanterns, candle holders, cups and cutlery.

Tip: 2018 has seen us move away from rose gold accents in favour of industrial look copper.

For your next wedding fair or open day, work with your preferred supplier to set up an industrial themed corner which would appeal to couples who’re looking to incorporate this trend.

Fairy lights are the perfect accompaniment to an industrial theme as are green garlands – drawing on last years trend. Soft draped fabrics work well to counter the harsher metallic look and add a fairytale feel.

Treat your wedding space like an exhibition and provide a couple of different trends and expressions to suit different tastes. By featuring a trendy theme alongside a more traditional one you’re appealing to couples awareness of ‘what’s hot’ without moving too far away from the typical ‘white wedding’ idea.

2. White and green is still in… just add marble

In addition to copper and metallic details, a super hot wedding trend for this year is to add marble aspects into the mix.

Some wedding venues have the marble monopoly, like Holkham Hall…

By adding white and green tones to floral décor a wedding venue like Holkham Hall can become very current very easily.

For those wedding venues with less natural marble to play with, partner with wedding decor suppliers who can bring marble themed table runners to your next wedding fair or open day…

Or perhaps a marble inspired seating plan with matching place setting cards…

A really impressive way to incorporate a marbled theme in your wedding space is to work with a local wedding cake maker and ask them to produce a marbled cake with wow factor…

3. Keep it light and minimal

2018 weddings are all about natural light and stripping things back to basics.

Leaving ceilings and walls neutral and minimalistic allows more couples to envisage their dream wedding day, and it enables you to work with local wedding suppliers to add the kinds of details we describe above.

Metals and marbles are quite dominating materials to have in a wedding theme therefore it’s important not to add too much elsewhere.

Focus on making the most of natural light and offering a simple, polished space that couples can build ideas on.

4. Blank canvas venues that couples can make their own

Following on from above, it’s now more important than ever for couples to have freedom and options where building on their wedding theme is concerned.

Yes, you can offer ideas and help paint a picture of what their day could look like with the help of like-minded wedding suppliers, but there will always need to be a little room for movement.

Be yourself… AND be the wedding venue that 2018 couples want

Couples will on some level be influenced by popular themes that they may not have even known were on trend because of exposure to them; exposure in the media, in retail and in the ideas wedding suppliers offer. That’s a fact.

It’s important to work with what you already have, own your venue style and compliment it. How does your wedding venue space tie in with the popular trends above?

Don’t try and be everything for everyone but make sure that you’re not alienating couples by refusing to be anything other than traditional.

Incorporate trends with a little help from supplier friends and you’ll be surprised how much a little modern vision can help couples to decide whether you’re the wedding venue for them this year.

Looking for more wedding industry trends and couple insights? Head to the Bridebook Business Hub, the home of wedding industry knowledge.

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Planning your wedding as you read this? Be sure to check out our top advice articles to help you along your way!

See all the winners of The Bridebook Wedding Awards below:

UK Venue of the Year

East Midlands Venue of the Year

West Midlands Venue of the Year

North East England Venue of the Year

North West England Venue of the Year

South East England Venue of the Year

South West England Venue of the Year

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Decor Supplier of the Year

Dress & Accessories Supplier of the Year

Entertainer of the Year

Florist of the Year

Jeweller of the Year

Marquee Supplier of the Year

Menswear Supplier of the Year

Musician of the Year

Wedding Planner of the Year

Stationer of the Year

Transport Supplier of the Year

Videographer of the Year

Are you a wedding venue or supplier?

Are you are an engaged couple looking for your wedding team?

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Conceptual realism and surrealism

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And it was all…purple

Space is ace

#nofilter

You’re ready to visually delight the critics of 2018

Incorporating 2018 wedding trends into your venue

1. Open spaces and industrialised architecture is a key trend for 2018 weddings

2. White and green is still in… just add marble

3. Keep it light and minimal

4. Blank canvas venues that couples can make their own

Be yourself… AND be the wedding venue that 2018 couples want

Planning your wedding as you read this?
Be sure to check out our top advice articles to help you along your way!