Planning a wedding? Top trends to know

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Bold styles

Wedding dresses in 2025 give the bride a chance to express themselves with details, intricacy or an injection of colour. Bridalwear designer Phillipa Lepley notes that this could be a personalised piece of embroidery on the back of the dress or the train, which showcases the bride’s favourite flower, initials or wedding logo in shades of pale pink, gold or blue, with blue emerging as the new favourite.  Long sleeves are trending, particularly in soft, sheer materials that lend an elegant and airy appearance. Square necklines are in vogue, along with more fitted dresses that incorporate fewer petticoats. Phillipa Lepley adds that there is a trend for ‘Watteau trains’ that are attached at the shoulders or upper back of the dress instead of the waist.

Laura Green’s latest collection ‘Modern Bride’ includes pieces that celebrate hand crafting techniques and artisanal qualities. A trend that Laura also highlights is “the increase in brides wanting a look for their wedding day that can be loved, re-worn and repurposed for a lifetime of wear.”

The popularity of bridal suits and jumpsuits is set to continue, which can be tailored or flowing, and experiment with different materials and fabrics such as silks, lace and velvets. Jackets meanwhile offer versatility.

Eleanor Taylor-Roberts, fashion and design consultant, adds: “Beating the fashion drum, statement pieces will shine from embroidered trains and extravagant capes to more risqué red carpet second looks that red carpet second looks that showcase personality and defy tradition.” Freya Rose’s Rose in Bloom Rouge heel will bring a fantastic pop to the dance floor beneath a tulle mini or tailored trouser.

Phillipa Lepley / Laura Green / Laura Green

Return to the classics

Inspired perhaps by our love for period dramas, classic romantic is on our radar for a traditional wedding. Think Bridgerton style corsetry dresses, grand and luxurious venues, local weddings and celebrating family connections. Hand-written formal invites are a nice touch with calligraphy back in a big way.

Back to nature

Unique and unconventional locations, such as barns, vineyards, fields and even woodlands are increasingly popular. They allow a more creative and informal approach where couples can put their own stamp on the event. Outdoor weddings can also make use of natural foliage for sustainable decorations.

Informal feasts

The formal wedding ‘breakfast’ served after the ceremony has always been the traditional go-to, but 2025 will see a growing move towards more casual dining, which facilitates guests mingling. Food stations and grazing tables are becoming increasingly popular. Consider too statement food and drink offerings such as pizza vans, seafood bars, and cocktail sheds.

Holly Congdon from catering company Lettice Events says late night bites, such as DIY ramen bars and silver service chip trolleys are a big hit. There is also a surge in sustainable and plant-based menus as well as bespoke menus that highlight local, seasonal foods.

Lettice Events

Extended celebrations

Hosting your wedding abroad is still a popular choice for those looking for a longer wedding event. Or, given that there can be different legal requirements overseas, another option is to marry at home in the UK and then have further celebrations in another country.

Popular destinations for 2025 are likely to be Ko Samui in Thailand where sunshine and ocean views appeals to all. You could consider incorporating a boat trip for the day after the wedding, or your guests can and ocean views appeals to all. You could consider incorporating a boat trip for the day after the wedding, or your guests can enjoy a walk around the souks before the big day, or enjoy a camel ride. Getting married aboard an historic luxury train is also a trend to watch.

Gorgeous gifts

Wedding gifts take an environmental slant, with couples opting for gift lists in line with their values. Gift expert Liza Baucher from The Wedding Shop says: “There has been an increase in sales of sustainable products like eco-friendly kitchenware, organic cotton bedding, and bamboo serving trays. Having a gift list in itself is a good way to reduce waste as you decrease the likelihood of getting unwanted gifts that end up in landfill, so it is a win win.”

There’s also a big rise in popularity of experience-related gifts that offer a memory for the couple to share. “Experiences are becoming the go-to for couples, and these can include anything from a cooking class, to romantic weekends away, or a spa day or hot air balloon ride.”

Capturing the moments

As well as a traditional photographer, drone footage of the day has become a popular phenomenon, providing a a bird’s eye view of your wedding.

Wedding content creators are increasingly in demand for footage that is not only shared on social media, but can also make a montage of specific details and elements of the day. They can post sections of the wedding in real time, or soon afterwards on a screen during the celebrations. This gives a more immediate show reel of the day’s events and so the couple don’t have to wait weeks for their wedding video or formal photos to be ready. It also gives the couple exclusivity over snippets of the event, and guests may be asked to refrain from posting videos or photos on social media so as not to ruin the reveal moments of the wedding content creator. Couples are also looking to include their much-loved pets in their pictures, too.