The look of things to come – the “new normal” wedding

At the start of 2020 no one could have predicted weddings would ever involve the wearing of masks, ceremony-only celebrations and slashed guestlists.

The impact of the pandemic is far-reaching and may have changed the look of weddings for some considerable time.

We speak to three industry experts for an insider’s view of the “new normal” wedding.

The numbers game

Couples who were due to marry last year were faced with the heart-breaking decision of postponing their wedding in the hope of having their planned “big” day at a later date or, going ahead with a small-scale micro-wedding or elopement.

We’ve seen countless gorgeous wee weddings and according to Laura Devine, wedding co-ordinator from Devine Bride, the growing popularity of a smaller affair isn’t likely to end any time soon.

“We are now seeing smaller weddings and elopements represented a lot more on blogs and in magazines, so couples are seeing new inspiration of how small weddings can be every bit as amazing as larger ones,” she says.

Kate Symington at wedding stylists Gloam agrees.

“Couples who have been planning larger-scale celebrations have faced down uncertainty by deciding to ‘just do it.’

“It hasn’t meant any less – in fact, we’ve seen first-hand how the levels of intimacy and sheer joy have been amplified with a real focus on the couple.

“Back garden ceremonies, clifftop elopements, and weddings in favourite locations have inspired us, and we know this trend will continue.

“We also think this will lead to shorter engagements as couples don’t have to wait to have the type of wedding they want.”

In the long-term however wedding coordinator Oskar Gilchrist-Grodnicki, believes as time passes and things relax, couples’ attitudes towards bigger numbers will do too.

Naturally speaking

Even before Coronavirus hit there was a swing towards eco-friendly weddings with couples focussing more on ensuring their day was sustainable, something Oskar believes is likely to stay.

He says décor will “focus on natural and sustainable floristry, infusing botanicals and greenery, looking more natural and in keeping with the seasons.”

The lean towards sustainability doesn’t just relate to flowers. Kate says couples are increasingly working with hire companies to remove the need to buy things they don’t need.

And the impact is also being felt in the bridal wardrobe.

“Wedding day fashion is also becoming increasingly sustainable,” says Kate.

“Colourful dresses that can be worn again and again, second-hand gowns, and more ethical awareness when it comes to where to buy.”

Food for thought

Sustainability will also play a major role in catering future weddings.

Oskar says, “I think it will be a while before we see the reintroduction of all-you-can-eat buffets, grazing stations and the like.

“This is firstly due to major hygiene and distancing concerns, but also, more importantly, the enormous wastage generated from this form of catering whilst more and more couples are becoming sustainability conscious.”

Laura agrees that the pandemic has seen grazing tables and sharing platters fall out of favour but says a return to the traditional sit-down meal can be done with a modern twist.

She urges couples to take inspiration from their favourite restaurant or have a tasting menu for a fun alternative.

That’s entertainment

With all extraneous entertainment stripped away from many 2020 weddings, couples could count themselves lucky if they got to enjoy a post-ceremony glass of fizz.

So when restrictions allow, Laura and Oskar predict a rise in couples pushing the entertainment boat out.

“In the long-term, I believe couples will want their weddings to become an experience in itself, not just a ceremony and evening entertainment but everything in between,” says Oskar.

He says he’s already seeing trendier staging, venue dressing, character actors serving reception drinks, saxophone players accompanying the wedding breakfast, marshmallow toasting with fireworks displays and even celebrity appearances.

And Laura says couples who have postponed their weddings have had a chance to save up longer so expect to see free bars, cocktail hours, champagne upgrades and more than one dress.

The wedding day could become a weekend celebration. Remember those?!

And we’re live

Covid restrictions decimated guestlists and led to a dramatic rise in the live-streaming of weddings, a rise that Oskar embraces.

“We can now reach friends and family of the couple, who otherwise wouldn’t be able to attend the wedding,” he says.

Oskar recently planned a wedding for a bride from Peru whose family wasn’t able to make her big day so they streamed the ceremony.

“They all dressed up for the occasion and even read out poems during the ceremony,” says Oskar.

“Once the ceremony was finished, they had time with the couple exclusively for 15 minutes to congratulate them, before the newlyweds headed to celebrate the remainder of their day.

“The cherry on top was that this live stream was recorded, and the couple received a personalised link to share with the family after the wedding to keep as a memory.”

With technology being able to connect guests the “zoom wedding” looks set to stay.

Tips to covid-proof your wedding

Coronavirus has shown it’s more important than ever to make your wedding plans as secure as possible. Oskar has compiled a list of tips to help:

1. Wedding Insurance

If you’re starting the planning process take out wedding insurance (when available) or at least make your payments using a credit card.

2. Work with two guest lists

List A and List B. Oskar says, “List A tends to include all those guests who are a must. List B is for those you might really want to invite but due to restrictions and limitations, you physically cannot. This will help you easily make amendments should the regulations change again.”

3. Get familiar with Zoom

Familiarise yourself with Zoom to share wedding updates and potentially live stream your day.

4. Keep things local

Keep things local – “This way you’ll avoid disappointment about any potential travel restrictions.”

Have you re-thought your wedding after postponing?

We would love to here all about your wedding plans