weddings. Nora Sheils, founder of Oregonbased
39
event planning company Bridal
Bliss, expects to see lighter shades of the
royal color mixed with pinks and blues in
plenty of upcoming nuptials.
“For 2018, we anticipate seeing the
introduction of lavender and lilac. How
gorgeous would lilac-colored blooms look
tucked into a runner of greens?” she said.
“We see all three taking on a dustier hue
going into this year and love our adventurous
couples who dare to mix two, or even
all three, of these shades together.”
Palettes That Pop
While clean, all-white is still popular,
color is making a comeback. Aqua, hot
pink and Kelly green make for a fun,
tropical affair, while bright jewel tones are
perfect for a woodsy fall event. Sheils also
has seen an increased interest in red as a
featured color.
“While we don’t anticipate our brides
selecting an all-cherry palette, we are
loving the pops of deep burgundies that
are being brought in among shades of
white and even steely blue,” she said.
Extreme Elegance
Elegance never goes out of style, but a
little extra drama is on trend for 2018.
Think tuxedos, ballgowns, clean florals
and hints of sparkle, Sheils said.
“Our personal favorite is the touch of
black being brought back into the color
palette,” she said. “This can take form
more traditionally on invitations or in
bridesmaid dresses, but we also love
the bold bride who adds black to her
tablescape or even her own attire with a
black shoe or an embellished sash.”
A New Take on Plants
For florals, couples are continuing to
embrace greenery and living plants.
Expect to see wedding aisles turned
into an English garden with potted plants
and epic floral installations hanging from
above at receptions.
See-Through Elements
From lucite chandeliers and chairs to
glasshouse venues, transparent materials
make for a modern and minimalist look.
These details also add a bit of natural
shine without being distracting or
overwhelming.
Texture and Layers
To achieve depth and improve the guest
experience, couples are placing a bigger
emphasis on texture.
Adding little details, such as mixing and
matching furniture, 3-D stationery elements
and layering table linens, makes for
a richer overall look.
A Focus on Food
Foodies get married, too, which means
couples are finding new ways to enhance
the menu.
Interactive appetizers, such as roll-yourown
sushi stations, food trucks, family
recipes and farm-to-table experiences are
all on the table for 2018.
“We love our foodie couples and are
constantly on the hunt for new ways to
both present and source food for their
special day,” Sheils said.
“In a day filled with many special
moments, dinner is often the longest time
guests will spend together in one space.”