Welcome to part two of Ireland’s Top Wedding Trends 2015! In part one we covered everything from Pinterest fatigue and craft beer tasting to the impending iPhone pushback and embrace of naked cakes and this time we’re taking on the best bridesmaids trends, the hottest honeymoons and the all new ways couples are breaking wedding traditions. Check out part one of Ireland’s Top Wedding Trends 2015 here.
Wedding Trends 2015 #1 – Embellished Bridesmaids (main image)
We love to watch what goes on in bridesmaid fashion as it’s one of the most interesting ways to see how the tone of weddings change over time. The great thing is that pretty much anything goes when it comes bridesmaid trends in 2015 and short dresses, two-piece outfits and mismatched gowns are as at home in the wedding party as the big white wedding dress. One of our top wedding trends for 2015 however has to be the Gatsby style embellished bridesmaid dress. An embellished dress provides extra glamour to the wedding party and often needs less accessorising. It’s a great way to grab everyone’s attention the minute a foot is placed at the end of the aisle and adds serious sparkle to the dance floor too! There are some gorgeous dresses available for those opting for glam bridesmaids – from vintage gunas at Jenny Vanders or Folkster in Dublin to show stopping formal frocks from Adriana Papell at House of Fraser. We love these embellished bridesmaids’ dresses from Virgos Lounge, pictured – photo by The Lou’s.
Wedding Trends 2015 #2 – Breaking Traditions
Choosing to have just one bridesmaid (or none, as the case may be), opting out of the receiving line and forgoing favours are some of the ways couples are breaking wedding traditions lately. Another breakaway we’re certainly seeing is with the wedding speeches. For the past few years brides have been having their say on their wedding day, and now it’s time for the rest of the girls to have theirs! A wedding trend on the rise in 2015 is the mother of the bride/groom speech – sure why shouldn’t they get to say a few words on such an important occasion?! In fact, couples are now mixing up their speeches to suit the personalities in their wedding party – meaning less pressure on the dads, and more opportunities for everyone else! The idea is to ask the fathers, mothers, the Best Man or bridesmaids if they want to speak, and let them know that there’s no pressure if they’d prefer not to. Not just that but speeches themselves are no longer following a specific format, with bridesmaids reading poems, grooms singing songs and even the bride and groom making a speech together. When it comes to other traditions, mothers and sons are joining the bride and her father for a special dance, and brides and grooms are opting out of the first dance limelight and arranging group dances or asking everyone to join them on the floor for a boogie. {Photo by www.breathehappiness.co.uk}
Find out which 8 Wedding Traditions you can Unfollow now
Wedding Trends 2015 #3 – The US Roadtrip Honeymoon
The lure of the open road has become too much to bear for couples and in 2015 we think we’ll be seeing more and more jumping in the car and embarking on a true trip of a life time! Take a flight to NYC, hire a car, pack some snacks and get geared up for the highs and – just so you can prepare yourself in case you get a flat – lows of the romantic road trip. A road trip across the US is on lots of people’s bucket lists, and what better time to take the journey than at the start of your life journey together?! There are plenty of ways to take this trip on, and the states and cities you hit along the way are all up to you! The best part of this honeymoon is that it’s an adventure that’s experienced all at your own pace. Take in famous landmarks, spectacular scenery, friendly faces and classic American grub as you make your way from East to West stopping along the way. This trip can be done in 10 days or more and the itinerary is all up to you – this is one wedding trend we can really get on board with. {Photo by collagevintage.com}
See the Top Alternative Honeymoons for 2015!
Wedding Trends 2015 #4 – Relaxed Wedding Hair
In the last few years we have been experiencing the rise and rise of the no-fuss bride and we’re happy to let you know that in 2015, she reigns supreme. Everywhere we look we’re seeing a more relaxed approach to bridal fashion, whether it’s a skirt and sweater combo wedding dress on queen of the fashionistas Olivia Palermo, or the loose, almost bed head bob worn by laid-back London girl Fearne Cotton for her Big Day. Fearne was not the only one opting to forgo the traditional bridal updo however – on the 2015 catwalks, relaxed, loose, half up half down wedding hair was the way to go for a romantic, natural look. Brides are sure to be following suit with no fuss hairstyles this year, although professional, smooth waves are looking like the most popular option. When it comes to wedding hair accessories, hair bands and floral headdresses are looking like the trendiest way to top a boho style off in 2015. {Photo by Love Ala Photography}
Wedding Trends 2015 #5 – The Same Day Slideshow
The same day slideshow is already a well established trend in the US – top wedding photographer Jasmine Star even does a same day wedding slideshow how to on her blog – and it looks as though we’ll be seeing it at plenty of Irish weddings in 2015. Photos of the day can be run before the speeches, during the meal (where it can act as a great ice-breaker for guests), or during the first dance in a slideshow format, often set to music. Couples are loving this idea because it gives them an opportunity to see some of the beautiful moments captured on the day before they receive the full album – and of course before they see the often less-than-professional photos taken by guests and posted to Facebook that night! {Photo by Ashley Goodwin}
Wedding Trends 2015 #6 – Civil Ceremonies
As reported in our recent Irish Wedding Survey (published January 2015), non-religious wedding ceremonies in Ireland were up 13% in 2014, accounting for 26% of all weddings in Ireland. Whether it’s a pure civil wedding conducted by a state registrar or a humanist ceremony consisting of personal vows and often music, non-religious readings and blessings, many couples are opting to tie the knot sans church. Of course whether you have a civil or church ceremony is an entirely personal choice (and don’t let anyone persuade you differently) and shouldn’t at all be affected by trends – but for those hoping to have a non-religious ceremony, you now have several options to choose from in 2015, and lots of other couples to help you plan it too! {Photo by Studio33Weddings – see real wedding here}
Get Your Guide to Organising your Wedding Ceremony from weddingsonline
Wedding Trends 2015 #7 – Wedding Dress Separates
This is the dawning of the age of the bridal separates. As we mentioned, weddings are becoming less and less traditional as time moves on and of course, this is reflected in (one of) the most important items of the day – the wedding dress. This year sees a huge range of bridal separates making their way to the mainstream – from crop tops, t-shirts and sweaters to the more traditional bridal looking corset paired with beautiful skirts. This is a great way for brides to create a unique look for themselves and gives a real opportunity to wear it again. Designers such as Theia, Houghton Bridal, Delphine Manivet, Candice Lee (right), and Emily Riggs (left) are blazing the trail for the two piece, and top bridal houses such as Watters and Pronovias are hot on their heels for 2015.
10 Sensational Bridal Separates
Wedding Trends 2015 #8 – Hand Written Hangers
It can be the little details that make you really smile and something personalised and from the heart is what makes the little details extra special. The morning of the wedding is a real high point for brides when they look back on the day and for that reason, most opt to have ‘getting ready with the girls’ photographs (they are also some of our favourite photos!) Items like personalised or matching floral robes or kimonos can make for stunning pics of the bride and bridesmaids, while a decent playlist can get everyone in the mood for the day. The moment you put on your dresses will be one of the most exciting moments of the day – not just for the bride but for the bridesmaids as well. Many brides are opting to mark the moment with a personalised keepsake hanger and handwritten note to their friends to tell them how much they appreciate them for example these gorgeous handwritten hangers made by the bride in this charming real wedding at Clonabreany House. It might be one of the cutest trends of the year. {Photo by Michelle Prunty}
