An Essex Wedding - January/February 2022 (Issue 102)

REGENCY SPLENDOUR What started out as a quiet guilty pleasure, Netflix’s Bridgerton soon catapulted in to the mainstream and became an overnight obsession – all thanks to lockdown too when we were all looking for some escapism! Viewers fell in love with, and became fascinated by, the regency period of Bridgerton; the Duke of Hastings fast-becoming the modern day Mr Darcy. Bridgerton-inspired weddings are set to be huge in 2022 think venues, table settings, stationery, menu choices and cake designs to name but a few of the elements that can reflect the pomp and splendour Georgian elegance of the era. The standout feel of the Netflix drama is its countryside charm and popular aesthetically pleasing garden spaces, creating at its core reveries of ‘Britishness’ which viewers find appealing and even dreamlike. Couples planning their wedding days can encompass the theme by focusing on beautiful floral decorations of English country roses and trailing wisteria, velvet elements for the tables and draping, gold embellishments and splashes of regal colours such as blues and purples ‒ these hues can be teamed with the ever so-popular pastel palettes that are still reigning supreme. The on-the-day stationery elements, the menus, place names and welcome signs and so on, can be in a handwritten font on vintage papers with pretty hand-painted detailing – all perfectly displayed on the tables set up for an afternoon tea with vintage china tablescapes. BACK TO NATURE Although weddings in 2020 and 2021 were forced outside due to the pandemic, this trend of al fresco entertaining is set stay with couples now willingly embracing their new-found appreciation of nature and outdoor events. With the main focus of wedding themes being the ‘environment’, expect colour palettes of earthy natural colours and textures easily reflected in finer detail items like terracotta pots, wooden plinths and linen napkins. Neutral colours can be teamed with pops of brighter but earthy tones such as rust, amber and coral. Trend forecasters predict that vibrant pinks and purples, earthy olive greens, creamy yellows, tropical oranges and ocean blues will all be go-to wedding colour palette choices next year – coloured candles will be oh-so popular in 2022 and a great way of interjecting that pop of colour. Selecting a venue with walled gardens means you can use the space yet the enclosed proximity gives an exclusive feel to the wedding party. Al fresco settings can be complemented by simple nature-inspired décor, plenty of luscious greenery reflective of the English countryside or the garden setting ‒ embrace the season with your choices. Use English ivy and vines for greenery across all styling elements such as lining the aisle indoor or out. Dried flowers are also experiencing a bit of a revival, not only are they cost-effective and eco-friendly, but dried blooms incorporate earthy tones in a way that’s really quite beautiful. RETRO ROMANCE Rattan and macramé elements will be prevalent across 2022 wedding trend aesthetics as is retro seating – all work especially well in outdoor natural settings! A WITH A room view What’s hot in the world of wedding décor in 2022? VENUE STYLING 87

RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTA0NTE=