HOT TOPIC: Our experts solve your problems DANCE THE NIGHT AWAY We’re having an engagement party and were wondering what music we should include to keep everyone entertained? In order to plan the perfect engagement party, we have crunched the numbers on around 1,000 Spotify engagement party playlists, finding the most popular songs to be: I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me) by Whitney Houston, Dancing in the Moonlight by Toploader, Dancing Queen by ABBA and Mr. Brightside by The Killers. We have created a playlist that brings the best dancefloor fillers together and provides the perfect soundtrack for your special evening. Of course, you should add your own personal choices, such as the song you heard on your first date, the tune that played when you fell in love, or the song that was playing when you knew your partner was the one. To see our full Spotify playlist, visit https://open.spotify.com/ playlist/4Lg4Fd67MRkFwBejq8WUMz?si=1ebb2738bf8646bd The wedding team at Langley Castle Hotel www.langleycastle.co.uk TREND SETTER What wedding trends will be popular in 2024? For socially savvy brides and grooms, it’s just as important that your special day looks just as good on the grid as it does in real life. In 2023, we saw plenty of dedicated members of the bridal party being tasked with the role of ‘content curator’ for the day, but to take this one step further, we do expect to see professional content creators overseeing couples’ socials for the day. The idea behind this is that you can be more present during the day and not have to worry too much about capturing things to share on social media. Weekend staycation weddings are another growing trend. Couples are looking beyond the traditional one-day event and are opting for extended festivities lasting two to three days, so they can fully enjoy time with their guests like they would at a destination celebration but in a more cost-effective way. With eco-consciousness on the rise, couples are making more mindful decisions when it comes to their big day by focusing on innovative ways to be kinder to the planet. Some common themes across sustainable weddings include organically grown and sourced food, recycled and upcycled decorations, growing plants and flowers as opposed to cut flowers and second-hand dresses. Taking a step away from tradition, couples are searching for impressive photo moments and opportunities to wow their guests while keeping it classy. For some couples, this could look like a planned dance with choreography, statement food, or lavish décor. However, one trend that is hot on social media and shows no signs of slowing down is the champagne tower, a risky but rather luxurious and fun addition to any wedding. From bouquets to dresses, mini is in for 2024. An increasing number of brides are opting for more understated options when it comes to the flowers they take on their journey down the aisle, as well as opting out of the traditional bouquet toss. The mini theme can be seen across many modern weddings, with brides also disrupting the norms by choosing short wedding and reception dresses. Comfort is key for the modern bride, and being able to enjoy a night of dancing and celebrations could be the reason for the smaller garments and accessories. Gone are the days of standing for the entire ceremony; an upand-coming trend is to have seated bridal parties to make for a more comfortable experience throughout the ceremony. Not only comfort, but having the bridal party be seated allows for attention and focus to remain on the couple during their ceremony. Suzanne Brampton www.wynyardhall.co.uk WEDDING WORRIES www.dianemakepeacephotography.com www.laurenstaceyphotography.co.uk 59 EXPERT ADVICE
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