Our 15th anniversary! How wedding decor has changed over the years
August 20, 2021
Our 15th anniversary! How wedding decor has changed over the years
It’s our birthday month and as we celebrate 15 years in business, we’ve been reminiscing on the past and how much the wedding industry and decor has changed over the years – thankfully for the better! Way back in 2006 the first ever Ambience business opened it’s doors and what a journey we’ve been on, we’ve definitely got a tale or two we could tell you! We’ll have to save that for another blog!
One thing is for sure, the growth of social media has greatly influenced the level of creativity that clients now seek and the design/visual concept of a wedding or event is such an important aspect for the vast majority.
Digital wedding planning
Pinterest and Instagram became a part of our lives in 2010 and has revolutionised planning particularly in the last few years. We’ve bumped into so many of our clients on social media and have kept in touch with lots of them for years after their weddings! Some have gone on to book us for other big life events such as birthdays, christenings, anniversaries. We’ve also seen the introduction of bridal showers and baby showers which were unheard of in the past. You could say that in most recent years, people are finding even more reasons to celebrate with loved ones and decor is a key factor in those occasions.
15 years ago the decor options available to hire were so limited in comparison to the market that we see ourselves in now. Sourcing products was much more difficult and couples opted for wedding decor that was easily accessible. Now we find that boundaries are being pushed and our stylists are being creatively challenged by brides and grooms on an everyday basis to design spaces that offer their guests an experience they’ll never forget and long may it continue!
Less traditional wedding choices
Out with the old and in with the new! Millennials and Gen-Z couples are leading the way with less traditional decor choices. A popular topic of discussion in our consultations for example would be the top table and whether they would like to break the tradition of who will sit at the top table. Over the years we’ve seen the traditional top table become less of a “tradition” with alternative dining layouts being chosen such as the popular “sweetheart” table approach or banquet dining in which all guests sit at long stretches of trestle tables.
Personalisation
Never before have we seen the level of personalisation that we do now. If you’ve been planning a wedding in the last few years, we bet you’ve scoured the pages of Etsy for inspiration on how to customise your wedding day. Everything from wedding signage to stationery, custom made wedding favours, place settings with individual menu cards, “Bride and “Groom” accessories for the chairs, the list is endless!
Couples now seek to stamp their identity within their styling and we love it!
Wedding colour palettes
For years we saw Cadbury purple and hot fuchia pink high up on the must have list! In fact couples rarely chose colour palettes that consisted of too much variation. Nowadays our clients are working with a much wider range of tones and shades, layering their colours for an impactful and stylish affair!
Neutral styling has become incredibly popular, working with the natural surroundings in which the celebration will take place, offering a timeless feel to the decor.
Chair styling
Have you even been to a wedding if it hasn’t had chair covers and bows?! In the last 10 years we’ve seen hotels and venues explore other chair options and with furniture rental companies opening up the possibilities, brides and grooms have never had so much choice! Our stylists are now dressing chiavari chairs, cross back chairs, Cheltenham chairs, benches, folding chairs – you get the picture! Often an area that can be overlooked, it’s amazing how much the chairs you use can have such an impact on the overall look of the room.
Destination weddings
Destination weddings have grown enormously over the last 15 years. As the market for overseas weddings has developed, the planning process for engaged couples has become much easier, with resources and amenities being more readily available. Whether it’s a sun drenched location or a mountain side retreat, destination weddings are highly sought after and welcome 48 guests on average.
For those that seek a destination wedding but are unable to cut their guest list to a more intimate day we now find clients booking summer dates in the hope of an outdoor ceremony or more recently looking at ways to incorporate a nod towards an overseas feel with Mediterranean styling and dining.
From everyone at Ambience Venue Styling UK, a huge heartfelt thank you to each and every one of you that have supported our business and helped fulfil the dreams of our stylists xxx
Credits:
Photography & Concept – Melissa Megan Photography
@melissameganphotography
Venue – Home Farm Barns
@homefarmbarnsower
Stylist – Ambience Winchester
@ambiencewinchester_soton
Florist – Camillas Creations Floristy
@camillascreationsfloristry
Lighting – Luminique Events
@luminique_events
Tables/chairs/Barrels – Quality Marquee Hire
@qualitymarqueehire
Tableware/glasses – Couvert Hire
@couverthire
Videography – Katherine and Her Camera
@katherine_and_her_camera
Hair&MakeUp – Katy Djokic
@katydjokicmakeup
Models – Olivia & Tom
@onesoultwomodels
@olivia_rachael_
@tomcoulstonofficial
Brides dress – Olive Blossom Bridal
@oliveblossombridal
Veil – Lauren Francis Bridal
@laurenfrancisbridal
Suit – Hunter & Greys
@hunterandgreys
Stationery – Oh Wonder Calligraphy
@ohwondercalligraphy
Jewellery/Headpiece – Victoria Harper Bridal
@victoriaharperbridal
Prosecco – Rich Prosecco
@sparklewithrichprosecco
Brides Shoes – Freya Rose London
@freyaroselondon
Ribbons- cfleursdesign
@cfleursdesign
Calligraphy Candles – From P To You
@fromp.toyou
Cake – Love From Lila
@lovefromlilaxx
