by Hanami Dream | 22, May, 2018 | blog, trends
I was certainly swept along with the recent royal wedding fever. I loved the build up, the anticipation, the speculation and the excitement. Then on Saturday, I was glued to the screen – waiting, watching, weeping, and welcoming all the wonderful wedding attire at the ceremony for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.
Royal weddings
But what is it with our obsession with royal weddings? Is it that it is the ultimate in celebrity wedding? Or that everyone just wants to dream of a fairy tale ending? It is definitely nice to have something positive and beautiful to focus on as a nation.
For me, I love the pomp and ceremony. Royal weddings are sure to be lavish affairs and an exaggerated Pinterest fantasy that will influence trends and weddings to come.
My romantic idealism was peppered with weddings in films and television programmes that influenced my youth including:
- Charles & Diana (who can forget the puff ball sleeves and the huge long train! And I remember how my family rushed to go and get a colour television in time for their wedding!)
- Scott & Charlene in Neighbours (I still can’t believe that programme has been going over 30 years!)
- Monica & Chandler in Friends (how beautifully romantic to fall in love with your best friend)
- The One with All the Wedding Dresses episode in Friends (even though my husband thinks it’s a crazy idea I still want a wedding dress party with my friends sometime)
- Prince William & Kate (they got married the same year that we did so this event heightened the build up to our big day)
Wedding day build up
I personally, really felt for Meghan in the week before the royal wedding as I too was unsure if my own father would make it to our wedding. I’m sure they remembered their absent friends at their celebrations like we did.
Wedding trends
Now that I’m working in the wedding industry, not only am I immersed in this wonderful world every day but it also enhances my desire and need to follow trends and things that may influence weddings in the future.
The guests were following the current love of blue with outfits in various shades of it, whilst it was great to see Amal Clooney sporting a striking mustard yellow number, and a little disappointing that there were any extravagant hats from some of the royal family to talk about afterwards.
The affect of the royal wedding in 2011 is still apparent now as couples continue to choose to have trees inside at their weddings. Like this, Harry and Meghan’s wedding will no doubt prompt further foliage and minimalist trends.
Minimalist wedding
One highlight for me was the plain, simple and minimal look and feel that transcended the whole day. It gave the impression of a relaxed, personal and tranquil atmosphere. See my top tips for a minimalist wedding.
Meghan’s beautiful white off the shoulder boat neck (bateau) dress with long 3/4 length sleeves looked absolutely stunning. Adorned with Queen Mary’s tiara and a long flowing floral embroidered 5 metre veil.
Nothing could distract from its simplicity and beauty. All the accessories enhanced the look and it was completed with a small bouquet of foliage and white flowers with astilibe being my favourite amongst them.
Foliage
Additionally I was blown away by the foliage arch that was constructed around the west door of St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle where the royal wedding took place. It was reminded my of a secret garden photo shoot that I did last year which featured a top table garland awash with greenery running down the whole of the table and spilling off the ends to the floor along with gentle inclusion of white flowers.
The dream for my wedding was to collect armfuls of beautiful cow parsley and adorn the church with swathes of the lovely white flowers. Unfortunately I got married in August and by the height of the summer there wasn’t any cow parsley gracing the lanes of the British countryside anymore. I had to rethink my plan and pick flowers that were in season at the time of my wedding.
But a May wedding (and I imagine a much bigger budget than for our wedding) was perfect for this vision to become reality. The flowers at this royal wedding were reminiscent of the English countryside, driving along country roads past hedgerows peppered with white blossom and cow parsley jam packed in the verges. Through tree lined lanes where the hedges from both sides meet over the road and an arch way is formed from lorries passing through and clipping it to shape. It evoked picturesque images of tiny chocolate box cottages full of foliage brimming around the front door.
The back drop was idyllic and it didn’t detract from the couple who are so clearly in love. Much more than that, how brilliant that the royal wedding flowers were turned into bouquets for hospice patients afterwards. Here are some other suggestions for the enjoyment of your flowers to continue after the wedding.
Break with traditions
The overarching theme of this royal wedding was that in parts it was breaking with tradition. I love that Meghan opted to omit ‘obey from her vows and that Harry will wear a wedding ring. For me it’s about being a team. And what a touching something blue that she was sporting when the drove off to their evening reception.
This fairy tale wedding has firmly joined my list of influential weddings in my life. After all, we all want someone to ‘Stand by me’.
Now pass me another slice of lemon curd and elderflower cake!
by Hanami Dream | 17, May, 2018 | blog, inspiration
An unseasonably chilly Saturday at the start of the long Easter bank holiday weekend in 2018 saw the wedding of Sophie and Ryan at Merriscourt.
This was an Anglo-French wedding and a coming together of the couple’s two countries. In French, the word fête means an elaborate festival, party or celebration, which was certainly had in vast quantities at this rustic barn wedding.
Venue
Merriscourt is one of my favourite wedding venues in the heart of the Cotswolds. It offers freedom, creativity, transparent pricing, and above all lots of space. The venue is actually 3 interlinking converted barns around a beautiful courtyard, and is blessed with high ceilings and oodles of light.
There’s a real sense of calm and peacefulness about the surroundings and it feels very homely. You have full reign of the whole place during the event and can also stay over in one of it’s many accommodation options. Making this a real home from home that can be adapted just how you want it.
Décor
Sometimes less is definitely more. You don’t have to go crazy with décor when you have such a stunning venue. After all, you don’t want to overcrowd or cover up great features.
It’s brilliant to let the venue speak for itself. And this wedding did it in spade fulls. They kept it simple along with great food, great drink and great music. Some simple pink rose displays dotted around in a homely fashion was in keeping with the venue itself.
Ceremony
A touching civil ceremony was held in the Stone Barn (which was turned in to the dance floor later) first in English and then a surprise visit from the mayor of the bride’s home town prompted a French section to the proceedings as well.
Then it was out in to the beautiful central (albeit a bit chilly on this day) courtyard for some great confetti shots then back inside the warm barn for the festivities to begin.
Whilst the French friends and relatives were mesmerised by some of the English wedding traditions and timings, and the English were left lost during the French Mayor’s speech, the common factor that brought everyone together was the love of good food. The theme for this wedding was definitely a foodie’s heaven.
Food
The flavours, quality and quantity of food was flowing in abundance. The champagne reception in the Gallery Room alone was sumptuous and filling and we were not left wanting at all. Our glasses were never let to get dry as we were told that it therefore only counted as being just ‘one glass’.
The canapés kept coming and we situated ourselves by the oyster bar and theatrical Iberico Ham Station (carved by one of the chefs), along with olives nearly the size of my fist, almonds to die for and chillies the length of bananas.
Once sat in the White Barn with it’s stunningly high ceilings and tapestries, the sharing boards were astounding and mouth-wateringly good, comprising of:
Slow smoke shoulder of lamb and salsa verde
Char grilled halloumi and pesto
Chilli chicken and honey whiskey glaze
Scottish plank roasted salmon and charred lemon
Garlic and thyme roasted potatoes
Lentils, picked shallots and beetroot salad
Beef tomatoes, basil and rapeseed oil
Even the favours continued the great flavours, as they provided us with coffee granules to enjoy the next day. Then it was out on to the courtyard where a fire pit was lit to warm us and also for toasting marshmallows. Though we couldn’t be tempted to veer off course to get a delicious Belgian waffle from a parked up food van by the twinkling fairy lights of the central tree.
The celebration of food continued with the cutting of the cake. And it wouldn’t be a French fête without the inclusion of cheese. This time in the form of the wedding cake.
Entertainment
The night was completed with good music and lots of dancing, interspersed with some not very flattering pictures in the nearby photo booth capturing proceedings.
All in all, this French foodies fête barn wedding proves that keeping your guests fed, watered and entertained makes for a great wedding. Eat, drink and be merry!
Félicitations à vous deux!
Venue | Merriscourt | Sarsden, Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire | http://merriscourt.com/
Photography | Carlita DCN | The Passion of Life
Catering | by venue
Food van | Sweet Nothing Bakehouse | https://www.facebook.com/sweetnothingbakehouse/
Bouquet & headband | Daylesford Farm | https://daylesford.com/event-category/garden/
Wreath & table decor | by family
Dress | Ted Baker | http://www.tedbaker.com/uk/Womens/c/category_womens
by Hanami Dream | 1, May, 2018 | blog, guest post, tips
Food, food, glorious food – a guide to catering a wedding reception
As mentioned, in the post ‘How to keep your wedding guests happy’, my number one top tip to keep your wedding guests happy (and ensure your wedding is remembered as a great day by all) is to keep your guests fed, watered and entertained.
If you get this right then you pretty much can’t go wrong by them. Fail at one of these things and your guests will get twitchy, tetchy or bored. Plus as someone with dietary requirements, I’m always impressed (& relieved) when different diets are considered at a wedding (take a look at my post on ‘Catering for special dietary requirements’).
Top tips from top caterers
Here are some tips from top local caterers Ross & Ross Food, who have been recently named ‘The Best Wedding Caterers in the UK’ in the Hitched Wedding Awards 2018. Here is their insight into catering your wedding reception and a look at current catering trends to consider in your wedding planning.
1) Food stations are a huge trend right now
Since we started wedding catering in 2015, we noticed a big spike in people’s love for food stations. Basically, they are small stations of different types of food that your guests can approach and select what they want.
The idea behind our food stations is that it creates a social aspect to your wedding. It also allows your guests to try a variety of different foods, instead of having a simple plated dish. Our food stations include Iberico Ham stations, Oyster stations, Doughnut walls and Yakitori stations.
2) Seasonal food is a must
At Ross & Ross Food we pride ourselves on quality and a bespoke service. We provide this excellent quality by always using seasonal food in our clients bespoke menus.
Using seasonal food ensures the produce is fresh and of excellent quality. This, therefore reflects in the standard of our food and evidently our clients are always blown away. We pride ourselves on the idea of supporting local, so always try to use local producers around the Cotswolds.
3) Sharing boards are great for socialising
Sharing boards are a great idea for your guests to connect and socialise, whilst tasting amazing food! Some of our sharing boards include: Our famous Scotch Eggs & Coleman’s Dressing; Hot Smoked Salmon; King Prawns & Lemon Mayonnaise and Cotswold Cured Meats.
Hopefully these will give you some ideas, if you are looking at the idea of sharing boards. They are also a great opportunity to try a variety of foods, instead of one traditional option.
4) Trust in your suppliers
Once you’ve decided who is going to cater for your wedding, you must put your trust in them! You have chosen them for a reason, so you know they are going to a fantastic job.
We ensure there is regular communication with our clients to ensure they are happy at every stage of the process. All of our clients have had extremely positive things to say about our food and service which is why we are a trusted caterer. Once you have been through your ideas and requirements, just relax and leave the work to them.
@rossandrossfood
@rossandrossfood and @rossandrossfoodevents
@rossandrossfood and @rossandrossfoodevents
My tummy is rumbling just thinking about all this food! Bon appetite!
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by Hanami Dream | 18, April, 2018 | blog, tips
Top tips on getting your wedding photographs picture perfect
After choosing a venue, the next important supplier to pick is the wedding photographer (and often the second most expensive element too). After all, this is the supplier who will be immortalising your special day and creating the keep sake to look back on in years to come. So it is vital you get this part right if you want to have amazing wedding photographs on your mantel piece.
Hire a professional photographer
Don’t dismiss the need for a professional photographer or think that you can just rely on people’s iPhone snaps. Nothing beats professional photographs!
When you’re looking around, please bear in mind that just because someone has a decent camera, it doesn’t necessarily mean that they can take good photos. However, advancement in technology does at least mean that there is more chance of getting it right.
Digital photography makes such a difference to capturing special days like weddings. There are so many advantages of having digital photography, no more so than having instant results. There’s no waiting around to get the photos developed, so the photographer can see what they are capturing straight away and make any adjustments as they go along. Hopefully this means more reliability and less surprises, plus more shots can be taken (as you’re not limited to a certain number of rolls of film) and you could change between colour and black/white images more easily. It also means that photos can be edited, backed up, stored, and shared with others online afterwards.
Photography style
Photographers may offer different styles of shots in their wedding photography repertoire. Think about the style of photos you want and pick a photographer who has this style in their portfolio whether that be formal, candid or reportage:
- Formal shots = this is the more posed stuff, perhaps with groups of people in scenes and is likely to be staged, with everyone looking at the camera
- Candid shots = these are a bit more relaxed and are more about catching a moment in time
- Reportage = this style tells a story and follows the main events throughout day in an informal manner
Practice makes perfect
Consider having an engagement shoot so that you can get comfortable in front of the camera with your photographer before the big day. Plus this will give you a chance to recce some good photo locations at your venue too.
Think about contingency plans – what happens if the photographer can’t do your wedding at the last minute? Do they have a stand in? Check what your insurance covers and ask your venue if they have a designated space for group shots in case it rains. It’s always best to plan for the worst, hope for the best.
Checklist for selecting the right photographer for you
Here are some other things that it is worth checking when you are considering the photographer to hire for your wedding day:
- Portfolio – take a look at their previous work and any weddings they’ve shot before
- Style – does their style of shots suit how you’d like to have your photos taken?
- Ability – are they able to do the style that you’d like?
- Qualifications – are they a member of the Association of Photographers, British Institute of Professional Photography, Society of Wedding & Portrait Photographers?
- Testimonials – what have previous couples had to say about them?
- Award – have they won anything for their work?
- Experience – how long have they been shooting weddings?
- Familiarity with venue – have they done any weddings at your chosen venue before?
- Availability – can they do your chosen date?
- Turn around time – how quickly will you get your photos back after the wedding?
- Insurance / contingency – what happens if they can’t do your wedding at the last minute?
- Presentation – does how they dress and carry themselves fit with the style of your day?
- Personality – do you gel with them? Would you want them to be at your wedding with you?
- Cost – how much do they charge, for how long and what is included in the price?
- Is an album included in cost? How many photographs are in the album?
- What other expenses are included/additional? Travel? Food?
Help your wedding photographer get the best results
Share the schedule or running order of the day with your photographer so they don’t miss key moments. Look after your photographer and don’t forget to feed them – it’s a long day for them too!
A good photographer will already know the shots that they would capture for a wedding day. However, it’s good to put together a shot list for your more obscure requests. Think about the shots you’d like to sum up the day (formal, candid and details).
You may well go for a mixture of colour and black/white, plus a combination of formal and informal shots to give you a good representation of the day, as well as some group shots to keep the older relatives happy too!
It’s a good idea to nominate a couple of your most reliable attendants in charge of rounding people up for the big group shots. Have the giant group photo of all the guests taken from up high. That way you’ll be able to see everyone’s faces and fit them all in.
Suggested wedding photography shot list:
Shots to sum up the day
- getting dressed
- getting ready to walk down the aisle
- close ups of couple individually just before the big entrance
- exchanging vows and rings
- the first kiss
- walking up the aisle after the ceremony together
- getting showered in confetti
- in the wedding car leaving the ceremony
- chatting to guests
- the toasts
- couple sharing a private moment
- the first dance
- cutting of the cake
- tossing of bouquet / lantern release
The formal shots
- couple individually
- couple signing the marriage certificate
- couple outside the service venue
- couple with each set of parents
- couple with both sets of parents
- couple with each of their immediate families (grandparents, siblings etc)
- with the bridesmaids
- with the best man and ushers
- couple with any special friends
- the entire wedding party
- reception shots per table
The candid shots
- wedding party getting ready with hair and make up
- big reveal to rest of wedding party
- couple’s first glimpse of each other
- wedding party making their way to, and arriving at, the ceremony
- guests arriving/with drinks before the reception
- the couple chatting to friends and family
- receiving line
- entrance of newlyweds to the reception
- guests signing the guestbook
- guests dancing
- entertainers/musicians
The detail shots
- clothes hanging on the wardrobe or bedpost
- close ups of dress, shoes, accessories
- wedding rings resting on an invitation
- close up of the couple holding hands (focus on the rings)
- close ups of wedding details (stationery, favours, place cards, table settings, table plan)
- the guestbook
- the cake before being cut
- bouquet and floral arrangements
- close up of the wedding car/transport
- room all set up
Wedding guests taking photographs
You may want to remind your guests politely to make sure that they don’t block the photographer on the day. And also consider having a unplugged wedding so you can see their faces (not their phones) when you look back on your photographs. Perhaps, chose a moment in the ceremony when guests can take their own photos.
Strike a pose
Above all, you want to look good in these momentous photos so here are some final tips for being picture perfect:
- Hold your flowers by your belly buttons to make a nice shape with your arms
- Keep your arms slightly away from your sides to give you biceps room to breath for a flattering look
- Take phones and keys out of trouser pockets to give a better line
- Get plenty of full length shots of the dress
- Avoid the midday sun (and squinty eyes!)
- Use the best ‘golden hour’ light 1 hour before sunset for some amazing shots!
- Smile with your eyes!
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by Hanami Dream | 29, March, 2018 | blog, styled shoots
Here’s a look behind the scenes of one of my recent styled shoots.
I was over the moon to be approached by a beautiful local venue last year (via a great photography partner) to style their wedding venue in order to show it off in a new light and provide all involved with wonderful lifestyle imagery.
It was wonderful to work alongside Steve from Squib Photography again (we previously worked on another styled bridal shoot last year). This time we were at Oxleaze Barn and we collaborated to produce an amazing bridal styled shoot inspired by Journey to the Centre of the Earth. It was also a privilege to be able to showcase some amazing products from some fantastic local suppliers.
Theme
I always have a number of ideas swilling around inside my head that are waiting for the right venue and season to utilise a certain theme. I’d had this particular theme in mind for a while and it had evolved and I had time to mull it over a long time before I’d even visited the venue for the first time. As soon as I saw Oxleaze Barn, I noticed all the blue accents around the 1700s barn and farm, so I knew that this theme would work perfectly there.
Journey to the Centre of the Earth by Jules Verne (published in 1864) features an expedition to Iceland and exploration through volcanic tunnels. (See some of my previous styled shoots based on other classic books.) The Icelandic edge took me to cold, icy places and this wintry theme seamlessly fitted a modern winter styled barn wedding. I especially wanted to emphasise that this wedding venue was available year round, thanks to their underfloor heating, and wanted the images to exude warmth and play on the hygge trend with a relaxed and intimate vibe. Plus it was great to have the opportunity to showcase the evergreen and expanse of their garden.
I also wanted to include nods to the book with the inclusion of volcanic rock themes through slick agate, intricate hollow geode or timeless marble.
Styled shoot
It is really important to me that my blog creates wedding inspiration in the beautiful Cotswolds. The uniqueness of the blog comes from showcasing my own beautiful and inspirational, trend-led styled wedding shoots, collaborating with local venues and innovative wedding suppliers.
Before starting Hanami Dream in 2014, I worked for over 6 years for an international clothing brand where I planned and managed photo shoots in some fabulous locations around the world. Now I get to combine my wonderful experience with my passion for weddings whilst supporting local businesses.
A styled shoot takes almost as much time and effort to produce as a wedding day and entails bringing together everything from many different suppliers.
For me the process always starts visually. Firstly on Pinterest where I collate my thoughts, then secondly on paper where I sketch out a floor plan, each scene and how every element will come together on a tablescape. Sometimes I have an idea of a product and I search for the best local supplier to provide that item. Other times, I see something that someone has created and I file it away for the most suitable shoot in the future.
The beauty of styled shoots (versus a real life wedding) is that it is a great opportunity to be a little more extravagant and really show off what you’ve always wanted to do. You can indulge your fantasies with new trends or products that couples may not have seen yet or something really unusual.
This styled shoot was a collaboration of like minded people that created great things together but perhaps didn’t have the budget to produce this kind of work if they all worked independently.
And most importantly, the suppliers I used are all local to the venue. This means that for anyone planning their wedding at this venue, this look and feel is completely achievable and realistic. The images might be Pinterest worthy but they are not unattainable.
Whether it is a styled shoot or a real life wedding day, the key is that each event is personal and tailor made.
Brief
We are very lucky to live in a beautiful part of the UK and are surrounded by some seriously talented wedding venues, professionals and suppliers. It was brilliant that so many wanted to be involved in this shoot and they certainly didn’t disappoint with the products that they provided.
They were all given the same brief of what I was trying to achieve:
volcanic rock elements to make a statement at this wintery wedding alongside grey, icy blue, gold and white accents coupled with acres of tulle and delicate airplants
I also provided them with my collated vision and ideas on my Pinterest board.
The themes I wanted to encapsulate included:
- winter
- modern
- industrial
- tactile
- ethereal
- delicate
- hygge
The colour palette followed the Spring 2018 trend colours of grey, blue and lilac, alongside gold and white accents including:
- Little Boy Blue
- Pink Lavender
- Ultra Violet
- Almost Mauve
Alongside neutrals of:
- Sailor Blue
- Harbor Mist
- Coconut Milk
Designs
The creative suppliers worked wonders in transforming my overflowing pot of ideas and pairing it down in to realistic and achievable products for us to showcase.
Usually each shoot starts with a muse or product that sparks the theme and everything flows from that element. For this shoot, it was some marbled concrete pots, concrete coasters, concrete letters, and concrete table numbers. Unfortunately due to ill health, the supplier wasn’t able to provide these items in the end for the shoot. However this marble look and feel was present on other elements.
- Cake design – I wasn’t sure that a Cotswold barn wedding was the right setting for a geode cake, so marble made the perfect theme for the cake. The Pretty Cake Company never fail to impress with their spectacular cakes and exquisite replica flower sugar work. And the beauty for this shoot included 4 different tier heights and the cascade of flowers matched the real ones immaculately.
- Stationery design – Continuing my quest to present novel alternatives to paper stationery, I initially was keen to utilise actual shards of agate for table numbers and place names. Sourcing these locally, economically and timely proved harder than first planned. Thankfully, the incredibly talented Emerald Paper Design was able to create trompe-l’œil card replicas to give the same look and feel along with her beautiful gold calligraphy. The whole suite featured geode style watercolour stationery with gold accents and a navy envelope.
- Flowers – despite my love of flowers, I’m discovering that a lot of my briefs recently have become almost ‘anti-flowers’ (ie just foliage, paper flowers, plants in pots) and this shoot focused heavily on succulents and air plants. Succulents are certainly one of my own fascinations and I’ve even started to propagate some for my own terrarium at home. For this shoot, I wanted the bouquets to feel modern and give a contrast against all the soft tulle. I loved the use of delicate air plants (a wonderful evolution on the succulent trend) and glass suspended baubles. Plus Enchanted Floristry brought along their amazing moongate that helped encapsulate the sense of entering a volcanic tunnel.
- Jewellery – It was brilliant to work with We Three Kings and their pieces echoed the colours and accents incredibly.
Suppliers
It’s the little details that bring any event to life and this was made possible by the wonderful local suppliers who provided their time, services, venue and products for free. Together we showcased the amazing talent that our part of the UK has to offer the wedding industry.
Despite the snow machine not materialising and a last minute change of models, the finished result was well worth the effort again.
- Dress – From the outset, I wanted to include a blue dress in this shoot. Ideally I wanted a bridal separate like the Sweet Caroline Norma J separates but these aren’t readily stocked in local dress supplier shops. However thanks to Fairytale Occasions we were able to demonstrate a blue dress alongside a full tactile tulle white dress.
- Lighting – Oakwood Events are an absolutely amazing company – friendly, reliable and highly sought after. Despite their really busy schedule, I was fortunate enough to involve their services again and showcase a brand new addition to their portfolio (which they sped through the design process especially for this shoot). It’s like they can read my mind! And luckily they don’t think my ideas are too crazy! I love that these displays give an industrial feel which is a great contrast with the relaxed vibe in the room.
Take a look at all the fabulous suppliers that were involved in this styled shoot – Keeping it local with suppliers for the Journey to the Centre of the Earth shoot
And see more about the Journey to the Centre of the Earth shoot – Inspiration: Journey to the Centre of the Earth wedding
Please do get in touch, if you are a local venue, wedding supplier or photographer and are looking to collaborate on a styled bridal shoot in the future.
#keepitlocal
by Hanami Dream | 22, March, 2018 | blog, guest post, trends
Absolutely delighted to share this year’s wedding fashion report from Lyst, a global fashion search platform where you can search thousands of online fashion stores at once, bringing together 5 million products from 12,000 of the world’s leading brands in one place. From emerging trends to worldwide fashion movements, Lyst is a unique source of global fashion intelligence.
Analysing search and sales data across 12,000 online stores and designers, global fashion search platform Lyst has compiled these 5 key insights about how brides are shopping for wedding outfits online this year:
1. Brides are breaking from tradition in a year of female empowerment
- Searches for bridal jumpsuits and bridal suits have increased by 113% in the last year
- Searches for wedding dresses including the words ‘backless’, ‘sexy’ or ‘nude’ have doubled year on year
- But modest dresses are popular too; ‘long sleeve’ and ‘high neck’ styles have seen a combined 47% increase in views year on year
2. Wedding dresses are getting cheaper
- Last April the average price of a wedding dress on Lyst was £832, 25% lower than in 2016. This year it has decreased a further 5% and is currently £790
- Wedding dresses from Topshop, Coast and ASOS are the most wanted cheaper options, along with contemporary brands Needle and Thread and Reformation
3. The Meghan Effect is a big deal for bridal brands
- Brands that Meghan Markle could wear on her big day have seen significant increases in wedding dress searches; Erdem (+43%), Ralph & Russo (+82%), Misha Nonoo (+79%), Roland Mouret (+38%)
4. 2018’s weddings will be the most colourful yet
- Searches for coloured bridal dresses are becoming more popular. White is still the number one most wanted option, followed by rose, yellow and red
- Searches for ‘black bridal dresses’ have increased 18% year on year
5. 1920s bridal accessories are having a moment
- Sales of hair clips and headpieces have risen 39% in the last year. Simone Rocha is currently the most searched for brand
- Brides are five times more likely to opt for jewel encrusted or coloured shoes with their wedding dress than cream or white
- There are 24% more feathered bridal products on Lyst than this time last year
The Top 5 most influential celebrity weddings of the last year Lyst looked at spikes in search and sales of some of the last year’s most talked about celebrity weddings to analyse which brides really set the trends:
1. Pippa Middleton married James Matthews, 20th May 2017 (Wedding dress by Giles Deacon)
- Giles Deacon saw the largest spike in searches of any wedding dress designer, with search increasing 148% in May
2. Serena Williams married Alexis Ohanian, 16th November 2017 (Wedding dress by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen. Wedding dress 2 and 3 by Versace, with bejewelled Nike sneakers)
- Serena had 3 designer wedding dresses, but it was her bejewelled Nike Cortez sneakers that got the world talking; searches for Nike Cortez increased 8% that week
3. Emily Ratajkowski married Sebastian Bear-McClard, 23rd February 2018 (Suit by Zara)
- Searches for Zara suits increased 58% week on week following Emily’s super Instagrammable marriage to Sebastian Bear-McClard in February. Searches for mustard yellow across all categories also saw a boost
4. Miranda Kerr married Evan Spiegel, 27th May 2017 (Maria Grazia Chiuri for Dior)
- It was Miranda’s Stephen Jones headpiece that caught brides’ attention in Australia, prompting a 43% increase in AU searches for bridal headpieces
5. Chanel Iman married Sterling Shepard, 3 March 2018 (Zuhair Murad)
- The Victoria’s Secret model tied the knot earlier this month, and her embellished cape led to a 29% increase in demand for lace capelets in the US
See more at https://www.lyst.com/articles/2018-wedding-fashion-report/
by Hanami Dream | 13, March, 2018 | blog, tips
There’s no doubt about it, social media has changed (and continues to shape the way) we communicate, our relationships, our society and culture. It is a part of our every day lives and so it’s no wonder that you’ll want to think about the role that social media will play on your wedding day too.
About a third of the world uses some sort of social media. And the age of technology that we live in has meant that we are rarely uncontactable. There is a sense of urgency in our communicating and the need to share. Social media has enabled us to publish and share our lives not only with our nearest and dearest but to a wider audience too. We can share events, connect with people and it certainly has made the world feel like a smaller place.
I believe that social media has also made the news more relevant and accessible to more people, as well as personalising and interacting with announcements.
We are now living in the moment (all be it a digital one) with a need for things to be instant and live. We are also becoming more visual in our communications and video is the king of social media right now.
Whether you are going to embrace social media or shun it for your wedding, here are my top ten tips and modern day etiquette suggestions to make the most of social media on your special day.
Top tips for social media at your wedding day:
- Make sure you keep things personal – perhaps tell your closest family and friends in person before changing your status on social media or posting an engagement ring photo.
- Don’t rely on social media for all your wedding communications – think about your guest list as it may cover people from a variety of generations and technological abilities. Not everyone will have access or regular use of social media. A physical invitation will mean everyone on your list gets the same message.
- Don’t overshare on social media – keep an element of surprise beforehand. Also you don’t want to make any of your social media followers feel left out if they haven’t been invited to your big day.
- If you feel like going tech free then have an unplugged wedding – just make sure you set expectations with your guests early on.
- Create a hashtag or a personalised Snapchat filter – share the # on your invitations, order of service and on signs around the reception. Then collect images on a social media wall at the reception or an online wedding album.
- Use Facebook live or Periscope – for those guests that can’t make it (or live far away) consider streaming your wedding live so that they can still experience the day.
- Give a selfie stick as wedding favours – instead of the old disposable cameras on each table at the reception, give guests a selfie stick or a list of photos to try and capture.
- Etiquette tip – guests should wait until after the bride or groom have posted anything before putting up shots of the happy couple.
- Keep a traditional photographer – nothing beats professional photographs! And guests, please make sure that you don’t block the photographer on the day. The couple want to see your faces not your phones when they look back on their photographs. Chose a moment in the ceremony when guests can take their own photos.
- Enjoy the moment – above all remember to live the day and not just be recording events. Put the phone down for one day and make the most of having all the people you love in one room at the same time to celebrate your special day.
Take a break from tradition with this handy guide to modern alternatives to personalise your wedding.
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by Hanami Dream | 2, March, 2018 | blog, guest post, tips
Whilst we are very lucky to be surrounded by so many amazing wedding venues in the Cotswolds, there is always the allure and escapism of flying off somewhere else to tie the knot, perhaps to evade the stress and politics of wedding planning on your home turf.
Couples may chose to elope in secret (possibly behind their parents back) and sometimes in a hurry. However, elopement nowadays is less about running away and more about picking a romantic destination to get married with just a few of your close family and friends.
Here are some top tips from Claire at Wed in Central Park about planning your very own wedding abroad:
When many people hear the term “destination wedding” they think of a wedding ceremony taking place on a beach, somewhere sunny. Beach weddings are beautiful but they’re not for everyone, and many couples are considering eloping, or bringing a small group of their nearest and dearest to a city or countryside destination abroad for their special day.
1.Paperwork
The first thing a couple should check when they start thinking about a particular location for their destination wedding, is whether they can legally marry in that country. Some countries require complicated paperwork, or for the couple to be in the country for a very long time before they can marry, and if you don’t speak the language things can get tricky, and for same-sex couples matters can be even more complicated. Often couples get around this by marrying close to their home for the legal part of their wedding, and then having the ceremony and celebration (and photos!) somewhere else.
2.American Dream
Did you know that a wedding in the USA will be legally binding for British couples who live in the UK? So, there would be no need for marrying in a register office at home for the legal side of things, just one wedding (and one anniversary) each year! Perhaps the idea of marrying at the Grand Canyon appeals to you? Or in a forest on top of a hill in the Yosemite National Park? Or for that beach wedding in Hawaii or California? Or a big-budget Disney wedding? Or the ever-popular Vegas wedding? All of these locations would be fantastic in my opinion, although some easier than others to achieve. My personal favourite, and the area I specialise in, is helping couples to get married in New York’s Central Park, or indeed anywhere outdoors in New York. It’s my personal favourite because that’s where I got married!
3.New York, New York
To get married in New York, all you need to do is go to City Hall in person, together, with your passports and a credit card to pay $35 with and pick up a license. Then you wait at least 24 hours and after that you can get married! I guide couples through all of the decisions needed to decide how to have the wedding of their dreams in this beautiful, iconic, world-famous oasis of calm in the centre of one of the world’s greatest and busiest cities. After a wedding ceremony in the stunningly beautiful Central Park, with the iconic backdrop of the skyscrapers behind the tress, couples can go all over the city taking photos – the Top of the Rock, Brooklyn Bridge, Times Square, Grand Central – there are so many places that will truly make your wedding photos unique. And then after that; a reception and celebration in one of New York’s incredible restaurants! There really is something for everyone in New York.
4.Who, where, when and how much
If you are considering a wedding abroad I would suggest that you consider what time of year you would be there, and who you would bring with you, if anyone. That will help you to work out a basic costing of the travel and accommodation, which are the major costs when it comes to a destination wedding. You might want to tag a honeymoon on to the trip after the wedding, somewhere close to the wedding location. Many of my clients plan on eloping and then, when they tell their loved ones what their plans are, their close family and friends want to come along too! I would always suggest discussions with your nearest and dearest, whether you are planning on inviting them or not. If they’re coming along, then you need to work out a good time for everyone. You will also need a plan for where everyone will stay and how long for – if you are marrying in New York, then some guests might come for a few days before or after the wedding day, or you might want everyone there at the same time, to allow for hen and stag outings while you are there. If you are eloping, then you might want to throw a big party on your return for wider friends and family, and perhaps keep to the theme of your wedding location.
@CentralParkWed
@centralparkweddingclaire
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by Hanami Dream | 27, February, 2018 | blog, inspiration
More wedding inspiration from my Secret Garden styled bridal shoot at Cogges Manor Farm with Squib Photography UK.
It’s the little details that bring any event to life and this was made possible by these wonderful local suppliers.
See more images in the gallery and inspirational blog post.
by Hanami Dream | 9, February, 2018 | blog, trends
I’m pleased we didn’t have to wait as long as last year for the Pantone® announcement of the Fall/Winter colours to look out for in 2018. In fact, it even took me a bit by surprise!
With the fashion week season just kicking off (this month is New York, London, Milan and then Paris) we start to think about those autumnal months.
And it seems that Pantone® are back in their stride, as we return to a top ten of colours (rather than a dozen that we saw for spring 2018). Plus I’m pleased to see the report continuing to be predictions again rather than a counting colours exercise from the catwalks.
It’s great to see an increase and update to the bonus colours that act as neutrals and core basics too.
Bonfire night warmth
I love this collection of bold colours that will trend in Autumn. They certainly pack a punch and make a huge statement.
Alongside some typical, rich autumnal colours, there’s some great accompanying vibrant shades that sit nicely alongside the colour of the year, Ultra Violet.
You can feel the warmth of the reds, orange, yellow and brown colours radiating out like the flames of a bonfire on Guy Fawkes night with Red Pear, Valiant Poppy, Ceylon Yellow, Martini Olive, Russet Orange (and Meerkat from the neutrals).
Peacock blooms
The dark, jewel colours (of Nebulas Blue, Ultra Violet and Quetzal Green) are fitting for my prediction of peacock inspired weddings this year. With the deep teal of Quetzal Green even named after a striking colourful bird.
Many of the names of the colours in this season seem so evocative and conjuror up images of space, sky, sea and land. With the interstellar cloud of dust of Nebulas Blue, Ultra Violet (the colour of the year tipped to suggest the mysteries of the cosmos), the cold, dark North Atlantic water of the Sargasso Sea and the expanse of poppies in Flanders Field reminiscent of Remembrance Day.
I’d love to have the job of thinking up the names of the colours – any one for a cocktail to accompany Martini Olive?!
Winter transition
With the start of the Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang today, it’s lovely to see some icy counterparts to take us in to winter with Crocus Petal (a paler version of Ultra Violet) and Limelight (a lighter version of Ceylon Yellow). They’ll make good transition colours to next spring too.
Fall 2018 colours
The top ten colours for Fall 2018 are:
- PANTONE 19-1536 Red Pear
- PANTONE 18-1549 Valiant Poppy
- PANTONE 18-4048 Nebulas Blue
- PANTONE 15-0850 Ceylon Yellow
- PANTONE 18-0625 Martini Olive
- PANTONE 16-1255 Russet Orange
- PANTONE 18-3838 Ultra Violet
- PANTONE 15-3520 Crocus Petal
- PANTONE 12-0740 Limelight
- PANTONE 18-5025 Quetzal Green
Fall 2018 extra colours from LFW
Plus a couple of additional pops of pink from London Fashion Week round off the colours for Fall 2018:
- PANTONE 15-1515 Mellow Rose
- PANTONE 18-2045 Pink Peacock
Neutral basics
Pantone® have also created a Fall 2018 Classic Colour Palette. These are a group of neutrals that are core basics in the form of navy, white, beige, grey and brown.
You could wrap yourself up in these warm neutral colours. This is hygge at its best – with a great addition of Meerkat brown – so comforting, warm and cosy.
The bonus classic neutral colours for Fall 2018 are:
- PANTONE 19-4031 Sargasso Blue
- PANTONE 11-4801 Tofu
- PANTONE 14-1116 Almond Buff
- PANTONE 14-4107 Quiet Grey
- PANTONE 16-1438 Meerkat
Colour themes
It’ll be great to see how couples incorporate these colours in to their weddings later this year.
Pantone® is the world-renowned authority on colour and the Pantone® Color of the Year is always really influential in any popular colour themes in fashion, interior design and weddings.
See some of my trend predictions for weddings in 2018.
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