Couples are currently looking at ways to personalise their nuptials and break from tradition. Wedding styling is seeing an abundance of original alternatives that blend together cultures, creativity and lots of personal touches.
Mixing and matching seem a great way to compromise, as couples decide that they don’t have to settle on one particular style. This gives a great fusion of modern and vintage, along with contrasting textures, colours and mixed metals.
It’s why there’s an abundance of beautiful wedding styling trends to look out for at the moment. Here’s my top pick for 2020:
contemporary classic
Subtle updates to some traditional wedding styles include an injection of more vibrant colours. The use of colour is being used more subtly though and is often paired alongside neutral colours. And it certainly isn’t the case of everything having to match anymore.
Coloured linens are giving white napkins a run for their money, whilst cutlery is coming in different colours too. The best use of colour is with mix and match bridesmaids, where the styles and hues of dresses compliment each other or are in varying shades of the same colour.
Nods to Art Deco are appearing again in wedding themes, paying homage to the golden jazz age and The Great Gatsby era, with lace also seeing a revival. Scents are becoming important at weddings to appeal to ALL the senses, so more personalised scented candles are being used around the venue to enhance the atmosphere.
Couples are choosing to sit intimately on their own sweetheart table, whilst an array of cakes are being displayed on dessert tables. And whilst there is a move towards having less décor, some couples are supersizing their décor elements to make an impact.
country garden
The greenery trend is still going strong with couples wanting connections with nature. Weddings are bringing the outdoors in with an abundance of foliage, trees, enchanted indoor forest walks and floral arches. Banquet tables are being decorated with low florals (so guests can see one another across them) or hanging centrepieces above the tables.
And couples continue to use alternatives to real flowers such as pot plants, succulents and air plants that can be reused again after the wedding. But the biggest trend right now is the use of grasses, pods and dried flowers, with pampas grass seeing a huge surge in popularity. This is being used across all elements of décor from the big statement pieces (like ceremony backdrops, aisle runners and chandeliers), to fillers in bouquets (or big statement bouquets), table centrepieces and accents on the cake or table plan.
One plume or a huge arrangement, dried or fresh, pampas grass is proving to be versatile across seasons and marries well as a neutral with many colours.
modern minimalism
Thanks to the Marie Kondo effect, minimal weddings are still popular and continue to exude sophistication especially when couples stick to one colour, such as white, to make an amazing statement.
To achieve maximum impact the minimal way, couples are keeping decor, florals and styling to a few key pieces. The use of metallic decor, silverware and mirrors bounce natural light around the space, along with clear tables and chairs with no fussy table cloths or chair covers.
Use of geometric shapes such as hoops and prisms in different scales add to the modern styling. With free-flowing modern calligraphy on stationery items.
urban cool
Industrial venues often offer a complete blank canvas and statement backdrops to the traditional wedding elements. Couples can design the layout of the room, complete with make shift aisles and chill out lounge seating areas.
Old warehouses, city pubs, or disused factories with deteriorating brickwork, wooden beams and big windows, all provide a great contrast with a relaxed wedding vibe. These are the perfect venues for some New York loft styling and to mix modern and vintage elements together.
Décor is focused on concrete, stone and cement details such as marbled concrete pots, concrete coasters, concrete letters, and concrete table numbers.
And it’s all about unique lighting with vintage lampshades, statement chandeliers and 80s inspired neon.
quirky and personal
Personalisation is still the most prevalent theme in weddings right now. Couples are making their nuptials as individual as they are and are breaking from tradition. There is an abundance of original alternatives that blend together cultures, creativity and lots of personal touches.
Couples are going beyond paper stationery with different material types such as Perspex, denim, wood or agate slices. And printing invites on things their guests can use again. Likewise, guest books are things couples will use or see every day such as recipe books, furniture and artwork.
Alternatives to real flower bouquets include flowers made of fabric, felt, paper, sheet music or comic book pages. Carrying flowers in different arrangements such as pomanders, hoops and wreaths. Holding objects instead of flowers, using sparkly things to make a bouquet or using other natural alternatives to flowers. Plus, paper flowers are being used for décor and in ceremony arches.
Couples are considering new ways to wear flowers such as bow ties, corsages, floral rings, anklets and chockers.
Llamas seem to be the animal of choice to be a guest at weddings. Plus, the evolution from Chinese lanterns and sparklers has now moved on to super dramatic smoke bombs.
bohemian and vintage
It’s a sad fact that, by their nature, weddings can be quite wasteful. However, more couples nowadays are choosing eco-friendly and sustainable options to reduce the impact that their wedding day has on the environment.
Where possible couples are thinking about foraging, borrowing or hiring items, upcycling vintage décor, making their own items and considering how to pass on items afterwards. Food is more seasonal, local and vegan. With couples looking at how to make their wedding a plastic free event.
The other trend to look out for is Kintsugi. This is upcycling Japanese style – the art of repairing or recycling broken items in beautiful and artistic ways.
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Pantone® have picked a soothing and refreshing blue as their colour of the year for 2020. Don’t feel blue! You’ve got ‘Classic Blue’ to get you through the first year of the new decade.
Classic Blue
Funnily enough blue was my hot tip for the Pantone Colour of the year in 2020 – take a look at my review of the Spring/Summer 2020 colours. And Classic Blue sits perfectly in the beautiful seascape of colours to embrace next year.
As Pantone® Vice President Laurie Pressman said, it is “a timeless and enduring blue hue, timeless in its simplicity … Classic Blue is calming and confident. It mixes well with shades across the color spectrum and serves as an anchor on its own.”
It is “a reassuring presence instilling calm, confidence and connection”. … “It is this kind of constancy and confidence that is expressed by Classic Blue, a solid and dependable blue hue we can always rely on.”
Calming influence
The emphasis on a bold primary colour feels like a big back to basics statement and a strong, emotive and versatile colour.
Classic Blue (also known as Pantone® 19-4052) feels like a good palette cleansing colour after the vibrancy of Living Coral in 2019. Perhaps a safe choice, hopefully not political but beautifully calming in a sea of constant change and uncertainty at the moment.
It is natural, neutral and nautical.
2020 weddings
Classic Blue is exactly what it says on the tin. Classic. A core basic colour and a stylish accompaniment to any vibrant pop of colour. I look forward to seeing couples incorporating Classic Blue into their wedding colour schemes in 2020.
#COY2020
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I really didn’t want the summer to end this year. I enjoyed all those long lazy summer days together as a family and loved being by the seaside. There’s just something about being by the sea. And like Moana, the line where the sky meets the sea – it calls me and I come back to the water.
So with a bad dose of the post holiday blues, it has been back to school and routine again this week. But I’m ready for the new term and am feeling rejuvenated with some new (school) year resolutions.
My back to school blues have already been allayed thanks to the latest Pantone® announcement. Their prediction of colours that will dominate the scene for next year’s spring and summer are a wonderful reminder of my recent summer holiday with some calming sea colours, pale ice cream colours, alongside some bold primary colours.
Spring 2020
So with the fashion weeks kicking off (this week is New York, then on to London, Milan and Paris), Pantone® have shown their hand for the Spring/Summer colours to look out for early in 2020. And it’ll be great to see which colours will appear in weddings next year.
At first glance I was disappointed as the colours have a similar look and feel to last year I didn’t expect it to feel so repetitive of what we’ve seen recently. I had imagined that the seascape of blues and greens would be more dominant and there would be more of a pastel palette. So I was surprised to see such a vibrant set of colours that we’ve already seen with red still at the forefront.
However, on closer inspection, I realise that maybe this kind of stability is exactly what we need at the moment in a country of such uncertainty. Perhaps an air of familiarity is calming in a sea of constant change. In times of austerity, reusing and recycling saves not only the pocket but the environment too.
Bold primary colours
It feels quite fitting at the time of year when the children are going back to school that the top three colours to be announced at NYFW are the bold primary colours of red, yellow and blue (Flame Scarlet, Saffron and Classic Blue respectively). It feels like a big back to basics statement and an education on how you learn colours first at school. And is this a subconscious way of displaying political allegiances too? These are strong, emotive and empowering colours. Take a look at my stance on the colour red in my colour report for Fall 2019 colours.
Ice cream pastels
For balance, there are a set of paler tones of each of the main bold colours which provide softer versions. It’s like looking at ice cream cones dripping with vanilla, strawberry and mint ice cream (of Sunlight, Coral Pink and Biscay Green).
Seascape
On reflection, I shouldn’t be disappointed at this set of colours as there are actually three blues that have made it in to the Spring list (of Classic Blue, Faded Denim and Mosaic Blue) and some complementary greens of Chive and Biscay Green to make up a beautiful seascape. And blue is my hot tip for the Pantone Colour of the year in 2020.
Transitional warm secondary colours
Alongside the primary colours sit the secondary colours of green, orange and purple. A perfect lesson on how to mix colours – keeping the theme of back to (school) basics at the forefront. These are also warm. comforting and remincenct of a nice mug of mulled wine. Even the colour names of Cinnamon Stick, Orange Peel and Grape Compote are fragrant and warming.
Spring 2020 colours
The top twelve colours for Spring 2020 are:
Flame Scarlet PANTONE 18-1662
Saffron PANTONE 14-1064
Classic Blue PANTONE 19-4052
Biscay Green PANTONE 15-5718
Chive PANTONE 19-0323
Faded Denim PANTONE 17-4021
Orange Peel PANTONE 16-1359
Mosaic Blue PANTONE 18-4528
Sunlight PANTONE 13-0822
Coral Pink PANTONE 14-1318
Cinnamon Stick PANTONE 18-1345
Grape Compote PANTONE 18-3513
Spring 2020 extra colours from LFW
Plus a couple of additional pinks (rather than an orange and denim) from London Fashion Week round off the colours for Spring 2020:
Beetroot Purple PANTONE 18-2143
Blossom PANTONE 14-1513
Neutral basics
Pantone® have also updated the Classic Colour Palette. These are a group of neutrals that are core basics in the form of a taupe, navy blue, white and grey.
The bonus classic neutral colours for Spring 2020 are:
Lark PANTONE 16-1324
Navy Blazer PANTONE 19-3923
Brilliant White PANTONE 11-4001
Ash PANTONE 16-3802
Colour themes
It’ll be great to see how couples incorporate these colours in to their weddings next year. I can see how the classic neutrals will play a big part in coupling up with some of the more vibrant choices.
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.
I’m always excited to see the next Pantone® announcement for their predictions of colours that will dominate the scene for forthcoming seasons. So with the fashion weeks kicking off (this month is New York, London, Milan and then Paris) we start to think about this year’s autumnal months.
This week saw Pantone® showing their hand for the Fall/Winter colours to look out for later in 2019. And it’ll be great to see which colours will appear in autumn weddings this year.
There’s an array of rich vibrant earthy colours. Out of the 12 main colours, 8 of them are from the red palette. There are 3 orange colours and 5 reddy/browns, with some of the peach colours paying a slight nod to Living Coral, the colour of the year. What is great is that a juicy green has made it alongside the neutral and core basic colours too.
Seventies festival vibe
Perhaps to match the festival and eco friendly vibe on trend at the moment, there is a plethora of reds, oranges and browns that dominate the Fall 2019 colours.
There’s a real sense of being grounded and at one with the world. With the feeling of the warmth coming from Chili Pepper, Biking Red, Peach Pink, Rocky Road, Fruit Dove, Sugar Almond, Dark Cheddar and Orange Tiger.
For me, it’s like someone has opened a door on the décor of my childhood house with memories of all the orange and brown on wallpaper.
Mouth watering food
There are lots of culinary references in the colour names that make my mouth water just thinking about them. Perhaps this in light of the importance that we are being made more aware of nowadays to cook fresh and sustainable food.
There are strong flavours in these colours that pack a punch both to taste and also visually. This plays on the trend to appeal to all 5 senses at a wedding or any event. Such as Chili Pepper, Crème de Pêche, Peach Pink, Rocky Road, Fruit Dove, Sugar Almond, Dark Cheddar (plus Vanilla Custard and Guacamole from the neutrals).
This evokes amazing memories of seeing guacamole being prepared by the side of our table in Mexico – the fresh, spicy and warming flavours produced by one small dish of food.
Succulent foliage
Alongside these earthy colours are greens conjuring up an amazing garden image with the forest green of Eden. Plus the bluey green of Bluestone makes me think of amazing succulent plants accenting and dotted about on the dry earthy ground.
The blues will certainly make good transition colours to next spring too.
Fall 2019 colours
The top colours for Fall 2019 are:
PANTONE 19-1557 Chili Pepper
PANTONE 19-1650 Biking Red
PANTONE 12-1110 Crème de Pêche
PANTONE 15-1530 Peach Pink
PANTONE 19-1234 Rocky Road
PANTONE 17-1926 Fruit Dove
PANTONE 18-1155 Sugar Almond
PANTONE 15-1150 Dark Cheddar
PANTONE 19-4055 Galaxy Blue
PANTONE 18-4217 Bluestone
PANTONE 16-1358 Orange Tiger
PANTONE 19-6050 Eden
Fall 2019 extra colours from LFW
Plus a couple of additional colours (instead of the peach and orange colours) from London Fashion Week round off the colours for Fall 2019:
PANTONE 16-0840 Antique Moss
PANTONE 18-3211 Grapeade
Neutral basics
Pantone® have also created a Fall 2019 Classic Colour Palette. These are a group of neutrals that are core basics in the form of cream, navy, grey and the addition of a green.
The bonus classic neutral colours for Fall 2019 are:
PANTONE 12-0815 Vanilla Custard
PANTONE 19-3815 Evening Blue
PANTONE 16-0000 Paloma
PANTONE 17-0530 Guacamole
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.
Whether a religious, civil or humanist ceremony, a traditional or themed reception, these special days are about what is important to each individual couple.
Sometimes fashion, films, television programmes, interior design, celebrity weddings and even current affairs influence these trends.
So what does 2019 hold for the world of weddings? Here is a curation of some of the top trends to look out for next year:
Clothing
Bridal wear is continuing to see a shift in trends to provide new, innovative and unusual styles to make sure the bride makes a statement and is different to any other on her big day. Fashion trends that are appearing on the catwalks (that will surely influence weddings next year) include:
Simple classic sheath dresses – this is the minimal look epitomised by Meghan Markle
Exaggerated volume and structured bows – to add a statement feature
A further move away from white wedding dresses – next year will see more blue dresses
Different neck lines – 2019 will see more halter neck
Chaps
Not to be out done by the ladies, groomsmen will have some stylish updates to their wedding attire with:
Three piece suits becoming more popular again
Colours will be rich in burgundy, purple or blues
Cut will be slimmer
Tweed suits will continue to be on trend
Complementary
Accessories will continue to shimmer and shine courtesy of metallic or pearl elements. Plus there’s a real turn towards silver and chrome away from rose gold. Other trends will include:
Alternatives to diamonds in engagement rings
Stars and 3D floral tiaras and crowns
Covering up with trench coats or sheer capelets
Floral accessories for brides like wrist flowers and floral hats for a festival vibe
And grooms will see an increase in florals such as floral cane toppers, floral bow ties and even bouquet beards
Chosen few
Bridal parties are veering away from the traditional with:
Joint hen and stag dos
Bridesmen and groomsgirls – proving that friends can support you whatever their gender
Colour and styling
Different arenas (such as interior design, architecture, graphic design, lighting, furniture and textiles) influence our daily lives which in turn spills over to the world of weddings. One part that overarches these elements is the importance of colour.
The Pantone® Colour of the Year always plays a big part in influencing popular colours and the colour of the year in 2019 is a warm and energising orange called ‘Living Coral’. Take a look at my report about the colour of the year 2019 and here’s my take on the other colours to look out for in spring/summer 2019. And why not use ALL the SS19 colours in your confetti for a real festival vibe.
Patterns will appear in some decorative elements including polka dots and tartan
Llamas see to be the animal of choice to be a guest at weddings in 2019
Geometric shapes such as hoops and prisms in different scales will be used
Eco conscious weddings are rising in popularity which will encourage plastic free events and foraging for decor
Scents will be important as weddings are now appealing to ALL the senses
Illustrated invitations showing the wedding venue are becoming popular
Floral and foliage provide an instant connection with nature and the greenery trend is still going strong with elements such as:
Bringing the outdoors in with trees or an enchanted indoors forest walk
Banquet tables with low florals so you guests can see one another
Grasses and dried flowers for an ethereal boho look
Terracotta pots with house plants
Teepees and silver birch arches
Catering
Family style serving is still a great way to share the wedding reception which works so well on long, large banquet tables lining the room. Plus couples want their food to look amazing so that it is Instagram worthy. Other food and drink highlights to support emerging tends include:
Opulent and regal cakes
Grazing tables piled high for a proper foodie fest
Culture
The world of films and tv always influences trends and 2019 looks set to be a year of blockbusters to choose from such as:
Comic book films like: Captain Marvel, Joker and 2 new X Men films (Dark Phoenix & the New Mutants)
Children’s classics including: Dumbo (for amazing vintage circus themes), The Lion King, Toy Story 4, Frozen 2 and Lego Movie 2
Sci-Fi movies such as: Star Wars 9
Action movies including: Charlie’s Angels, Glass (perfect for the transparent themes)
Fantasy movies: Cats, Rocket Man
Love stories like: Last Christmas (need we say more for a Christmas theme wedding!)
Period dramas including: Downtown Abbey, Colette (filmed at a local wedding venue and perfect for some French inspired themes), Mary Queen of Scots (to marry well with the tartan trends coming)
Plus big tv shows such as Les Miserables will also lend itself to the chic vintage French trends
Film and video will continue to be more prevalent at weddings with couples choosing 360 videos, virtual reality experiences and drones to capture their big day. Along with social media being a part of the day and a way to capture everyone’s pictures of the day (it’s just the modern version of the disposable cameras on the table!) with personalised snap chat geofilters and your own hashtags for the day.
Celebrities
As well as the wonders of Pinterest, couples are inspired by seeing others doing something first. So it’s no surprise that details from celebrity weddings will influence wedding trends. Here are some famous engaged couples that could make it up the aisle in 2019 and their special days will be ones to watch:
Kate Wright & Rio Ferdinand (maybe some football inspired themes)
Lady Gaga & Christian Carino
Ellie Goulding & Caspar Jopling
Idris Elba & Sabrina Dhowre
Ed Sheeran & Cherry Seaborn (wonder what their first dance music would be?)
Gwyneth Paltrow & Brad Falchuk
Alexandra Burke & Joshua Ginnelly
Paris Hilton & Chris Zykla
Current affairs
You may be living and breathing your wedding and everything else in the world is taking a back seat. However, things are still going on around you and some national, local and annual events may have an impact on your guests involvement, availability and enjoyment. Here’s some events around the world that could influence your choice of dates and could also influence wedding trends:
Cricket World Cup (England) 30 May – 9 June
Women’s World Cup (France) 7 June – 7 July
Glastonbury 26-30 June
Woodstock 50th anniversary 16-18 August (can’t wait for all the festival themed weddings as a result of this anniversary!)
Rugby World Cup (Japan) 20 September – November
These are a few of my predictions for wedding trends in 2019. I’d love to hear what you think are going to be popular wedding trends next year.
May I take this opportunity to wish you all the best for 2019. Please take a look at more of my curation and inspiration on Pinterest.
Are you getting married this year? Is your wedding going to be following one of these trends? Let me know if you’d like to share the detail shots of your day on my blog to inspire other couples who are wedding planning. If you (and your photographer) are happy, then take a look how to submit your wedding.
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Couples are currently looking at ways to personalise their nuptials and break from tradition. Wedding styling is seeing an abundance of original alternatives that blend together cultures, creativity and lots of personal touches.
Mixing and matching seem a great way to compromise, as couples decide that they don’t have to settle on one particular style. This gives a great fusion of modern and vintage, along with contrasting textures, colours and mixed metals.
Here are my top wedding styling trends to look out for at the moment:
Bringing the outside inside
The greenery trend has meant less flowers and more plants and foliage are prevalent, with top tables awash with garlands running down the whole of the table and spilling off the ends to the floor, with gentle inclusions of white flowers. Think of the foliage arch that was around the door of St George’s Chapel for Harry & Megan’s wedding.
Couples are also thinking more seasonally with their choices and including foraged items such as moss, fruit, vegetables, feathers, cones and other seasonal items from the environment around them.
Alternatives to paper stationery
Couples are thinking beyond paper and using different material types such as Perspex, denim, wood or agate slices for their suite of wedding stationery. For the transparent acrylic trend, the use of Perspex chairs, tables, menus and signage means that stationery doesn’t detract but blend in with the surroundings. Clear ‘stationery’ will continue to grow in popularity for a modern style and this is evolving further to iridescent details.
Minimal look and feel
On average, wedding guest numbers are decreasing and micro weddings are on the rise; with couples wishing to keep things small, personal and more meaningful. This vibe is also transcending to the look of the day, with plain, simple and minimal styling. This can be enhanced by using one colour for maximum impact such as white for an amazing statement with a relaxed and tranquil atmosphere.
Festival vibes
Outdoor or tipi weddings with macramé ceremony backdrops are seeing a massive upturn at the moment. Think hanging greenery, trees, dream catcher favours, festoon lighting, ribbon drapes, food vans, chill out areas and fire bowls.
Alternatives to real flowers are better for the environment and the pocket – make paper flowers or borrow house plants for a great diy wedding.
Statement backdrops
Move over flower walls and arches – the ceremony wreaths are here! Archways are being superseded by moongates, circular arches and other impactful ceremony backdrops. Couples are using them to walk through on their way down the aisle, a spectacular ceremony or photo backdrop, behind top tables, bars or dessert tables. The wreaths can be decorated with flowers and/or foliage, all over or partially covered.
Air plants
Another alternative to flowers is air plants, which are a brilliant evolution on the succulent trend. Their delicate tendrils give a wonderful contrast against the soft tulle of wedding dresses.
Use them in bouquets, table displays or in glass suspended baubles.
Gem stones rock
Shiny rocks will continue to see a place in wedding venue styling with agate (or hollow geodes) still at the forefront of designs in cakes and name settings, as well as the revival of marble details.
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Pantone® have picked a warm and energising orange ‘Living Coral’ as their colour of the year for 2019!
Living Coral
For me, it was always going to be one of the warmer tones of either a bright yellow or vibrant red. This seems like the perfect compromise mix of the two, called Living Coral (also known as Pantone® 16-1546).
As Pantone® Vice President Laurie Pressman said, it is an “an animating and life-affirming coral hue with a golden undertone that energizes and enlivens with a softer edge. Sociable and spirited, the engaging nature of Living Coral…embodies our desire for playful expression”.
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. They have been picking a colour of the year for 20 years now, taking into account cultural trends, as well as “how colors can embody our collective experience and reflect what is taking place in our global culture at a moment in time,” according to the press release from Pantone®.
Eco friendly
It seems quite fitting that this should be the colour next year especially when there’s such a focus on our oceans, climate change and protecting our natural resources. Living Coral seems the perfect ambassador to remind us of these important factors and to consider how to make weddings more eco friendly.
Living Coral instantly conjurors up images of life under the clear blue sea and makes me reminisce about happy days learning to scuba dive at the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. It is an absolute underwater paradise, literally awash with colour energised by the sunshine. I still dream about a phenomenal night dive when I felt like I was flying over mountains and as I shone a torch over the coral it all came to life when the light touched it. It was breath taking. I learnt how important coral is in the marine life for providing habitats and shelter, protecting coast lines, and also filtering the water. It needs to be protected.
2019 weddings
The 2019 colour of the year certainly would be fitting for a beach wedding although would also pair seamlessly with a sophisticated navy, grey or burgundy to make it a relevant colour to fit a wedding at any time of year. And of course coral is associated with a couple’s 35th wedding anniversary so it’s no stranger to being a part of weddings.
I’ve been desperate for a yellow or an orange colour to get top billing for a couple of years and my guess for the Color of the Year 2019 was for Aspen Gold or Mango Mojito (see my Spring 2019 report). I’m pleased to see a vibrant, playful colour leading the way again in 2019 and can’t wait to see couples incorporating Living Coral into their wedding colour schemes.
Living Coral wedding inspiration
See more about my Living Coral mood board from the UK Academy of Wedding and Event Planning’s SS19 Pantone® mood board competition from earlier this year.
#COY2019
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Here’s the Living Coral mood board that I submitted in the UK Academy of Wedding and Event Planning SS19 Pantone® colour trend challenge earlier this year.
The current back to school vibe always makes me feel a little sad and melancholy. It’s the end of the summer and the seasons are beginning to change. It is back to work and back to reality, after a summer of fun. The lyrics of ‘Zorbing’ by Stornoway sum up what this time of year makes me think about
Conkers shining on the ground, The air is cooler. And I feel like I just started Uni.
But the exciting news from Pantone® ahead of New York Fashion Week about the Spring 2019 colours has certainly lifted my mood.
We’ll be seeing red next spring if the latest trend predictions from Pantone® this week are anything to go by.
The colours for next Spring certainly make a huge bold statement. They are rich, vibrant and indulgent yet not over powering. They are like a ray of golden light on a colourful kaleidoscope.
Autumnal evolution
You’d be forgiven in thinking that this is the fall report and not the spring one. There seems to be quite a lot of crossover with the current Fall/Winter 2018/19 colour palette with some rich earthy tones, though by Spring 2019 we will have lost the purples (and the Colour of the Year), neons and silver grey.
It is great to see such earthy colours featuring in Spring 2019 and hardly a pastel shade in there! These are all great transitional colours to take us in and out of seasons.
Confident red
The abundance of red related colours is over whelming and runs in to the oranges, yellows and pinks too. This set of colours are empowering, confident, bold, uplifting, fun, playful, cheerful and joyful. Plus I can’t fail to see the energy, passion and excitement that these colours evoke.
My best friend always advises to wear red to an interview or an important date (even if it’s just your underwear!) so that you feel strong and confident. There will be lots around next Spring to feel like you can rule the world.
Foliage and succulents
That warm feeling is translated in the addition of the deep greens that conjure up a terrarium full of succulents and foliage. Continuing that sense of bringing nature inside.
Spring 2019 colours
The top twelve colours for Spring 2019 are:
Fiesta PANTONE 17-1564
Jester Red PANTONE 19-1862
Turmeric PANTONE 15-1264
Living Coral PANTONE 16-1546
Pink Peacock PANTONE 18-2045
Pepper Stem PANTONE 17-0542
Aspen Gold PANTONE 13-0850
Princess Blue PANTONE 19-4150
Toffee PANTONE 18-1031
Mango Mojito PANTONE 15-0960
Terrarium Moss PANTONE 18-0416
Sweet Lilac PANTONE 14-2808
Spring 2019 extra colours from LFW
Plus a couple of paler substitutes of yellow (instead of Aspen Gold) and pink (instead of Sweet Lilac) from London Fashion Week round off the colours for Spring 2019:
Lemon Verbena PANTONE 12-0742
Pressed Rose PANTONE 15-1619
Neutral basics
Pantone® have also updated the Classic Colour Palette. These are a group of neutrals that are core basics in the form of a taupe, navy blue, cream and brown.
The bonus classic neutral colours for Spring 2019 are:
Soybean PANTONE 13-0919
Eclipse PANTONE 19-3810
Sweet Corn PANTONE 11-0106
Brown Granite PANTONE 19-0805
Colour themes
It’ll be great to see how couples incorporate these colours in to their weddings later this year. I can see how the classic neutrals will play a big part in coupling up with some of the more vibrant choices.
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.
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.
Classic Blue
Festival vibes
