DRESSED TO IMPRESS

DRESSED to impressThe latest trends for the wedding party

When it comes to a wedding day, whether you’re the bride or a guest, the million-dollar question for everyone is: what am I going to wear? For the bride and groom, as they are the stars of the show, it’s likely that they have at least an idea of what their big-day look will be like. But for the rest of the bridal party, where do you begin?

First and foremost, the venue and theme of the day are paramount. A long flowing gown for bridesmaids will look out of place in a field for a tipi wedding; similarly, the mother-of-the-bride in a bold, tropical print, summer dress may stand out against a stately home wedding venue with a Bridgerton-inspired theme.

Secondly, the weather, we British folk like to moan about it and rightly so, because how many sunny days do we have each year? The season and the inclement weather will dictate not only the attire, the colour palette – no one wears pastel yellow in winter! – but also your accessory choice; boleros, jackets and wraps will be your cosy friend for winter ‘I dos’.

Read on, to find out more about on-trend fashion choices for 2023 weddings...

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MUM’S THE WORD

The mother-of-the-bride and groom are going to feel under the spotlight along with the rest of the bridal party. This added pressure can be overwhelming as they may not have worn occasion wear for many years. These factors can certainly put a strain on what should be an enjoyable experience, as the bride/groom tries to make them feel as reassured as possible, offer support and advice; and as with everyone else on the day, they too should feel comfortable and themselves leading to a happy and confident mother!

Firstly, sophistication is key, but this doesn’t mean frumpy! If you love your clothes, then go for a bold colour or striking pattern but keep it demure by avoiding low-cut necklines or a short hem so you can look back on the photos for years to come with no regrets.

For many women, no matter their age, we all seem to hate our upper arms. Experimenting with three-quarter-length sleeves, cover-ups and jackets will allow you to feel confident and can add variety to your look – they’re also perfect for winter weddings to keep the chill off. Accessories are your best friend when it comes to your wedding outfit, you can finish off a look with a fancy hat and a simple dress can be jazzed up with jewellery and a bright handbag. Many modern mums are opting to leave the traditional hats at home in favour of something a little smaller, such as a fascinator, statement flower in the hair or stunning hair accessories.

The key is to complement the rest of the bridal party and not compete with them; so be aware of colour palettes, themes and what the rest of the bridal party is wearing. Lastly, not only should you look like a million dollars, but you should feel it inside and out, that’s having confidence in who you are and, making sure what you’re wearing is comfortable from head to toe. Is the hat the right fit, will it make you itchy and hot? Are your shoes the best size and material? You’ll be on your feet for a large part of the day; and when you’re not and you’re sat down, is your dress cutting into your hips at the table, can you breathe?!

Brides Visited in Ashtead, Surrey, tells us some of their top tips:  Bold contrasting colours and cap sleeves are a strong feature for the coming season.  Jackets are a way of giving your outfit that all-important edge.  Don’t forget your hatinator for an extra lift.  Try not to hide in the shadows, as part of the main entourage you will complement the colour scheme but you also need to stand out from the crowd. You are a special part of the day and will endeavour to make your daughter or son proud.  Veromia Occasions and Mascara can be found at Brides Visited, where our professional team offer a one-to-one service giving you expert help and advice to find that extra special outfit.

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DRESSED TO IMPRESS

Grooms and groomsmen, and the fathers of the newlyweds too, are certainly taking more pride in their wedding appearance and enjoying shopping just as much as the leading ladies. Men’s fashion has come a long way in the last decade, along with greater acceptance of breaking wedding traditions and protocols. Some of our favourite grooms’ looks here at Your Surrey Wedding are those gents rocking their long beards and tattoos, in a pink waistcoat with a patterned shirt – oh-so-cool, and totally unique and individual. Embrace you!

The bespoke tailored look: if you’ve never had a professionally fitted suit, your wedding day is the occasion. The perfect fit is essential for comfort and looking good in wedding photos, and you can have little personalised elements added such as your initials and wedding date stitched into the lining.

Earth tones: key for bridesmaids and venue styling, this will be a trend for the men too. Think sand-coloured, beige and browns. For something, a little fresher go for green palettes.

The tux: grooms who still adore the traditional tuxedo can opt for it, but think about variations maybe velvet (aka Bond-style) or bright colours or patterned effect.

Adorn and accessorise: make your personality stand out with your accessory choices – here’s where you can really get creative; a dashing waistcoat, funky watch, or artsy pocket square and braces.

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HERE COME THE GIRLS

As much as we all love our friendship groups dearly, there are a lot of personalities grouped together. The same goes for fashion styles; we all have bits we love about our bodies and bits we don’t. The best thing a wedding couple can do to make their bridal and groom’s party happy is to be relaxed and open-minded about the outfits you want them to wear – everyone will then be happy and enjoy the day!

Top trends for maids in 2023 to be inspired by are:

The romance for retro: the ‘90s are back, more so the satin slip dress. Although it may not be for every body shape, it’s romantic, and elegant comes in a variety of colours and is on-trend.

Royal approval: with our love of Bridgerton and period dramas still going strong, Victorian-style ruffles and layers can certainly look the part on a modern silhouette think shoulders, waterfall skirts, hems and across the body – super flattering too!

Technicolour dreamboat: gone are the days when all the bridesmaids are in one dress colour and style. The mix-and-match look is here to stay, and this has evolved to not just colour palettes, but also textures. Your bridal party will look gorgeous in a mix of satin, velvet and sequin – and so will your wedding pictures!

Colour swatch: undecided on your colour scheme? Be inspired by these trending bridesmaid dress tones: neutrals, nudes, black, white and earth tones – venue styling matching these will complete a cohesive look across the day.

Standout from the crowd: if your bride squad encompasses a bridesman, or people who just don’t like wearing dresses, then why not match still in style or colour but opt for a velvet dinner suit jacket, tuxedo, or rock a jumpsuit?

YOUR LOCAL SUPPLIERS

Always & Forever Bridal, www.alwaysandforeverbridal.co.uk Brides Visited, www.bridesvisited.co.uk Chobham Bride, www.chobhambride.co.uk