2018 Wedding Decór + Newest Bridal Looks

We are excited to finally welcome our editor-in-chief is finally back at work after her own wedding adventures. A big scoop of gratitude to our regular readers for your patience in the last month, whilst as she tied the knot!

And what better way to start a new wedding blog chapter by a new, fresh look for the website. We went for a cleaner design, a layout which is easier to navigate around and even a modernized logo – we hope you love it as much as we do.

A new year always brings in new inspirations for your wedding and the multiple trends can be confusing to keep track of at times. Dresses, colours, decor and food trends get updated sooner than you can say “I do” – this is why we want to give you the low down of what 2018 has in store if you are planning your own wedding, or somebody else’s as a wedding planner, family member or Maid of honour.

It has proved impossible to include all wedding trend comprehensively, so what we did is to showcase our definite favorites in bite size mood boards, for you to take your pickings of what to adore and be inspired by.

(A word of caution: Remember to always stay true to your own unique style because in the end all trends tend to come and go… but nonetheless they are wonderfully fun to gorge in!)

DÉCOR

The Colour Of the Year from Pantone is ULTRA VIOLET– applied at weddings it is a really interesting and vibrant choice for flowers, wedding party attire, table ware and accessories. But why stick to one when there are many shades of purple that are equally gorgeous: think rich Plum, pale Lavender, dreamy Mauve and deep, saturated Aubergine.

Here are some purple ideas of how to incorporate this alluring hue to your big celebration:

wedding playbook // green wedding shoes // happy wedd // once upon a time a wedding // deer pearl flowers

Amazing, right?

Glorious GREENERY will definitely carry through from 2017 to this year so if you love the natural vibes, go ahead and lavishly decorate your wedding with fresh eucalyptus, ferns, tropical leaves, succulents, olive branches and just about anything lush and green. Abundant and budget friendly, this works just as well with a modern, bohemian, rustic and beach weddings. However if you have a mountain, garden or a woodland venue, make sure to generously add vibrantly coloured flowers and brighter decor pieces to add interesting focal points in amongst the already natural and green setting.

Dusty Rose and shades of Blue are ever so popular and will look so lovely in 2018 as mismatched bridesmaids dresses, flowers and décor items. Combine with Midnight Blue, Berry, Silver and Chrome for a winning look. Greenery and Grey works as a great base in these colour combinations.

Remember when it comes to your colour choices: always prioritize your and your grooms personal taste, and to some extent, take your venue and the season into account as well (although we at Sheer always promote challenging traditions to the benefit of a unique and personal style, of course ).

It is not so much about one individual colour ingedient, but the composition and balance of 3 or 4 that will create the overall impression of your chosen combo.

junebug weddings // elegant wedding invites // oh best day ever

The flowers for this year should definitely be HANGING FLOWERS. Ideally hung upside down above tables, as a ceremony back drop and behind the head table, or anywhere else that calls for brightening up. Believe us, this looks amazing!

Hanging flowers have been spotted around in the world of weddings for a few years, but 2018 is the year for this type of installation, and you can expect to see it more regularly on wedding blogs and magazines.

While you are busy hanging your flowers, be sure to also hang your candle holders, glass décor, lights and other visually interesting shapes. Not only does it free up table space for that trendy minimal look, and makes a stunning and unique impression, it is also a perfect way to soften a barn or a warehouse wedding too, and romanticize just about anything.

the bohemian wedding // junebug weddings // deer pearl flowers

Want to be super-on-trend? Incorporate a living moss/ fern and/or floral GREEN WALL somewhere at your wedding, as a photo back drop or as an alternative ceremony arch. Talk about focal point!

brit.co // style caster

Other flower ideas to love is actually not floral but rather botanic: adding PAMPAS and dry wheat and other grass types to arrangements and bouquets. It will give you a wild, organic and non-conformist wedding look. It might not be for everyone, but definitely a good idea for a unique and creative bride if she is opting for a modern bohemian or desert inspired wedding, or just wants to express her wilder self.

junebug weddings // festival brides

Take note of these amazing STATEMENT CEREMONY ARCHES because they are all the rage this year: whether you use grass, a floral wreath or a minimal geometric structure, we love the experimental vibes these arches will give to your ceremony, and is sure to leave a lasting impression on guests.

Building your arch together with your groom or family member will put an extra meaning to this already highly symbolic wedding feature.

festival brides // green wedding shoes // junebug weddings

Get familiar with the term WOODSY – which is not to be mistaken with rustic. Wood is longer just a décor aspect that belongs in the woodlands or at a farm; this year we will see the natural trend spread to weddings at any venue, and whether outdoors or indoors will work just as well if your wedding is industrial, Scandi/ Hygge inspired and even modern minimalist.
By bringing the outdoors in, these lumberjack vibes adds natural elements to your décor and tree stumps can be used in anything from your ceremony to decorate the aisle (or why not at your wedding arch?), a hollow stump for guests to post their cards in, to deliver your rings, as stands for candles, food, dessert and of course the cake. The cake itself can be made to look like it’s made of wood. Imagination is your only limit here. And if you know somebody who knows their way around a chain saw, you have no reason to hold back.

(Extra trend point earned if the tree stump still has growing moss)

deer pearl flowers // tulle & chantilly // i do diy’s

TRANSPARENT DETAILS are a major wedding trend for 2018 (We at Sheer chuckle with delight).

From stationery to your signage (and your dress) – see through will see you winning trend kudos this coming wedding season. The perfect venue will be a glass house, and definitely use acrylic chairs for seating your guests. Have your menus printed on semi opaque paper, use glass plates, place your candles on acrylic pillars. Pair a perspex seating plan with violet flowers and a tree stump, and you have perfectly captured the most stylish wedding look of the year.

hi miss puff // etsy // nouba // festival brides

The marquee signs will get definite competition from the NEON SIGN in 2018.

For your wedding, display your new surname as a back drop behind the head table, as a welcome sign, sweet quote or other meaningful sentence to the two of you. If you are planning a cool and hip wedding, a neon sign is your holy grail. Not the cheapest to manufacture or get hold of, but at least you can use it in your home for years to come to give your interior a bit of down town wedding edginess.

style caster // green wedding shoes // my one wedding // wedding playbook

BRIDAL

At all times at her wedding, the bride is continuously at the centre of everyones attention, and no matter how fabulous your wedding is, it is always the happiness of the bride that is the most contagious and influential of the overall atmosphere. It is therefore so important that you as a bride can feel in your very own element, and you should be 100% free to look however you wish to on the big day, without constriction by trend, tradition and other peoples opinions. Nuf’ said!

Fashionista bride or not, contemporary bridal trends are equally avant-garde as they are adorable, and the move towards the rebellious and free-thinking suggests that the bohemian wedding trend – that has been so popular for several years – continue to be a strong favorite amongst brides, and don’t seem to be going anywhere soon. And for all the right reasons (who doesn’t want to feel unique on their wedding?), as there is so much that can be left for personal expression and interpretation in this genre.

costarello // lovers society // grace loves lace // junebug weddings

For the dresses, Boho Sleeves such as the bell and bishop sleeves gives a strong suggestion that the 70’s looks still rocks, which can be spotted from the high-end designers and catwalks all the way to pioneer indie brands such as Rue de Seine. Comfortable and airy, makes them perfect for spring and summer weddings. Just watch out when reaching over the buffet!

image sources: wilkie blog // galia lahav // rue de seine

The use of colour on wedding dresses is not new – we have seen hues of blush, champagne, blue and silver for a number of years which is sure to carry on- but what 2018 has in store for brides is the generous use of colourful embellishments, sequins and embroidery by wedding dress designers. What a fabulous way to add an insane amount of interest to a gown and as a bride stand out as truly unique. We think if you got the guts – this is definitely an amazing look.

image source: festival brides

2017 gave the wedding world the bridal cape, 2018 is giving us the CAPELET and Shoulder wrap. It gives you the benefit of not having to buy two dresses, as you simply get reception ready by removing the capelet, and you can have a more modest and covered up look for your ceremony and formal photos. The use of a capelet or shrug gives the 2018 bride the option of changing her style without having to change the dress – another reason to cheer for joy is the fact that you will potentially save loads of cash too, if you were thinking of buying two dresses.

A great bonus: if you want to incorporate another – or several – other bridal trends (3D flowers, subtle sparkle, colour, embellishment) without having to wear it on your dress: wearing it on the removable capelet instead means you can sport a fashion-forward look as well as being timeless at the same time. Quite clever, right?

image sources: halfpenny london // wilkie // wedding inspirasi // trubridal

From pearls, crystals and sequins, expect to fall in love with the EMBELLISHED dress trend if you are a girl who love a bit of glitz. You have plenty of options whether you want a subtle sparkle on your tulle ball gown, or covered in pearls in a form fitting mermaid. Don’t forget to check out designers such as Anna Campbell who creates gorgeous vintage inspired dresses encrusted in detail, Jenny Packham for sparkly boho inspired gowns, or Gali Karten who makes astonishingly glamourous dresses for daring brides who requires a fair bit of va-va-voom on her day.

image source: eddy couture // wedding inspirasi // happywedd // saiid kobeisky // belle the magazine

Pearls have found their way back into weddings en-masse and can be found not only as part of jewellery, but also adorning dresses, veils, hair pieces and shoes. Wear them on your shoulders, on your back and why not on your on-trend capelet?

image sources: maggie sottero // once wed // brides

Bold meets whimsical in the trend that has (literally) been flourishing on Bridal Fashion week 2018: The ethereal romantic style achieves balance by ultra feminine lines being spiced with dramatic details. Marchesa Note, Hayley Paige, Viktor & Rolf and Oscar de la Renta are all leading the way in the textured romantic trend.

The Look: Layered gowns adorned with textures such as beading, floral cut outs and embroidery. Deep plunging necklines add a sense of glam and drama to soft fabrics, while oversize floral appliqués create dimension to classic silhouettes.

image source: the knot // brides magazine // vougue australia

Is embellishments and florals too much for you? In 2018, the invite is open to go ahead and be fashion-forward the other direction with an über chic minimal look. Sleek fabrics, minimal detailing and structural silhouettes will give the modern bride the fuss-free option of show casing her beauty without letting the frills and excessive decorations steal the show. The dresses are scaled back on details, yet dramatic in their own sense.