This month we take a look back at some of the biggest 2016 wedding trends and a sneak peak of what is to come later this year.

If you are planning your wedding and in need of inspiration, then let Hand Picked Hotels guide you through some of the trends from last year and what is emerging for 2017. 

All things quintessentially English were on trend for 2016 – think afternoon tea, garden parties, fish and chip food vans and homemade-style desserts, together with tables adorned in vintage lace cloth and Union Jack bunting adding a patriotic vibe to celebrations. Working nicely alongside everything British is the farm-to-table trend, picking a menu from food grown locally or at least regionally. The same can be done for flower arrangements too, which is similarly still remaining a strong trend for this year, from wild flowers to creating your own mis-matched display.

While casual, rustic chic weddings have reigned supreme for the last few years, some couples are taking their wedding in the opposite direction with lots of elegant and luxury details. Out go soft pastels, vintage decor and family-style dining and in come a rich, royal colour palette, lavish fabrics and formal table arrangements. Themed bars were also popular last year and show no sign of letting up, whether it’s sourcing a variety of craft beers sourced from a local brewery, letting guests create their own cocktails or holding a tasting bar dedicated to choice liquor.

2016 was the year of the selfie, and it is a trend that is going to continue so it gives couples the perfect opportunity to set up polaroid booths – after all some of the best pictures are not always the ones captured by your photographer. For those that wanted a view of their wedding from every angle, a lot of photographers offered the use drones to capture aerial shots, while videographers brought along GoPro cameras which can be attached to selfie sticks to get ultra-creative shots.

When it came to favours by the far the biggest news was anything edible – from mini-jars of jam to food boxes designed to be a yummy midnight snack or a morning after brunch, and as a twist on the Polaroid booth, hiring a silhouette artist so guests can leave with a personal memento. Individualism was a wedding trend for 2016 with couples wanting to inject their own personality into their ceremonies and receptions to help it feel unique, and that is clearly a going to dominate for 2017 as well. Couples want a wedding that showcases who they are but also one that is fun and won’t look or feel dated.

We saw it last year, and metallic colours are to set the tone for 2017’s wedding hues, too. In particular rose gold and copper is expected to show up on everything from the invites to the décor and even the food and drink.

When you book your special day with Hand Picked Hotels we can be as flexible as you like – whether it is a large civil ceremony, intimate or an exclusive use wedding. Our collection of heritage hotels, each set in beautifully landscaped grounds, are renowned for hosting classic British weddings in splendid settings.

We can offer formal dinner options, outside dining or for the more modern couples, interactive food stations. Whatever you decide where possible, produce is sourced from local farmers to ensure the very best in quality and flavour. Whilst we have a range of packages, preferred suppliers and wedding menus, we also firmly believe that each wedding should reflect the personality of the bride and groom to create a truly memorable day.

Photo credits: photo 1 Jacob Malinski, photo 3 Ryan White, photo 4 & 5 Rebecca