Wedding expert debunks 2023 bridal trends
Walking down the aisle solo and NO bridesmaids! Wedding planner debunks controversial list of 2023 bridal trends and blasts ‘awkward’ garter toss
- UK planner Georgie Mitchell responded to a viral list of wedding ‘ins and outs’
- The expert told FEMAIL that ‘awkward’ garter tosses are on their way out
- However, she says bridesmaids are showing no signs of going anywhere
- Read More: Not all white? Sister-in-law accused of upstaging the bride with her show-stopping gown – but some people argue it’s ‘completely appropriate’
Walking down the aisle solo, no bridesmaids and not cutting the cake in front of all your guests.
According to the wedding expert who runs the wedding website The Bridal Journey, these are just three trends guests may have to wrap their heads around in 2023.
Earlier this month, social media star Andie Towner – who has amassed over 257,000 followers on Instagram thanks to her wedding tips – shared her predictions for the coming year.
Rather than extravagant wedding celebrations spread over entire weekends, the expert claimed that couples will be stripping things back this year.
Wedding planner Georgie Mitchell debunked The Bridal Journey’s controversial list of 2023 wedding trends – which claimed brides are walking down the aisle solo and ditching bridesmaids
So much so that she claimed that traditions such as cutting the cake, tossing the bride’s garter and having several people in your wedding party are on their way out.
Instead, Andie says there’s a push towards ‘smaller’ celebrations – with brides rocking ‘low-key hair’ and ‘petite bouquets’.
But are these trends really playing out among everyday UK brides-to-be?
FEMAIL spoke to wedding planner Georgie Mitchell to delve into some of the most controversial 2023 predictions… with very surprising results.
Earlier this month, social media star Andie – who has amassed over 257,000 followers on Instagram thanks to her wedding tips – shared her predictions for the coming year – including swapping wedding weekends for smaller celebrations
‘No bridesmaids’ – FALSE
Although The Bridal Journey founder says bridesmaids are on their way out this year, Georgie says her clients are still incorporating their best friends into their day.
On average, she says her brides usually have between three or four – but there will often be more.
Following on from The Bridal Journey’s stripped back approach, Georgie said: ‘I think less is more – it can be quite a crazy morning and too many can be stressful!’
According to Georgie, her UK bride are still having between three and four bridesmaids on average
‘Walking down the aisle solo’ – SOMEWHAT TRUE
Among the most controversial additions to Andy’s list was the claim that brides will increasingly opt not to have their fathers give them away on the day.
Although the majority of Georgie’s brides are still accompanied by either their mother or father down the aisle, the planner says there has been an increase in brides entering their wedding on their own.
She added: ‘I’ve had a few go solo. One bride even went down with her groom.
Although the majority of Georgie’s clients are still accompanied by a parent down the aisle, she says she has seen a rise in brides entering their wedding on their own
‘They did a first look ahead of the ceremony and then went in together!’
‘Ditching the garter toss’ – TRUE
What’s more, Andy also predicted that garter tosses very much become a thing of the past this year – and wedding planner Georgie agrees.
She continued: ‘With Dads and Nans in the room, it is just a bit awkward. It’s pretty rare to do it now.
‘This history behind it is that the single men would gather ready to catch it to see who will marry next – think men’s version of the bouquet toss. However even those aren’t really happening as much anymore!’
Left: Bows have been a huge trend in the bridal world over the last two years – and despite Andie’s prediction, Georgie says she’s seen no sign of that slowing down. Right: The Bridal Journey also claimed pearls are on their way out too
‘Pearls and bows are out’ – FALSE
Over the past year, pearl hair accessories and jewellery has dominated the bridal lookbooks along with satin bows incorporated into dresses.
And while Andy says they’re falling out of favour, Georgie claims otherwise.
She said: ‘Brides are still popping these everywhere. There’s just something romantic about bows and pearls!
‘Veils, stationery, hair pieces, dresses, flowers – you can incorporate them pretty much anywhere!
According to wedding planner Georgie Mitchell, 80 per cent of her clients are still choosing to take their husband’s names – despite what The Bridal Journey founder predicted
The Bridal Journey’s List of Trends that are ‘Out’ for 2023:
Bridesmaids
Taking your partner’s last name
Walking down the aisle with your dad
Traditions – cake cutting, garter toss
Flash Dances
Bows
Pearls
Multi-day weddings
Favours
Neutral wedding decor
Boho theme
‘Bride keeping their surname’ – MIXED
In their controversial list of trends that are ‘out’ for 2023, the Bridal Journey also claimed that we’ll see less brides taking their husband’s names.
However, Georgie says 80 per cent of her clients are still opting to follow this tradition.
Speaking from her own experience as a newlywed, the planner added: ‘This is such a personal choice, I personally liked taking my partners name but I do also know lots of people who have created their own surname.’
‘Untrendy Boho Wedding Themes’ – SOMEWHAT TRUE
According to The Bridal Journey creator, boho wedding themes and neutral decorations are going to be swapped out for more colour this year.
However, Georgie urged couples to disregard decoration trends – and focus on making it personal to them instead.
She said: ‘My biggest rule for weddings is that it’s your day. It doesn’t matter if boho is in, or bows are out – the day is to showcase you and your partner. Try to build in the elements of your life into the day – for example if you met in a club, can you name a cocktail that club?
‘Or if you met on Tinder, have stationery that nods to that (I swiped right). In’s and Out’s are for magazine covers, styled shoots and celebs. You do you.’
That said, the wedding planner did agree that flash dances have been declining in popularity as they’re a ‘logistical nightmare’ to organise.
What’s more, Georgie agreed that traditional wedding favours have fallen out of fashion recently and added: ‘Unless you can eat it or drink it, don’t waste your money!’
Unsurprisingly, Andie’s list caused quite a stir among her followers when she posted her ‘ins’ and ‘outs’ earlier this year.
One commented: ‘Out: people telling you what’s in or out In: just doing what you and your partner want!’
Another fumed: ‘Using words like “in” and “out” is precisely how you make couple’s feel pressured to have a “trendy” wedding and is super toxic.’
Meanwhile, a third wrote: ‘This post is so embarrassing. Being walked down the aisle by your dad will never be “out”, and I don’t think a time has ever existed where a true classic like pearls weren’t “in”.
‘What’s really “out” is publishing lists that arbitrarily shame wedding choices and sentimental traditions. Weddings aren’t trends and this is sooo silly.’
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