Today we take a look at some top wedding trends for 2013 with the help of local Bristol Wedding Planner Steph Allison.

Ribbon Backdrops and Decor

Ribbons have been growing in popularity as cheap and effective way to decorate your venue. Many couples are opting for ribbon canopies or tying them to chair backs to make a colourful and stylish statement. Ribbon backdrops can be used behind candy buffets, as a location for photos or to say I Do in front of. This pretty chair is by Elizabeth Ann Designs



                                           


                                           


Furniture Hire

Instead of hiring white chair covers and sashes to cover ugly maroon banqueting chairs, many people are realising you can hire the chairs of your choice for a similar price whether it's elegant chiavari, lime washed or traditional church chairs.

As well as chairs, many suppliers hire gorgeous vintage dressers for your cake or candy buffet. The Little Wedding Helper has lots of items to hire such as furniture, vintage suitcases and chairs.


                              


Colour Pop

Pastels have ruled the world of weddings for the past few years but colour pop will be big in 2013. Paper lanterns are a great way to add colour as are flowers, glassware and ribbon. These gorgeous flowers featured on Style Me Pretty are a great example of how colour pop can still be very pretty and feminine.


                                            

These pretty flowers shown on Green Wedding Shoes also show how coloured glass and bright blooms can add some wow to your wedding decor.


                               

            
Vintage Glamour

Vintage is still going strong but 2013 will be a move from shabby chic to vintage glamour with lots of sparkle and embelishments. Think vintage diamond and pearl brooches, roses, lace, chandeliers and strings of pearls. This pretty image is from Indulgy.com



                                              



Ruffle Cakes & Fondant Fancies

While the cupcake is still popular, people want something new in 2013 and due to shows like the Great British Bake Off, Fondant Fancies have made a comeback. They are perfectly pretty bite sized treats for weddings and can make perfect favours too (Image credit).


                         

       

Cakes will be used less on their own and be incorporated more into dessert tables and candy buffets as a centre piece. Ruffle cakes will be top of the list for those wanting someting pretty and a bit different (Image Credit Tumblr).



                                            


If you need any help planning your 2013 wedding, Steph is happy to offer complimentary consultations to any couples seeking inspiration. She is launching her brand new website www.sweetandpretty.co.uk on Valentine's Day.

Take a look at Steph's boards on Pinterest for some more theme ideas and wedding inspiration

There is now a brand new page on Bristol Wedding News, designed to inspire you on your big day, It features all of the trends, real weddings and venues that we have featured so far and will be regularly updated making it a great place to start exploring some of the great articles featured on the blog.

Over the last six months we have featured four gorgeous real weddings, ten top trends and 14 fabulous local venues. Visit the page now for some great ideas for your perfect big day.

Today we take a look at some key Wedding trends, so if you are getting married in 2011 or 2012 don't miss out on these great ideas to make your Wedding fun and different from the rest.

1. Fun with Props in Photo Booths

These are everywhere at the moment and guaranteed to bring loads of fun for to your reception. You can hire a complete photobooth with attendant for around £600 or go DIY with a backdrop and a box of props. You need hats, glasses, moustaches, picture frames and tiaras to inspire your guests to get involved. We recommend Groovy Booth or for a booth that can also capture video, try Capture Booths.

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2. Yummy and Nostalgic Candy Buffets

This trend is huge in America at the moment and is becoming more and more popular here. Also know as sweetie buffets or candy bars these are huge displays of sweets for your guests to nibble. Provide scoops, bags and tongs for an old school sweet shop feel. Going DIY is possible but may cost as much as paying a company to set everything up for you. We recommend Bristol Candy Buffet for pretty vintage inspired sweeties and jars. Check out this picture by Marie Man for inspiration.


                                

3. A Little Bit of  Vintage

The love of all things vintage is still huge in the world of Weddings. Many trends get rolled together under the banner of vintage such as shabby chic, country fair and 1950s but real vintage means using original props and decor from a previous period such as vintage tea cups, type writers, grammaphones or original champagne saucers.

You can hire props such as these from Auntie's Vintage, Bristol Vintage or the Little Wedding Helper or you can scour antique shops, charity shops or car boot sales to find your own vintage treasures. These suitcases as shown on Stylemepretty.com make a great addition to vintage theme.


                                                         


4. Embracing the Great Outdoors
In America you can marry on a beach or under the stars but in the UK you are more limited. However a new trend for outdoor weddings is emerging and as long as you say I do officially in a Register Office you can use a calebrant or have a humanist ceremony anywhere you want. Just consider the British weather if you have your heart set on an outdoor ceremony and have an indoor location or some very large brollies to hand just in case. If this beautiful photo by Victor Sizemore doesn't inspire you to tie the knot outdoors, then nothing can.



                                                    



5. Think Differently about Food and Drink

In the past if you went to a Wedding you would always have a three course meal and it normally always consisted of soup or pate to start then chicken for the main course, followed by a fruit based dessert. However for 2012, the more interesting the better.

Think afternoon teas, hog roasts, barbecues, fish and chips, ice cream vans, tapas, pie and mash and Cornish pasties. Anything goes as long as it's delicious and different and believe me your guests will thank you for being original and fun and this ice cream cart definitely ticks both boxes.


                                           

No matter what inspires you for your Wedding, try to keep things original and fun and you and your guests will have an amazing day.

Words by Stephanie Allison