WITH the announcement of not one but two royal weddings taking place this year, an estimated 100,000 proposals* over the recent festive period alone and fresh from Valentine’s Day, brides-to-be are now on the hunt for stylish ideas to ensure their wedding is ‘à la mode’. The wedding experts at luxury country Northumberland hotel, Slaley Hall share their thoughts on the wedding trends of 2018 from what’s hot this year, beautiful bridal wear to the latest, on-trend décor…

Top wedding trends of 2018

The Resort Venue

The one-stop-shop destination resort is set to be bigger than ever this year, with engaged couples looking to minimise stress throughout the planning process and on the big day itself by staging all the proceedings in one place. Avoid having to coordinate guests in numerous locations by opting for one stand out venue to host the entire celebration from start to finish.

Slaley Hall can accommodate a wide variety of wedding needs from golf, spa or outdoor pursuit weekends for the stag and hen parties to a relaxing mini-moon in one of its lavish suites and exploring the hotel’s stunning grounds including a secret Ornamental Garden.

Add a pop of colour

Pantone has revealed that 2018 is the year of all things purple – Ultra Violet in fact. From dramatic décor and striking bridesmaid dresses to romantic floral displays and understated accessories there’s a shade to suit every theme. Complement the regal colour of the moment with gold or copper accents for a luxurious and contemporary feel.

Channel your inner Royal

The Royal family is taking over the wedding scene this year with not one but two ceremonies planned. Bride and grooms-to-be can take inspiration from Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s springtime soiree and Princess Eugenie’s autumnal celebrations to create their own day fit for a queen. Add a personalised majestic touch to wedding stationery, napkins and even the cake with your very own crest design.

Or embrace the alternative rulers of the realm with a Game of Thrones-inspired setting and be sure to get your photographer to venture into the forest for some film-worthy portraits.

As Windsor Castle is already royally booked (and Winterfell sadly doesn’t exist), Slaley Hall offers couples the perfect wedding venue to say “I do” surrounded by stunning views overlooking the Northumberland countryside on the same dates as the princesses.

Dress the part

Romantic, elegant and beautiful are just a few words you may hear at your wedding dress appointment this year. Bohemian bridal is a key style for 2018 but it’s not all flower crowns and fringe – think feminine silhouettes and floaty fabric. For the contemporary bride, embrace the Blush trend and opt for a statement dress in varying shades of nude and pink.

Bring the outdoors in

Greenery and neutral tones were big last year and incorporating foliage into wedding décor is set to continue into 2018 with leafy hanging hoops and tablescapes being favoured over the traditional centrepiece. What better way to pay homage to the quintessential English garden! It’s also back to basics when it comes to lighting this year with natural light proving popular for couples moving towards a more minimalistic look. Visit your wedding venue at different times throughout the day to get a better understanding of natural lighting options.

Introduce texture

Think metallic, marble and three-dimensional for this trend which is all the rage for 2018 weddings. Reflective gold, silver and copper details can enhance the space and bring an extra touch of luxury to the venue’s current interior scheme. Whereas a simple tiered white wedding cake can be subtly transformed with a contemporary texture effect to add to your existing colour scheme. Or why not make your wedding invitation blossom with colour – literally – with real pressed flowers, foliage or packaged within a bright presentation box.

To explore the hotel and meet with the wedding coordinators, book your place by emailing Slaleyweddings@Qhotels.co.uk.

*Findings according to according to wedding planning website Bridebook.co.uk