If you’re proudly sporting a new diamond ring post Valentine’s Day, thoughts are likely turning to wedding planning, and how to make your day a truly unforgettable, once-in- a-lifetime celebration. But, from flowers to food, with so many different elements to consider, knowing where to start can feel daunting. We asked the experts to share their thoughts on the trends that they think will be rocking the most stylish weddings this year.
It’s all about bold choices and immersive experiences. Gone are the days of muted pastels – 2025 is all about big, vibrant, joyful weddings Alex Head, Social Pantry
Ashridge House predict a rise in the popularity of vintage-style tablescaping
Sustainability as standard
Alex Head, founder of London-based event catering company Social Pantry stresses that though “weddings should be as unique as the couple at the heart of them,” her team are increasingly seeing a focus on sustainability that actually makes a difference. “Sustainability isn’t just a box to tick anymore – it’s shaping the way we plan events,” she explains. “Couples are getting smart about sourcing, choosing seasonal menus, and cutting waste without losing the luxe feel. We’re seeing more ‘green memos’ sent out with invites – encouraging guests to hire outfits, car-share, and be mindful about their impact. It’s about making sustainability second nature, not an afterthought.”
Laura Bradbury, weddings manager at award-winning Hertfordshire wedding venue Ashridge House echoes this sentiment. “Whilst being cost saving by using second hand items, rented equipment or clothes, and sending digital invitations, couples are reducing their environmental impact without sacrificing style,” she explains. “Here, we work with Fool Flowers, who have sustainability at the core of their business. They tell us that in recent years, faux flowers have surged in popularity, transforming the way people think about floral arrangements for weddings and events. While fresh flowers remain a timeless choice, faux alternatives now offer an eco-friendly, cost-effective, and equally breath-taking option.”
For those who don’t want to go down the faux flowers route, there are alternatives. For celebrity floral designer Larry Walshe, plants are the sustainable choice of the season. “Plants are proving popular to create large statements in a manner which is re-useable and environmentally aware,” he points out.
Larry Walshe and his team are seeing more and more couples wanting their floral focus on the ceremony area
More of what you love
Want your guests to be talking about your wedding for years to come? “It’s all about bold choices and immersive experiences,” Alex tells us. “Gone are the days of muted pastels – 2025 is all about big, vibrant, joyful weddings. We’re talking bold florals, playful colour palettes, and styling that feels exciting rather than overly polished.”
Larry agrees, revealing that his team are seeing more and more couples looking to create “large and impactful statements that offer each guest an unforgettable experience.” He goes on to explain that: “These statements take many forms and can be sculptural, conceptual, molecular and free-flowing, and wildly organic. We are noticing a desire to create a sense of movement and fluidity as we move away from heavily structured and compact arrangements into more expressive and gestural installations. A floral arch is still a popular choice, but now we see brides requesting three or five of them instead of just one! One could argue that this development is like the trend for multiple dresses throughout the wedding day instead of just a single gown. Ultimately more creates more and this offers a truly immersive and unforgettable experience for you and your guests.”
This year, take a tip from Quintessentially Weddings and bring the joy to your celebrations
Annabel Hall, senior event planner at multi-award-winning Quintessentially Weddings, believes this trend presents the perfect opportunity to give the day a vintage twist. “In a lavish nod to the opulence of the 1920s, weddings in 2025 will embrace extravagant fl oral installations, live jazz ensembles, and free-flowing Champagne,” she tells us. “Expect a celebration of pure indulgence, where every detail evokes the glamour and exuberance of Gatsby-era soirées.”
Vintage exuberance looks to be popular amongst couples celebrating their day at Ashridge House, too. “We are forecasting a strong focus on vintage-inspired classics,” Laura reveals. “A captivating blend of draped fabrics, metallics, ribbons, and pearls in tablescapes… and all eyes will be on table linens. From deep velvets and soft linen blends to piped and ruffled edging, a surge of dramatic billowing table and chair linen will be seen far and wide.”
Retro puds will steal the show this year, says Alex Head (above), founder of event catering company Social Pantry
Raise a glass
If you’re considering going with your venue’s standard drinks package, it might be worth giving the bar menu a little more thought, the experts advise. “Forget the predictable,” says Quintessentially Weddings’ Annabel, “2025 is all about rare and refi ned libations. Expect masterfully crafted cocktails featuring French and Italian apéritifs like Suze, Italicus, and Lillet, alongside avant-garde ingredients such as seaweed infusions, olive oil misting, and botanical elixirs. These drinks are more than refreshments – they are an experience. But why should the drinkers have all the fun? “More of our Social Pantry couples are shaking up the drinks menu and embracing no- and low-alcohol options,” Alex tells us, “making sure that all guests – drinkers and non-drinkers alike – get something special. We’re talking botanical-infused cocktails, zero-proof wines, and elevated mocktails that feel every bit as indulgent as the hard stuff. Good drinks don’t need to come with a hangover, and this shift is proving exactly that.”
Sweet connections
If you’ve a sweet tooth, you’ll love this trend. “Desserts are having their moment, and honestly, we’re here for it,” says Alex. “Retro puds like pavlovas, trifles, and sheet cakes are making a comeback, giving that nostalgic, ‘gather-round-and- dig-in’ vibe. These aren’t just about looks – they’re about taste, texture, and creating shared moments. Whether it’s a towering mille-feuille or a family-style dessert table, sweets are stealing the show.”
Of course, the iconic sweet ending has always been the classic wedding cake, Annabel tells us: “Make way for the comeback of the quintessential three-tiered, elegantly iced fruitcake.” Whether timeless or unconventional, the choice is pure luxury.
Content is king
Even the most memorable day needs an official record. Forget traditional photography and wedding videos, though, in our social media obsessed world, more and more couples are turning to content creators to capture the special moments of their day. “Couples are now looking for a way to share those intimate moments captured through the highlights of their wedding day in a way that is aesthetically beautiful and perfect for social media sharing,” Laura reveals.
Alex agrees that content creators are now a “must”. Explaining that: “couples want their day captured in a way that feels natural, full of personality, and perfect for sharing. It’s less about posed perfection and more about real, in-the-moment joy.”
Celebrate your story
If these trends show us anything, it’s that wedding traditions are ever evolving. For Annabel, that’s particularly evident in the way that couples are embracing a modern ethos of equality. “Grooms are playing an active role in planning, while brides and mothers confidently take the mic to deliver heartfelt speeches,” she says. “This shift reflects a celebration of partnership, balance, and shared joy.”
And that’s as it should be, the wedding is, after all, a celebration of your partnership. It really shouldn’t be surprising then, that Larry has seen a big shift in the focus of floral displays, which have traditionally been centred around the reception. “Wedding ceremonies are truly becoming the star of the show in 2025,” he says, adding that, “we are seeing couples keen to emphasise the ceremony area, immortalising this precious moment, forever.”
Alex agrees that the day should be all about the two of you. “Serve a menu that means something to you, create centrepieces that reflect the milestones of your relationship, or swap out traditions that don’t feel right,” she tells us. “Whether it’s serving a dish inspired by your first date, writing handwritten notes to guests, or curating a playlist that tells your love story, the magic is in the details – the things that make people walk away thinking, ‘that was so them’. At Social Pantry, we’re all about creating weddings that are as cool, conscious, and full of personality as the couples we work with.” Bring on the celebrations!
