I always planned on having a long engagement. Calling each other 'fiancé', showing off the ring and enjoying the love bubble before the chaos of planning a wedding.
But I got engaged last month, and that went out the window. Immediately.
My fiancé and I plan on getting married 12 months post-engagement. I assumed that would give us plenty of time to enjoy it over Christmas and start planning the wedding in the New Year.
Was I delusional? It seems so.
Having already been together for six years, we had a good idea of which venue we wanted the wedding to be at, so to be on the safe side, I checked it would be available for our chosen date.
Nope, it wasn't, and there was only one Saturday still available next spring. We jumped on it.
The wedding backlog of COVID-19 and recent boom in engagements has meant that planning a wedding requires earlier preparation than usual. And you bet, I've done more research and planning than I thought I would have this soon in.
One of the positive side effects of this mayhem is that I've ended up with my finger firmly on the pulse of what weddings are going to be looking like next year. So, from one bride to another, here are the trends I'm predicting will be everywhere in 2023.
1. Multi-stone rings.
(This first one is for those who haven't gotten engaged just yet.)
If you've had your eye on one style of engagement ring forever, don't fret – it will not go out of fashion just because trends suggest something else is popular.
But if you are curious what'll be in next year, look to multi-stone rings.
There's the two-stone ring which Em Rata and now Megan Fox made popular, stone clusters, and infinity bands.
You'll also notice jewellery brands and their clients taking it one step further, and adding stones besides your classic diamond.
Think coloured diamonds (yellow or pink) or gemstones, like emeralds, rubies or sapphires.
2. Hello, '80s!
As always, contemporary brides are looking to their predecessors for inspiration, with '80s fashion returning in full force next year. But not in the daggy way you might remember.
2023 brides are mixing vintage with modern, adding hints of the '80s to their looks – think, midi dresses with puffy sleeves or a mini dresses with a big bow, short veil and gloves, lots of gloves.
So cool.
Plus, I'm calling it now: retro cakes will continue to prove popular in 2023.
3. An explosion of colour.
Though neutral colour palettes will never go out of style, you're going to see a rise in 2023 weddings heroing colour.
In keeping with the garden party trend that boomed during COVID, many couples will favour whimsical pastels for outdoor weddings, while others will go full-on bold for a party vibe.
Two colours, in particular, will be everywhere: pink and blue.
Yep, following on from Barbiecore thanks to Valentino’s autumn/winter '22/'23 collection and Greta Gerwig's upcoming Barbie film, pink will be front of mind for brides looking to be a little unconventional.
That includes wearing a pink dress over a white one (like InStyle's former editor Laura Brown), including it within florals, table arrangements, glassware and bridesmaid looks.
Same with blue.
While "something blue" has always been popular on brides' big days, it's going up a notch with the colour featuring more prominently in 2023.
4. Alternative bridesmaid looks.
In 2023, we're set to see less of the matching silk bridesmaid dresses and more of a focus on dresses that suit each person beside you.
Maybe you ask your bridesmaids to choose a dress they love within your chosen colour palette or by the same designer – the trend ensures everyone is comfortable on the day, and they might even re-wear the dress!
Personally, this is a trend I'm taking and running with.
5. Food spectacles.
Do you want the fish or the chicken?
At 2023 weddings, we're going to hear less of that question and see more immersive dining experiences – think pasta made in front of you, ice cream carts, McDonalds on silver trays towards the end of the night.
When I went to my venue viewing, they offered pavLIVEa – pavlova made in front of you. Yep, fancy.
Which trend do you love? Tell me in the comments!
Charlotte Begg is Mamamia's Senior Content Producer (Lifestyle) and Weekend Editor. For more wedding planning, fashion and homewares recommendations, follow her on Instagram here.
Feature image: Instagram/@kourtneykardash @stacybrewercakes
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