What’s hot for 2018 Australian Weddings

Balloons are making a comeback

No longer restricted to the letterboxes of children’s parties, balloons are making a serious comeback on the wedding scene. We’re not talking average balloons here either – even balloons have made it to the bespoke, boutique realm as this craze catches on. Think oversized balloons that make for fun props in photos, personalised balloons that spell out names or table numbers, elaborate archways made from a mix of balloons and flowers, and balloons filled with novelty items like glitter, confetti and even foliage. We love this trend, as it really works with all different styles of weddings and can be customised to suit any theme or colour scheme. Balloons look great in The Barn and make great archways for outdoor ceremonies.

DIY food and drink stations

If Pinterest searches are anything to go by, experts predict one of the biggest weddings trends of 2018 will be the DIY food station. We’ve watched the food truck and share platter trends boom, so a DIY station seems like the next logical step. The possibilities are limitless with food stations, although popular options seem to be make-it-yourself tacos, sliders and pimped up fries. This trend eliminates the need for scheduled sit-down dinners, creating a more casual, relaxed vibe where guests can help themselves whenever they’re ready to eat. Not just bound for meals, DIY drink stations and dessert bars are also trending. There’s some excellent caterers on the South Coast who can help create the DIY food station of your dreams, check out our Friends page for a list of recommended vendors.

Understated, single stem flowers

While hefty bouquets of gorgeous flowers will never go out of style, 2018 is seeing a revival of single stem flowers, which will be welcome news for any DIY wedding planner as this can be a huge cost saver. Brides are ditching elaborate bouquets for simple oversized leaves paired with one or two blooms like calla lilies, peonies or banksias for an understated and elegant effect. The humble white flower known as baby’s breath is also making a comeback. South Coast brides, get in touch with the team at Elka’s Garden for vintage inspired wedding flowers that are natural and distinctive.

Virgin cocktails and healthy drink options

The health and wellness craze has extended into the wedding industry, with many couples now opting to have non-alcoholic cocktail bars and even smoothie or juice bars as part of their wedding setup. Mocktails provide a great way for designated drivers, children and those who don’t drink alcohol to enjoy a glamorous drink on this special occasion without being restricted to soft drink or water. With so many virgin cocktail recipes available, it’s a budget friendly way to add an exotic and enticing element to your wedding. Hiring a South Coast drink van to provide beverages on your wedding day gives you the freedom to customise the drinks you offer, with can include a range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic blends.

Smaller wedding parties

There’s no doubt the size of the average wedding party has grown over the past few years, with many wedding parties consisting of 12 or more members as both bride and groom opt for five or more buddies each. Wedding stylists have predicted 2018 will see a switch back to simpler times, with brides and grooms going back to having a single maid of honour/best man and one or two bridesmaids and groomsmen. Benefits of smaller wedding parties include less people to organise and less money to spend on clothes and flowers, but keep in mind that from a DIY perspective, fewer bridesmaids means less help with your DIY projects.

Creative guest books

In 2018, more couples are ditching the traditional guest book and coming up with creative ways to capture messages from their wedding guests. A search of guest book alternatives on Pinterest will show you just how creative some couples are getting, with ideas including thumbprint paintings, signed sporting equipment and musical instruments, portrait books, polaroid books and signed wooden hearts.

Vegan-friendly alternatives

As more people embrace plant-based diets, gone are the days where the vegan alternative at a wedding was a bland serve of pasta with a fruit plate for dessert. Couples and caterers have a much better understanding and acceptance of different food intolerances and dietary requirements, with more and more weddings offering an array of vegan, dairy-free and sugar-free options, including vegan and raw desserts.