2016 Wedding Trends From Cloud 9 Weddings & Events

Have you been struggling to decide upon a theme for your upcoming wedding? Sometimes, it can be hard to strike the balance between something that is ‘on trend’ yet will also stand the test of time and not look dated when looking back through your photographs in the years to come. Well fear not, because our BCME expert panel member, Mennat Al Hammami, Managing director of Cloud 9 Weddings and Events, is here to offer her perspective on the emerging wedding trends for this season.

Below, in her first expert post of 2016, Mennat gives us her exclusive insight into those little things that can bring your wedding bang up to date, whilst still retaining a timeless feel…

Wedding season is upon us and I couldn’t be more excited! For my first expert piece, it felt the most fitting to introduce the latest trends in themes and styles sought after and in demand by brides in 2016. While I use my own brides’ inspirations as key indicators, I also notice the work of other planners in the Middle East and what they are so successfully bringing to life. In light of Western cultures, our market is quickly catching on to trends that are apparent on social media. Although the clear changes in themes may not change drastically from year to year, yet there are certain updates that are evident. Each year, certain add-ons come into play and other elements are taken out to make the themes that much more updated.

♡ Boho Chic

After the rustic and shabby chic movement comes a more ethereal and more free-spirited take on intimate settings.  This is known as a Boho Chic style for weddings.  For those who embrace their inner natural Goddess, this territory will be familiar.  Weddings like this tend to take place more or less outdoors and with the weather in the UAE being the best at the moment, this trend will most likely last until mid-March. The idea is to have everything looking effortless and relaxed, starting with the bride. This theme might feature fitted lace gowns, embellished headpieces and loosely bound hair, for a look that doesn’t scream ‘Princess’. Think eclectic combinations of furniture that are mixed and matched, lose the recycled bottles and jars and replace these for low, handpicked floral arrangements with greens using antique looking urns as vases. A huge floral trend that goes well with Boho Chic outdoor weddings is using long tables to seat all of the guests and long garlands of green running down the center of the tables.  My personal favourite trait of this new theme, is that it can be “dressed up” or “down” depending on the couple’s preferences. Image below by Steve Steinhardt via Ruffled Blog. 

♡ Lighting

Lighting installations are making it big this year too. Where couples used to be concerned about florals (for the most part), these are quickly losing the hype to the use of quirky lighting. In planning terms, this is referred to as the use of dimensional space – in other words, what fills in the space on top of guests! No matter the chosen style or venue – whether indoor or outdoor – more couples are prioritising the use of pea and string lights, unconventional lanterns, Baroque or crystal chandeliers, geometric shapes and hanging centerpieces or simple greens. The dramatic effect of having any of these installed is that it instantly creates a beautiful ambience. Another way of using lighting that couples love at the moment is large letters that are lit up. This could be their own initials, a word that related to them or an event hashtag. Image below via Studio Impressions Photography Via Ruffled Blog.

♡ The cake

The focus on the wedding cake is another trend that seems to be emerging. More couples are realising the importance of the presence of a cake that goes hand in hand with the theme of the wedding and how to display it. Couples are spending more time and more of their budget on a cake. For example, we are seeing ornate molding of florals, whilst others are breaking away from the traditional floral cake and are experimenting with modern designs like layers of marble and hand painting. Metallic and dramatic colours are now frequently being used on cakes. The portrayal of the couple’s personality on the cake is also trending, with messages being painted on to one layer of the cake! This season, we are witnessing new and creative ways of displaying the cake as well. Many brides are going with the trend of hanging the cake on a swing adorned with rich looking florals and greens. Image below by Luna De Mare Photography via Style Me Pretty.

♡ The Venue

Destination weddings are in full throttle! Couples living in the UAE are looking at hosting close family and friends at destinations where the natural backdrop of the coasts or islands serve as the theme for the entire affair. That being said, the reverse is also happening, where certain islands in the UAE, such as Nurai Island in Abu Dhabi (pictured below), are quickly becoming popular amongst couples living abroad as well as expat residents. Picture being transported by boat to a gorgeous sandy beach where your dream wedding awaits and getting that ‘destination wedding experience’ without having to go through the hours of flight time! Image below by Maria Sundin Photography via Bride Club ME.

♡ Entertainment

Entertainment is becoming more and more personal and working its way into food as well. Couples are looking to go that extra mile to keep their guests entertained throughout the entire event, even during the late hours. Think live marching bands, swing bands, or surprise ways of serving drinks! Another fun and personal touch is adding unconventional food stations and drinks bars during the party segment of the evening. Since the photo booth has been overplayed, couples are finding new interactive methods to keep their guests entertained. Image below via Cloud 9 Weddings & Events.

With all of the advice on current trends, I would like to leave readers with a final note. At the end of the day, one of the best ways to make your wedding truly different, especially if close friends are getting married around the same time, is to introduce something that will remind people of you.  As the Cloud 9 motto goes, make your event speak you. Guests will appreciate it!

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