At Matters Musical, our talented wedding musicians, artists, and cover bands are all looking forward to a busy summer helping couples celebrate their wedding day.
Our artists play at all kinds of weddings; traditional, urban, rustic, retro, even steam punk, and love to see the latest fashions and trends in wedding design and theming.
So what kind of weddings should our artists looking forward to in 2017? Here are some of the latest trends as identified by major brides and weddings magazines in the UK and beyond.
Classic and timeless weddings
It’s back to classic weddings in 2017, embracing all that’s great about a traditional wedding day. All things traditional are back in favour, including classical musicians at the wedding ceremony, string quartets at the drinks reception, and a superb wedding party band in the evening.
Lights, lights, and yet more lights
The savvy bride on a budget is in luck this year. The hottest trend in decor is for lights everywhere, and thanks to cheap imports of quality lights from Asia, these are a fabulous DIY (decorate it yourself) option. Simple rope lights, white fairy lights, storm lanterns and even tea lights are making a comeback. So your wedding venue can dance with reflected twinkles all evening long. For their part, our experienced wedding DJs will be more than happy to quote for extra lighting, to brighten your wedding with a laser show, LED lighting, or that retro disco favourite, a disco glitter ball.
Paper roses
In fact, paper anything and everything. For the ultimate recyclable wedding decorations, make everything out of paper from flowers to pom-poms. The top wedding magazines say that paper can also be used on the table as plates, as well as decorations, and even as the bridegroom’s buttonhole. pass the crepe paper and scissors, please…
Mismatched bouquets
If paper flowers seem just a little impersonal, opt instead for a mis-matched bouquet. Combine flowers, foliage and herbs in an asymmetrical bouquet that smells as good as it looks. The same theme can be carried into table decorations, and even into this wedding season’s must-have ceiling decorations.
Tea length wedding dresses
For weddings in 2017, shorter wedding dresses are making a comeback. Look for just over the knee dresses with a 1950s feel, for a dress that stylish, comfortable to wear, and so easy to dance in! Complement your dress with the best in 1950s music from one of our talented retro four piece wedding bands.
Lots and lots (and lots) of food
Cater to the max, offering guests interesting food and exciting nibbles at every opportunity! Think dessert tables groaning with cakes that put the great British Bake off to shame. Or pegboards decorated with doughnuts, ready to be snaffled after a session on the dance floor. We’re not so keen on the trend for gemstone cakes, where pseudo-rocks spill out from a cake to look like a geode. What we do like is the idea of signature drinks and cocktails created just for your wedding, especially those containing the hottest ingredient on the planet for wedding receptions, designer gin!
Industrial and warehouse weddings
We all know how expensive wedding venue can be, hence the move towards large spaces for big wedding parties that don’t cost the earth. Top of the trendy bride’s list will be industrial and warehouse locations, all bare walls and stripped floors, a blank canvas waiting for you to decorate just as you like. So, cue the lights, paper tablecloths and floral decorations in in the season’s trendiest colour, good old-fashioned green. We love the idea of combining this with a band that plays instruments made from upcycled junk…
Sailcloth marquees
For outdoor weddings, it’s out with flouncy swagged style marquees and in with minimalist sailcloth marquees. That’s the type with no walls and sweeping peaks in the ceiling, more an awning that a full marquee. These can be a risk in the UK weather, given that if the rain comes sideways, and your guests will get very wet! However, on a lovely summer’s night, they are hard to beat. Just bear in mind that sound behaves differently under an awning than in an enclosed space, so you might need a little more amplification. And invite the neighbours.
1970s revival
Vintage weddings may be on their way out, but the ‘70s are definitely back in! Frankly, any excuse to get out the flares, the glitter ball, and the outrageous wigs, and you can count us in. Look for funk bands that offer the authentic 1970s vibes, disco music, and fashion excesses.
Hot from the USA
Not every fashion trend from America makes it across to the UK but these two quite took our fancy.
Creative icebreakers
The fabulously named Fabrice Orlando, a US events organiser, highlights the trend for entertainment that keeps your guests entertained and engaged all day.
“Couples are looking for ways to engage their guests throughout the wedding day. Interactive food stations and lawn games are great for fostering engagement, as is unique entertainment (think fire eaters or contortionists!), which will give everyone something to talk about. We also love the idea of guests walking into a photo wall, either stationery or as a slideshow.”
Technological effects
If you love your gadgets, you’ll love this trend. It’s all about using the latest gadgets and gizmos to produce and personalise as much as possible for your wedding. Tying in with the trend for using photographs at every opportunity in your wedding, Megan Velez of Destination Weddings highlights ways to bring tech into your special day.
“Couples are finding new ways to integrate technology into their destination wedding as they take advantage of things like custom Snapchat geofilters and 3D printing to personalize cake toppers, place cards, favors, wedding bands and more. We’ve also seen more couples live-streaming their ceremony as more hotels are offering it in their wedding packages.”
On trend wedding entertainment from Matters Musical
Whether you’re a trendsetter, traditionalist, or just want to talk through the options available, call Matters Musical to discuss your wedding entertainment requirements. With almost 500 artists on our books, there’s bound to be an act (or three) that are just perfect for your wedding entertainment.