Planning your big day?

Each and every year (and, lets face it, every season) sees the rise and fall of certain wedding-planning trends. And while trends shouldn't dictate the look and feel of your big day (unless you want them to), it's always interesting to see what the latest trends are when it comes to wedding planning. Etsy have released their list of the 2020 wedding trends that every couple needs to know about - and we're definitely on board with a lot of these.

• Not traditional wedding parties

According to Etsy, couples are throwing traditions out the window when it comes to their bridal parties - including everyone who is important to them (yes, even their pets). There has been a 171 per cent increase in searches on Etsy for bridesman items and a 72 per cent increase in searches for best woman items in the last six months (compared to the same time the previous year), which means wedding parties are becoming more inclusive than ever.

• Bridal power suits

2019 saw suit sets on the rise and it looks like the trend will be making its way into weddings this year, with Etsy having seen a 24 per cent increase in searches for bridal jackets and a 4 per cent increase in the searches for pantsuits over the last six months (compared to the same time the previous year). The empowering trend is not only statement-making, but also fashion-forward. But any bride-to-be who wants to incorporate the trend into their wedding planning but not necessarily the big day, you can always wear one to the bridal shower, rehearsal dinner, or even as a second outfit for the reception.

• Wellness favours

Couples are sending their guests home with items that not only look beautiful in a display of favours, but also promote wellness as couples prepare to give their guests the gift of relaxation, which will likely come in handy after a big night celebrating. On Etsy, there has already been an 11 per cent increase in searches for crystal favours, a 9 per cent increase in searches for soap favours, and a 5 per cent increase in searches for candle favours in the last six months (compared to the same time the previous year).

• Coordinated couples’ coats

This is definitely our favourite one of them all. Searches on Etsy for couple jackets jumping 15 per cent in the last three months (compared to the same time the previous year). And we’re not just talking about matching colors: Etsy sellers are making the most creative options – from hand-painted denim to embroidered leather jackets – allowing newlyweds to wear something as unique as their relationship.

• Vintage rings

Vintage wedding rings on are on the rise, with a 20 per cent increase in searches on Etsy for vintage wedding rings in the last six months (compared to the same time the previous year). And it isn't surprising why: vintage jewellery offers shoppers heirloom-quality pieces that can’t be found anywhere else. Within the trend, shoppers are specifically loving the geometric styles of the art deco era, with searches on Etsy for art deco wedding rings increasing 5 per cent in the last six months (compared to the same time the previous year).