UK wedding guests set to spend £16.6bn in 2023
As summer approaches and wedding season hits full swing, new research from American Express has found...
New Etsy Registry launches for weddings
Etsy has launched its Etsy Registry, a new wedding gifting experience that allows couples to register for truly meaningful gifts. In addition to handmade and vintage gifts, couples can register for personalised items and specify the exact customisation for their guests, making Etsy the place people can go for gifts, decor, and even bridal party items – all while supporting UK small businesses.
As the wedding gift industry continues to evolve, Etsy has seen a staggering 872% increase in searches on Etsy for handmade gifts*, showing that couples and their guests are moving away from mass-produced, cookie-cutter presents.
And to help couples and their guests get inspired, Etsy partnered with TV personality Antoni Porowski and his fiancé Kevin Harrington to create their ultimate wedding gift registry. They've filled it with their favourite Etsy wishlist items, direct from makers around the world including this Personalised Ceramic Mug, Mushroom Side Table, and Large Dip Dye Blanket from UK sellers.
To celebrate this launch, Etsy is releasing its 2023 Wedding Trend Guide. This year, couples planning their weddings are prioritising fun and going all-out with creative twists on tradition. From "lovecore" and oversized flowers, to themed dress codes and out-of-the-box bridal looks and rings, couples are saying "I do" in truly unforgettable ways.
Lovecore
We all love a "core" trend, and lovecore is the latest aesthetic gaining traction on social media, characterised by heart patterns, roses and the colours red and pink. Now, this dreamy trend is making its mark on the world of weddings as a sweet style for hopeless romantics. When it comes to lovecore-inspired decor, there has been a 21% increase in searches for heart-themed invitations*, and an 18% increase in searches for pink menus*. Brides are also feeling the love when it comes to their looks: in the last three months on Etsy, there has been a 22% increase in searches for pink morganite or moissanite engagement rings*, a 19% increase in searches on Etsy for hot pink bridal items*, and a 14% increase in searches for pink or red veils.*
We all love a "core" trend, and lovecore is the latest aesthetic gaining traction on social media, characterised by heart patterns, roses and the colours red and pink. Now, this dreamy trend is making its mark on the world of weddings as a sweet style for hopeless romantics. When it comes to lovecore-inspired decor, there has been a 21% increase in searches for heart-themed invitations*, and an 18% increase in searches for pink menus*. Brides are also feeling the love when it comes to their looks: in the last three months on Etsy, there has been a 22% increase in searches for pink morganite or moissanite engagement rings*, a 19% increase in searches on Etsy for hot pink bridal items*, and a 14% increase in searches for pink or red veils.*
Oversized florals
Rosettes and other oversized floral appliqués are a gorgeous way to add texture and romance to any wedding day look. Coming off the heels of the recent rosecore trend, these charming nature-inspired accents are having a big influence on bridal style, and they add an especially beautiful touch to any outdoor or garden wedding. On Etsy, searches for floral wedding dresses are up 78%*, while searches for 3D flower veils and 3D flower dresses are up 35%* and 32%*, respectively. Searches for this year's trending flower choker are up 159%*, and the best part is that brides can rock this versatile accessory well beyond the wedding day.
Rosettes and other oversized floral appliqués are a gorgeous way to add texture and romance to any wedding day look. Coming off the heels of the recent rosecore trend, these charming nature-inspired accents are having a big influence on bridal style, and they add an especially beautiful touch to any outdoor or garden wedding. On Etsy, searches for floral wedding dresses are up 78%*, while searches for 3D flower veils and 3D flower dresses are up 35%* and 32%*, respectively. Searches for this year's trending flower choker are up 159%*, and the best part is that brides can rock this versatile accessory well beyond the wedding day.
Western weddings
Part coastal cowgirl, part Vegas elopement, the western-themed wedding trend is gaining popularity as a laid-back and unconventional style that allows couples to have fun with their big day while encouraging guest participation in the dress code. On Etsy, we've seen a 40% increase in searches on Etsy for western wedding dresses*, a 21% increase in searches on Etsy for fringe dresses*, and a 19% increase in searches on Etsy for western wedding items*, showing this relaxed-yet-playful style is picking up steam. Cowboy hats are also having a major moment as the must-have accessory for bachelor and bachelorette parties everywhere: on Etsy, we've seen a whopping 1,334% increase in searches for disco cowboy and cowgirl hats* — a viral trend that started on Etsy thanks to a purchase made by an iconic pop star.
Part coastal cowgirl, part Vegas elopement, the western-themed wedding trend is gaining popularity as a laid-back and unconventional style that allows couples to have fun with their big day while encouraging guest participation in the dress code. On Etsy, we've seen a 40% increase in searches on Etsy for western wedding dresses*, a 21% increase in searches on Etsy for fringe dresses*, and a 19% increase in searches on Etsy for western wedding items*, showing this relaxed-yet-playful style is picking up steam. Cowboy hats are also having a major moment as the must-have accessory for bachelor and bachelorette parties everywhere: on Etsy, we've seen a whopping 1,334% increase in searches for disco cowboy and cowgirl hats* — a viral trend that started on Etsy thanks to a purchase made by an iconic pop star.
Love story gifts
As shoppers move away from generic wedding gifts towards more thoughtful and meaningful options, custom gifts that celebrate the happy couple's unique love story are rising in popularity. From custom couple and family portraits and illustrated love stories, to pieces that cherish a specific song, city or shared favourite recipe), sellers on Etsy have no shortage of creative gift ideas, and with Etsy Registry, couples can even pick out these special keepsakes themselves. There has been a 71% increase in searches on Etsy for personalised recipe boxes*, a 65% increase in searches on Etsy for custom couple portraits*, and a 37% increase in searches on Etsy for custom song plaques*.
As shoppers move away from generic wedding gifts towards more thoughtful and meaningful options, custom gifts that celebrate the happy couple's unique love story are rising in popularity. From custom couple and family portraits and illustrated love stories, to pieces that cherish a specific song, city or shared favourite recipe), sellers on Etsy have no shortage of creative gift ideas, and with Etsy Registry, couples can even pick out these special keepsakes themselves. There has been a 71% increase in searches on Etsy for personalised recipe boxes*, a 65% increase in searches on Etsy for custom couple portraits*, and a 37% increase in searches on Etsy for custom song plaques*.
Rings with character
Couples are moving away from cookie-cutter engagement rings and wedding bands, opting instead for pieces that speak to their individual personalities and values, and Etsy is an incredible source for rings with character: in the last three months, there has been a 253% increase in searches on Etsy for handmade engagement rings*. Alternative gemstones (like sapphires, emeralds, or even black diamonds) are rising in popularity, alongside unexpected stone placements and vintage rings that are imbued with history and antique craftsmanship. We've seen an 82% increase in searches on Etsy for teal sapphire engagement rings*, a 63% increase in searches on Etsy for toi moi engagement rings*, 25% increase in searches on Etsy for vintage wedding bands*, and an 11% increase in searches on Etsy for east west engagement rings*. Meanwhile, there has been a 71% decrease in searches for solitaire engagement rings* and a 48% decrease in searches for diamond engagement rings*, showing that these classic styles are no longer the be-all and end-all.
Couples are moving away from cookie-cutter engagement rings and wedding bands, opting instead for pieces that speak to their individual personalities and values, and Etsy is an incredible source for rings with character: in the last three months, there has been a 253% increase in searches on Etsy for handmade engagement rings*. Alternative gemstones (like sapphires, emeralds, or even black diamonds) are rising in popularity, alongside unexpected stone placements and vintage rings that are imbued with history and antique craftsmanship. We've seen an 82% increase in searches on Etsy for teal sapphire engagement rings*, a 63% increase in searches on Etsy for toi moi engagement rings*, 25% increase in searches on Etsy for vintage wedding bands*, and an 11% increase in searches on Etsy for east west engagement rings*. Meanwhile, there has been a 71% decrease in searches for solitaire engagement rings* and a 48% decrease in searches for diamond engagement rings*, showing that these classic styles are no longer the be-all and end-all.
Statement accessories
There's a growing trend of brides focusing on statement accessories for their weddings, sometimes even making them the focus of their look over the dress. Whether wearing a simple white dress paired with dramatic drop earrings or a cathedral length embroidered gown, today's brides are prioritising the style elements that matter most to them and often embracing a high-low mix. On Etsy, we've seen a 109% increase in searches for wedding gloves*, a 23% increase in searches for white sunglasses*, a 15% increase in searches for personalized bridal bags.* When it comes to veils, brides are going big with customisation often incorporating sentimental details that can be cherished as a keepsake for years to come: There has been a 78% increase in searches on Etsy for embroidered veils, a 28% increase in searches for custom veils*, and a 15% increase in searches on Etsy for cathedral-length veils*.
To shop this year’s wedding trends and more, visit etsy.com/trends.
There's a growing trend of brides focusing on statement accessories for their weddings, sometimes even making them the focus of their look over the dress. Whether wearing a simple white dress paired with dramatic drop earrings or a cathedral length embroidered gown, today's brides are prioritising the style elements that matter most to them and often embracing a high-low mix. On Etsy, we've seen a 109% increase in searches for wedding gloves*, a 23% increase in searches for white sunglasses*, a 15% increase in searches for personalized bridal bags.* When it comes to veils, brides are going big with customisation often incorporating sentimental details that can be cherished as a keepsake for years to come: There has been a 78% increase in searches on Etsy for embroidered veils, a 28% increase in searches for custom veils*, and a 15% increase in searches on Etsy for cathedral-length veils*.
To shop this year’s wedding trends and more, visit etsy.com/trends.
