Wedding trends, sparkle!

Can you believe it’s October already?! I definitely can’t, but I’m quite happy autumn is finally here. To me, this is the time of the year devoted to looking back over the past season and drawing conclusions, so that I can then start strategizing about the months ahead. It’s a veritable back-to-school moment, when I dust my magazines and go back to a bit of research, scouting the web for the newest trends and the most useful resources to plan the weddings you entrust me with. I love it! I’ve always been a bit of a nerd, you know, so I really cherish this time.

© Ines di Santo

Let me tell you that some of the trends I had already spotted at last June SI Sposa Italia, in Milan, will be very strong in 2014. The first and foremost being bling. Whether it’s beading or crystal, sparkling details will be all over the wedding industry next year, and I don’t know about you but when I think about sparkly the first brand coming to mind is Swarovski. So I wasn’t surprised when I was approached by Swarovski Elements to explore the Wedding Directory they’ve set up to showcase all the wedding related products and brands featuring their crystals in their design.

© Bianco Evento

Before you start worrying, let me reassure you that Belen Rodriguez’ over the top dress is not the only item present in this directory! On the contrary, a number of designers have found ways to employ Swarovski elements to add an elegant and special twist to their creations. Some of my favourites include wedding dresses by Ines di Santo, Ersa Atelier and Georges Hobeika and the dreamy Josephine headpiece by Sara Gabriel. The Directory (like many others) was created to help bride find inspiration and relevant resources when planning their wedding. Naturally, the focus here is everything surrounding Swarovski.

© Sara Gabriel Veiling & Headpieces

As much as I am in favour of simple DIY decor, rustic chich events and simplicity, I’ve always been a sucker for sparkle. My own wedding gown was subtly crusted with blue and white crystals. I think that a few sparkling details dotted along the fabric add depth to the gown, and I love when I see a bride walking and a sudden bling surfaces through the veils and waves of her dress.

© Ersa Atelier

Sparkle is perfect for winter, too, and lately I’ve developed a yearning for a winter wedding. You know what I’m talking about, snow settings, lit frieplaces, (fake or not) furs cover ups, fairy lights and a sea of white. Add a few crystals to the picture and the perfect winter wonderland comes to life.

But sparkle is also a fool-proof way to take the white wedding out of the boring rut and make it special. Think about a simple modern a-line white dress paired with a jewel clutch, it’d be your way to say you’re elegant and sassy, and not afraid to go a bit over the top sometimes.

© Clara Kasavina

Trust me (and look at the Swarovski Elements Wedded Bliss Pinterest board to get an idea of what I’m talking about), sparkle is not just a strong trend for 2014 but a way of completing your wedding design and making it special.

© Haute Bride

DISCLAIMER This post was sponsored by Swarovski Elements through a gorgeous item that I will be using in an editorial shooting this winter (cue winter wonderland) as well as in a DIY tutorial post at the beginning of 2014. This is my way of sharing this gift with you, for Italian regulations with promotional activities are pretty strict and didn’t allow me to give the gift away. As per my opinion on sparkle and Swarovski Elements, regardless of the way I was approached by the company, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. Likewise, I only praise trends and designs that I honestly like and think would make a good addition to my readers’ weddings.