A-Z of Modern Weddings

Get married the modern way with these tips and trends from wedding stylist and coordinator Carrie Mitchell from Union Weddings 

A - Affordable dresses

With more and more high street brands launching bridal collections, it’s no longer necessary to blow thousands on your dream dress. Ted Baker, Phase Eight and Whistles all have particularly beautiful bridal designs for under £1,000. And KITRI offers a versatile collection of dresses, from £195 to £245, that work just as well for maids and guests as they do for the bride.

B - Bold colours

2019 was the year for monochrome weddings subtly dressed in fresh greenery but, this year, couples look to be embracing bright, bold shades in everything from their suits and dresses to the flowers, stationery, even the food. It’s time to taste the rainbow!

C - Ceremony backdrops 

From uniquely shaped ‘arches’ and forest canopies to wallpaper hangings, works of art or personalised banners, create a focal point for your ceremony with something that reflects you and your romance. 

D - Dried flowers

If you haven’t noticed the pampas grass trend yet, where have you been? People are going wild for all sorts of dried grasses and flowers. They’re perfect for large, wild floral installations and allow for even more colour and texture than fresh flowers.

E - Elopements

Running away is still en vogue with many couples choosing to skip the big party and celebrate without friends and family present. One necessity for this option is a very understanding mother-in-law.

F - Foregoing favours

I mean, why bother? Do your guests really want to be carrying around a mini pot of jam in their handbag all night? No, they definitely don’t.

G - Grazing tables 

For late-night snacks, bacon butties are no longer de rigeur. Instead, fill a table with a beautifully-arranged selection of snacks from cheese, meats, olives and crackers to fresh fruit and sweet treats. For the prettiest foodie flat-lays, check out Platter & Pop (platterandpop.co.uk), who also offer dessert bars and cocktail stations.

H - Humanist weddings 

While civil ceremonies are pretty flexible, for a truly personal ‘I do’, we always advise couples to book a humanist celebrant. These lovely individuals will work with you to write vows which really reflect your personalities. To find out more, check out celebrant Tim Maguire’s book We Do!, available now on Amazon.

I - Interchangable outfits

Many modern brides want a little more freedom from their wedding day fashion so they can switch from full on romance for the ceremony to something more fun for the evening. Thankfully designers are starting to recognise this. The Halfpenny London collection available at Rachel Scott Couture (rachelscottcouture.co.uk) features a super-stylish selection of tops, skirts, jumpsuits and overdresses so you can mix and match creating two looks in one.

J - Just the two of you

Just the two of you Choosing your bridesmaids and best men can be a challenge for many couples. If you have too many close friends and family members to choose from or it’s all just getting a bit political, don’t be afraid to shelf the ‘wedding party’ tradition and go it alone.

K - Karaoke

Love to show off? Who doesn’t? Give your guests the chance with a karaoke session in the evening. Just make sure there’s someone around to take the mic back when necessary.

L - Luxe Accessories 

Choose something seriously stylish for the traditional bride or groom’s gift like a designer watch or bracelet that can be worn on the day. Hamilton & Inches (hamiltonandinches.com) and Laings (laingsuk.com) both have an unrivalled selection of designer wristwear.

M - Minimalist rings

It may come as a shock but not every woman wants a diamond. We’re noticing more and more brides choosing engagement and wedding ring styles which are more sleek and modern than big and bling. We love the simple, sculptural styles from Edinburgh designer Heather Woof (heatherwoof.com), who also works on bespoke commissions for couples looking for something unique.

N - Neon

Put your love up in lights with a neon sign spelling out your feelings. Edinburgh’s Solas Neon (solasneon.co.uk) create custom neon signs that will make a statement at your wedding then can be hung in your home as a cool reminder of the day. Hire is also available from £100.

O - Outdoor dining

Sure, it’s ambitious in Scotland but with all our stunning scenery, dining outdoors will be a serious treat for your guests. Long tables in a forest clearing, picnic blankets laid out in a field, anything goes – so long as you have a rainy-day backup plan.

P - Party weekenders

Don’t want all the fun to start and end on the one day? Throw a party weekender by choosing an exclusive-use venue, such as Netherbyres House (netherbyres.com) in Eyemouth, which has a huge dining room, its own stylish bar and lounge and enough accommodation for your friends and family to sleep over from Friday to Sunday.

Q - Quotes

Whether it’s a song lyric or a line from your favourite book or film, add a personal touch with words which mean something special to you both printed and framed, displayed on banners or included on your stationery.

R - Remote locations

Take your guests on an adventure by choosing an idyllic rural location they’ll likely never have visited. You don’t have to go too far off the beaten track in Scotland to find some hidden gems, like the beautiful rustic Glen Dye (glendyecabinsandcottages.com), a brand new outdoorsy venue in the middle of a pretty pine wood, just 40 minutes from Aberdeen.

S - Sustainable weddings

From vegan menus, paperless invitations, organic wine, DIY stationery or a vintage dress, every couple is thinking more about how to make their wedding a little more eco-friendly. And rightly so!

T - Textured tables 

Crisp white linen is being edged out by fabrics with a more interesting touchable texture, whether it’s luxe velvet table runners, deliberately mussed-up tablecloths, knotted napkins or hand-dyed ribbons with torn edges.

U - Undone hair

Big bridal do’s have had their day, these days it’s all about natural texture and a loose, almost messy look. If that sounds a little too ‘cazj’ for you, dress things up with a floral headdress, jewelled hair slide, or statement veil.

V - Vintage cabs

Not every bride wants to roll up to their wedding in a limo or a Bentley. For something a little more fun that will still look great in pictures, arrive in a vintage cab. One Fare Day (vintagetaxiedinburgh.com) has a pair of Fairway taxis so you can both arrive in style.

W - Women with something to say

In these enlightened days, brides don’t need to leave things to the groom so don’t be scared to stand up and say something at your wedding. Not engaged yet? Get asking, ladies! It is a leap year after all.

X - X-rated photography

Brave couples are getting a little sexy with their wedding albums, capturing intimate moments that are a lot more passionate than your usual posed peck.

Y - Yellow dresses 

And not just for bridesmaids. Colour-loving brides who want to stand out from the crowd are choosing the bright springtime shade for themselves. Virginal white isn’t for all of us.

Z - Zen do's

Hold the strippers! Modern brides are far more likely to celebrate their final days of freedom with a soul-enriching experience like spa weekend or yoga retreat. Edinburgh’s Revive Yoga Breaks (reviveyogabreaks.com) offer days, weekends or bespoke events with yoga sessions, nourishing food and optional massage.