As a wedding florist I have tried my upmost to remain positive throughout this year and to keep my wedding couples as reassured as possible however I do wonder if we will ever get back to scenes of crowded dance floors jam packed with 200 wedding guests jumping up and down to “Mr Brightside” or crowds of relatives swarming around the happy couple as they leave the church/ceremony room with everyone shouting “Congratulations” and “Good Luck!” whilst Auntie Sue plants a smacker on their foreheads forever leaving a shadow of crimson red No.7 lipstick.

We got married 10th June 2006, hottest day of the year and we were lucky enough to experience all of the above as had many of our friends and family before us, it seemed a rite of passage. The church wedding full to bursting followed by the local family run wedding establishment for a running buffet and a good old boogie. I wouldn’t have changed any part of that day it was absolutely gorgeous.

However I have seen a huge shift in weddings over the past 2 years with Couples wanting that more intimate and personal experience. Twilight wedding ceremonies are proving more and more popular as this eradicates the traditional sit down meal and speeches which often leaves many Bride and Groom’s breaking out in a cold sweat at the thought of speaking in public or creating a traditional seating plan keeping everyone happy.

The relaxed vibe of a small venue or a twilight ceremony with guests arriving later in the day, the happy couple sauntering up a warmly lit aisle abundant with flickering candles then a sign reading “choose your own seat as we are all friends here” just feels so romantic and inclusive.

The new arrival of tepee weddings also embrace this relaxed vibe with a handful of guests kicking back on rustic wooden benches sipping cocktails, bare foot with fairy lights twinkling in the tree’s.