Seven Bridal and Wedding Trends for 2023

Following the recent New York Bridal Fashion Week, designers and wedding planners are beginning to offer a peek at 2023 bridal fashion and wedding event trends. If you’re beginning to plan your 2023 wedding, here are seven key trends.

First, wedding gown trends:

1. Blue is in

A trendy blue wedding gown. (Photo by Trent Bailey, Brides Magazine.)

White gowns will forever be the number one choice of brides, but each year a new color becomes popular for less traditional brides. In recent years, these trend colors were beige and pink. In 2023, the trend color is blue, particularly soft shades of blue.

2. Colors accents galore

Color accents will remain popular, as they were in 2022, with some brides selecting floral prints or using color in accessories. But be discreet, wedding experts say. For a vibrant look, less is more.

3. Gloves are back

Inspired by period streaming shows, like Downton Abbey, gloves add a classy reference to the past and a layer of elegance. Fabric may be lace or traditional silk, with colored gloves offering a touch of color to a white gown.

4. Ruffles and Feathers

Ruffles and feathers. (Photo: Justin Alexander Signature)

Brides are adding a softer look with ruffles and feathers in combination with starker lines. An example is a mermaid gown with a ruffled skirt, as shown in the photo. ­

Next, wedding event trends:

5. Personalized weddings

2023 will see changes that go beyond the bride’s dress. One common prediction is called the “micro wedding.” These are small weddings limited to family and close friends. Non-traditional venues will become more popular, as brides and grooms choose sites that reflect their values, such as a nature center. Eco-friendly touches will be a trend, too, such as invitations on recycled paper, re-use of bouquets as table decorations and serving health foods.

6. Local weddings

The glamor of destination weddings wore off during the pandemic and has given way to local and more personalized weddings in the bride’s hometown. This way, family and friends can afford to attend. It’s all part of a trend away from glamor and glitz and large-scale events that sometimes leave everyone exhausted and unconnected. The new focus is on who you are, not where you are.

7. Longer planning

The backlogs coming out of the pandemic apply to all things wedding. Wedding planners for 2023 events are cautioning brides to start early. Wedding dresses can take six to eight months to order, depending on the manufacturer. In addition, sites are booking a year in advance. Even photographers, musicians and florists want as much lead time as possible. Why the crunch? Competition is growing. Axios predicts 2.2 million weddings will occur in 2023, which would be a record.

And then there is the issue of picking the actual date

Along with these trends is the issue of the actual wedding date. While any date between May and October is common, many brides and grooms are consulting astrologists as to the best date to schedule their wedding. In 2023, astrologists say the luckiest wedding date is September 10, when the sun and new moon are in Libra, which promises less conflict during the marriage.

Start planning now!

No matter what your beliefs and influences, 2023 promises to be a hectic wedding year. It’s best to begin planning as soon as possible and that includes planning for the details related to the bridal gown and other attire. Oceanside Cleaners specializes in wedding dress (and wedding party clothing) alterations, but we book up early so ask that you please plan in advance. Oceanside also cleans gowns before the ceremony (if needed) and afterwards and offers a popular wedding gown preservation service.

Oceanside Wins Wedding Dress Care Award for 5th Straight Year

The Knot, a global company with resources for engaged couples, newlyweds and first-time parents everywhere, has awarded Oceanside Cleaners their “Wedding Dress Care Award” for 2022, marking the fifth-straight year for Oceanside to receive the award.

Oceanside has also been inducted into “The Knot Hall of Fame.”

The annual award is for “exquisite care for your wedding gown—before, during and after your big day.” Oceanside gown services include: alterations, pre-wedding pressing and finishing, delivery to the venue, and post wedding cleaning and preservation.

Unlike many other bridal cleaners, Oceanside is the only cleaner in Jacksonville that won’t ship a wedding gown out of town for cleaning.

On its website, The Knot includes a special tribute to Oceanside Cleaners, along with customer comments. Among them:

  • Alterations are performed quickly and beautifully. “Everyone we worked with was extremely kind and professional. Their attention to alteration detail is unmatched.” (Lauren R.)
  • Fast turnaround before the ceremony. “I didn’t think I would have enough time to get my dress cleaned after alterations, but they made it happen!” (Emily W.)
  • After wedding cleaning. “We had a fun night dancing and my dress showed it. Oceanside called with the inspection details and cleaning required a few days after I dropped it off. The whole process was simple and professional.” (Samantha D.)
  • Gown preservation. “The bride had some red wine stains that a guest spilled on the back of her silk dress and Oceanside successfully removed those! The dress looks fabulous and certainly will be able to be worn again one day!!” (Karen F.)
  • Personal service. “Clare and the Oceanside team were extremely helpful and easy to work with! I had my wedding dress cleaned so I could wear it for an anniversary photo and then had it cleaned and preserved after that.” (Emily H.)

The Knot offers wedding planning tools and curated vendor options for invitations, registries, attire, rings, gifts and favors. The Knot Best of Weddings is an annual award that recognizes the top wedding vendors across the country. This prestigious honor represents the highest rated vendors on The Knot who are trusted and dependable as well as deliver quality service.

Postponed Wedding? Here’s How to Store Your Gown

Postponed Wedding? Here’s How to Store Your Gown

If your wedding has been postponed, you’re undoubtedly making alternate plans. Maybe the “backyard wedding” isn’t quite your style and you’re choosing to wait. Or, maybe you’re having a small ceremony on your original wedding date and the reception later. No matter what your plans, here are a few tips on how to safely store your gown until the big day.

Continue reading “Postponed Wedding? Here’s How to Store Your Gown”