From eco-friendly elements to custom designs, here are this season’s decor trends to bookmark for your special day

Every aspect of life was impacted by the outbreak of Covid-19; and this is true of even wedding celebrations in India and the rest of the world. The situation resulted in two scenarios—postponement of nuptials or a wholly new mood board. Aashna Saran, founder and creative head, Aash Studio, says, “Guest lists have shrunk and functions have reduced. This has led couples to choose minimalistic decor, giving them more room to personalise their ceremony. From invitations and favours to the couple’s initials monogrammed across several elements—customisation is here to stay.”

Eco-friendly and sustainable

The emphasis for conservation and minimal wastage has been the lesson of this year, leading many couples to host an eco-friendly, sustainable celebration. Srishti Kapur, founder of Floral Art, shares, “One of the major trends is sustainability. Couples are choosing locally sourced flowers to not only support Indian vendors, but also as a part of an eco-friendly practice. Tuberoses and marigolds are used as they are long lasting, vibrant and add a festive vibe. Based on the ‘zero waste’ concept, foraging for autumnal branches, wildflowers and vines of greenery to create a rustic garden-like setting is catching on as a trend.”

Ambika Gupta, wedding designer and planner, The A-Cube Project, shares, “Now more than ever, people are picking natural foliage over flowers as it reduces the overall budget and is eco-friendly. In support of the ‘Vocal for Local’ initiative, collaborating with local artisans and NGOs for developing unique décor concepts is also gaining popularity.” Many are opting for outdoor venues where they can incorporate the natural settings of their surroundings into the decor. Bhavnesh Sawhney, co-founder, FB Celebrations Pvt. Ltd, says, “Setting up the mandap under a tree or using the tree barks for hanging décor elements or lights are some interesting trends.”

Intimate home weddings

While many are cancelling or postponing their weddings, some are scaling down their wedding plans and opting for an intimate home wedding. Saran says, “For intimate home weddings, couples are drawing inspiration from their local surroundings and are using indigenous fresh, fragrant flowers like rajnigandha, mogra that are easily available and lend the home a warm welcoming vibe while giving it a festive look. Families are also incorporating their ancestral silverware as a part of the décor for an elegant, traditional touch to the celebration.” It is important to maintain the apt décor aesthetic especially if you’re tying the knot at home. Sawhney shares, “Enhance your home entrance with welcoming décor to leave a lasting impression on guests. Table décor will take centre stage, be it a sit-down dinner or grazing stations. Styling food tables with elements such as flowers, greens, candles, candy or wooden elements with attractive tableware will go a long way in making your décor stand out!”

All said and done, remember your wedding décor, much like home décor, reflects your personality as a couple. As Gupta aptly puts it, “Go with what’s relevant and personal to you as a couple rather than opting for what’s in trend but is nowhere close to your taste. A wedding theme becomes a lifetime memory only if it resonates with your personal life and sparks joy.”

Lead Photo: Floral Art ; Photos Courtesy: Aash Studio Décor