The Etsy Trend Guide is a compilation of fresh trends our expert is noticing across Etsy and the wedding industry as a whole: what sellers are creating, what shoppers are loving, and what’s hot right now in the wider market. These trend predictions for 2018 are based, in part, on past top searches across categories on Etsy.com.
In case you haven’t noticed from your (suddenly diamond-filled) Instagram feed, engagement season is upon us. Nine out of the 10 most popular days to get engaged fall between Christmas and Valentine’s Day, which makes now the perfect time to delve into the latest wedding trends Etsy sellers are embracing, and brides- and grooms-to-be are excitedly searching for.
From endlessly customizable etched-acrylic decor to stacking wedding ring sets you can assemble in one-of-a-kind combinations (and add to over the decades to come), these trends—like so much of what makes Etsy special—are all about taking a style or idea that makes your heart beat faster, and then making it completely and utterly your own.
Today, I’m here to give you the lowdown on the wedding looks, motifs, and details we’re head over heels for right now—all of which can be personalized, with an Etsy seller’s help, to become the just-right realization of your big-day dreams. Which ones make you want to say, “I do?”
Style
Stacking rings
The hottest wedding trends don’t exist in a vacuum, and the ring trend we love most right now elevates a favorite everyday accessory: stacking rings. In fact, the term “stacking rings” currently yields over 131,000 search results on Etsy, and views for these pieces are up 68% since 2017. Reimagined for a matrimonial setting, the highly customizable sets allow fashion-forward brides to mix up their look on the daily, and invite couples to mark anniversaries and other major milestones with glittering new additions. No matter your reason for choosing this show-stopping look, a little extra bling never hurt anyone—especially when it’s got the potential to be the gift that keeps giving year after year.
Embroidered embellishments
For some brides it’s all about the gown, and this year, embroidered details are the must-have bridal wear style to seek out. Bursting with bright blooms and bold stars, these hand-stitched beauties lend a feminine touch of folksy-meets-formal flair to any matrimonial getup. On Etsy, the term “embroidered bridal wear” is pulling in 40% more product views this year than in 2017. This style is perfect for bridal gowns, but we’re also loving the look applied to one of the other biggest trends of 2018: bridal jumpsuits.
Statement veils
For the minimalist bride who wants a more understated look (that still has a little punch), statement veils are the trend to try. Paired with simple, streamlined gowns, these veils come to the fore as their glittery, attention-grabbing companions. Jazzed up with flowing fringe, tiny blooms, or even a sprinkling of metallic stars, today’s veils are as central to the bridal ensemble as the dress itself. Whether you’re wearing one down the aisle or rocking it all the way through the reception, the once-pared-down and traditional veil is more visible, lush, and varied than ever. Etsy shoppers are certainly catching on: The number of views for dramatic veils has soared 213% since 2017.
Flirty capes
As someone who adores all things glam and dramatic, I am a die-hard fan of wedding capes. And so are more and more Etsy shoppers: Within the last year, on-site searches for “wedding capes” have increased by 44%. These jaw-dropping styles are designed for the bride looking to stand out, and they also provide a great option for shoulder coverage during a more traditional ceremony or a quick and easy pre-reception change. And let’s not forget the endless swooshy power poses you can strike in bridal photos—can you say “superhero chic”? Oh, the drama!
Decor
Clear acrylics
Modern and minimalist styles come together in this fresh wedding decor trend. Clear acrylics are making their way into weddings everywhere in 2018, from signage to invitations to place cards and more. On Etsy, the number of views for the term “clear acrylic wedding” has increased by 309% this year. This crisp style pairs especially well with loose, romantic greenery and florals in ceremony and reception decor, but thanks to the material’s neutral nature, there’s no wrong way to incorporate acrylic accents into your big day. Bonus: There’s literally no color scheme it can’t match.
Guest book evolution
The idea behind the guest book is a sweet one: Invite wedding guests to share words of wisdom and special memories, and give the happy couple something sentimental to pull out from time to time. But who really wants to keep a big book brimming with craft paper on their living room shelf? Ever the innovators, today’s brides and grooms are opting for new guest book options that capture thoughtful snippets from guests and double as creative, stylish keepsakes for their homes. In the last year alone, searches for “guest book alternative” have increased by 53% on Etsy, with sellers creating unique treasures like puzzles, globes, and games that are decidedly display-worthy.
The new rustic: Southwestern style
Move over barns and burlap, there’s a new rustic look in town. We’ve all seen the way farmhouse-centric weddings have dominated the wedding scene for the last few years, and while there’s certainly a time and a place for mason jars, I, for one, am ready for an update on the romantic-yet-approachable theme. This Southwest-tinged look pulls straight from the desert inspo playbook, with muted greenery and bright pops of color taking center stage. Think Arizona sunsets, adobe homes, textured wood details, and O’Keeffe-esque watercolor landscapes, with mini cactus wedding favors for every guest. Etsy sellers are already capturing this vibe and have seen a 72% increase in views for products associated with the term “southwestern wedding.”
Pet-friendly weddings
A day as special as your wedding should be shared with your closest friends and family—and that includes your fur baby. In 2016, pets were included in 8% of weddings, and Fido’s prominence (and participation) is only expected to grow. Whether you’re hunting down the perfect “here comes the bride” doggie sign or searching for a personalized collar or custom tuxedo for your furry ring bearer, you’ll find more than 30,000 search results for “pet wedding” on Etsy. (Say it with us: You may now lick the bride!)
2019 prediction: puffed sleeves
From ruffles and bells to dramatic puffs, statement sleeves have been ruling both runways and retail for a few seasons now—and I predict the time has come for the latter style to make a big splash in bridal, following wedding jumpsuits and celestial motifs as the big-day trend of the moment. This voluminous throwback look, which can be seen on everything from ball gowns to trumpet silhouettes, is an understated take on the admittedly over-the-top sleeves we remember fondly from ‘80s and ‘90s prom style. Some of these sleeves are even detachable!
Not surprisingly, Etsy sellers are already taking note of this trend, and who knows? Maybe Meghan Markle will choose to rock the look for her upcoming royal wedding—channeling, of course, Princess Diana’s famous puff-sleeve gown. We all know that much like Diana, Megan is a real fashion rule-breaker. I know I’ll be anxiously waiting to see what she wears!
73 comments
Mary Veneri from Skoulo said 2 years ago
Very informative article! Nice fresh ideas. Thank you Dayna!!
Anna from FairyToysWorld said 2 years ago
Nice ideas. I will use some of them for my wedding)
Kori from LilyAndRoeCo said 2 years ago
Caught the segment on GMA today. So inspiring! Thanks, Dayna.
R.M Garrett from ArtisticAcrylics said 2 years ago
Beautiful! I can't believe how things have changed! It used to be if you tried to show any original ideas and looks for wedding gowns, just to make yourself feel more special, and less like every other bride getting married, you were vilified! Now to see brides have more options that make you feel more unique, beautiful on your special day, in your own individual way, is a truly beautiful thing! My personal favorite is the wedding capes!!
DeUno from DeUno said 2 years ago
Great tips for the wedding! Really inspiring ideas!
Fields Of Vintage from FieldsOfVintage said 2 years ago
Beautiful ideas for wedding. Very inspirational.
accentonvintage from accentonvintage said 2 years ago
Beautiful choices!
Asta Buteniene from artbyasta said 2 years ago
Very nice guide! Thank you! Need to create some pet stuff :)
Doris Seidel said 2 years ago
I hope you're wrong with the puffed sleeves prediction. They looked silly back then and they will look silly today.
Sujata from TreasuredMemoryLane said 2 years ago
Beautiful and fresh ideas for the "Special Day"! Very inspiring article! Thanks for sharing!
Bridalwish Floral Design from Bridalwishdesign said 2 years ago
Definetely I would have choose all of these too especially Puffed sleeve, rustic style and statement gown! Couldn't be agreed more and I'm so happy to see them back💕
Kashuen Collectibles from Kashuen said 2 years ago
I love the first picture of the statement veils. It’s so simple yet elegant.
Jennifer Tyson from LadyInPurpleBoutique said 2 years ago
Thank you for the trend update Dayna! I have been hoping to see some new wedding trends this year!
TropicalGarden from TropicalGarden said 2 years ago
So inspiring wedding trends! Thanks for sharing!
Flair Nouri from FlairPaintings said 2 years ago
very nice article. Good luck with your shop!!!
Priscilla from Gardenmis said 2 years ago
I just love how old trends become new and get another turn with a new generation! Thanks for sharing :)
Olga Kaplina from KnitteditemsbyOlga said 2 years ago
Beautiful ideas for wedding! Very inspirational!
Olga from ManybraceletsDesign said 2 years ago
Very informative article! Nice fresh ideas.
Me and Mummy from MEANDMUMMYStudio said 2 years ago
Georgeos.A great ideas with such and idea wedding will remembered !
Olesya Petrova from OLEANDR said 2 years ago
Thank you, very useful information! Very necessary for my shop.
Lanaya Flavelle from FlavelleAndCompany said 2 years ago
Awesome, thank you so much for the feature!!! We're so honored to be mentioned among all of these talented vendors!
Nicole from KarmaCodeOne said 2 years ago
Beeee you tiful !
Mona Lisa Seeker of Treasures from MonaLisaTreasures said 2 years ago
beautiful!!!
Dani Simone from NuBridal said 2 years ago
I love veils, they really do change a bride's entire look.
RG from LaRenaissanceGirl said 2 years ago
I'd do my wedding over again for a cooler guest book idea! Gorgeous photos. :-)
Chantay Alisha from VCDEVENTS said 2 years ago
This was a great post. I love wedding season!
Renee from RandMhandmade said 2 years ago
Thank you for sharing!
Renee from RandMhandmade said 2 years ago
Thank you for sharing!!
Rebeca from SecretDiamonds said 2 years ago
Beautiful!
Maya Zimina from HappyLavDolls said 2 years ago
cute idea for pets wedding! thanks. ("you may now lick the bride!"))))
elle and belle Forster from elleandbellejewelry said 2 years ago
Beautiful things, Dayna. Love the statement veils!
Daria from ReevBridal said 2 years ago
I like all listed wedding gowns trends, especially caped dresses, minimalist directions and statement sleeves. These styles are trendy and in the same moment timeless, this why all of them I've used in my last wedding dresses collection ("Olympia" dress sleeves and "Vienna" dress pelerine). It's already on my ReevBridal Etsy shop :) Great inspiring list, thank you, Dayna!
Valentina from FloweyArt said 2 years ago
Beautiful ideas for a wedding. Thanks! Very inspiring.
SimplyCuteArt posh from SimplyCuteArt said 2 years ago
Beautiful trends! Thanks, Dayna.
Leo Nuvunga from AfricanCraftsCenter said 2 years ago
Beautiful ideas for wedding! Congrats!
Rachel Bingaman from BingArt said 2 years ago
Really neat ideas. I love all the different ways people have created guest books! I also like the capes trend... very interesting! With those capes, the bride exudes both strength/power and elegance at the same time :)
Colleen O'Neal from truthbeautyandlove27 said 2 years ago
So many fresh ideas, I love the stacking rings!
Terri Yu from TerriYuDesigns said 2 years ago
Lovely and very informative for my new site. Love the flirty capes. Thanks for sharing Dayna. More power to you!
Kathy Johnson from kathyjohnson3 said 2 years ago
Inspiring! Thank-you Dana! Thinking up some new designs for 2018-19 weddings!
Paulina Teng from PTColorMarket said 2 years ago
I love how wedding trends can be anything and everything you want it to be. I love the idea of keeping the traditions of a wedding but then changing them to make it fit who you are. Like the guest book idea but instead spinning that idea into pictures, puzzles, games, and more. I love that! I wish I could go back to my wedding 15 years ago and use some of these ideas!
Sharon from YearsAfter said 2 years ago
Breathtaking selection!!
Leanne Ramnarine from LeanneRamnarine said 2 years ago
Loving the pet friendly & embroidered embellishment trends. Thank you for this very helpful article!
Lisa Langel from WedUniq said 2 years ago
I love these trends I have definitely been seeing more acrylic signs this year!
FuchsiaMoon from TheFuchsiaMoon said 2 years ago
Thank you Dayna and all featured for a most inspired post. Etsy has become a go-to place for brides and one can see why. Looking forward to whats to come!
rdehrler1gmailcom said 2 years ago
Love puffed sleeves
Vi P. from VidaPlusMore said 2 years ago
So inspiring! Thank you so much for sharing!
Niki and Radi Milev from YourWeddingRingBox said 2 years ago
Lovely ! Great tips !
Alyona Serebryanska from SimplyPrettyWedding said 2 years ago
Thank you, very useful!
JG from JazzyAndGlitzy said 2 years ago
Thanks for the inspiring article and photos
Elizabeth Higgins from PetiteMargaux said 2 years ago
I'm loving those little capelets : ) From a jewelry standpoint, I've also been noticing a lot more gold wedding jewelry.
Faye Oddson from StoneyCreekBoutiques said 2 years ago
Beautiful, thanks for sharing!!
Wendy Appleton from FlowerdesignsbyWendy said 2 years ago
Thank you for the updates - most informative
CeAndBo from CeAndBo said 2 years ago
Absolutely amazing! Beautiful trends.
Liz Middleton from LittleBlueBirdSays said 2 years ago
Love them all especially the clear acrylic sign. Oh and the veil with the flowers & botanicals all over it. Love is in the air!
Sophia from lasercustomsWA said 2 years ago
love this! Thank you!!!!
Marie from Flashfloozy said 2 years ago
Some beautiful ideas here! I absolutely love the embellished veils and capes. It's so nice to see trends moving in such a colourful and creative direction.
MarzycardsUK from MarzycardsUK said 2 years ago
Fun post. Thanks for sharing!
MARLENE from LoveChocolateBouquet said 2 years ago
The stacked rings idea is my favourite trend from your list. Very informative. Thank you.
Cat Westerwisp from Westerwisp said 2 years ago
Yes! I have a bride wearing a cape this October, had another bride wear a cape this January as well. So gorgeous!
Yaroslava Kosenko from TiaraByYara said 2 years ago
So fresh information! thank you so much)
Orchid Z from OrchidCouture said 2 years ago
Good! I gonna try some dramatic veils in my shop
Alex Dong from AlexDress said 2 years ago
Very nice! Thank you for sharing!
Iraja from Vivaha said 2 years ago
Lovely <3
Sarah from gartermegood said 2 years ago
I'm loving the cape trend x
Maricar Riel from BackDropByMars said 2 years ago
Thanks for sharing.. Very helpful!
Ashleigh Dalton from BlueBarnGala said 2 years ago
I love the acrylic signs and the dog signs too! Thanks for all of the great ideas :)
The Ruffled Rose Boutique from RuffledRoseBoutique said 2 years ago
Great tips, even as a business owner specializing in handmade wedding veils! Thanks for the great article.
maryfranb1 said 2 years ago
So touching. Hope they stay together until the end of TIM.
Brandi Brumbalow from Theprincessandthebou said 2 years ago
Beautiful! Really nice article. Thank you.
Debbie Bailie from GibsonBespoke said 2 years ago
Absolutely gorgeous selection. I'm with you entirely on the wedding cape trend and in the throws of designing a new cape collection for my shop. Thanks for your beautiful insight into wedding trends Dayna.
Dorothy from AsTheDeerVintage said 2 years ago
I love the veils... this article was lots of fun to read, thanks!
Sharron Allen from MyGardenStudioCanada said 2 years ago
Great ideas!!! looking forward to 2019 and what is new again.
Fotografia Ślubna Kraków said 1 year ago
So inspiring wedding trends! Thanks for sharing!