The last few years have seen a rise in quirky takes on traditional wedding style, as brides-to-be look for new ways to express themselves on their big day – from bridal jumpsuits to wedding mini-dresses. And now there's a new trend on the horizon for 2018, and it has just a touch of Game of Thrones about it. According to online marketplace Etsy, we can expect to see brides wearing amazing wedding capes when walking down the aisle. The online retailer, which provides a platform for thousands of independent artisans and small labels, has put together its annual wedding trend report detailing what we can expect to see at 2018's nuptials. And searches for pretty, feminine wedding capes have risen by a huge 44 per cent.
Wedding capes have serious ethereal charm
"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," says trend expert Dayna Isom Johnso, writing on the Etsy blog. "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."
And they're not the only fairytale-inspired item that Etsy is predicting brides will be wearing this year. Super-feminine embroidered embellishments are also big news, as are statement veils: searches for the term are up a whopping 213 per cent. And it looks like engaged ladies are taking cues from bride-to-be-of-the-moment Meghan Markle too: views of stacking rings, which she is regularly spotted wearing, have increased by 68 per cent.
READ MORE: Holly Willoughby predicts Meghan Markle's wedding gown
When it comes to décor, Etsy believes we’ll be spotting more clear acrylic accents as part of table settings and displays and that couples will be experimenting with quirky takes on the guestbook, with 'guestbook alternative' searches up by 53 per cent. It's also expecting pets at weddings to become more of a regular sighting – the term 'pet wedding' currently yields over 30,000 results.
READ MORE: What will be on the menu at the Royal wedding?
Earlier this year social media platform Pinterest also released its own wedding predictions, which included fig cakes, vegan food, natural settings and statement entrances. We can't wait to see if Prince Harry and Meghan go for any of these come May!