On May 11th 2023, Etsy launched its very own wedding registry, Etsy Registry, a brand-new wedding gifting platform that allows couples to register the most meaningful of gifts.
Since its inception in 2005, Etsy has long been famed as the go-to shopping destination for handmade, vintage, sentimental and meaningful gifts all while supporting small businesses.
In addition to all of these lovely gifts, couples can head to Etsy Registry to register for personalised items too and even request for an exact customisation for their guests to purchase.
After researching wedding gift industry trends, Etsy has seen a huge 872% increase in searches on Etsy for handmade gifts, showing that friends and families are choosing to steer clear of standard mass-produced gifts in favour of those with more thought and meaning behind them.
As fans of Queer Eye, the team at Wedding Ideas were super excited to learn that the first to take the new Etsy Registry for a spin was TV personality and Queer Eye’s food and wine expert Antoni Porowski, who with his fiancé created their perfect wedding registry of gifts. For a little sneak peak, we can tell you the couple have very good taste, and filled their registry with items such as this Mushroom Side Table and this Large Dip Dye Blanket – both from UK sellers!
So, to help get you started with your very own list on Etsy Registry, Etsy has released its 2023 Wedding Trend Guide, and it looks like this year, couples are well and truly prioritising fun and putting creative twists on long-standing traditions to create their very own bespoke day.
Etsy’s 2023 Wedding Trends and Our Favourite Products to Shop Now
Lovecore
We’ve had cottagecore, regencycore (thank you Bridgerton) and now even Barbiecore following the buzz around Greta Gerwig’s upcoming movie, but in the wedding world, it’s the lovecore aesthetic that’s taking the industry by storm.
Lovecore is a trend characterised by heart patterns, roses and the colours red and pink – all very lovey-dovey, and we are obsessed! When it comes to lovecore-inspired decor, there has been a 21% increase in searches for heart-themed invitations, and an 18% increase in searches for pink menus.
And it’s just not decor that nearly-weds are after, brides are also feeling the love when it comes to their looks. In fact, in the last three months on Etsy, there has been a 22% increase in searches for pink morganite or moissanite engagement rings, a 19% increase in searches on Etsy for hot pink bridal items, and a 14% increase in searches for pink or red veils.
Here are some of our favourite pieces to add to your wishlist:
Retro Heart-Themed Vintage Design Wedding Invite, from £25
Red Lips Birdcage Veil, £150
Pink Hearts Painted Candles, from £7.50
Oversized Florals
Even outside of weddings, oversized floral appliqués are having a bit of a moment – as seen in Zara and Sofia Richie’s wedding after party dress. They’re a great way of adding a bit of drama to a wedding day look and would make the perfect touch to an outdoor or garden wedding.
On Etsy, searches for floral wedding dresses (which we adore) are up 78%, while searches for 3D flower veils and 3D flower dresses are up 35% and 32%. Searches for this year’s trending flower choker are up 159% – a versatile style that can be worn way beyond the big day.
Here are some of our favourite pieces to add to your wishlist:
Off The Shoulder Floral Wedding Dress, from £855
3D Floral White Tulle Bridal Gloves, £40
Green & White Azalea 3D Floral Wedding Veil, from £100
Western Weddings
This trend is really fun, think part coastal cowgirl and part Las Vegas elopement. The uber-cool western-themed wedding trend is gaining popularity as a laid-back and unconventional style that allows couples to have fun with their big day while encouraging guest participation in the dress code.
On Etsy, there has been a 40% increase in searches on Etsy for western wedding dresses, a 21% increase in searches on Etsy for fringe dresses, and a 19% increase in searches on Etsy for western wedding items.
Cowboy hats are also having a major moment, particularly fringed and diamanté encrusted styles, as the must-have accessory for Instagrammable hen do’s. On Etsy, there has been a whopping 1,334% increase in searches for disco cowboy and cowgirl hats.
Here are some of our favourite pieces to add to your wishlist:
White Diamond Bride Cowboy Hat, £44.31
Boho Fringed Wedding Dress, from £575
The Kennedy Suite Western Wedding Invite, £16.99
Love Story Gifts
What would make a more thoughtful gift than to receive a custom item that celebrates the couples very own love story? From custom couple and family portraits and illustrated love stories, to pieces that cherish a specific song, city or shared favourite recipe, there are so many options on the new Etsy Registry.
There has been a 71% increase in searches on Etsy for personalised recipe boxes, a 65% increase in searches on Etsy for custom couple portraits, and a 37% increase in searches on Etsy for custom song plaques.
Here are some of our favourite pieces to add to your wishlist:
Personalised Love Stories Illustrated Map, from £54
Personalised Engagement Bottle Box, from £28
Watercolour Wedding Venue Sketch, from £55
Rings With Character
Forget your usual engagement rings and wedding bands, it seems couples are opting for more unusual pieces that speak to their individualism and personalities. In fact, there has actually been a dramatic decrease in searches for both solitaire and diamond engagement rings. In the last three months, there has been a 253% increase in searches on Etsy for handmade engagement rings.
Alternative gemstones, like sapphires, emeralds, or even black diamonds, are rising in popularity, alongside unexpected stone placements and vintage rings that are imbued with history and antique craftsmanship.
Etsy has seen an 82% increase in searches for teal sapphire engagement rings, a 63% increase in searches on Etsy for Toi et Moi (two stone) engagement rings, 25% increase in searches for vintage wedding bands, and an 11% increase in searches for east west engagement rings.
Here are some of our favourite pieces to add to your wishlist:
Natural Ombre Blue Topaz Ring, £99
Teal Sapphire Engagement Ring, from £1320
Statement Mermaid Engagement Ring, £2500
Statement Accessories
Over the last few years, we have noticed brides opting for a more simple wedding dress paired with beautiful statement accessories, whether that be a sleek dress paired with dramatic drop earrings or a cathedral length embroidered veil, today’s brides are prioritising the details.
Etsy has seen a 109% increase in searches for wedding gloves, a 23% increase in searches for white sunglasses, a 15% increase in searches for personalised bridal bags.
When it comes to veils, brides are going big with customisation often incorporating sentimental details that can be cherished as a keepsake for years to come, such as initials and the wedding date. There has been a 78% increase in searches on Etsy for embroidered veils, a 28% increase in searches for custom veils, and a 15% increase in searches for cathedral length veils.
Here are some of our favourite pieces to add to your wishlist:
Personalised Bridal Clutch Bag, from £119
Just Married Pearl Sunglasses, £17.99
Cathedral Long Personalised Embroidered Wedding Veil, from £68.79
Creative Programs
One way that couples are making their big day as memorable and meaningful as possible is by creating out-of-the-box wedding programs that go way beyond just providing their guests with an itinerary of the day! After all, it is the one day that you are able to be as ‘extra’ as you like…
On Etsy, there has been a 127% increase in searches for newspaper wedding programs, a 13% increase in searches on Etsy for wedding program books and a 7% increase in searches for book or magazine programs.
These elaborate, often editorial-style programs set the tone for the festivities ahead, and can be personalised with the couples’ favourite photos, stories and memories, offering guests a fun and personal memento of the big day that can serve as a keepsake for friends and family.
Here are some of our favourite pieces to add to your wishlist:
Folded Newspaper Wedding Program, £10.09
Penguin Book Wedding Day Order of Service, from £150
Order of the Day Welcome Sign, from £42.26
Read More:
Want more wedding information and inspiration? Just hit ‘Like’ on our Wedding Ideas Facebook page, and ‘Follow’ on our @weddingideas Instagram and @wimagazine Twitter. To join in the conversation, share your stories here.