What does it take to make a trend? And what are the top trends in the linen, floral, décor, and stationery industries for 2018? Read on to find out more.

Trends are a significant part of our society and are based on what becomes popular among the majority. And though they can change overnight, they don't develop quickly. They are created by trendsetters—people who, with a combination of personality, creativity, and innovation, shape the latest and greatest ideas for our society. Trendsetters are curious folks who study the nature, culture, social trends, news, and more to learn the textures, colors, tastes, and ideas that shape us or will shape us in the future. According to Henrik Vejlgaard, author of Anatomy of a Trend and Trend Management, “A trendsetter is someone who is constantly very curious about what is new and innovative. A trendsetter craves change.”Yet how are trends in the wedding industry defined? What gives them staying power? And how can we incorporate them? For answers, we turned to several industry trendsetters: Erin Ollendike, BBJ Linen, Dallas; Danielle Mitchell, La Tavola Fine Linen Rental, Corona Del Mar, Calif.; Bron Hansboro, The Flower Guy Bron, Richmond, Va.; Morgan Montgomery, CPCE, Paisley & Jade (décor), Richmond, Va.; and April Hallett, Carlson Craft, North Mankato, Minn.WPM: HOW ARE TRENDS IN THE WEDDING INDUSTRY DEFINED?Ollendike, BBJ Linen: We are looking more to Instagram for trends. You can get a refreshed feed of gorgeous designs with up-to-the-minute imagery. Following people around the country allows you to see if there is commonality among the top designers. Pinterest is still a great place to look for examples of trends. Pantone is a great guide for knowing what colors will trend in the future.Hallett, Carlson Craft: Trends usually start off as mini trends that pop up and gain traction by Pinterest and other social media. We seek trends in a variety of ways. We work with a product development team,in house designers, freelancers, and design houses that create trend boards multiple times a year. Those boards are then analyzed by product development to find common themes and trends.Bron, The Flower Guy Bron: Floral trends are defined much like trends in other industries. Insiders pay close attention to the steady development of innovative and sometimes overlooked discoveries. Once designerscatch on and clients begin to request these styles, more and more trends are born. Wedding floral trends are driven largely by architecture and clothing fashion. The modern couple is finding inspiration from past eras, starting with their fashion and choosing floral décor that complements that aesthetic.Mitchell, La Tavola Fine Linen Rental: Trends in the linen industry are defined largely by color and texture. Some seasons sequins and shine are really in while, at other times, rustic and earthy is most coveted. At La Tavola, we watch and pull from the top interior designers, home décor, and fashion industry leaders to discover cues of upcoming trends and styles.Montgomery, Paisley & Jade: A lot of trends in the specialty rental industry trickle down from home décor—designing one’s home is an intimate and personal experience, and so is a wedding, so it makessense that the same styles and ideas used in interior decorating would transfer to event décor. Since events (and rentals) are so visual, we’re constantly looking to annual furniture markets, high-end fashion shows, and cultural institutions to see what gorgeous new ideas are out there and could be headed our way!WPM: WHAT GIVES A TREND STAYING POWER?Ollendike, BBJ Linen: Trends are looks or styles that appeal to either all of the United States or a few regions. A fad can be influenced by a geographical area or cultural influences. In short, trends have staying power because they appeal to multiple areas.Hallett, Carlson Craft: Trends that have staying power tend to have a more classic feel with broader appeal to many—such as greenery, floral, and lace versus more niche trends like neons, for example. Trends that have staying power allow the couple and their guests to be submerged in a feeling that the couple has envisioned. Bron, The Flower Guy Bron: Longevity and the ability to influence decision making for an extended period of time distinguishes trends from fads. Typically, fads last as long as a season but can be as short lived as a month. On the contrary, trends see much longer lifespans and can develop into a pillar of any industry. Trends that have staying power always address stylistic necessities outside of the immediate. They answer the questions of the past, present, and future. This uniqueness and originality breathes long-lasting life into something that would have been a distant memory.Mitchell, La Tavola Fine Linen Rental: A fad is a flash in the pan, a new style that quickly arrives and very quickly disappears and becomes outdated. A trend is a new style that has some longevity and stays around for several seasons.Montgomery, Paisley & Jade: For something to be more than a fad, it needs to have a broader arc. We ask ourselves: will this be applicable in multiple situations, and will this still be a good idea six months or a year from now? Also, the consumer is a huge driver of this—if we’re getting multiple requests for something over a period of time, it becomesobvious quickly that it is a trend that could stick around.WPM: WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO INCORPORATE TRENDS INTOAN EVENT OR WEDDING?Ollendike, BBJ Linen: Start small. I never advise clients to go full trend, because then their event is timestamped. You want to use a deft hand, so that your event will have a timeless appearance. Stay true to your tastes and your incorporation will feel natural instead of forced. Also, don’t try to incorporate too many trends—pick one or two things you like, and use them.Hallett, Carlson Craft: Trends can be incorporated as early as save-the-dates and carry through to invitations, accessories, favors, day-of stationery, décor elements, and thank-you notes. Looking to Pinterestand other social media can give a couple fresh ideas.Bron, The Flower Guy Bron: Blending a new, inspiring blouse with a classic suit from your wardrobe is the same approach you should take when incorporating trends into your weddings and events. Start with a foundation of selections that will withstand the test of time, and then layer on trend elements. Being hyper focused on “what’s new” or “traditional” will leave you with a flat design. Instead, curate a mixture of both to achieve the editorial quality look you desire.Mitchell, La Tavola Fine Linen Rental: Trends are a great way to add a contemporary look, pulling in what is current and fashionable. As a rule of thumb, it is a good idea not to go overboard and have your entire event style modeled on a current trend. Instead, try to bring in elements of the trend in smaller pieces, mixing with more timeless and classic elements to create an eclectic mix of contemporary and enduring style that is all your own. For a wedding, you could incorporate splashes of trends in a cake table or sweetheart table, or during cocktail hour on highboy tables. For an event, try picking out one to two visual focal points and incorporating a trend on those tables or in those areas for a high impact touch of your favorite current trend.Montgomery, Paisley & Jade: It is so much more impactful to have a trend incorporated in fewer areas but with a high level of drama or presentation, than to cover your event head-to-toe in one specific idea. You need the negative space, design-wise, to appreciate the areas where you have incorporated a statement, rather than overwhelming the visual for your guests.WPM: WHAT ARE THE TOP THREE 2018 TRENDS IN YOUR INDUSTRY?LINENSNature’s whimsical creatures—From butterflies to birds and florals, nature’s beauty takes center stage adding a touch of whimsy to the table. Nature-inspired linens draw from your surroundings. Using a beautifuloutdoor venue and a stand-out print allows for minimal tabletop.Crazy for colors—Color is back! Super bright hues create a uniquely distinctive style on the table. When mixing colors, stay in the same color family or pair with neutrals to balance out the table.Cut it out—Textured cut outs are a delicate touch that add a feminine feel to the table, cut outs create interest as an added layer or a standalone design element. Texture is an instant upgrade for any table—thistrend pairs well with almost any other décor aspects.- Danielle Mitchell, La Tavola Fine Linen Rental, Corona Del Mar, Calif.Urban-vintage mix—Think concrete floors and brick walls blended with soft textures like lace and velvet. Mix this with overflowing, almost wild floral arrangements with ample greenery. Intricate china andantique glassware are also hallmarks.Niagara—Pantone’s 2017 spring color Niagara will be a base for many designs. Pairing with other neutral colors like latte and soft peach are a nice offset. For a richer look, try teal and rose gold. Using this blue is a great way to bring in “something blue” and offer a natural vibe.Pattern mixing—Just as at home, you want to layer textures and patterns at weddings. Designs should have unifying elements and the patterns and textures should complement each other and bring out the bestqualities of each.- Erin Ollendike, BBJ Linens, Dallas