From relaxed dress codes to family-style dining, some trends quickly fizzle out, while others become instant classics. Which ones will stand the test of time? Check out our list of 15 current trends to incorporate into your wedding planning.
1. Curved Seating Arrangements
Venues are rearranging traditional seating to boost the personal, community aspect of the nuptial assembly. Ceremonies in the round and “caterpillar” waves are just two types of seating that offer a more intimate atmosphere.
2. Handwritten Notes
Couples are taking the opportunity to thank their guests for their presence, the true gift, with personalized notes written on color-themed stationery placed at each table setting or in a welcome bag.
©Availeth Photo Company
3. Bold Dance Floors
Interior designers have long known that flooring is an opportunity to pull a room together. Dance floors with bold black-and-white stripes, wood-and-white checks and gray herringbone are designs that pop in first-dance pics. Go for the customized monogram at the center of the dance floor.
4. Fabric Draping
Add a serious “wow” factor to your reception with layered textiles in chiffon, organza and tulle. Warm up a ballroom, create a ceiling in an outdoor space or build a drapery wall behind the head table to add dimension and ambience.
5. Pet-Inspired Elements
Many duos are honoring their dogs with cocktails named for their fur-babies. Additionally, we’ve seen couples incorporate custom cocktail napkins featuring pet portraits.
©Gaby Rguez Photography
6. Rehearsal Pre-Party
Traditionally, the rehearsal dinner is a sit-down meal, but now couples want the party to start right away. Instead of waiting for the wedding day, guests begin celebrations the night before with festivities like a beach bonfire complete with a DJ, special menu and more.
7. Group Activities
Scheduled activities are a great way to showcase the destination you’ve selected. A low-key beach yoga session can get your day off to a good start. Afterward, blow up a few fun floaties and spend the afternoon at the pool hanging with your besties.
©Apollo-Fields
8. Native Florals
Embrace local blooms that lend an authentic touch to wedding decor. An Italian wedding could display olives, lemons and bougainvillea while a Hawaiian reception may feature naupaka flowers, a native species that only grows by the seashore or high in the mountains.
9. Longer Celebration
Couples opting for a destination wedding optimize their budget with longer stays that maximize their time together in an intimate setting and emphasize connection rather than one massive celebration that only lasts a few hours.
10. Versatile Jewelry
Michelle Robertson of Embark Fine Jewelry notes, “Brides are leaning toward updated classics for their wedding day, and our two-tone lab-grown diamond necklace is a versatile piece that works for your wedding day and beyond. The diamond is set in white gold, making it look like it's floating on your neck, and the diamond-cut mini paperclip chain adds a modern touch.”
©Embark Fine Jewelry
11. Personal Scent
As seen on Bravo’s new hit show “Love Hotel,” Grand Velas Boutique Los Cabos offers a new “Scent Your Love Story” program, creating custom fragrances, candles or room sprays for guests to take home.
©Velas Resorts
12. Colorful Cakes
Craft your wedding cake with a playful pastel or vibrant hue to infuse your personality into the reception. A colorful cake won’t necessarily be more expensive than a white confection.
13. Custom Suits
Two grooms at the altar can coordinate their look with bespoke menswear. Brands like Indochino can customize everything from a rainbow silk lining to the embroidery of a name and the wedding date near an inside pocket.
14. Bridal Scarf
Style your gown with a chic accent scarf to add visual interest to a strapless silhouette. The scarf draws attention to your face and shoulders creating a soft and feminine look.
15. Content Creator
Include a professional social media content creator to your wedding event team. They’ll get fresh, behind-the-scenes video and create a start-to-finish recap video that you can share within 24 hours of your vows.
