Top tastemakers share all that's new and notable in weddings, from cocktails to color palettes, décor, guest experiences, and more. Here, the ins and outs of celebrating in the year to come.
-AS SEEN IN BRIDAL GUIDE MAGAZINE-
Out: Cookie cutter weddings
In: "Custom is in!" says Michelle Cousins of Michelle Leo Events. "Clients are interested in booking venues where it’s possible to build out custom spaces, backdrops and even show-stopping tents. They typically select a venue located in a place that holds history for them throughout their relationship."
Out: Waste
In: "Couples wanting to extend their drive and passion for sustainability to their wedding ceremony," says McKenzi Taylor of Cactus Collective Weddings and Electric Sugar Elopements. "Single-use items like balloons are replaced by wildflowers that are growing on-site or even the dramatic clouds and the sunsets taking place right in front of us. Confetti (or even non-native flower petals) can be replaced with fallen leaves gathered on-site."
"Silk flowers are definitely eco-friendly," says Sneh Diwan of Diwan by Design. "There are no floral sponges, which are not the greatest for the environment. Silk blooms are also more economical. And when you're 'faking it,' you can have whatever flowers you wish, at any time of the year."
Out: Quiet color palettes
“Couples are moving away from shades of white and ivory with a pop of metal, like gold, rose-gold and silver,” says Jove Meyer of Jove Meyer Events.
In: "More couples are leaning into colors," says Meyer. "Some are more moody, others more pastel, and some all one color, like pink, but using various tones of that one color. Color is joy, and joy should be the center of every wedding celebration!"
Out: Farewell brunches
In: “As wedding weekends get longer and more events are hosted, we’re finding that more of our couples just want to sleep in the morning after their wedding,” says Tyler Speier of Tyler Speier Events. “A popular alternative we’ see are more postwedding pool parties the afternoon after the wedding. Tacos, Margaritas, sunshine and your friends giving the weekend one last hurrah...”
Out: Juice-based mocktails
"Mocktails are so much more than alcohol-free cocktails," notes Meyer. "They are stand-alone drinks that are thoughtful, hand-crafted, and delicious!"
In: "When crafting a mocktail, keep in mind the season and location," says Meyer. "Some of my favorites are a Passion Fruit Spritzer, a blend of passion fruit pureé, lime juice, simple syrup and seltzer, and also a Blackberry Fizz, muddled blackberries, lemon juice, seltzer, and bitters."
"With elevated menus and design, the bar is not a place to overlook," adds Speier. "We love a good mixologist who can elevate the bar experience and bring in shrubs, tinctures, and all sorts of amazing ingredients to create craft cocktails."
Out: Delicate blooms
In: "Statement florals — from hanging floral installations to floral walls, large-scale ceremony installations to flowers climbing up trees — are at the forefront of wedding design," says Speier
."We’re seeing an increase in floral budgets," adds Cousins. "And ceremonies that include floral-heavy backdrops, ceremony aisle florals and lush centerpieces at the reception as well!"
Out: Plain table linens
In: "With its luxurious texture, velvet is having a moment," says Diwan. "Sometimes we"re mixing velvet with printed fabric for some tables, brocade for others. It's all about injecting texture to elevate tablescapes."
Watch for it: Barbie-core will continue to have an influence in weddings as the trend will catch on now for newly engaged couples and show up in 9 to 16 months from now at their wedding. Beyond all things pink, Barbie-core at its heart is about joy and bold, fun choices, and weddings are leadning more in that direction overall. So Barbie-core is here to stay!" —Jove Meyer
Out: Covered pillar candles
In: "Tapers are more elegant, evoking Old World romance, although they can look modern too, say, in a clear, handblown glass candelabra," says Diwan. "The variation in candle height also adds depth to the overall design of your table."
"In addition to classic white, tapers come in a range of colors to coordinate with table linens, from dusky neutrals to vibrant tones. Also textures. You might choose tapers with fluted edges or woven into a twist."
Out: Strobe lighting aover the dance floor. "Too gimmicky!" says Park and Wang.
In: “A reception space reveal is immediately upgraded with a dance floor covered in cascading twinkle lights,” say Park and Wang. “Lighting installations that are impressive while also being romantic, sophisticated (and flattering) will remain timeless.”
Out: Buffet dinners
In: "We're finding that multi-course, beautifully plated meals are in," says Speier. "Serving unique foods is another way to create an incredible experience for the guests. For couples wanting something less traditional, having food stations around the room is also popular."
Out: "Dessert stations with grand displays in lieu of a wedding cake. This is especially passé in outdoor settings, where the desserts are exposed to the elements for long periods of time,” say Park and Wang.
In: “Wedding cakes! And as a supplement to the wedding cake, tray-passed desserts and late-night snacks," say Park and Wang. "Or an action station featuring the bride and groom’s favorite desserts or late-night munchies, for example, freshly-made churros, ice cream sundae stations, shave ice, custom boba beverages."
Out: Posed, formal wedding portraits
In: “Candid photography and videography is widely sought after because it captures the real and raw moments of the day," says Cousins. "Most photographers will plan to get some posed photos with family and the bridal party, but these types of images are kept to a minimum."
"Wedding day content creation is picking up steam," notes Taylor. "Couples are coming to us wanting behind-the-scenes and candid moments captured for use on their social media channels. We've been able to fill that need with a dedicated camera operator. It’s really been a hit for us!"
"I am hearing more inclusive language to celebrate all couples. For example, 'wedding party' in place of 'bridal party.' It is not a party for just one person, it is about a couple coming together equally." —Jove Meyer
Tradition Resets
Thursday is the new Friday. "I think that all weekend weddings should quietly begin on Thursdays," says Lindsey Shaktman of Mavinhouse Events. "I love when couples host their immediate families for an intimate dinner … before all their guests arrive in town."
Early ceremony. "As for the wedding [during the wedding weekend], I recommend considering an early morning or noon ceremony," says Michelle Norwood of Michelle Norwood Events. "This allows guests to return to their lodging quarters to rest and freshen up before the evening celebration."
Intentionally-designed seating charts. "From elaborate walls that also serve as decor moments to intentional, handwritten notes from the couple to each guest, the seating chart marks the transition from cocktails to dinner," says Speier. "And, if done right, can really make an impact on the guest experience."
Skipping the traditional wedding party. "We are seeing couples just stand up at the wedding by themselves," says Speier. "We are loving this trend, as it makes the focus more on the couple and relieves the friends of all the wedding party pressure."
Back to the ballroom. "COVID was keeping everyone outside for so long, but now we have couples who want to have their entire reception in one place," says Natalie Good of A Good Affair. "The ballroom is the perfect setting for a big band to play into the wee hours of the night."
Lighting update. “Instead of candles on tabletops, consider more residential-style mini lamps to provide illumination and a contemporary feel," say Park and Wang.
Focus on connection. "My couples have been shifting into designing receptions that are focused less on the dance floor and more on giving guests the opportunity to reconnect with one another," says Mandy Connor of Hummingbird Events & Design. "It feels more comforting and indulgent."
Cheers to champagne towers. "A nod to mid-century Mad Men-era glamour, champagne towers are making a comeback at the cocktail hour," says Diwan. "It's a more intimate gesture, and works well when there are fewer than 100 guests."
