25+ New Wedding Trends You'll Love

The Look

Timeless chic coupled with the all-important wow factor.

Vintage glamour (with a twist). Picture an industrial warehouse decked out with ornate, over-the-top centerpieces and set aglow with strands of twinkling lights and candles. You get the picture: a whimsical mash-up of old and new.

For the love of pink. Blush rose, to be exact, remains the “it” wedding color. Rhiannon Bosse, owner of Hey Gorgeous Events in Michigan, has dubbed blush a “now and forever” shade, because it’s both trending and timeless.

Photo Credit: Harriston Studio

Photo Credit: Breanne Weston Photography

Photo Credit: Breanne Weston Photography

Encore metallics. Brides continue to embrace copper, rose gold, and pewter because they’re so versatile, says Sara Fried, of Fete Nashville. Not only do they work with other colors for a look that’s at once relaxed and fun, they are ideal tones for a black-tie evening. Pro tip: “Use shine strategically,” says Sarah Chancey, founder of Chancey Charm Weddings, in Atlanta and 11 other cities. “Metallic linens on every table is too much: better to save the shine for the head and display tables.”

Photo Credit: Evin Photography

Neutral territory. From charcoal to blue-greys, or grey-browns, “This color palette is perfect for the bride who wants to achieve a classic, sophisticated feel that won’t seem dated or look too trendy in years to come,” says Michelle Cousins, the planning guru behind Michelle Leo Events in Utah.

Photo Credit: Anna K Photography

Surprise settings. Today’s couples want a wedding that will blow their guests away, and one of the key elements to an unforgettable event is the choice of venue. “Any place with a large plot of land or a distinct building — or both — will allow couples to really personalize their wedding and help them tell their unique story,” says Amy Cagginello, founder of Amy Champagne Events in Connecticut.

Make it work! If it’s not practical to book a unique wedding venue, Bianca Hall of Chicago’s Estera Events says lofts and tents will give couples more room to get creative. “Or book a rooftop space with a jaw-droppingly fantastic view!”

The Flowers

These pretty petals are more than simply lovely to look at — they’re memory makers.

Swoon-worthy blooms. Peonies, garden roses, ranunculus, dahlias and other “soft-petal” blooms are the top-requested flowers from coast to coast — and for good reason. “They epitomize romance,” says Zoe Gallina, creative director of Botanica international Floral Design in Florida. Peonies, in particular are in high demand, with one planner noting that some brides will time their weddings to take place when peonies are in peak season. Loose rose petals, used as a “garland” or runner atop tables or scattered among floating candles, are another trend that's coming on strong.

Photo Credit: Megan Robinson

Flights of fancy. Tall glass trumpet vases are making a comeback. “they allow for large, lush arrangements,” says Cousins, “but they sit above guests' heads, so it’s easy for conversation.” similarly, Bosse is seeing a renaissance of linear, more tailored centerpieces, as opposed to the loose, “fresh-picked” style that’s been popular in recent years. “these structured arrangements fall in line with the trend toward a more classic wedding look overall,” she says.

Sophisticated whimsy. At the other end of the trend spectrum, gallina says flowering plants like king- and pink-ice protea, along with assorted bold tropical blooms and small potted plants, lend a dose of stateliness for brides who want arrangements that feel natural and organic — yet elegant.

Photo Credit: Jamee Photography

Mix it up. Few brides want their tables to look “too perfectly organized,” says Amy Marella, owner of the hidden garden Floral Design in Los Angeles. “they want a more eclectic feel,” she says. Create the look by using a mix of containers and featuring two or three different centerpiece designs.

Still going strong! Hanging floral centerpieces aren’t going anywhere anytime soon, says Rhiannon Bosse. “Instant wow! What’s not to love?”

Photo Credit: Wild Native Photography

Next: Invitations & Menu ►

The Invitations

Take note of these top trends for your stationery suite and reception signage.

Double duty. Jennifer Dailard of J grace luxurious event stationery, says couples are asking for menus that anchor a table setting. a custom laser-cut acrylic or mirrored charger plate with the menu printed in the center, for example, is a conversation piece that’s also functional.

Paper form follows fashion. “Wedding invitation styles often mimic what’s happening in fashion and home decor,” says Jill Ryder of Shindig Bespoke, a custom design studio based in new York City and Philadelphia. That means mixing two patterns, like stripes and florals, on the backs of cards or on envelope liners, as well as textured paper.

Photo courtesy of Shindig Bespoke

Handcrafted. “Hand calligraphy is such a strong trend that it’s not uncommon for brides and grooms to learn how to do it themselves,” says Chancey. Fortunately for those with a less steady hand, sites like minted and Wedding Paper Divas feature a wide range of invitation suites that look hand-calligraphed.

The Taste

Wedding food is getting a fresh update. Bon appétit!

Custom menus. One of the best ways couples can share their story with guests is through food. Whether you want to serve dishes that represent your culture(s), that are reminiscent of the place where you fell in love, or that fit into your venue choice, caterers are working with couples to develop a custom menu. Guests are still getting their beef, fish and vegetarian options, “but with a twist,” say Jose Vazquez and Sarah Kuhlberg of Colette’s Catering and Events in Southern California.

Local specialties. With more couples infusing pride of location in their hometown celebrations, local flavors are taking the spotlight. For example, in Utah buffalo is often featured as both a main course and as an appetizer, says Cousins. In Vermont, maple flavoring can make several appearances in the menu. Gulf shrimp is on display in various parts of the South, and so on. (The trend carries over to drinks.) “It’s an extension of the farm-to-table trend that popped up a few years ago,” says Chancey, “but even more fun for the guests.”

Paired up. Wine-and-cheese pairings have become a familiar site at cocktail receptions, but the idea of matching different foods with different drinks is being carried over to other types of beverages and appetizers, says Hall. “It elevates the guest experience by keeping folks active and engaged,” she says. Some duets to consider: wine and pasta, cake and craft beer, margaritas and guacamole, or for a wedding brunch, try mimosas and pastries.

Photo Credit: Evin Photography

Photo Credit: Lex and the Lotus Photography

Flavors to go. When it comes to favors, meaningful edibles are the way to go. One couple Bosse recently worked with handed out sugar cookies in the shape of states they’d visited. Other ideas include boxed European chocolates or a bag of candied nuts scooped up hot and fresh from a late-night food truck as the dancing comes to an end.

Still going strong! Family-style dining (where dishes are offered in portions for each table), small bites (think sliders or soup shooters), and food trucks.

Photo Credit: Max and Friends

The Drink Report

What's old is new again. Signature cocktails and his-and-her drinks have become reception staples. But bartenders and mixologists are moving away from the very sweet and/or colorful pours in favor of old-time classics, including the moscow mule, a Pimm’s Cup, and the sidecar.

Photo Credit: Jessie Alexis Photography

Next: Cake, Photography, and After Parties ►

Cakes and Desserts

Traditional cakes are reclaiming their spot at the top of the wedding dessert chart, but there’s plenty of room for other delicious treats.

Sugar high. Tall cakes that look as if they leapt off the pages of your mother’s wedding album are suddenly in vogue. “After the last few years of pies, cake pops, doughnuts, and cupcakes, there’s been a strong shift back to tiered wedding cakes,” says Bosse. “There’s something nostalgic to people about wedding cake.” As for the height aspect of the trend, she says tall cakes lend visual interest to a dessert table and allow for some very creative artistry — anything from hand painting to jeweled accents.

Photo Credit: Amy Arrington Photography

Photo Credit: Davy Whitener Photography

More is more. With wedding cakes once again the favored sweet, couples are opting to let guests cozy up to a cake table with several varieties. In addition to covering the flavor bases with vanilla and chocolate, top cake and filling flavors include coconut, hazelnut-almond, pink champagne, key lime and salted caramel.

Photo Credit: Heather Nan

Sweet satisfaction. S’mores stations and candy bars have been around for a few years, but one new dessert trend is to forgo a formal dessert course and instead serve guests passed desserts and/or set up several grazing dessert stations so guests can mingle and sample, “just like cocktail hour,” says Cagginello. “It keeps the energy going.”

Photo Credit: D'Arcy Benincosa

Photo Credit: Lex and the Lotus Photography

Photo Credit: Heather Nan

The Photography Report

Be it a moving or still photo, DIY or pro, these are the image trends that are coming into focus.

Snap and chat. Sara Fried says her clients are loving the newest takes on the traditional photo booth. “There's the slo-mo booth, the animated GIF booth, the flip-book booth and others,” she says. “All are amazing ways to keep guests fully entertained.” Most booths will text the content directly to smartphones, so your friends can share immediately on social media — and you get copies of everything at the end of the night.

Cut and share. Instagram video edits are an increasingly popular package option from videographers, says Lisa Ashley, owner and curator of the Wedding artists Collective, a specialty group of wedding photographers and videographers. These 60- to 90-second films “have the look and feel of a cinematic trailer and are wonderful representations of the day,” she says.

Reaching new heights. Couples can’t get enough of the unique perspectives offered by drone technology for both videos and aerial stills, and pros are following suit, offering packages that include drone footage as an add-on option. Poised for take-off: professional-quality, user-friendly drones for non-pros (and perhaps a wedding guest), such as EHang Ghostdrone 2.0, which is controlled by your smartphone via the EHang Play mobile app.

Photo Credit: Jason Maxwell

The After-Party Report

Once the first dance, parent dances and universal crowd-pleasers are over (think “uptown Funk” or “Twist & shout”), here’s how to keep everyone on the dance floor.

Two distinct sounds. Depending on the budget, some couples are hiring a traditional live band for the early hours of a reception, then switching to a DJ who bills him or herself as more of a club DJ than a wedding DJ. Or they’ll do the opposite, having a wedding DJ get the party started, followed by a rockin’ live band to keep the partiers going until last call. “There’s no reason a wedding DJ can’t keep the dance floor packed,” says Cagginello. Ask your DJ to stagger the playlist for the first hour, which will keep multiple generations happy, and then transition to a hipper set of songs.

Setting a mood. Lounge areas have been an important decor element at wedding cocktail hours for years, but as after-parties come into fashion wedding pros find themselves setting up more lounge-style seating vignettes closer to the dance floor. “We’ll also change the lighting so the room or tent has more of a club feel,” says Cousins.

Party On!

At press time, these are the most popular songs played by top wedding DJs in cities across the country.

Photo Credit: Three Nails Photography

1. “Uptown Funk,” Mark Ronson, featuring Bruno Mars
2. “Shake it Off,” Taylor Swift
3. “Shut Up and Dance,” Walk the Moon
4. “Can’t Stop the Feeling,” Justin Timberlake
5. “I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me),” Whitney Houston

Source: Billboard