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30 Upcoming Wedding Trends That Are Changing Everything

Funny enough, trends tend to change everything. Think about fashion. Anything that walks down the runway will eventually trickle down to the rest of us. If there’s a lot of red on the runway, you can bet that department stores will order red garments. You’ll then see tons of red all over the place. Of course, seasons have a lot to do with it, but trends influence almost everything. And wedding trends are no different!

Thanks to social media, we get to see everyone's weddings. Someone sees something they think is unique on Pinterest or Facebook and they decide to do it for their wedding—and then the next thing you know, everyone's having their wedding in a barn and hanging string lights.

Trends aside, the 2020 pandemic has changed everything about the wedding industry drastically. Instead of cancelling or postponing their weddings, most brides have chosen to downsize, host everything outdoors, or alter the festivities in new, creative ways. Some of these trends are designed to add a little bit of personality to the event — something we’re 100% on board with. It’s all about self-expression on your big day, right?

Well, this year, these are some of the biggest wedding trends that are literally changing everything.

Small, Intimate Weddings

Small, Intimate Weddings

Small, intimate weddings are stunning—not that large unions aren’t, but the pandemic has really forced couples to reevaluate who the most important people in their lives are.

Small weddings give the happy couple a chance to do what they want without breaking the budget. They also get to spend a little more money on the honeymoon!

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Wedding Planners

Wedding Planners

Weddings are stressful, and we all know this. That’s exactly why wedding planners are coming into play. They’re just like regular planners, but it has a list of everything you need to do and when it should be completed.

They basically create a plan for you without costing an arm and a leg.

Mountains Over Beaches

Mountains Over Beaches

People will always have weddings at beaches, but many couples are rediscovering the beauty of the mountains.

The expansive landscapes make for some striking pictures. Any wedding in a mountain-esque area will be unforgettable.

Oleg Breslavtsev - stock.adobe.com

Live Streams for Weddings

Live Streams for Weddings

With guest lists being downsized or relatives choosing to stay home because of the pandemic, live streaming has become increasingly popular.

It isn’t unusual for a couple to have a live feed of their wedding so all of their friends and family can watch!

Wedding photography - stock.adobe.com

Lavender and Sage

Lavender and Sage

Some color schemes never go out of style. Pale pink and dove grey are two shades that are commonly used at weddings.

This year, lavender and sage stole the limelight. These two shades are perfect for spring, but they’ve been visible throughout the summer as well.

Krgin Photography - stock.adobe.com

Larger Floral Arrangements

Larger Floral Arrangements

Instead of smaller arrangements, brides and grooms are going all out for larger floral arrangements. This is more expensive, so many couples opt to spend less on other items that spruce up the area.

You could save a little money by arranging the flowers yourself.

Alex - stock.adobe.com

Live Bands Over DJs

Live Bands Over DJs

Something is to be said about a live band.

DJs are great because you can play pretty much everyone’s favorite something, but a live band automatically jazzes up any wedding – not that they have to play jazz.

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Capes

Capes

Admittedly, capes seemed a little odd at first, but after seeing pictures, they look beautiful. It’s an elegant way of adding a touch of style to your wedding.

Capes are coincidentally making their away across fashion runways elsewhere, as well.

Stylish_Pics - stock.adobe.com

Skipping Favors

Skipping Favors

Favors have long been a waste of money, especially if they’re not edible. In fact, most guests forget their favors when they leave.

If you want to do favors, do something that can be munched on throughout the wedding—or better get, offer Germ-X or disposable masks—but no one would blame you if you ditched them completely.

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Unconventional Dresses

Unconventional Dresses

Along with unique cuts, brides are playing with the color of their dress. They’re ditching the classic white gowns and going for other colors like green, red, or even black!

It all depends on what the bride wants and makes her happy.

(Image via AdobeAdobe)

Retro Weddings

Retro Weddings

Retro weddings are making a massive splash in weddings this year. Decades like the ‘20s, ‘50s, and ‘80s are pretty popular, but none more than the ‘70s.

Something about that boogie oogie woogie gets people happy and dancing.

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Couples Getting Ready Together

Couples Getting Ready Together

The whole “don’t look at each other until the altar” tradition is so passé. Couples are ditching this little superstition in favor of getting ready together.

They’ve already seen each other, and many brides get their fiancé’s opinion on their dress anyway.

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Break Between Wedding and Honeymoon

Break Between Wedding and Honeymoon

There’s no need to run off the moment you get married! Some couples choose to stay and enjoy spending time with their family. Most people have friends and family fly in, and it may be one of the few chances everyone’s together. 

And with the ongoing pandemic, some couples just aren't comfortable jetting off just yet, so they're choosing to host an intimate ceremony and postpone their honeymoon for when it's safer.

Myroslava - stock.adobe.com

Succulents

Succulents

We love succulents at weddings for two reasons. The first is that they’re low maintenance. You don’t need to worry about temperatures to avoid them from wilting throughout the day.

Second, they make fantastic parting gifts for guests.

(Image via Adobe; Adobe)

Long Ribbons in Bouquets

Long Ribbons in Bouquets

Ribbons are in, and not just any ribbons. We’re talking about long ribbons on bouquets that accentuate the flowers and add a little bit of flair without spending too much more. 

It just makes the bride look that much more elegant on her big day.

stakhov - stock.adobe.com

Skipping Garter Toss and Bouquet Throw

Skipping Garter Toss and Bouquet Throw

The garter toss is just a little awkward, and I think we can all admit that. The groom is going up his bride’s skirt to get her garter to throw to a bunch of guys. No, thank you. 

The bouquet throw is also disappearing in weddings, probably because the bride wants to save it for later.

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Unique Unity Ceremonies

Unique Unity Ceremonies

Unity ceremonies aren’t new, but unique unity ceremonies are becoming more ubiquitous. Instead of sharing cake, handfasting, or a glass of wine, couples are choosing to have coffee together.

Some even go as unique as eating peanut butter and jelly sandwiches! Delicious and different.

Irina - stock.adobe.com

Asymmetrical Bouquets

Asymmetrical Bouquets

Out with the symmetrical in with the asymmetrical. Overall, asymmetrical has popped up on the runway, so it was only a matter of time before brides used it as inspiration. 

We like this trend because it takes a lot of stress off of having the “perfect” bouquet.

Galina Zhigalova - stock.adobe.com

Multiple Dresses

Multiple Dresses

One dress for the wedding, one for the reception, and one for the after party. While this has been popular in the past, it’s becoming increasingly so thanks to the royal weddings. 

It bumps up the budget but changing into another dress is definitely more comfortable than dancing in your wedding gown.

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Unexpected Entertainment

Unexpected Entertainment

You want your wedding to be memorable, so people are beginning to think of unexpected ways to entertain their guests. 

While some may choose to have lawn games, others include theater performances, sketch artists, and even tarot card readers.

Dennis - stock.adobe.com

Pantone Color of the Year

Pantone Color of the Year

There’s a reason Pantone releases the Color of the Year – people love to use it!

Each year, the color of the year begins to pop up like crazy. 

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Minimalism

Minimalism

We’ve always been a huge fan of minimalism. Instead of going bigger and better, many couples are going small. They’re accentuating what few decorations they really have.

Most of them choose to include a lot of nature like large green leaves and stunning bouquets that shine without a dozen balloons.

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Photobooths

Photobooths

Photobooths aren’t going anywhere. Couples love them, for some reason.

Our suggestion is that when you do a photo booth at your wedding, make sure to still have a photographer around. You’ll want high-quality pictures later in life.

CL-Medien - stock.adobe.com

Pet Participation

Pet Participation

For most people, their pet is just as much a part of the family as their brother or sister – sometimes more so! That’s why couples want to put their pet somewhere in their wedding.

Whether the ring bearer or a groomsman/bridesmaid, it’s time to include your little buddy.

svetlanaz - stock.adobe.com

Ditching Something Borrowed, Something Blue

Ditching Something Borrowed, Something Blue

Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue – it’s a tradition that’s literally been around since the 1800s.

Brides are ditching the tradition, possibly because blue doesn’t go with their color scheme. We think it’s a tradition that’s long past it’s prime.

Regina - stock.adobe.com

Top Hats and Eye Patches

Top Hats and Eye Patches

Top hats and eye patches? We don’t mean that most people wear them together, but it’s an accessory that many men are donning.

Top hats have a vintage effect to them, but eye patches feel a little too pirate-y for us.

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Tropical Bouquets

Tropical Bouquets

Roses are beautiful and classy, but other flowers are just as stunning, especially if you love color. 

Whether you’re having a destination wedding or it’s a theme, we suggest using birds of paradise, protea, and other flowers that thrive in the tropics. This works especially well if you’re having a summer wedding in a hot and humid area.

Oleg Breslavtsev - stock.adobe.com

Specialty Invitations

Specialty Invitations

Because weddings are getting smaller, brides and grooms have more money they can spend on smaller details like invitations. 

The invitations are becoming more intricate, and some people even hire calligraphers from sites like Etsy to give it that extra special touch.

(Image via Unsplash)

Emphasis on the After-Party

Emphasis on the After-Party

You want your wedding to be beautiful, but most couples are spending the bulk of their budget on the after-party. 

That’s understandable considering that’s one of the biggest parts of your wedding, and one of the parts many of your guests look forward to. Better drinks, better food, live music – people go all out!

IVASHstudio - stock.adobe.com

Asking for Cash Instead of Gifts

Asking for Cash Instead of Gifts

Let’s be honest: cash is better than gifts. No one needs a second panini press, but it would be nice to have some extra funds for the honeymoon.

Cash can also help pay off the wedding if you didn’t pay cash outright. Don’t be afraid to ask for cash cause it’s all the rage.

RomanR - stock.adobe.com