Current Wedding Trends and What They Mean for Future Planning

Congratulations on the engagement—now the real fun begins!

Wedding planning is an exciting opportunity to bring to life those dreams you’ve held close since you were small. It’s a chance to finally play out your wedding day vision, combining it with aspects of current trends that you find irresistible.

Since you’ve still got time to plan, we’ve created a compilation of our favorite current trends and are doing our darndest to see into the future.

Here’s our prediction on how current trends will impact future wedding planning.

Sustainability

Here’s a trend we don’t see going anywhere. If you’re hoping to weave some eco-friendly practices into your big day, here’s what it looks like for future planning:

• Finding an eco-friendly “green” venue committed to environmentally friendly practices
• Using thrifted décor. If this is something you’re interested in, the sooner you begin looking for it and building your collection, the better
• Purchasing ethically and sustainably made dresses, or choosing to rent them instead
• Creating a menu of locally grown fare

When it comes to incorporating the eco-friendly trend into your wedding, do it in a way that makes sense. It’s not about doing it perfectly; rather every little bit helps.

Personalization

Modern couples are freeing themselves from tradition and making their celebration a personal reflection that is just… so them!

This personalization can be depicted by the venue choice—more and more people are selecting non-traditional places to tie the knot—or in the wedding theme itself. It can be a fusion of sorts, traditional meets Great Gatsby—anything goes.

If the personalization trend is something you’re hoping to ride all the way to your big day, here are some planning tips that factor in future planning needs:

• Make a list of what you’d like at your wedding—include both traditional and non-traditional elements
• If you need anything custom made, be sure to order it early
• Don’t be afraid to think outside the box—there are so many fun unconventional ways to celebrate that add some much needed life and energy into the same old tradition

From rethinking roles (why not have your grandmother as a flower girl?) to overall décor (silk fabric makes a gorgeous flower alternative!) there’s a myriad of fresh creative ways you can make your wedding day a little more you.

Non-Traditional Attire

From brides in floral print wedding gowns to bridesmaids looking sharp in jumpsuits paired with killer stilettos, traditional wedding attire seems to be under threat.

Thankfully, designers are catching wind of this and freshening up their collections with a wide range of jaw-droppingly gorgeous modern designs. Just check out Bella Bridesmaids to see what we mean…

Receptions that Offer a Unique Experience

From outdoorsy experiences such as a raft trip to an interactive food station where guests get to delight in creating their own crepes or kabobs. Some couples are choosing to have their reception revolve around a memorable experience.

This is achieved through things like: :

• Picking a theme for the wedding—such as a music festival
• Having the wedding at a unique venue—the zoo for example
• Planning an activity for the reception

If there’s something that you and your fiancée are obsessed with, it may be fun to incorporate it into your big day. 

Take some time to brainstorm and see if this is a trend you’d like to pursue.

Technology

Technology has a huge hold on almost every industry, so it’s only natural that it graces the wedding industry too.

The tech obsessed amongst us may already be bursting with ideas on how to incorporate the latest wonders into their wedding planning, and the options are likely only going to multiply as further advancements are reached.

Some couples are:

• Streaming their big day so those who can’t make it can still participate
• Taking advantage of wedding websites and using them to help plan
• Using technology to create impressive light shows that tie in with the music during the reception

As VR becomes more mainstream, who knows? It may be something that people use to make their wedding celebrations literally out of this world.

Conclusion:

Of all the current trends, our favorite is the freedom that exists for couples to just be themselves. We absolutely love that people are able to choose a celebration that is meaningful to them. If there’s anything you take from this piece, we hope you’re inspired and emboldened to celebrate in a way that feels authentic to who you are.

Because really, isn’t that what weddings are all about?