The year of your wedding is no time to experiment. You want a celebration that feels comfortable and familiar while still being special and unique. So while the 2020s have been full of new trends—like genderless weddings and vegan meals instead of cake—the next five years will bring their share of changes too. Here are some of the biggest ones we predict will take hold within the next few years:
Micro Weddings
Smaller weddings are becoming more and more popular. Couples are looking for something more intimate, with a smaller guest list, venue, and budget. They want to keep the focus on just being together with their closest friends and family at beautiful locations.
The trend towards smaller weddings is also bringing about other changes: smaller wedding parties (and even no bridal party), less seating at the reception, shorter engagement periods between getting engaged and tying the knot (or skipping a formal engagement altogether). Instead of having an elaborate multi-tiered cake for everyone to eat after dinner or dancing the night away at a late-night bash, couples opt for one sweet treat each as part of their dessert table setup. And yes – some even skip doing anything special for their wedding day!
Simple Invites
Simple invites are all the rage these days. They're a great way to convey your theme but also keep it simple and easy to read. You can use modern fonts and colors that match your wedding colors or go in another direction with something fun, like a graphite-on-white design. Whatever you choose, make sure it's easy to open! And remember the recycled paper: there's no better gift for Mother Earth than using eco-friendly materials in your wedding invitations.
Deconstructed Hair + Makeup
What does deconstructed hair + makeup mean? It's a trend that combines hair and makeup into one look. The result is a less formal feel than traditional wedding hair + makeup, but the look still has plenty of glam factor to it. Deconstructed bridal looks are perfect for someone who wants a more modern take on their wedding day look or for an outdoor wedding where looking like yourself is essential.
Personalized Ceremonies
A wedding ceremony is the first thing guests see and can make or break your wedding. You can personalize your ceremony by incorporating both your and your partner's interests and hobbies into it. For example, if you love fishing, maybe there's something about fishing in the ceremony (perhaps a quote from a fisherman). If you are interested in art or music, there may be something related to that in the ceremony. Or maybe it's just small things like using expressions from one language over another during speeches or allowing someone to sing a song as part of the processional/recessional.
If this sounds overwhelming—or even impossible—don't worry! There are plenty of ways to customize ceremonies without having any artistic ability whatsoever.
Edible Favors
Edible favors are a great way to personalize your wedding, and they can also save you money. They're a fantastic alternative to traditional candy or cake favors, which can be expensive and sometimes difficult to transport. Edible favors don't have to be elaborate — even something as simple as sugar cookies or cupcakes will do the trick!
Grazing Tables
You might consider hosting a grazing table if you want to create a fun and relaxed atmosphere. A grazing table is set up with small food portions, usually served in disposable bowls or platters. It's often served buffet-style, but it can also be served at the reception or during cocktail hour. Sometimes it's even incorporated into the ceremony!
Backyard Weddings
Backyard wedding is becoming more and more popular. For some couples, having their ceremony in a glorified barn doesn't work. As the cost of big weddings has increased, people have been looking for alternatives without sacrificing quality or style. Backyard weddings are casual and inexpensive, making them perfect for those who don't have the budget for something larger or more elaborate. Backyard weddings can be done on the weekend and require minimal planning as long as you know what to do before your wedding day arrives. If you want to throw a fabulous party with friends and family but don't want to spend tens of thousands on it, this might be right up your alley!
Elopements
If you're planning on getting married, elopements are an excellent option for couples who want to get married without much fuss. They can be done in remote locations and with no guests (although you might want to invite someone to take photos). You also won't need to spend as much money or time on your wedding if it's an elopement—it will be small and intimate but still official.
In addition, the marriage license may be easier to obtain when it comes to eloping instead of having a traditional wedding ceremony at home or abroad.
Creative Ceremony Setups
If you're looking for a way to make your ceremony unique, creative ceremony setups are the way to go. You can use various materials to create a backdrop for your ceremony. Some popular backdrops include books, flowers, and even your wedding rings. You can also use these materials with other objects that have meaning for you and your partner or family members.
Outdoor Receptions
If you're looking for a way to make your reception stand out, hosting an outdoor ceremony and reception is a great way to do it. It's also a great way to save money. If you want to avoid dealing with the hassle of renting tables and chairs, having your guests bring their own seating outside can be much easier than figuring out where everyone will sit. Plus, if the weather is nice enough (and if you live in an area where it almost always is), it gives everyone something else extraordinary to look at while they're eating dinner.
Food Trucks and Food Stations Over a Seated Dinner
Food trucks are becoming increasingly popular. They're cost-effective and allow guests to mingle while they wait for their food. In addition, you can choose different food trucks for other parts of your wedding day, like during cocktail hour or at a late-night party you might be hosting after the reception. Food stations are another option that's gaining popularity. Instead of having one big seated dinner with everyone seated together in a room, you'll set up different stations throughout your venue where guests can choose what they want to eat from an array of options (think Chipotle or Panera Bread). This is an excellent way to get people interacting with each other by allowing them some choice in what they want to eat (or drink), and it also allows them more flexibility if someone needs more time consuming than others do—they can take it easy on themselves without feeling rushed!
Seasonal Cakes and Dessert Displays
There are so many options in the wedding cake department. You can choose from a variety of flavors and even different styles, including tiered cakes, cakes with multiple layers, cupcake towers, and more. You can also choose to go with seasonal flavor pairings like pumpkin pie for autumn weddings or chocolate mint for winter weddings.
If you're feeling creative, you can customize your cake pops by adding personal touches such as edible flowers or writing names. In addition, some couples opt for themed cake pops that match their wedding theme! This can be done by using seasonal colors (think red velvet for Christmas), incorporating fun decorations on the pops themselves (like glittery gems or sprinkles), or even making a life-size version of your favorite character out of fondant!
Disposable Dinnerware for Weddings
Disposable dinnerware for weddings, like plastic cups, plates, and utensils, is a great way to save money. You can use it for other events, too! It's easy to clean and recyclable. Plus, it allows you to get creative with your food and presentation. This is a win-win situation: you get what you want without breaking the bank!
I hope this article has given you an idea of what the wedding industry will look like in 2023. The best advice I can give you is to do your research, stay informed, and think outside the box when planning your wedding day.