The warmer months are nearly upon us, which also means so is wedding season. In just a matter of time, some of us will be shopping for dresses, toasting new beginnings, indulging in tiers of cake, and dancing the night away with friends. While certain beloved and tried and true traditions are always worth incorporating into your celebration, there are a number of new trends worth considering, too.
To better understand the current wedding landscape, T&C turned to the experts. Sisters-in-law Nora and Elizabeth Sheils used to run a wedding planning business based in the Pacific Northwest until 2018, when they pivoted to tech to create Rock Paper Coin, a platform that streamlines payments, contracts, and invoices for planners, vendors, and couples (overstressed brides-to-be, take note). Below, Elizabeth and Nora share their top wedding trends for the year, from high impact florals to even, if you're feeling particularly brave, a return to '80s aesthetics.
Seated Bridal Parties
Traditional wedding ceremonies usually feature bridal parties standing alongside the couple but this year, Nora and Elizabeth think that this might not be the case for some: "This year, bridal parties will be processing and taking a seat behind the families, the reason being many couples are wanting a simpler and more intimate experience when it comes to their vows."
*All celebrations pictured were executed by Bridal Bliss.
A Pop of Pattern
No longer are couples shying away from statement patterns. According to the Sheils, they will be guiding the aesthetic for many weddings this year. Whether it's floral or geometric, something complex or just simple stripes, the options are endless. But stick to one, obviously, and incorporate from start to finish—on the bands of invitation suites, on dance floors—for a cohesive theme.
High Impact Florals
"While the aesthetic of small bud vases filling the length of tables has been trending over the last few years, we are loving the reintroduction of impact florals," Elizabeth and Nora say. "While neutrals will continue to be important, the addition of soft pops of vibrancy from flowers such as poppies, roses, and wildflowers can help to make table setting appear more contemporary."
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'80s Aesthetic
Fashion is always cyclical and in 2023 the Sheils predict an '80s renaissance. Think: structured shoulders, preppy pearls, oversized bows. And even the wedding industry isn't immune to the phenomenon of Barbiecore: "This pink trend, spanning from bubble gum pink to bright fuchsia, is taking the industry by storm."
Tech-Savvy Wedding Planning
Elizabeth and Nora say they have noticed a huge generational shift in the wedding and event planning space, and it's all because of technology: "The tech generation is booking, and these clients have never known a world without the internet, social media, and instant gratification." Now 70% of businesses in the wedding industry are using an online platform to collect e-signatures and payments and as clients become more tech-savvy, businesses without fast and automated processes will soon be left behind.
Sustainability
"Although sustainability is not a new concept, it has become more of a priority for couples planning weddings today," the Sheils say. In practice it can take many different forms, whether it's planning a local wedding to reduce travel, or opting for eco-friendly flowers that can be donated or gifted to guests to take home, or working with catering teams to ensure the menu is seasonal and grown locally.
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Weekend-Long Celebrations
Planning a weekend-long itinerary of special experiences for guests is becoming de rigueur, especially given the ever-rising popularity of multi-day celebrations. Bespoke elements and touches are a thoughtful way to show appreciation to those who came in from out of town to celebrate with you. Think: champagne served upon arrival, over-the-top welcome boxes, hand-written welcome notes.
Elevated Wedding Budgets
Wedding budgets are rapidly growing despite all this talk of a looming recession. So what gives? "Couples are getting married at an older age, allowing them to have a solid nest egg in place while planning their wedding," Elizabeth and Nora say. "In turn, they can splurge on all the wow factors, such as extravagant tablescapes, quality meals, and top-notch service."
A Big Farewell
Send-offs have always been integral to wedding ceremonies, and this year the tradition will rise to new heights, according to Elizabeth and Nora. "With many wedding planners and venues no longer allowing for sparkler exits, couples are getting creative with send-offs. We're looking forward to seeing more streamers, LED balloons, cold pyro fountains, even pom poms."
