WEDDING TRENDS THAT ARE SURE TO WOW! (both you and your guests)

If there’s one thing we know for certain, it’s that wedding trends come and go – and relatively quickly! From color schemes, textures, floral design and unique elements that are sure to wow to experiential catering elements that will ensure your guests are entertained the entire time, there’s a lot to consider when making sure that your wedding is undeniably you! That’s why we’ve consulted some of the top resources for weddings to compile a list of trends that have been dubbed as this year’s trends to watch out for.

photography by: We Are The Bowsers (@wearethebowsers)

1 - ROYAL-INSPIRED WEDDINGS:

Modern weddings and edgy colors are certainly on the rise, but there’s something to say about the staying power of classically themed celebrations. Martha Stewart Weddings spoke to Laurie Arons of Laurie Arons Special Events who dove into this trend stating “the traditional, elegant dinner party wedding is back in fashion. For inspiration, think of the special elements in your grandmother’s dining room – silver candlesticks, monogramed linen napkins, Battenburg lace overlays and crystal stemware all have a place in this beautiful and timeless wedding trend.”

Liz Banfield Photography on Sea Island via Vogue

2 - THEMES & VIBES OVER COLOR SCHEMES:

That's right - color schemes have long dominated couples design inspiration for weddings, but it’s time to think outside of the box! The Knot spoke to this trend saying “the idea of having an entire wedding theme is starting to upstage the basic color palette." Everything from enchanting to fantasy themes are included. We love this trend for how well a theme can represent you and your significant other. Some of our favorite suggestions came from Wedding Forward, which include:

• Bygone Eras such as ancient Greece brimming with a romantic, magical aesthetic.

• Movie-Inspired Celebrations are those like the ever-so popular Great Gatsby filled with glitz, glamour and intrigue, or the always magical Harry Potter, which emanate a warm, enchanting atmosphere.

• Boho-Chic covers everything from rustic inspiration to vineyard themes. Think natural colors, soft textures and charming elements like macramé or woven decor. Even consider including inspiration from your favorite music festivals.

• Artistic and Modern really allows you to dive in and express all of your creative affinity. Funky shapes, clean lines, wild colors and dramatic lighting. BRING. IT. ON.

3 - EXPERIMENTAL FAVORS:

Rachel Red Photography via The Knot

Weddings are typically donned with favors for their guests to take home, you’ve all seen them: Specialty chocolates, embossed glasses or monogrammed mementos. Well, according to The Knot, it’s time to rethink the favors for your guests as well – infact Virginia Edelson of Bluebird Productions explained it as “mindful gifting” to Martha Stewart Weddings. Specialty vendors now include everything from cigar rollers to chocolatiers, but also consider gifting your guests things such as mini bottles of champagne, small succulents, midnight snack boxes or customized candles. One of our favorite list of ideas came from Wedding Wire.

4 - MOODY, DARK & EDGEY HUES:

Alyssa Luzaich Photography

In direct opposition to the classical wedding theme, dark & moody colors have begun to pop-up everywhere in recent years.

We personally love this trend for how warm-yet-intriguing these celebrations feel, and because it allows you to be more adventurous with your décor.

The only advice for these moody hues? Don’t be afraid. In fact, Wendy Kay of Birds of a Feather Events, spoke to Martha Stewart Weddings about just this, noting that you must be more “adventurous with palettes” and consider “mixing colors that traditionally would not go together.”

5 - LIGHTING IS THE NEW MUST HAVE RENTAL:

The Light and Glass Photography via The Knot

Ruffled probably said it best: “Receptions in 2019 will be LIT with mixed pendants, exposed bulbs, fringed masterpieces, mini lampshades and capiz shell chandeliers.” But it doesn’t stop there either – it’s important to rely on an expert audio-visual (AV) team to truly shake it up, especially with bright, vivid elements. Look to up-lighting or, like The Knot suggests, neon installations. Unique lighting can truly set the tone for your event, immediately wowing your guests while letting them know exactly what kind of celebration to expect!

Inhouse Studios Photography via Elegant Wedding

6 - HIGH-LOW BITES:

via: Woman Getting Married

The easiest way to explain this trend? Think all-out, Instagram-worthy reception bites. The Knot describes this edible trend as “the ultimate mashup of fine dining and comfort food,” including surprisingly exciting elements like “root beer floats in champagne flutes or mac-and-cheese cups topped with fresh lobster.” Rich Rosendale, of our in-house catering team, Rosendale Events thrives off of providing these specialty, edible elements. Creating items such as miniature lobster sliders served to your guests by sending them down a slide, house-made popsicles held in a sculpture made entirely out of ice, small grilled cheese sandwiches paired with organic tomato soup in single-sized vessels and individual desserts that are displayed to your guests after wowing them with a choreographed show. SIDE NOTE: The Knot notes that cinnamon rolls are replacing doughnuts as the trendiest wedding sweet and we are HERE FOR IT.

7 - OUT-OF-THE-BOX VENUES:

Say it again for the people in the back! We were so excited to see that The Knot included this in their trend round-up. This is yet another trend that we love because using unique venue space allows couples to truly express themselves. In fact, it’s partly why we created our newest 2 event spaces – The Cellar and our 155 Room in addition to our already renowned Whitehall Ballroom – so that we can truly cater to every couple and their wedding day vision.

Jack Parada Photography in The Cellar at Southern Exchange Ballrooms

8 - CELEBRATIONS IN THE ROUND:

Photogen Inc. Photography via Martha Stewart Weddings

This trend is showing up everywhere!

Couples are starting to create circular ceremony set-ups to help their guests feel more included. Plus, what better way to help reflect that these guests were invited because of their importance to you, your significant other and your relationship?! It’s entirely representative of their love and support for you both.

As Ruffled put it, “these intimate setups create an atmosphere of infinity and invitation,” not to mention the bonus aspect of being able to “show off every angle of your epic wedding dress.”

This is your day that will be filled with magic and surrounded by love, and we think that this is the perfect way to make sure you feel so.

Jenny Quicksall via Ruffled Blog

9 - LUSH FLORAL GARDEN-VIBE VISUALS:

Greer Gattuso Photography via JuneBug Weddings

We can’t think of anything more enchanting than wild, almost overgrown florals covering your celebration. Martha Stewart Weddings mentions this trend as “royal-wedding inspired flower décor,” complete with “larger-than-life floral installations.”

Impressive floral designs are absolutely details that your guests will always remember when reminiscing on your important day. It’s a way to immediately create a feeling of awe amazement throughout your entire celebration. Ruffled explains that the reason these “enchanting indoor gardens” are so popular is because they “create a romantic atmosphere like no other,” and our in-house design team, B. Worley Productions completely agrees. “We always give a ton of time and attention to florals for this reason exactly,” Brian Worley of B. Worley Productions says, “not only will your guests be wowed, but we believe that incredible floral installations give-way to an added feeling of wonderment for our couples when they see their space for the first time.” Added suggestion? B. Worley Production's team floral designer, Adrian O'Neal, suggests to try adding in some non-traditional floral elements like moon flowers, succulents, pampas grass or berries.

Lauren Fair Photography via Ruffled Blog

10 - MINIMALISM:

Rox DeLuna Photography; B. Worley Productions

In direct contract to overgrown florals, minimalism is beginning to become a trend as it gains popularity in the interior design field. But don’t get us wrong, florals still play an important role in this trend, just in a different way. Minimalistic décor can still be just as captivating and beautiful, the key is just to make sure that the theme is perfectly executed. Alia Wilson and Teissia Treynet of Firefly Events spoke to Martha Stewart Weddings and explains that you must rely on “a simple color palette with two or three colors and clean lines,” while “using florals that have more architectural shapes and incorporating natural elements like wood tones, stone and marble.” Brian Worley from B. Worley Productions also suggests layering textures, especially at each table setting, and having artistically unique cakes. Or, try incorporating our next wedding trend as well.

We Are The Bowsers photography (@wearethebowsers)

11 - COLOR-BLOCK DÉCOR:

Anna Delores Photography via Ruffled Blog

When it comes to the color-block trend, there's a number of fun ways to pull it off. We specifically love it with more of a minimalistic wedding reception, but don't count it out for over-the-top decor either - think ombré color-block tabletop overhead canopies (one of our favorite examples - #14 in this Here Comes The Guide roundup - is shot by Redfield Photography with planning by Rabbit Rabbit Crew).

However, we truly can't explain this trend any better than Ruffled did: “the color block trend is going strong this year through dessert displays, tablescape installs, mixed linens and even the bridal party attire! Such a simple way to make a big impact and pay homage to those colors you love.” Color-blocking is an undeniably fun way to carry your theme throughout, connecting the stage, to the guests’ tables and even food displays.

Rox DeLuna Photography; Design by B. Worley Productions

12 - SMOKE BOMBS:

Jessica Hunt Photography via The Knot

They say to save the best for last right? Well, we did exactly that with our last wedding trend. That’s right, SMOKE BOMBS. It’s time to skip the sparklers, petals or glitter for your exit – start looking to colored smoke bombs to really create an unforgettable exit. After all, you might be leaving the celebration, but the party is just starting for you and your significant other. The Knot is denoting smoke bombs as one of their top favorite trends this year too: “these fun props leave a cloud of dreamy pigment in their wake, which makes for otherworldly photos (and very impressed guests).” Plus you can “match the smoke to your wedding hues or opt for a standout rainbow backdrop.”

Our in-house AV team, SEAV, has even taken this trend a step further. You can now create a “smoke bomb” feel during your first dance, or at any point during your celebration, with their fog machine that they’ll back with colored lights to match your theme. #Cloud9(000).

Brandon Andrews Photography at Southern Exchange Ballrooms with SEAV Event Technology

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