We recently attended a Wedding Masterclass hosted by Weddings, Inc. During these sessions, leading wedding professionals including Colin Cowie, Angela Proffitt, and Michelle Durpetti shared their thoughts on 2019 wedding trends. There are some exciting trends this year! Here are some of the ones industry leaders talked about the most.
1. Live Food Stations.
Couples are making the dining experience interactive with live food stations. Combining entertainment with artistic design, live stations capture guests’ attention both visually and gastronomically. Meat carving stations, taco bars, baked potatoes with all the trimmings, and fruit combos are some of the most anticipated types of stations. Many couples choose to select personalized menus.
*Among contributors on this topic: Ashley Smith of Jumbi Bay, Rob Pausmith with Portrary, Matthew Robbins with Matthew Robbins Design, and Collin Cowie
2. Featured Floral Showstoppers.
Couples may spend less on centerpieces to focus on a feature floral showstopper. Suspended florals, floral or greenery walls, and unique designs will add excitement and elegance to weddings. Expect to see pops of color intermingled throughout florals and wedding design. Purple and burgundy tones will weave their way into bouquets and decor.
Photo credit: Derek Halkett Photoggraphy
*Among contributors on this topic: Josephine Marc with Biophilia Blooms, Joanna Adam with Contact Designs, CeCe Todd with CeCe Designs and Events, Angela Proffit, Alisa Tongg with Alisa Tongg Celebrant
3. Elopements.
Elopements have been on the rise some time and continue to be a 2019 wedding trend. Part of this is due to couples’ desire focus on their own experience throughout the planning process and wedding day. They view an elopement as an opportunity to be in the moment with just the two of them or with a select few family or friends.
Photo credit: Tonya Damron Photography
*Among contributors on this topic: Alisa Tongg with Alisa Tongg Celebrant, Brian Leahy with Brian Leahy Photography
4. Micro Weddings.
Micro weddings with a guest count of 50 or fewer are among the biggest 2019 wedding trends. That doesn’t mean the budget is smaller, however. Many couples invite fewer guests in order to create an intentional, multi-faceted, interactive wedding experiences. They want their celebration to be one guests will remember. The result: creating a cohesive experience that begins as soon as guests step into the venue and continues to wow them via surprises throughout the event.
*Among contributors on this topic: Brian Leahy with Brian Leahy Photography, Alisa Tongg with Alisa Tongg Celebrant, Katrina Centeno with Calligraphy Katrina, Samar Hatter with Blissful Events
5. Multi Day Weddings.
Multi-day weddings and wedding weekends are growing right alongside micro weddings. Couples with the majority of family and friends traveling to the wedding location are choosing venues with accommodations or with accommodations close by. Arriving one or more days prior to the wedding lets everyone savor time with family and close friends. Joint experiences are a highlight of the time together, whether playing lawn games or enjoying private tours or activities at a unique destination. Dining at a top rated restaurant or hiring a private chef to enjoy an intimate meal are often included. Brunch the day after the wedding rounds out the weekend. Multi-day weddings and destination weddings (see below) are increasingly popular as they slow down the pace and offer a vacation along with the wedding celebration.
*Among contributors on this topic: Ashley Smith of Jumbi Bay, Nadine Metgenberg with Fine Weddings and Parties in Hamburg, Germany., Colin Cowie, Samar Hater with Blissful Events
6. Destination Weddings.
Destination weddings and honeymoons continue to be popular among the 2019 wedding trends. Whether at a U.S. or international destination location, brides and grooms are welcoming intimate ceremonies with the two of them or with a few family or friends. Sometimes they choose to complete the legal ceremony in the U.S. followed by a private ceremony and honeymoon at a destination location. The couples’ families may pair the wedding with a short vacation at a destination spot for several days prior to the wedding. When the families return home after the wedding, the couple stays to honeymoon.
*Among contributors on this topic: Nadine Metgenberg with Fine Weddings and Parties in Hamburg, Germany, Colin Cowie, Brian Leahy with Brian Leahy Photography, Percy Sales with Percy Sales Events, Angela Proffit, Matthew Robbins with Matthew Robbins Design
7. Personalization.
Personalization is a top 2019 wedding trend as couples design the wedding to reflection who they are and what is important to them. Graphic design or a special logo used to create a cohesive feel is one of the ways couples are making their day personal. They include their logo or gobo across stationary on save-the-dates, invitations, and thank you cards and also weave it into the wedding and reception. Flowers and food are other areas that couples seek to imbue with special meaning. Look for those special touches that mix the traditional and the unexpected twist a couple may add.
Photo credit: Roxy and Jon Photography
*Among contributors on this topic: Colin Cowie, Rob Pausmith with Portrary, CeCe Todd with CeCe Designs and Events, Michelle Durpetti with Michelle Durpetti Events, Alisa Tongg with Alisa Tongg Celebrant, Percy Sales with Percy Sales Events, Angela Proffit, Kristeen Labrot with Kristeen Labrot Events
8. Intentional Spending.
Budget is up this year with some estimating a 25% increase. Couples are spending the extra on live entertainment, late night snacks, an interactive experiences for their guests, or an added wow factor.
Photo credit: Joshua Gull Photography
*Among contributors on this topic: Kristeen Labrot with Kristeen Labrot Events, Angela Proffit, Josephine Marc with Biophilia Blooms, Matthew Robbins with Matthew Robbins Design
9. Shorter Lead Times.
Lead times are shorter with weddings happening within 3-8 months of getting engaged. Booking times for many vendors are also shorter.
*Among contributors on this topic: Samar Hater with Blissful Events, Michelle Durpetti with Michelle Durpetti Events, Kristeen Labrot with Kristeen Labrot Events, Percy Sales with Percy Sales Events, Angela Proffit, Matthew Robbins with Matthew Robbins Design
10. Increased Intercultural/Interfaith Marriages.
Integrating the cultural backgrounds of couples in their wedding is a huge 2019 wedding trend. These include interfaith ceremonies or combining ethnic elements to create new food combinations, decor, music selections, etc at the reception. There is a blending of the bride and groom heritage to create a celebration that is uniquely theirs.
*Among contributors on this topic: Colin Cowie, Brian Leahy with Brian Leahy Photography, Samar Hater with Blissful Events, Rob Pausmith with Portrary, CeCe Todd with CeCe Designs and Events, Michelle Durpetti with Michelle Durpetti Events, Alisa Tongg with Alisa Tongg Celebrant, Tara Dowburd with Make Up Therapy
Now, we want to hear from you! What are your thoughts on the 2019 wedding trends? Did any of them stand out to you? Comment on which ones you are considering or let us know how you are designing your wedding to be Always Yours!
Happy Planning!