In the quest for creating unique, memorable wedding experiences, couples often embrace emerging trends that promise to make their special day stand out. From the charm of succulents as favors to the mesmerizing glow of neon signs and from the whimsical appeal of candy buffets to the unexpected fun of bridesmaid proposals, these trends initially seem exciting and fresh. However, as they grow more common, their charm can fade, and their drawbacks become apparent.
Here, you will find a fresh perspective on some of the recent wedding trends that may have overstayed their welcome. We’ve rounded up 30+ trends that you might want to reconsider before incorporating them into your big day, aiming to offer insights into more timeless, practical, and personalized alternatives.
This article was originally published on absolutelyconnected.com and has been republished here with permission.
Theme Overkill
Themes can add a unique touch to weddings, but when they’re based on popular culture franchises like Star Trek, The Lord of the Rings, or even the Shrek movies, they can verge on being excessively niche and alienating. While the couple’s interests are important, it’s also vital to remember that the wedding is a shared experience with loved ones.
Therefore, the themes should strike a balance between personal interest and general appeal. And, of course, choosing a more timeless theme ensures that your wedding photos won’t seem dated or cringe-worthy in the years to come.
The Donut Wall
Thanks to Pinterest, the donut wall trend took off as a unique and tasty alternative to traditional hors d’oeuvres. The idea was to present a board full of donuts for guests to enjoy while waiting for the main event.
However, this trend has been done to death, and there are sanitary concerns with leaving food exposed, especially at outdoor events. Plus, donuts might fill up guests too much before the main meal. It’s best to offer timeless, crowd-pleasing appetizers and let your guests save room for the cake.
Ruining the Dress for a Picture
Tempting as it might be to capture that dramatic shot of the bride jumping into water or mud, ruining a wedding dress for a photo can have serious downsides. Wedding dresses, whether rented or purchased, represent a significant investment.
Ruining a purchased dress wastes the money spent while damaging a rented one can lead to hefty penalties. Moreover, a waterlogged dress can be dangerously heavy. Instead, consider keeping the dress in pristine condition for future generations to treasure.
Dogs in the Wedding Party
As much as we adore our pets, incorporating them into one of the most significant days of our lives can be a risk. Unless extraordinarily trained, dogs can be unpredictable and may not follow instructions as expected. For instance, keeping the ring safe, not eating the cake, or not causing a scene can be too much to ask.
Although a well-behaved dog may be a cute addition to a ceremony, it’s advisable to keep them out of the main proceedings. By eliminating this variable, you maintain control over the event, reducing the possibility of unexpected interruptions.
Mix-and-Match Maids
The tradition of bridesmaids wearing identical dresses is slowly fading. Modern brides are allowing their bridesmaids to express their individuality within a prescribed color palette or style.
This shift not only relieves the bridesmaids from wearing a potentially unflattering uniform but also adds depth and variation to the wedding aesthetic. The result? A more vibrant and visually exciting wedding party and bridesmaids who are comfortable and happy in their chosen outfits.
Sugary Surfeit
In their quest to curate a memorable gastronomical journey, many couples are inadvertently turning their wedding into a sweets parade. While seeming like a delightful idea, an extravagant dessert table can often lead to guests feeling overwhelmed by the sheer amount of food available.
This overindulgence results in food wastage and can leave guests feeling uncomfortably full. Instead of contributing to this culture of excess, consider offering a selection of delicately crafted miniature desserts. These smaller treats can provide the perfect sweet ending to your meal, allowing guests to sample a variety of flavors without feeling stuffed.
Pass on Plastic Perks
Wedding favors like glow sticks, funky glasses, and fluffy accessories certainly bring an element of playfulness to the party. But while they add a touch of whimsy to your wedding photos, these plastic trinkets have a far less appealing afterlife.
More often than not, they end up discarded, contributing to the ever-growing problem of plastic waste. A more sustainable, yet equally fun, alternative is to opt for edible or biodegradable favors. These unique offerings will delight your guests while also demonstrating your commitment to eco-friendly choices.
Save Trees, Go Digital
In the digital era, the need for excessive paper use, particularly for wedding stationery, is becoming increasingly redundant. While paper invitations offer a sense of traditional charm, other stationery like save-the-dates and RSVP cards can quickly add to environmental waste.
Furthermore, these items often carry a significant cost that can be saved by opting for digital alternatives. Moving part of your wedding communications online allows you to keep the essence of your big day while reducing your environmental footprint and saving money.
Avoid the Designer Debt
A wedding is a momentous event, but it’s also just one day in your life. Spending exorbitantly on a designer wedding dress that you’ll wear only once is a pitfall many brides fall into. Although it’s not easy to find a budget-friendly dress that fits your dream, remember that it’s the wearer who brings the dress to life.
Look for alternatives, borrow or rent a dress, or consider a simple yet elegant design that doesn’t compromise your budget. Remember, it’s the joy and love that genuinely make you shine, not the price tag on your dress.
Scale Back on Structures
While a decorated arch might provide an idyllic backdrop for your wedding photos, such decorations often contribute to unnecessary waste once the celebration ends. This excess is not only costly but also impacts our environment negatively.
Opt instead for sustainable decor options that align with your wedding theme and can be reused or recycled. This way, you’re creating a beautiful setting for your nuptials and making an eco-friendly choice that sets a positive example for your guests.
No to Nuisance Headpieces
Statement headpieces can certainly add drama to your bridal look. However, the impracticalities they bring along — weight, discomfort, and constant need for adjustment — can detract from the joy of your big day.
Rather than committing to wearing a heavy piece throughout your ceremony and reception, consider choosing a headpiece that can be easily removed after the photos. This way, you can still capture the dramatic look in your wedding photos without having to bear the discomfort all day.
Tacky Trends: The Cringe-Worthy Poses
It’s true that every couple wants to create wedding photos that showcase their unique style and capture the essence of their love. But while pushing boundaries is commendable, some trends can toe the line between unique and inappropriate. An image that recently surfaced online has sparked controversy and left netizens shaking their heads. The photograph in question, reportedly from an American wedding, displays a rather tasteless pose. The bridesmaids, donned in crimson dresses, are seen kneeling in front of the grinning groomsmen in a pose that’s raised more than a few eyebrows.
The stark contrast of the men standing confidently with hands in their pockets while the women adopt a submissive posture is glaringly evident. Shared on the popular subreddit r/weddingshaming, the image has garnered significant attention. One user aptly pointed out, “This trend is universally bad, but this iteration is the worst I’ve personally seen to date.” A sentiment widely echoed, with other users deeming it ‘horrifying,’ ‘humiliating,’ and ‘bizarre.’
Cash Bars at Weddings: More Tacky Than Trendy?
When planning a wedding, budgeting becomes a pivotal aspect. Every couple grapples with deciding what to prioritize and where to save. However, there’s one trend that’s been a topic of hot debate among wedding enthusiasts and attendees alike: the cash bar. For the uninitiated, a cash bar at a wedding means that guests are required to pay for their own alcoholic beverages. While this might seem like a practical approach to some, it’s considered a faux pas by many. Here’s why: Unexpected Expenses for Guest – the element of surprise, in this case, isn’t a pleasant one.
Interrupts the Celebration’s Flow – imagine dancing the night away and then pausing to pull out your wallet to pay for a drink. It’s not just cumbersome; it breaks the celebratory rhythm of the evening. Can Come Off as Unwelcoming – it can inadvertently send a message that they are not valued or that the celebration is transactional. Alternative Solutions Exist – there are myriad ways to work around a tight beverage budget without resorting to a cash bar.
Carbon Conscious Celebrations
Weddings, in their traditional form, tend to contribute significantly to carbon emissions and waste. From the abundance of flowers that wilt by the end of the day to non-biodegradable decorations that end up in bins, the aftermath of many weddings is far from green.
But a growing number of couples are now mindful of this and are choosing to plan their weddings differently. By consciously opting for less wasteful practices, couples can create a celebration that is as sustainable as it is memorable.
Festival Food Faux Pas
The rise of ‘festival weddings’ has seen a surge in food trucks and street vendors replacing the conventional sit-down wedding meal. While this might add an air of relaxed fun to the celebration, it often also leads to an increase in disposable packaging, cutlery, and cups.
The rise of ‘festival weddings’ has seen a surge in food trucks and street vendors replacing the conventional sit-down wedding meal. While this might add an air of relaxed fun to the celebration, it often also leads to an increase in disposable packaging, cutlery, and cups.
The Bridal Tuxedo
The bridal tuxedo, once hailed as a chic alternative to traditional wedding gowns, is seeing a dip in popularity among modern brides. This shift is mainly due to the trend’s deviation from classic wedding aesthetics, pushing couples to reconsider its place in their special day. While offering a nod to empowerment and fashion-forward thinking, the bridal tuxedo often clashes with many weddings’ desired thematic and stylistic elements, leading some to question its versatility and appropriateness for such a momentous occasion.
Additionally, as wedding trends evolve, there’s a growing preference for outfits that blend timeless elegance with personal style, steering clear of options that might feel too unconventional or out of sync with the overall wedding vibe. Despite its unique appeal, the bridal tuxedo can limit choices for those looking to strike a balance between modernity and tradition.
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Opting for a wedding veil that overwhelms the bride’s look is a common misstep in wedding attire selection. This trend involves choosing excessively long, elaborately detailed, or voluminous veils, overshadowing the bride’s dress and personal style. Such choices can detract from the overall harmony of the wedding ensemble, making the veil the focal point rather than complementing the bride’s beauty and the gown’s elegance.
Moreover, an overwhelming veil can be impractical, hindering movement and comfort during the ceremony and reception. Brides may be more preoccupied with managing their veil than enjoying their special day. As wedding trends lean towards simplicity and personal expression, selecting a veil that enhances rather than dominates the bridal look is crucial.
Burst the Balloon Trend
Balloons have long been associated with celebrations, and weddings are no exception. However, their short-lived joy results in long-term environmental damage, with deflated remnants ending up as landfill waste.
Given this, it’s time to reassess the place of balloons in wedding celebrations. Consider decorating with eco-friendly alternatives that can be reused, recycled, or biodegrade, thus adding to your wedding’s beauty without harming our planet.
Bypassing the Botanical Barrier
There’s a certain liberating charm in today’s wedding landscape, one that allows couples to color outside the lines of tradition. Floral walls, while visually stunning, are often temporary installations with little utility beyond aesthetic appeal.
These costly displays may leave a dent in your budget without providing long-lasting value. Consider an alternative that enhances the ambiance and offers reuse potential or a more profound sentiment. After all, memories are more about emotional connections than ephemeral showpieces.
A Burst of Discretion
Fireworks, once a celebratory staple, have dimmed in appeal. The initial thrill they offer often overlooks the less glamorous aftermath. They pose potential hazards, disturbing peace for both humans and animals, and contribute to air pollution.
Omitting these pyrotechnic disruptions aligns your celebration with environmental awareness and demonstrates respect for your guest’s overall comfort. There are numerous other ways to illuminate your special night without a literal bang.
Homeward Bound Nuptials
While romantic and exciting, destination weddings may impose financial and time strains on your guests. The concept of flying your close ones to a far-off locale to satisfy personal wanderlust can lead to complicated logistics and high costs for attendees.
Opting for a convenient, accessible location ensures everyone can comfortably partake in your joyous occasion. By celebrating closer to home, you convey a considerate message to your loved ones: their presence matters more than the venue.
Guestbook: Time to Digitalize?
Guestbooks – a charming relic or a rapidly antiquating concept? As tradition gives way to the digital age, the purpose of a physical guestbook becomes less clear. After all, your special day will be vividly remembered through heartfelt speeches, laughter, photos, and saved cards.
A tangible list of attendees becomes superfluous in this context. Instead, consider a modern, digital alternative, like a virtual guestbook, where guests can leave video messages and photos, providing a living memento of your wedding day.
Candy Buffets
The candy buffet seemed like a sweet idea when it first became popular; it was the colorful, customizable, and Instagrammable solution for wedding dessert tables. However, in 2023, this trend is looking a little stale. While a variety of sugary treats may seem like a hit, there are more drawbacks than one might think.
Firstly, consider hygiene. With communal scoops and a high level of guest interaction, candy buffets aren’t the most sanitary option. Secondly, a table filled with sugar may not align well with increasingly popular health and wellness trends. Your fitness-focused or dietary-restricted guests may find little to partake in. So, instead, consider more thoughtful, inclusive dessert options or an innovative experience like a live dessert-making station that adds a touch of class and interactivity to your special day.
DIY Wedding: Embrace Your Inner Planner
In today’s digital age, everything you need to orchestrate a dream wedding is readily available online at no cost. While a wedding planner could streamline the process, there’s a certain satisfaction and personal touch in doing it yourself. You can inject your style, preferences, and love story into each celebration aspect, making it truly unique.
Plus, tackling the planning process together with your partner can be an enriching bonding experience that paves the way for shared decisions in your married life.
Rethinking Rehearsal Dinners
While rehearsal dinners provide an opportunity for the families and the bridal party to mingle, they’re not always essential. Unless your wedding ceremony is highly complex, a clear explanation of the processional order should suffice.
This approach not only reduces the financial strain but also leaves more room for spontaneity and relaxed interactions. Rather than adhering rigidly to tradition, consider what best serves your celebration and the comfort of your loved ones.
Dance Floor Decoded
A separate dance floor, while traditional, may not be crucial for your celebration. Your venue itself can effortlessly transform into a dance area with a simple reshuffling of chairs and tables post-dining. This spontaneous setup caters to the fluctuating dynamics of your guests – some may prefer to chat, others to boogie.
By avoiding a rigid division between dancing and dining areas, you promote a more relaxed, fluid atmosphere that encourages everyone to engage in the celebration in their own unique way.
Blooming Self-Reliance
Flowers undeniably add a touch of nature’s elegance to any wedding. However, hiring a professional florist isn’t your only option. Doing a bit of homework on flower arrangement can allow you to personally choose blooms that resonate with you.
Visiting a local farmer’s market or nursery can provide you with gorgeous, affordable flowers. Taking the DIY route not only adds a personal touch but also a story to tell, enriching the sentimentality of your special day.
Registry Revolution
Traditional gift registries can result in a deluge of unnecessary items. To navigate away from this, tailor your registry to align with your genuine needs. Whether it’s contributions towards an experience, a house deposit, or a charity you hold dear, this ensures that the generosity of your loved ones contributes to something meaningful.
This approach also exhibits an appreciation for your guests’ contributions, showing them that their gifts go beyond conventional wedding materialism and into a realm of impactful giving.
The Harmonious Cost-Efficiency of a DJ
A live band can add a dash of flair to your wedding. However, it’s not always necessary for a memorable event. Modern DJs are versatile, adaptable, and significantly more affordable. They can curate a playlist that covers a wide range of genres, appealing to all your guests.
The flexibility of a DJ’s playlist also allows for personalized music selection, making your special day even more intimate. It’s all about finding the right balance between cost and experience.
Rethinking the Bachelorette Party
The lead-up to a wedding can sometimes feel like a never-ending series of events. Engagement parties, bridal showers, and the wedding itself all demand time, energy, and, often, gift exchanges. With this in mind, it’s worth asking whether a bachelorette party is truly essential.
Stripping away the expectation of this additional celebration can alleviate pressure on both the bride and her guests, ultimately focusing more on the main event – the wedding.
Navigating the Digital Landscape of Love
In an increasingly connected world, wedding websites have become a popular way to share your love story and wedding details. However, they come with concerns about privacy and expense. With personal information accessible to anyone with a search engine, it’s worth asking if it’s necessary to expose your special day online.
Plus, the cost of setting up a professional website can add an extra financial burden. Instead, consider using free or lower-cost alternatives, or rely on traditional methods to communicate your plans. Balance the need for information sharing with preserving the sanctity and privacy of your special day.
Bridal Showers: Outdated or Endearing?
Bridal showers, a relic of a time when women didn’t often work and were moving from their parent’s homes to their husbands’, can feel dated today. Many modern couples already live together and have accumulated household essentials.
Instead of being showered with gifts you might not need, consider turning the event into a celebration of your upcoming marriage. Use it as an opportunity to gather your closest friends and family, share stories, and build memories. This way, the tradition gets a modern twist that’s both meaningful and relevant.
Simplifying Pre-Wedding Communications
Save-the-date cards, though charming, can be an unnecessary expense in your wedding budget. This tradition can be easily substituted by sending your wedding invitations a few weeks earlier than typically done. Not only does it save you money, but it also eliminates the pressure to have your wedding details finalized months in advance.
Remember, your wedding is about celebrating love and connection, not about adhering to every single tradition, especially if it doesn’t make sense to you.
Questioning the Engagement Shoot Tradition
Engagement shoots have become ubiquitous on social media, often featuring excessively surprised brides-to-be. However, these shoots can sometimes feel staged and insincere.
Why not forego this trend in favor of capturing genuine, spontaneous moments throughout your engagement period? These authentic snapshots will truly capture your love story, and at the end of the day, isn’t that what matters the most? Redirect the funds saved to other elements of your wedding that hold more personal significance.
A Unique Take on Reception Venues
While traditional reception halls remain popular, don’t be afraid to consider more unconventional settings for your wedding. Venues such as a beach, a forest, or even your own backyard can lend a personal and unique touch to your special day.
They can also often be more cost-effective options. Instead of conforming to the norm, choose a venue that aligns with your personal style and creates the atmosphere you wish for on your big day.
Luxury vs. Practicality: The Transport Debate
Arriving in style at your wedding is a common dream, but it often translates into an unnecessary expense. Rather than splurging on a fancy limousine or carriage, think about the real purpose of this transportation.
Is it truly adding value to your day, or is it merely a fleeting moment that quickly drains your budget? It might be more worthwhile to allocate these funds towards elements of your celebration that have a lasting impact and create lifelong memories.
Reimagining Wedding Colors
Selecting a color scheme for your wedding can feel like an unnecessary constraint when planning your big day. Rather than strictly adhering to particular colors, why not opt for a broader palette that reflects your personal tastes?
This allows for more flexibility and creativity and removes the stress of coordinating every little detail to match a specific color. After all, your wedding should be a celebration of your unique love story, not confined to color charts and schemes.
The Art of a Minimalist Wedding
The allure of an extravagant wedding, fueled by celebrity culture and the desire to make a ‘statement,’ can often push couples towards overspending. However, an intimate, minimalist wedding can be just as memorable, if not more so.
By focusing on the essential elements that truly matter to you and your partner and eliminating unnecessary extravagance, you create a celebration that truly reflects your love story, prioritizes your values, and respects your financial reality.
Rethinking Casual Shoes During the Ceremony
Embracing comfort over formality has been trending recently, especially when it comes to brides ditching high heels for sneakers at the reception. But going casual during the ceremony itself is another story. Although wearing Converse or cowboy boots may seem quirky and unique, remember that these moments are immortalized in photographs.
While comfort is crucial, maintaining a sense of occasion and elegance is equally important. A classy pair of flats can provide comfort without sacrificing style. There’s a time and place for everything, and the ceremony is perhaps not the best time to fully embrace casual footwear.
Redefining the Bridesmaid Army
Over the years, bridal parties have swollen from just a few attendants to almost a small army. This change can lead to a crowded altar and extra stress. The reason behind having a bridal party isn’t to settle scores or to adhere to anyone’s demands but to share your special day with your closest friends and family.
So rather than falling into the trap of including everyone, aim for a more intimate group that genuinely means something to you. Thankfully, recent high-profile weddings have been shifting back towards smaller bridal parties, a trend that can help refocus the wedding on its true purpose.
The Wooden Pallets Phenomenon
The rustic charm of wooden pallets has pervaded Pinterest, becoming an integral part of the DIY wedding scene. The appeal is understandable. They lend a shabby-chic ambiance, are versatile, and are budget-friendly. However, let’s consider their origin. Wooden pallets can be found in alleyways, behind warehouses, or at dumpsites, and their history can be mysterious.
They could have been exposed to a variety of chemicals or pests during their use in shipping goods. Inviting such uncertainties into your meticulously planned wedding setting is far from ideal. Plus, there’s the risk of splinters damaging delicate fabrics or even injuring guests. As alternatives, consider eco-friendly, reusable materials or rent vintage furniture from a local business. This way, you retain the rustic charm but avoid potential mishaps.
Signage Overload: Striking a Balance
The trend of detailed signage at weddings stemmed from a desire to create a personalized and engaging experience for guests. While the intentions are good, the outcome can sometimes feel like an overwhelming itinerary of to-dos and must-sees. It’s not just about the sheer number of signs but also the information overload on them.
Excessive signage risks diluting the overall impact and can clutter the aesthetic of the venue. Instead, focus on essential signs like those for restrooms, parking, and key event locations. A well-designed map or itinerary could consolidate the need for multiple signs. Remember, your wedding is an enjoyable experience, not a scavenger hunt.
Resisting the Royal Wedding Copycat Temptation
There’s something undeniably enchanting about a royal wedding, but emulating these high-profile events can create a sense of artificiality. When a bride walks down the aisle, she should feel like herself, not a replica of Meghan Markle or Princess Diana. Trying to recreate these grandiose events often results in missing the personal and intimate touches that make a wedding special.
Instead of copying, take inspiration from elements you love about these weddings, be it the floral arrangements or the elegant dress style, and adapt them to your taste. Incorporate details unique to your relationship, family traditions, or cultural practices. It’s your love story that’s being celebrated, and authenticity should reign supreme on this special day.
Understanding the Art of Font Pairing on Invites
In the pursuit of creating unique and whimsical wedding invitations, some couples gravitate towards an eclectic mix of fonts. However, this can quickly turn from chic to chaotic, making the invite hard to decipher. Too many fonts can clutter the design and distract from vital information.
A well-designed invitation should strike a balance between style and functionality. Typically, a maximum of two contrasting yet complimentary fonts is advisable—one for headlines (often a decorative or script font) and another simpler one for body text (usually a sans-serif font). This pairing allows for a clear hierarchy of information, making the invite aesthetically pleasing and easy to read.
The Floor Seating Debate: Comfort vs. Style
The Bohemian trend of floor seating creates an intimate, relaxed atmosphere, but practicality must be considered. Guests, decked in formal attire, may not relish the idea of sitting on the ground, especially those with mobility issues or in advanced years. The key to including this trend is to offer choices.
A mix of traditional seating, floor cushions, and blankets allows guests to choose where they’re most comfortable. For a Bohemian touch without compromising comfort, consider low tables with throw pillows and ottomans alongside regular tables and chairs. This way, the laid-back aesthetic is preserved, and all guests are catered to.
To Crown or Not to Crown: The Flower Debate
The ethereal look of a floral crown can be tempting for any bride yearning for that whimsical touch. However, this trend’s popularity means it may eventually date your wedding photos like the voluminous bridal gowns of the 80s. Moreover, not every bridal look suits a floral crown, and the delicate flowers can wilt or become disheveled over the course of the day.
Instead, consider alternatives that will reflect your personal style and stand the test of time. Tasteful hairpins, vines, or headbands can offer a touch of uniqueness without going overboard. If flowers are a must, think about incorporating them into your veil or hairstyle.
Reevaluating the Need for Wedding Favors
Wedding favors traditionally serve as a token of appreciation for your guests. Yet, in reality, these mementos can become an expensive afterthought that might not be valued by guests. Many favors are left behind, thrown away, or forgotten at home, turning your thoughtful gesture into potential waste.
A more meaningful alternative could be to make a donation to a charity close to your heart in the name of your guests. If you still want to offer a tangible token, consider something useful or consumable, like locally-made soaps or a personalized spice mix. Remember, the wedding is primarily about celebrating your love, not about distributing souvenirs.
Reinventing First Dance Songs
The first dance is a romantic highlight at any wedding, yet the song choice often falls into the realm of the predictable. While popular love songs are popular for a reason, this is an opportunity to set your wedding apart.
Delve deeper into your shared musical history to find a song that holds a unique significance for you as a couple. It doesn’t even have to be a traditional love song. It could be a song from a band you both love, a tune from a memorable trip, or even an instrumental piece. As long as it resonates with your love story, it will make the moment special and memorable.
The Garter Toss: A Mismatched Tradition
Despite its age-old tradition, the garter toss often comes across as an awkward ritual in modern weddings. It places the bride in an uncomfortable spotlight and carries implications of objectification. Given the array of attendees, including close family and elderly relatives, the garter toss can become an unnecessary source of embarrassment.
In today’s progressive world, it’s perfectly okay to sidestep outdated traditions and focus on those contributing to a joyful and respectful celebration.
Boudoir Shoot? Assessing the Intention
While a boudoir shoot may seem like a novel idea to some, it’s essential to understand its underlying intention. Yes, it can be a thrilling and empowering experience for the bride, but its relevance as a ‘gift’ for the groom can be questionable.
After all, the wedding already symbolizes the blossoming intimacy between the couple. Boudoir shoots, while personal and beautiful, may risk coming off as redundant or over-the-top. The decision to pursue one should come from a place of genuine desire, not from following a trend.
Champagne Towers: Style over Substance?
A tower of champagne glasses might make a fantastic photo op, but practicality often takes a backseat. The balance is delicate, and one small error can lead to a disastrous mess of glass shards and spilled alcohol. Add in the potential antics of inebriated guests, and you’ve got a recipe for disaster.
Moreover, the cost of providing high-quality champagne for such a display can inflate your wedding budget considerably. Instead, consider toasts with individual glasses, still classy but far more manageable and budget-friendly.
Twinkle Lights: Dorm Decor or Wedding Decor?
Strands of twinkle lights can lend a romantic glow to any event, but their overuse risks making a wedding venue look more like a college dorm than a sophisticated event. It’s crucial to consider the season, the venue, and the overall theme before deciding to drape everything in fairy lights.
Alternative elegant lighting options include lanterns on tables or spotlights on walls. Remember, your wedding is a chance to express your unique style, so don’t be afraid to move beyond popular trends.
Barn Weddings: Authenticity over Aesthetic
The rustic charm of a barn wedding appeals to many, but it’s crucial to ask, “Does this reflect us as a couple?” If the barn is a far cry from your everyday surroundings, it can feel artificial and forced.
The venue should represent a beautiful backdrop and a meaningful setting that speaks to your shared history and lifestyle. Seek out places that resonate with your story, whether that’s a chic city loft, a sunlit beach, or, indeed, a family farm.
Distasteful Wedding Photos: A Big No
Wedding photography should capture genuine emotions and beautiful memories, not awkward poses or forced gimmicks. The trend of staged photos with guests making faces or displaying exaggerated reactions can cheapen the event and feel insincere.
Encourage your photographer to capture candid moments that showcase the genuine joy and love shared between you, your partner, and your guests.
Life-Size Bride Cake: The Icing on the Narcissism Cake?
While the idea of a life-size bride cake might tickle one’s fancy, it’s a trend that quickly slips into extravagance and narcissism. Apart from the astronomical costs, cutting into a cake modeled after the bride can come across as eerie to some guests.
A wedding cake should be a reflection of the couple’s shared tastes, not a towering, sugary doppelganger. Consider sticking to traditional cakes, perhaps incorporating meaningful symbols or themes that represent you as a couple.
Pinterest DIY Projects: More Trouble than They’re Worth?
Pinterest has a plethora of crafty ideas that may seem tempting to recreate for your wedding but beware of the potential pitfalls. Many projects are more complex than they appear, often requiring substantial time, effort, and funds.
With the stress and busy schedule leading up to a wedding, these DIY projects can add unnecessary pressure. Leave the décor to the professionals, or opt for more straightforward DIY projects that won’t cause undue stress or expense.
Rethinking Rice and Confetti Tosses
While throwing rice or confetti at newlyweds is a long-standing tradition, it raises environmental and clean-up concerns. Alternatives like biodegradable confetti can be costly, and cleaning up traditional confetti or rice can be tedious.
Instead, consider other celebratory options. Guests blowing soap bubbles can create a magical ambiance and beautiful photo ops, while sparklers can add a dramatic flair to a nighttime departure. These alternatives reduce waste and add a unique touch to your special day.
Adios, Store Weddings!
Weddings are seen as a sacred event that traditionally requires a unique setting. The recent trend of couples getting hitched in fast food joints or department stores like Taco Bell or TJ Maxx might save on costs, but it can also dilute the sanctity and elegance of the occasion.
While the quirkiness might initially seem appealing, in the long run, it may end up being more embarrassing than charming. While unconventional locations such as wineries or breweries can add a unique charm, a wedding amidst racks of discounted clothes or over the aroma of fast food doesn’t quite exude the same romantic vibes.
Buffet Begone!
Buffets have long been a wedding staple but are often disguised under fancy names like ‘interactive food stations.’ However, buffet-style dining is not without its drawbacks. Lines can be long and chaotic; guests often end up serving themselves, and having unlimited access to food might not be the best thing when you’re dressed to the nines and plan to hit the dance floor.
Furthermore, buffets can also become more expensive than traditional service due to the variety of dishes involved. So before you consider a buffet for your big day, weigh the pros and cons carefully.
Hashtag Hassles
In the age of social media, custom wedding hashtags seemed like a clever innovation, enabling guests to tag their photos and making it easy for everyone to access event memories. However, this trend is on the wane, primarily due to overuse and the diminishing uniqueness of these hashtags.
Besides, not every guest takes advantage of them and just posts the pictures on their own. Furthermore, suppose the chosen hashtag coincidentally aligns with an existing one. In that case, it defeats the whole purpose of having a unique identifier for the event.
Banishing Burlap
In recent years, burlap has mysteriously become a must-have at weddings. This coarse and rough fabric is omnipresent from decorations to seating and even cake decoration. The rustic appeal of burlap can be charming in moderation, but the overuse has led to its charm wearing off.
Plus, there are far more attractive and pleasant-to-touch alternatives like classic linens or silk that can create a similar rustic feel without the drawbacks of burlap. So it might be time to say goodbye to burlap and hello to softer, more elegant fabric choices.
Photo Booth Blues
Once a novel feature, photo booths at weddings have now become quite repetitive and unoriginal. Sure, they offer a fun diversion and a chance for guests to let their hair down, but the resulting photos are often virtually identical – goofy faces, silly props, and all.
The novelty has worn thin, and these booths take up space that could be used more creatively. Opting for a professional photographer not only elevates the quality of the photos but also ensures the capturing of genuine, spontaneous moments, which are far more precious.
Donut Dilemma
The traditional wedding cake has seen various alternatives popping up in recent years, one of the most popular being a gourmet donut table. While donuts can be a fun and delicious alternative, they may not carry the same weight of elegance and tradition as a wedding cake.
Moreover, they can come across as cheap unless you opt for a wide variety. For a truly memorable dessert experience, consider non-traditional yet elegant options like macarons, tarts, or cream puffs, which add a touch of sophistication.
Topping off Toppers
Cake toppers that represent the bride and groom can add a personal touch to a wedding cake. However, the trend of using comically themed or ‘funny’ cake toppers depicting the bride as a ‘ball and chain,’ for instance, is falling out of favor. These toppers can often appear cliched, tacky, and in some cases, even offensive.
The cake is a centerpiece, and its decoration should align with the elegance of the occasion. Hence, toppers made of fresh flowers, sophisticated monograms, or minimalist designs rapidly replace these dated caricatures.
Mason Jar Madness
The mason jar trend in wedding decor is one that has overstayed its welcome. While mason jars can bring a rustic charm to events, their overuse at weddings, from drinkware to centerpieces, has led to them becoming a tired cliche.
For such a significant event, Mason jars can feel a little too casual. There are countless alternatives for both decor and drinkware that can add a sense of elegance, sophistication, and personality to the wedding – making it high time to retire the mason jar trend.
Cakes Covered With Fondant
In recent years, the trend of fondant-covered cakes has exploded, thanks to their smooth, perfect appearance popularized by Pinterest. These visually pleasing cakes certainly make for a good photo, but many find the taste less appealing. Guests often discard the fondant, wasting your money spent on appearance rather than flavor.
Traditional cake decorators often recommend sticking with time-tested options, like buttercream. These classics deliver on taste while still offering a pleasing look. Considering the taste preferences of your guests might save you money and contribute to a more enjoyable dining experience at your wedding.
Too Many Cocktails
Including a variety of cocktails at your wedding may sound like a delightful idea, but it’s not always practical. An open bar can be an expensive endeavor, and offering a wide selection of drinks might complicate the service. A better approach would be to simplify the options. Designate two signature drinks – one representing the bride, the other the groom.
Include a few other classic drinks and options for children. This minimalistic approach not only reduces costs but also streamlines the bartending process. As a result, the event feels more personalized and thoughtful, with everyone able to find a drink they enjoy.
Black-Colored Cakes
A wedding color scheme is a traditional part of the planning process. Black, being a versatile color, can make a strong visual statement. However, black cakes can be less appealing. Besides possibly staining teeth and standing out starkly against the often light-colored wedding theme, achieving an actual black color usually involves fondant – another potential issue for guests who dislike its taste.
Thus, you might want to consider other options for your cake color to ensure it aligns with the theme and guest preferences.
Enough Rose Gold to Fill a Bank Vault
Rose gold has become synonymous with luxury and elegance, often gracing wedding ceremonies with its warm, blush tones. However, when used in excess, it can cast a gaudy sheen over your celebration. An overabundance of rose gold could make your wedding appear ostentatious and inauthentic.
Instead, aim for a balanced look by using it sparingly. For example, you might incorporate rose gold in the form of subtle accents like candlesticks, cutlery, or vases. This approach lets you harness rose gold’s beauty without overwhelming your wedding’s aesthetic. Striking the right balance will help you create a timeless, stylish atmosphere that guests will remember for years to come.
Unique Food Combinations
While a wedding is an occasion to celebrate your uniqueness as a couple, it might not be the best place to experiment with unusual food combinations. For instance, some couples attempt to stand out by offering dishes like salmon mac and cheese, but these culinary adventures can miss the mark with guests who prefer familiar options.
The key to a successful wedding menu is balance. Offer well-loved classics, and pair them with a few thoughtfully chosen, innovative dishes. This strategy ensures all your guests find something they enjoy while still allowing you to add a touch of personal flair to the dining experience.
Overly-Complicated Seating Charts
Pinterest is filled with creative and complex seating charts that, while eye-catching, can add unnecessary stress to your wedding preparations. Attempting to perfectly replicate these intricate arrangements can lead to frustration when the end result doesn’t quite match the inspiration.
A simple, easy-to-understand seating chart can be just as effective, if not more so. You might even consider forgoing the seating chart altogether, allowing guests to choose their own seats. This approach eliminates potential disputes and will enable guests to socialize more freely, making for a relaxed, enjoyable atmosphere at your reception.
Chalkboards, Chalkboards, Chalkboards
Over the past decade, chalkboards have become a ubiquitous wedding trend. Their appeal lies in their affordability, versatility, and customizable nature. However, this very popularity has made them a common feature in many weddings, potentially diluting their charm. If you’re striving for a unique, memorable wedding, consider exploring other decor options.
Keep in mind the key to an unforgettable wedding isn’t necessarily following trends—it’s creating a celebration that truly reflects you as a couple. Consider personal touches, creative alternatives, and thoughtful details that capture your shared tastes, interests, and love story.
Succulents
The use of succulents as wedding decor was a trend that soared to prominence due to their durability and compact size. They seemed the perfect token of resilience, just like the love being celebrated. However, they’ve become quite cliché, popping up at nearly every wedding.
Moreover, contrary to popular belief, they require specific care and can perish quickly. You wouldn’t want guests associating your wedding with a wilting plant. Additionally, their ubiquity could make your wedding photos seem outdated. Therefore, it might be best to consider other options that reflect your individuality and stand the test of time.
Neon Signs
Neon signs burst onto the wedding scene in 2019 as a dynamic design element. With the potential to be personalized, they could add a touch of novelty to your big day. However, their proliferation across weddings has diminished their charm.
Moreover, commissioning a personalized neon sign can be a costly venture, and unless it’s something you’d proudly display in your home post-wedding, the sign might end up collecting dust. A wedding should be a reflection of your enduring love, not a passing trend, so choose decor that will remain meaningful to you for years to come.
A Special Dance While Going Down the Aisle
The viral trend of brides and grooms dancing their way down the aisle while entertaining has lost its novelty. Walking down the aisle is a solemn moment filled with anticipation and emotion. Turning it into a performance could risk losing the sincerity of the moment and may lead to embarrassment if the dance doesn’t go as planned.
Not to mention, the endless video shares might not necessarily lead to joyful memories. Sometimes, traditions persist for a reason, and a heartfelt walk down the aisle might be more impactful than a choreographed dance routine.
Bachelorettes That Let Loose
Bachelorette parties are notorious for being wild and fun-filled, but lately, they’ve been pushing the envelope with over-the-top antics. Excessive drinking, indecent entertainment, and raunchy cakes have started to become the norm.
There’s been an escalating trend of bachelorette parties resulting in arrests and making headlines for the wrong reasons. It’s important to remember that a bachelorette party is a celebration of the bride’s upcoming marriage, not an excuse to disregard boundaries. It’s possible to have a memorable night without resorting to extreme behavior.
Required Bridesmaid Surgery
The pressure to look perfect has extended from brides to their bridesmaids, with a growing number of brides requesting their bridesmaids to undergo cosmetic surgery. This invasive trend compromises the essence of the bridesmaid role, which is to support the bride emotionally, not aesthetically.
Wedding photos should capture the joy and love of the occasion, not the physical perfection of the bridal party. It’s crucial to value friendship over appearance and ensure everyone feels comfortable and respected during the wedding preparations.
Weird Cake Flavors
In an attempt to stand out, some couples have ventured into unconventional wedding cake flavors. While diversity in taste is usually welcome, not all guests might appreciate the uniqueness of a matcha or durian cake.
Traditional flavors like chocolate, vanilla, or fruit have universal appeal and should be kept as options. Extravagant tastes might cost you more and leave you with lots of leftover cake if they don’t hit the mark with guests.
Officiants That Aren’t Human
In a peculiar trend, some couples have opted to have robots officiate their weddings. While it may seem novel and futuristic, the question arises – can an entity that lacks human emotion truly officiate an event that celebrates human love and commitment?
A wedding ceremony is a deeply personal occasion that celebrates the union of two souls, and this essence may be lost when performed by a robot. It’s advisable to have a human officiate who can truly understand and convey the gravity of the vows being taken.
Multi-Ceremony Group Weddings
While group weddings can be cost-effective, they may dilute the personal and intimate nature of your special day. Such ceremonies involve multiple couples sharing the spotlight, potentially making your celebration feel less unique and memorable.
Before choosing this route, weigh the financial benefits against the emotional trade-offs. A wedding is a milestone that reflects your personal journey and love story. It might be worth investing a little more to ensure your day feels truly yours, filled with personal touches and cherished memories.
Bridesmaid Proposals
The trend of bridesmaid proposals, complete with elaborate gift boxes and cards, has become increasingly popular. While it can be a sweet gesture, the focus seems to have shifted to documenting the event for social media rather than celebrating the bond between the bride and her bridesmaids.
Remember, the crux of the event is the wedding itself and the love it celebrates, not the social media-worthy moments leading up to it. A heartfelt, personal invitation to be a bridesmaid could mean much more than an over-the-top proposal.
Picturing Moderation
The love you share with your partner is unique and deserves to be celebrated. However, overdoing the display of your engagement photos can tip the balance from sweet to saccharine. Having oversized pictures plastered everywhere might seem overbearing to guests and distract from the actual event: your wedding.
Instead, focus on creating new memories with your loved ones on your special day. After all, your wedding is an opportunity to create unforgettable moments, not just a venue to display old ones.
Less is More: The Makeup Edition
Bridal beauty is all about authenticity and individuality. A professional makeup artist, while skilled, may unintentionally mask your unique traits with a standardized bridal look. To retain your personal touch, precisely outline your desired style and opt for a trial session.
Even better, you might want to tap into your own makeup skills or recruit a talented friend. This way, you ensure you’ll look like yourself, glowing with natural beauty, not a stereotypical bride. After all, the best wedding photos capture the genuine, radiant happiness of the bride, not an over-stylized facade.