Each year it is always fascinating to see either trends or new ideas that are worth sharing. Weddings are meant to be personalized despite all of the typical traditions that we weave into them. Taking this approach, let me share with you a few of ideas that we saw from this year.
1. Bridesmaids Dresses – all different
Having your bridesmaid’s dresses in varying styles isn’t a new phenomenon, but I can say that it was a definite trend this year with a majority of our weddings. About half of those were bridesmaids in the same color but with varying styles while the remainder with totally different colors and styles. A few weddings, there were bridesmaid dresses in a broad mix of colors that went outside of a typical “color blend.”
2. Pocket Boutonnieres
Boutonnieres have made a comeback, and many have moved to wanting pocket bouts versus the traditional ones. I love them because they can make such a statement, and they are actually more secure fitting which is another plus.
3. Vintage furniture
Our vintage furniture pieces have been a common rental especially when it comes to the bride & groom portraits. This year there has been many more weddings adding furniture seating areas for guests just to lounge in during Appetizer/Cocktail Hour. A really cool trend has been where these furniture pieces are added to the front side area of the ceremony area as a special seating for the grandparents. This not only gives honor as “special seating” but allows them to enjoy having a back to their seating. Another common sight this year has been a seating area for the “vintage phone – record a message” apparatus. It certainly fits the theme.
4. artist paints your wedding
We saw this for the first time last year and again, we have seen this again this year – twice. What a wonderful twist – part entertainment and part a great keep-sake.
5. Alternative dessert options
We have been fortunate to see a variety of dessert options in year’s past from cupcakes to a Donut Wall to a cheesecake smorgasbord and more. This year is no exception except for the quantity of weddings who hosted such a theme. More brides offered unique options and typically had a small wedding cake to cut then added on these different options on the side. From a pie smorgasbord to a general across the spectrum dessert smorgasbord to ice cream and popsicle vendor trucks (even on the spot cooked crepes and waffle cones too) – this year it became the norm.
6. cooking vendors
Our Venue Barn is not equipped to handle “on-site” cooking but self-contained vendors and/or vendor trucks can cook outside and so this year, we have had more of those type vendors than ever before; cooking pizza from a fired up trailer or to a series of cooking grills roasting meats and veggies.
7. Infusing more ceremony specialties
For years now, I have seen less and less ceremonies that have included personalized aspects like sand ceremony or lighting of a unity candle, etc. This year, though, we saw an uptick in such special inclusions like 1. The bride sang a song during the ceremony, 2. Foot washing, 3. Communion, 4. a Catholic priest charging and challenging the soon-to-be couple with a lengthy speech while the bride & groom sat and the bridal party set off to the side, 5. a pet dog as a part of the bridal party, and 6. a flower girl coming down the aisle in an electric kiddie car…..and even more. Making your wedding ceremony unique to you is always a good idea. We even saw a couple of wedding ceremonies with no bridal party.
8. Ceremony florals
Having florals in the grove area for the ceremony is a common occurrence – not always but frequently. Whether down the aisle or an embellished arbor, but three new trends did we see this year. First up is having the grove morph into a flower garden by adding florals galore! Second, we saw bridesmaids and even groomsmen toss flower petals on their entry to the grove instead of a flower girl. Thirdly, more this year than before, there was a petal toss from guests at their seats to the exiting bride and groom on their way leaving the ceremony area and why not? A wonderful way to quickly celebrate the tying of the knot whether by tossing fresh petals or dried petals from our gardens.
9. ONE honorable mentions
I can’t pass up this final interesting twist to a wedding day timeline. Slip and slide exit instead of a sparkler send off. Yep. Bride and groom changed clothes and did just that. Unforgettable!
~ Margie