Each new year an entire world of crazy cool and pretty trends emerge amongst weddings; from calming color palettes that set the tone for a laid back or festive wedding, to unique personal details, and wanderlust destination elopements – 2016 wedding trends have been some of the loveliest and sentimental! Since were halfway through 2016, I decided to check in to see how these wedding trends are prevailing and being incorporated by marrying couples so far. Last year it was all about DIY, custom invites, and the return of tradition, this year you’re seeing more invitations custom painted with lovely watercolor or printed with beautiful gold foil, and greenery everywhere from the ceiling and down grand staircases. I know I’m definitely forward to seeing how these unique trends evolve from weddings to come…
Serene Colors
Well, if you’re not current with the design world, then I guess you may not be aware that this year’s colors declared by Pantone, are Rose Quartz and Serenity. So naturally wedding palettes have become more light and pretty, but these colors are also calming and elegant. These tones evoke a mood to your day, and not just a color scheme. They’re mostly seen in a monochromatic way, which I love. But weddings are not just pastels, statement rich accent colors are a big trend this year too. The best thing about all of Pantone’s choices for colors this year, there are so many beautiful flowers to match.
Photos via, left: Wedding Sparrow | right: Inspired By This
Two Pieces + Gowns with Dimension
The most noticeable wedding trends, would have to be with bridal gowns. Spring/Summer 2017 is going to bring out stunning creations, seriously I love these trending gowns so much I already featured my favorites here, but of all the wedding gown trends, the biggest I see for this year, are fashion forward two pieces and dresses with serious dimension. Two pieces, is the bridal gown that takes you from a traditional ceremony to a fun dance party. Talk about getting two bridal looks for the price of one! These looks are modern, chic and just the right amount of sexy but in the most elegant way. Spring 2017 bridal is also all about 3D appliqués; from delicate florals, to intricate beading and feathers! These bridal gowns are works of art.
Photos via, left: The Lane | right: Lela Rose
Completely “You” Details
The best wedding trend is the rise of incorporating details that tell your story, not just during your vow exchange, but from the very moment your guests embark on your wedding day. After all, this party is all about you and your fiancé. We’re talking about complete customization of detail beyond monogrammed cocktail napkins, instead, invitations that showcase your love of watercolor, homemade family recipe favors, and small details that reflect your favorite tastes and interests as a couple. Weddings in 2016 celebrate uniqueness by honoring cultural customs and religious traditions too. These special touches are my favorite when planning any party, especially when it comes to planning a client’s big day. You can also throw out the age old myth that you have to stick to a certain theme, instead opt to blend different styles you like, say a modern garden party or an elegant hoe-down. Why does complete customization and mixing styles work so well, because they create weddings that are unexpected, gorgeous and unforgettable!
Photos via, left: Style Me Pretty | right: Wedding Chicks
Dapper Groom Style
The focus isn’t just on the bride’s gown any more, now grooms are putting their own unique stylish touches on their suit and overall wedding look. Have a custom suit embroidered, choose a cool brown leather shoe or sport personalized cuff links, it gives grooms more style options than ever before. Men are even going as far as putting some extra TLC into their grooming too, like teeth whitening and pre-ceremony beard trims. My cousin had his wedding suit custom made, and can I say he was looking quite handsome, plus he’s got a killer suit to wear again, like he wanted.
Photos via, left: New York Wedding Consultant | right: Green Wedding Shoes
Local Food + Ingredients
Wedding menus are looking more like your local farm and not your typical fine dining meal. Say hello to more farm to table seasonal produce, free-range chicken, and healthy “it” ingredients. This is definitely one of my top trend picks, not only are you making your wedding a bit more sustainable, especially when weddings actually waste a lot, but you’re also supporting local farmers, agriculture and chefs. Talk with your venue or caterer to source local ingredients and make them the focal of your menu. Another totally unique and great food trend, have your favorite food truck stop by to feed your hungry dancing guests, they will thank you and it’s a nod to your favorite food!
Photos via, left : Style Me Pretty | right : Kelly Place
Sweet Endings
Sending guests off with sweet treats isn’t a new trend, but having late night bites passed around like hors d’oeuvres, is becoming the new way to do it. And it you’re looking to have your cake wedding cake be the send off piece of the night, then give the traditional white or ever popular naked cake a boost with graphic prints or geode crystal sugar creations. But the one dessert that is standing above the rest this year, the doughnut. I’m totally in love with displaying donuts on a vintage rack against a wall, I mean a donut wall, how fun!
Photos via, left: Vintage Soul Cakes | right: 100 Layer Cake
Lucite Accents
Lucite details aren’t just for modern affairs. I’m quite smitten with lucite wedding details, if you didn’t happen to notice from this styling, but it is such a unique material that can be carried throughout many details of your day. It’s totally unexpected and adds to the wow. It’s a unique way that allows a bar menu to pop, or classic calligraphy seating chart to look oh so cool. It’s definitely just the right about of modern and chic touch to any kind of wedding, from traditional to nautical.
Photos via, left: A Fabulous Fete | right: Mod Wedding
Hanging Greenery + Florals
Wherever your wedding location is, 2016 is all about creating an oasis. Whether nestled amongst a magical woodland or a classic ballroom, it’s about bringing the beauty of nature in with lots of greenery and foraged flowers. Not just cascading down the center of tables, or draped on the backside of chairs, lush greenery is being hung from the ceiling in beautiful installations or displayed on the wall as photo backdrops! It’s a great way to save money and make your flowers look lush. So wherever you think you need flowers, just add a bit more green. It’s all about creating different shapes and textures in one varying color or similar palette.
Photos via, left: Once Wed | right: Ruffled Blog
Gold Foil + Calligraphy Everywhere
I won’t deny I love any stationery with gold foil. This metallic detail comes from the cool gold and copper trend. It honestly makes any stationery festive and fun. I am a sucker for a beautiful invitation with gilded calligraphy. Oh, yes, another big trend, calligraphy, it’s everywhere, and it’s not going anywhere. It suits traditional, quirky, and minimalist styles. One of the best places for beautiful stationery and wedding invitations is Paperless Post. They have an endless selection of stationery to fit every trend, and I love using them for inspiration and planning parties. And they do stunning online invitations and cards too!
Photos via, left: Paperless Post | right: A Fabulous Fete
Intimate Affairs
I’m so for the intimate wedding, surrounded by family and closest friends, because it gives you more time for each loving guest. Along with small quiet weddings, elopements are becoming quite the thing this year. From an intimate waterfall elopement or a quick trip with loved ones to a European countryside. We’re also seeing much smaller and quicker ceremonies, with some couples choosing to exchange vows amongst just select loved ones. It’s about sharing this extremely special moment in your life with those who truly matter, which is why lots of couples are requesting media free ceremonies too.
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