Wedding Trends: What's In & What's Out for 2024?

Despite the fact that January felt never-ending to some, it's still hard to believe we're over a month into 2024 already! This year is already coming through with it's own distinctive style and we're already seeing some amazing and original ideas for events, particularly in the wedding industry. Let's reflect on the trends that have characterised the scene in recent times, and look at which ones will persist as iconic features of the wedding landscape vs. gracefully receding into history...

In or Out: Intimate Weddings...? IN!

In the aftermath of the pandemic, we saw the rise of intimate ceremonies and receptions as the number of guests you could invite was still limited by government regulation. However, even as restrictions were lifted, the trend of small-scale celebrations continued, as couples found that sharing their nuptials with only their closest friends and family created a heartwarming and comfortable wedding day that couldn't be matched by a packed-out venue.

In or Out: Seating Arrangements...? OUT!

Historically, seating arrangements have involved a carefully planned layout of assigned seats and tables. Guests are typically allocated specific places, as laid out on a seating chart or place cards. In 2023, we witnessed a significant shift away from these conventional arrangements, with more couples opting for open seating plans where guests can have the freedom to choose where they sit. Pair this with long banqueting tables, and a buffet-style menu, and many have found this encourages mingling and socialising between guests, making for a much more relaxed dining experience.

In or Out: Sustainability...? IN!

Sustainability was a significant theme throughout 2023, with couples looking to make eco-friendly choices in terms of vendors, décor and catering. Reducing our environmental impact is still a key focus as we're moving into the 2024 season, so we can expect a continuing trend towards locally-sourced cuisine, organic fabrics and low-wastage options.

In or Out: Elaborate Favours...? OUT!

The past year has seen couples moving away from expensive or ornate favours for their guests and instead either skipping them altogether, or focusing on more personal or meaningful items. With sustainability being a growing focus, couples are often opting for edible or reusable gifts to reduce packaging and wastage, or charitable donations in lieu of a favour on behalf of their guests. Elaborate wedding favours can add a significant costs to the wedding budget, and as couples opt for more intimate celebrations, or prioritise other aspects of their day, they are being viewed as less of a necessity.

In or Out: Non-Traditional Wedding Venues...? IN!

As couples look for new ways to leave their own personal stamp on their celebrations, we've seen the rise of unique wedding venues such as romantic libraries, ethereal aquariums, urban roof terraces, and luxury yachts. In this break from tradition, newlyweds are able to use their venue to help weave the tale of their own love story into their special day, in a place that means something to them beyond that of the more recognisable (although classic) manor house, hotel or barn conversion.

In or Out: Sit Down Meals...? OUT!

For some modern couples, there is a significant desire for a more relaxed and interactive atmosphere during their wedding breakfast, preferring to encourage guests to mingle, socialise and move around freely; a challenge is you're having a formal sit-down meal. Buffet-style or food station options offer guests a wider variety of choices and allows them to eat at their own pace, catering to different dietary requirements and creating a more inclusive dining experience. This also aligns with the broader trend towards a more personalised and unique wedding experience.

In or Out: Bold Colour Schemes...? IN!

In another break from tradition, we are seeing a rise in bold colour palettes, maximalist themes, and highly-styled celebrations. Modern couples, looking to have their personality reflected in their décor and tablescapes, are moving away from the more traditional light and pastel shades, and more towards deep, rich, jewel-like tones such as emerald, amethyst and ruby, accented with metallic hues.

In or Out: The Bridesmaid Dress...? OUT!

The long-standing tradition of having all your bridesmaids in the same dress is being seen as significantly less in recent times, with couples instead encouraging their bridesmaids to select mis-matched or different outfits centred around one main theme or colour scheme. This allows for a more inclusive celebration, where the entire wedding party can wear something they feel truly comfortable in, and can express their unique personalities on the big day!

In or Out: Celebrant-Led Ceremonies...? IN!

According to hitched.com, there has been a 49% increase in searches for 'celebrant weddings' in the past year, and traffic to articles about celebrant-led ceremonies have increased by a whopping 157%. This is a reflection on couples looking to truly personalise their nuptials, and a great way of doing this is by having a celebrant tailor the ceremony specifically to their relationship and their journey together so far.

In or Out: Fireworks...? OUT!

Environmental concerns have meant that grand firework displays at weddings have decreased in popularity. There are a number of alternatives that couples can consider, which lessen the impact on air pollution, noise and potential harm to local wildlife. Venues and councils have also implemented stricter regulations on fireworks, making incorporating them into wedding celebrations more difficult logistically. The desire for a more sustainable and meaningful celebration has shifted the focus towards more innovative elements such as light shows, lanterns, or other displays that better represent the couple's story and values.

In or Out: Documentary-Style Photography...? IN!

Sometimes referred to a photojournalism, this photographic approach focuses on capturing candid and un-posed moments, with the aim to document people and situations as they naturally occur. Unlike portrait photography, where the photographer may direct the couple, documentary-style photographers typically avoid staging the scene to maintain authenticity. This style has be growing in popularity in the wedding industry, especially for couples who might not be so confident in front of a camera, but still want a beautiful and personal narrative of their special day.

The trends we embrace are a reflection of out values, aspirations and the unique love story of each couple. As we move into the new season, weddings are set to continue to be a canvas for personal expression, where intimacy, sustainability and meaningful experiences are celebrated. While some trends will stand the test of time, others will make way for new innovations and traditions. Ultimately, the magic of a wedding lies in the enduring love, commitment and connections forged between the newlyweds and their cherished guests.