Top WEDDING TRENDS TO LOOK OUT FOR IN 2023 AND 2024
8 Quirky Wedding Trends To Consider
Weddings are of course all about celebrating love, commitment, and the union of two souls. As a wedding photographer, I’ve been lucky enough to witness and photograph all sorts of beautiful celebrations that have left a lasting impression on me.
While tradition often plays a significant role in these joyous occasions, I’ve recently noticed a lot of couples opting to stray from this by putting their own spin of uniqueness and creativity on their special day.
I’m thrilled to have partnered with freelance wedding writer, Rosie Buckley on this blog to bring you 8 unconventional wedding trends that are taking the industry by storm, and you might just want to consider incorporating them into your own big day. From bold colour schemes to paparazzi-style wedding photos, we’ve got a bit of everything.
- BRIDAL HEADPIECES
One thing I absolutely love to capture on camera is the individuality of the bride’s statement headpieces. I’m not just talking about conventional tiaras here; picture ornate veils and bright flower crowns that make a bold statement and showcase the bride’s personality. This trend creates a truly memorable wedding look and adds a visual interest to the bride’s portrait, this is most definitely something that will stick around.
2. DIY DECOR WITH A TWIST
I’ve noticed more and more couples taking their DIY décor to the next level by infusing their own creative flair into their wedding day. Some are using custom-made signage displaying their names and wedding dates, while others are opting for unique centrepieces that feature individual aspects of their life together so far.
A personal favourite trend with a twist is custom photo booths (and that’s not just because I’m a photographer). By creating personalised backdrops and props the experience becomes much for personal and memorable for the couple, but it can also shave off a portion of the budget.
3. INTERACTIVE FOOD STATIONS
It’s a foodies dream to have a build-your-own food station, so there’s no wonder this trend is such a hit in the world of wedding catering. Think taco bars with everything you need to spice up your Mexican treat or make-your-own pasta stations, where guests can choose their own ingredients. Not only is this usually somewhat cheaper than a fully catered sit-down meal but it also helps when it comes to offering something diverse for those with dietary restrictions and preferences.
I love capturing the candid joy and excitement of guests as they explore the different options available and creating their own dishes.
4. THEMED WEDDINGS
I’m sure it’s no surprise that I love capturing themed weddings on camera, but they really seem to have made a comeback recently. Weddings are no longer just about traditional themes, now couples are embracing their mutual interests and passions to create a memorable day.
Whether it’s a festival paradise filled with bright lights and live music or a vintage cinema complete with old film reels and popcorn machines, there are endless possibilities to create immersive experiences for both the couple and their guests. It’s always a joy to capture these unique elements on film.
5. COLOURFUL WEDDING DRESSES
While white has long been the go-to colour for wedding dresses, I’ve had the pleasure of capturing a few brides who have opted for more vibrant and colourful dresses. Sometimes as a second dress worn for the reception, brides are breaking away from traditions and adding a pop of colour to their day. From pastel pinks to deep blues, colourful wedding dresses allow brides to showcase their personality and stand out on their big day.
I personally love how these colourful dresses create an eye-catching contrast against natural and outdoor backgrounds.
Fun Fact: Why Brides Wear White – Brides wearing white originated from Queen Victoria’s 1840 wedding. Her unconventional choice set a trend symbolising purity and innocence that continues to this day.
6. PAPARAZZI WEDDING PHOTOS
Instead of sticking to traditional staged wedding shots, I’m seeing a lot more couples go for an unconventional approach of paparazzi-style candid shots instead, and I have to say, I love it!
It gives such a fun unfiltered and authentic feel to the day, capturing genuine snapshots. The results speak for themselves by freezing true emotions in time just as they naturally occur, creating an album where you can be transported back to your special day and relive it all over again.
This approach also gives the couple more of a chance to fully immerse themselves in the wedding day and soak everything up with the worry of having to round up groups of family and friends when it’s time for photos, especially the ones that have had a few too many.
7. ECO-FRIENDLY CELEBRATIONS
It’s heart-warming to see couples taking steps towards sustainability with their wedding options – eco-friendly weddings are really picking up speed when it comes to popularity. In the last few years, I’ve really noticed couples ensure they incorporate sustainable practices into their day by making changes to things like biodegradable décor to locally sourced and organic food options.
It’s always a pleasure to capture the natural beauty of sustainable wedding aspects whether it’s just parts of the day or the entire celebration, it’s clear that more couples are looking to lower their carbon footprint and it also inspires attendees too.
8. VIRTUAL GUEST EXPERIENCES
It’s no surprise that over the last couple of years, we’ve had to adapt to a more virtual world due to things happening that are beyond our control. Virtual wedding guest experiences offer loved ones that can’t make the big day the opportunity to still be a part of it (although it’s not so great for a me as a wedding photographer).
Couples can use various platforms to live stream their celebrations which allows these guests to be physically present and still feel part of the joy and excitement.
It also means that if you have family and friends that live abroad, you can add additional guests and they can still be a part of your celebration without putting a strain on your budget. It’s a win-win!
Top tip: Consider crafting a “Virtual Celebration Kit” for your remote guests. Include a small package with a mini champagne bottle, a piece of the wedding cake (if possible), a personalised thank-you note, and even a dress code suggestion for their at-home attire. This thoughtful touch not only makes them feel included but also adds a delightful layer of engagement to the virtual festivities.
SUMMARY
Wedding trends are bound to change and evolve as the years go by, and it’s always a joy to capture these unique and personalised additions. Don’t get me wrong, I love a traditional wedding but being able to capture the unique personalities of the bride and groom.
With every wedding having its own unique character and style, it’s an honour to be able to take snapshots that immortalise the couple’s authentic identity and individuality. View my gallery to take a look at some of the beautiful weddings I’ve been lucky enough to capture! Click here.
