Top 7 Wedding Trends for 2021
As we get settled in to 2021 and what this next year holds for us, let’s take a look at the wedding trends are right now and what we can look forward to seeing this year. Even though coronavirus has changed the plans of countless happy couples, the good times are still rolling on! Adapting and overcoming are what we as humans are known for as we can see with the below choices for top wedding trends this year. This is a time of new styles, new experiences, new décor elements and best of all – new beginnings.
The traditional large weddings we had grown accustomed to may be the biggest change we are still adapting to, but the good news is that weddings are still happening and they are still beautiful moments for everyone! Dates and locations have had to be changed due to varying health and government restrictions. These are all things that as the months have worn on and we have started to accept this as a new form of normal we are now able to better adjust and proceed with planning the perfect day. Even though guest lists are now typically much smaller, this has opened up a path to wonderful new trends for weddings as you will see highlighted below.
1. Welcome Boxes
As many weddings are being forced to downsize their guest list, this has now given the opportunity to expand with more personalized details for the attendees. There are now more ways to express yourself and your gratitude to those that get to share your special day with you. A welcome box as guests arrive to the ceremony site can include personalized hand sanitizers, masks, wedding program and details, and even a special take home wedding favor to commemorate the special day.
2. Tents and Twinkly Lights
It’s a given that the number of outdoor weddings has and will continue to grow as this is the most effective way to allow for social distancing. Wedding tents and twinkly lights are the new grand reception room! Gone are the drab plastic eyesores we once saw, here to stay are beautifully lit outdoor ballrooms. Wedding planners are using lighting technicians more than ever now to transform the standard white tent into more of a fairy-tale escape for weddings. The possibilities are endless with drapery, twinkle lights, customizable LED lights for any color scheme desired and the right amount of traditional table décor.
3. Mini D’Oeuvres
Bite-sized portions of shrimp or scallops? A darling charcuterie board for one? Yes, these all sound delicious and are wonderful ways to keep the good food coming while not having guests crowded around an appetizer table or trays. Offering a smaller plate with variety of appetizers for each guest is so convenient and a great way to keep sanitary concerns at bay during cocktail hour.
4. Virtual Hosting
As in person guest lists get smaller, the virtual guest list world has grown exponentially. There has been a huge increase in the world of virtual invitations, wedding websites and livestream weddings. There is now an increased need for videographers to help with capturing the special moments and being able to provide video for livestreaming weddings on various social media and hosting platforms. Having a great photographer will never go away, but now the need for great audio-visual services has increased to allow friends and family from anywhere to be able to still be a part of the wedding day.
5. Single-Tier and Mini Wedding Cakes
We are seeing that wedding cakes are much smaller in size this year, but the attention to detail with flavor and decoration has grown. The days of huge elaborate cakes seem to have slipped away as the popularity of single serve cakes bursting with flavor and personality has surged. Providing guests with a mini replica cake to enjoy versus the usual chopped chunk of cake has proven to be a huge hit that bakers are loving.
6. Sentimental Tablescapes
Smaller weddings afford the opportunity for more intimate and sentimental wedding tabletops. Buffet lines for food are most likely going to be put on the backburner as keeping guests seated helps to maintain intimacy while lessening the gathering of larger numbers at one location waiting to receive their food. Custom linens, a variety of layered plates chosen to reflect your wedding colors, hand-written thank you notes to guests, tiers of candles – these are just a few of the things you can add to your table design as a personalized touch from you
7. Nanomoons
Since restrictions on travel are still very prominent, the typical jetting off to far-off destinations for and extended honeymoon has dwindled. Bring on the “nanomoon” – the exploration of your local region. Many newlyweds are now choosing to stay closer to home and discover what their local area has to offer. They are now choosing to take a road trip to local wineries or state parks, exploring local beaches and lakes that can don’t require getting on a plane and enjoying the sights that may have been missed out on before.
These are just a few of the top wedding trends for 2021 and we are so excited to see how they are incorporated into each couple’s style. Times may still be a bit uncertain, but being able to still plan and have a beautiful wedding will never fade away. We hope that highlighting these for you has helped to spark some ideas and perhaps calm a few of the frustrations that inevitably happen during the planning process. Be sure to check out our Pinterest that features several great links to additional trends and ideas for your consideration.