Wondering what wedding trends and styles to expect for weddings in 2023? Over the past eight years, our team has seen many different wedding trends take the event world by storm. We firmly believe that each couple’s wedding vision is unique to them, and is beautiful no matter how it aligns with the current ‘trends’– but we thought it would be fun to share what will and won’t be popular as we enter this new season! Here’s what we’ll be seeing more– and less– of in the 2023 wedding season:
What’s in for 2023?
Color
In recent years, we’ve seen neutral, minimalist aesthetics take over the industry. We have so much love for those color schemes and it never fails to amaze us when we see our barn transformed into a boho or modern minimalist dream. But, if Pantone’s 2023 Color is the Year is any indication, color will be making a comeback this wedding season! Kahly Antal, owner and lead designer at Thistle and a Twig Floral Design , shares that she is hearing more requests for good, saturated colors and large scale statement floral displays going into 2023. From bold and bright to light and whimsical, we’re excited to see how couples have fun with color in their wedding designs.
Sustainable practices
Joelle Parks, owner and event planner at Joelle Parks Events Co., says that over the past few years she’s seen many couples place an emphasis on intentionality and sustainability for their wedding day. They no longer want to do things just because it’s tradition or they feel like they ‘have to.’, That is a trend that is only going to grow going into 2023. We see this trend taking hold in many ways, but just to name a few: purchasing decor with the intention of using it in everyday life after the wedding (think vases, dried florals, etc), buying flowers grown locally, buying decor secondhand to give it a new life (there are Facebook groups and websites dedicated to this purpose for weddings!), and creating a station so guests can bundle and take flowers home with them as wedding favors. Eco-chic, eco-luxe, whatever you want to call it– sustainable weddings are in!
Vintage throwback decor
We will continue to swoon over amazing modern aesthetics this season, but in 2023 we’ll also start to see more traditional touches reminiscent of our parents’ wedding days. From vintage cakes with detailed piping, to pearl accessories, vintage attire, velvet accents, and larger-than-life floral displays, we’ll be seeing the throwback aesthetic everywhere this season. Randi, founder and lead designer at Sugar Euphoria , says that vintage style cakes have been making their way back into her couples’ mood boards ever since Gwen Stefani and Blake Shelton’s show-stopping multi-tier wedding cake was shared.
Giving photographers artistic license
You’re familiar with the traditional ‘family portrait’ time on a wedding day, where all the family and wedding party gathers to take photos with the couple in different groupings. While this is a great way to ensure you have the photos you want with everyone, in the new season we’ll be seeing a shift towards couples prioritizing more natural, candid photos of moments with family and friends throughout the day. In the same vein, we are seeing couples trusting their photographers to make works of art so you can also expect to see more blur-motion photography, film photography, and artistic license in general! The result: beautiful and authentic photos to cherish for years to come.
Non-uniform wedding party attire
In the last couple of wedding seasons, we’ve been seeing an increase in mismatched wedding party attire, where the wedding party is given a color and chooses their own outfit cut and style based on that theme. We know it can be hard to find an outfit everyone is going to love and feel comfortable in, and mismatched cuts/styles in the same color has been the perfect solution. In 2023, more couples will go a step further with non-uniform color as well as style! Most couples have multiple colors associated with their wedding vision, and we’ll be seeing more of these colors reflected in the wedding party attire.
What’s out for 2023?
Guest favors
In the shift for couples to be more conscious of sustainability in their wedding planning, guest favors will be one of the first things to go. Historically, while favors can make for a cute photo, they are often left behind by guests and ultimately become waste after the wedding day comes to a close. In this new wedding season we’ll see more couples opt either for sustainable wedding favors such as thrifted mugs or cups, a treat, live plants, or no favor at all. After all, you’re already hosting an amazing evening of food, drink, and celebration for your guests and many are no longer expecting a favor! Tip: want to offer guests a favor and extend the life of your beautiful florals? Offer a bouquet bundling station complete with scissors, kraft paper, and ribbon at the end of your reception.
Firework Displays
Another example of a shift towards sustainability– couples are taking into consideration the environmental impact of fireworks. Instead, couples will come up with creative ways to close out their celebration like cold sparkler machines to light their path, colorful smoke bombs, or ribbon wands. Oh, and let’s not forget the last dance– a beautiful solo moment for the couple during the last song of the evening as guests are lining up for the exit.
Uncomfortable Footwear
We may still see a stiletto or shoe that gives more height, but more and more brides in 2023 will opt for both comfort and style by wearing a vintage ballet flat, pearl-accented low-heel mule, embroidered sneaker, or other cute flat-soled shoe. They can dance the night away without any pain, and have more occasions to re-wear the shoe after the wedding.
