If you’re planning a wedding in 2021, chances are you are looking for ideas on how other couples are navigating the uncharted waters that 2020 left us in. Now that we are almost halfway through the year, we thought it would be a good time to take our questions straight to the top. We tapped into our favorite wedding vendors for their insight into which trends are ruling the 2021 wedding season, and when they talk, we listen!
Based on what they’ve shared with us, this year we will see couples take back what they had to postpone and do things their own way. They have shifted their focus to make their day more intentional and intimate. There is also a lot of buzz around floral installations and neutral palettes (which are traditionally a classic favorite anyway), but this year, they are definitely worth your consideration. The reason? Couples are in love with organic and muted elements more than ever and neutrals are a great way to expand on this theme.
You can also expect to see luxe linens, oversized bouquets, and more live music. The best part? These trends are perfect for every type of wedding, from chic and elegant to more laid-back celebrations. But we don’t want to give away all the fun, so let’s dive in.
Micro Weddings
When we asked Event Planner Kim Otis what we could expect from the 2021 wedding scene, she summed it up perfectly.
“Micro weddings will still be increasingly popular this year as many couples are still going small even with the promising vaccine news. Couples are also realizing that having a lower headcount, allows them to splurge on other areas like the menu, florals, and other design elements.”
This may not be just a trend, but instead, a long-lasting change that could be around for many years to come. The number of guests you host will have a direct influence on every part of your wedding day expenses. so if wearing your dream dress, hiring a luxury planner, or going over the top with flowers does not fit in your current budget—this is the way to make room.
Neutral Color Palettes
All the rules you have come to know about color and seasonality are being pushed beyond their boundaries. We are seeing couples go all-out neutral for spring weddings that are typically soft and pastel and summer wedding palettes are being swapped out for more muted tones. Bridesmaid gowns, dried florals, tabletop decor, and other elements can be utilized to bring out some of the most sought-after shades like dusty pinks, taupe, mauve, and grey-washed hues.
Unique Entertainment Experiences
Live music is going to rule weddings this year, that’s what Danielle from Divina Artisti shared with us. “Unique entertainment is going to be the backbone trend for 2021 and 2022 weddings. Whether that’s incorporating a Sicilian Parade band (cue ‘The Godfather’) or having live musicians play along with your DJ’s music selections. If your location doesn’t allow dancing or you still are unsure then upping the live entertainment factor is where you want to focus your guests’ attention to keep the celebration vibes in high gear all night long.”
Garden Weddings
With keeping everything outdoors to allow for social distancing, garden-inspired weddings have flourished. Serving as the ultimate source of romantic inspiration, couples have found unique ways to make their wedding details fit seamlessly within this dreamy setting. With so much of the decor being provided by nature, your event designer will be able to run wild with the possibilities.
Couples and designers are not the only ones obsessed with this trend, Photographer, Ashley Abel is also loving the opportunity to use nature as her canvas while she captures her couples during their most precious moments. “There is something magical that happens between my clients as we take their portraits inside of a lavish garden setting. Whether it be for a first look or their exchange of vows, these botanical havens are the definition of beauty and love and I am thrilled they are in high demand.”
Sequel Weddings
Kim, Event Planner at KLOevents tells us that many of her clients are having “wedding 2.0” this year. “While 2020 was the year of postponements, many couples still kept their original wedding date by having an intimate ceremony or elopement, but re-booked the venue and vendors for 2021.”
We love this idea because you still get to tie the knot on your original date but also get to plan a more lavish celebration once local restrictions have been lifted or eased. And with two weddings comes twice the fun and the opportunity to use a completely different theme.
Lush Floral Decor
In our humble opinion, you can never have enough flowers, that’s why we are jumping up and down over the fact that lush floral décor is back in the spotlight this year. From voluminous centerpieces to rose-covered dessert tables, flowers are having a moment! We’re talking – gorgeous ceremony backdrops, overflowing flower pillars, tabletop garlands, and aisles lined with arrangements.
Luxurious Linens
Whether patterned, velvet, sheer, or beaded, linens are an instant upgrade for your table décor. Luxe linens have an undeniable ability to transform an entire space which is a big priority for couples who are looking for impactful ways to incorporate their personality into their wedding day decor.
Geometric Backdrops
While seeing a ton of requests from her clients for geometric backdrops, Sarah from Brehant Creations shared her take on wedding trends in general with us. “So many of our brides are looking for modern boho designs and I am having such a blast designing their wedding. It’s important as a designer not to follow a ton of trends because you want your couples to look back on their weddings and love them for years to come. Our goal is always to keep things timeless, so as the trends of 2021 are geometric backdrops, fun shapes, and warm tones, we do our best to infuse the couple’s vibe and interests into the design and create a timeless look.”
Weekday Weddings
Fridays and Saturdays are no longer the only days of the week couples are tying the knot. For clients who want to get married at a specific venue, Kim has a great tip; “Weekday weddings are much more common this year with so many couples postponing their 2020 wedding to 2021, venues were booking up fast for weekend dates. If couples want to say “I Do” this year and at their fave venue, they are opting to wed on a weekday. It can also be a cost-saving benefit too.”
