Post-pandemic, everyone is back to celebrating again, and 2023 is seeing many of the exciting trends that started in late 2022 as the world came back down from the roller coaster of the last two years. This year is all about the spectacle of the weddings and celebrating it as the major event it was always meant to be.
However, weddings these days have come a long way from the ones of our grandparents and even our parents. Old traditions have made way for new ones centered on creating experiences that even wedding guests can cherish for years to come.
So, from statement florals and champagne towers to larger-than-life after-parties and more, let’s explore the latest wedding trends of 2023!
More is More!
After all the postponed events and low-key weddings, boxed in by social distancing restrictions, couples are letting their nuptial imaginations run wild with big, bold weddings that have it all. With the freedom to finally celebrate, couples are embracing maximalism in all its glory, no matter their aesthetic!
From vintage weddings to classic, everyone is looking for more statement floral arrangements in both the ceremony and reception, which are featured extensively from the entrance and throughout the venue. Other popular design elements include:
- Extravagant party outfits and dresses
- Huge, decorated cakes
- Champagne towers
- Longer guest lists
- Bold and bright color schemes
- Multiple patterns and textures
- Interesting flatware, glassware, and high-end china
- Decorated ceilings
- Cold sparks, smoke machines, and streamers for the couple’s exit
Lace Galore
While lace has always been a timeless accent for wedding dresses, this delicate material is now taking center stage with full lace gowns and veils – think Hailey Bieber’s form-fitting, long-sleeved off-the-shoulder lace dress or Lily Collin’s Grace Kelly-inspired Victorian lace gown. Unique and magical, lace can transform a beautiful wedding dress design into the ultimate fairytale fantasy.
However, lace is not just for the bride. It is also finding its place in other wedding decorations, adding just the right touch of whimsy and romance to backdrops, tables, and wedding favors. Interesting ways to add lace to wedding ceremonies include:
- Ceremony arches with lace draping
- Lace accents on ceremony and reception chairs
- Lace centerpieces on tables
- Layered lace runner and table settings
- Lace-wrapped bouquets and boutonnieres
- Wedding cakes with lace-effect fondant or icing
Sustainable Weddings
While 2023 is all about big weddings, there is also a strong focus on sustainability, which has become an important lifestyle concern in recent years. Many couples are making more eco-friendly choices as they plan their big day, from partnering with sustainable vendors to sending out digital invites.
Even wedding dresses are going sustainable, with more brides looking at vintage options and even renting platforms, which is particularly helpful for brides with more than one look. Even those getting custom-made dresses prefer to use thrifty or recycled fabrics to get their custom look while staying environmentally conscious.
Guest Experiences
An interesting shift seen this year is the focus on elevating the wedding experience for everyone, not just the couple. All forms of weddings, from intimate affairs to big-blow outs, are looking for ways to make the proceeding more comfortable and entertaining for guests, making them a bigger part of the festivities.
For many couples who aren’t doing a church-based ceremony, this includes adding a pre-ceremony gathering, where guests can mingle 30 – 40 minutes before the ceremony with a drink and some light music. Also, many like to set up a gift table here so guests have a place to leave their wedding gifts and free up their hands so they can enjoy the ceremony.
Additionally, couples are revisiting a classical trend of midday ceremonies, which were very common in the mid-20th century. Back then, the wedding ceremony was in the morning and the reception in the evening – ala Jackie and John Kennedy or Prince William and Kate – so guests had a chance to rest up and even change into something easier to dance in!
This schedule is more forgiving and gives couples and wedding guests a chance to rest up before the next event.
Reception After Parties
Weddings in 2023 are so much more than the ceremony, which, by the way, is becoming shorter, ranging from 15 – 30 minutes tops. Instead, couples want to spend less time on the formalities and get to let loose! This year, weddings are about the big after-party!
Couples are investing more in this fun event than the ceremony itself, and we are excited to say, not holding back. Reception dinners are getting a makeover with spectacular lighting, interactive video displays, projections, massive dancer floors, impressive sound systems, and plenty of snacks to energize guests so they can enjoy this 3 – 4 hour extravaganza!
On top of that, the focus on multi-entertainment is greater than ever, with various entertainers such as singers, big bands, professional DJs, specialist dancers, and even acrobatic performers being hired to keep the party vibes going all night long!
Destination Weddings
Destination weddings are more popular than ever, but that doesn’t mean every couple is hosting their wedding in an exotic location. Country homes and beaches closer to home are just as enjoyable, and to maximize the experience for everyone, couples are renting venues that feel like a second home but are big enough to house the reception and let guests stay closer together!
Multifunctional spaces with indoor and outdoor areas are in particular demand because they can also host various events, such as rehearsal dinners and brunches, without requiring guests to travel here and there.
The best part of destination weddings is that they can be a weekend or longer! Not only do couples get some more room to spend quality time with their guests, but it also gives everyone a mini-vacation away from their daily lives.
Plan a Wedding to Remember!
No matter which of the wedding trends of 2023 speaks to you, ultimately, you want your wedding to be the event that brings you closer as a couple and lets you have fun with your guests!
The Sid Miller Dance Band can help create a lively atmosphere with music that keeps everyone entertained and dancing the night away!