The Top Wedding Trends You'll See in 2024
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- Updated: 24th April 2024
Couples are set to shake things up this year as wedding trends in 2024 move away from tradition in a big way.
Over the past four years, we've seen a shift in the way couples think when it comes to planning their wedding. Things like traditional photos, a seated wedding breakfast, and formal speeches, which were once must-do priorities, are now far less important. Fun-factor is the priority! Guests are in for some serious entertainment and good hearty comfort food. The party is the star of the show, after the dress of course, with focus put on each and every guest having an amazing night!
From lengthy weekend-long- yet laid-back gatherings to feasts you can serve on the move, we're sure to see new exciting trends popping up at weddings throughout 2024. Here's a run-down of our predictions for the coming year:
Styling That Represents Your Personality
Bright, bold colours. Patterns and vibrant floral fabrics that represent the style and vibe of the couple are definitely going to be seen more and more. It's no longer necessary to shy away from a strong myriad of colours in dresses, room decor and flowers. Classic muted tones are of course still a stunning option for a neutral wedding, but there's no reason your personality can't shine through with the use of something a little braver!
Laid Back Location
Pinterest recently released their 2024 Wedding Report, which gathered data on the most searched terms for weddings this coming year. ‘Small back garden wedding reception' as a term commonly searched was up +300% this year, an overwhelming result!
By saving pennies and not splashing out on a grand castle or stately home, you can focus instead on quality entertainment and good food. If you're planning a summer wedding, why not concentrate on the space you already have and how that can be utilised for a perfectly planned yet seemingly thrown-together, laid-back wedding.
Garden Weddings
If you've got a beautiful garden, consider having a marquee wedding at your home (or your parent's home if they'll abide!). You've got easy access to a kitchen and all the comforts you love, without having to spend a penny on venue hire. Bonus.
Tying The Knot Outdoors
More and more, couples are heading outdoors to say their I do's. So much inspiration for wedding style and theme can be taken from the world around us when planning a traditional wedding, so why not take the wedding outside instead! Nature will always provide an exquisite backdrop, whether you opt for the beach, a lush vineyard, or the rich earthy hues of the forest.
Couples are picking the time of day to add to the overall effect they want. From fresh early mornings to the golden glow of the magic hour around sunset. The only limitation to this trend is of course the weather. We'd all love to hot-foot it to Barbados for a Caribbean beach wedding but with budget in mind, a carefully planned and adaptable summer wedding closer to home might be the alternative.
Twinkling Lights and Tents
Imagine a festival-esque field with flags, trees, and a stage for your band. Now add a few tipis dotted around, large bell tents for groups to gather, and perhaps a small marquee but the non-traditional kind. Adorn these with festival bunting and disco balls and you're good to go. An outdoor celebration with tents dotted around the space could be a creative way to produce a space worthy of any Glasto-fan's perfect night.
Securing a lighting technician will also help you create the fairy tale location you're looking for. Lights and draped fabric are a match made in heaven for a wedding. As are festoon lights in trees and branches to light the way along paths or to create designated areas for drinks long into the night.
Looking For Unique Wedding Entertainment?
Unplugged and free to roam, an acoustic band will delight your wedding guests.
Live Music! Hire an Acoustic Roaming Band
Live music at a wedding is something else. It brings the crowd together and contributes to the overall style of the day. The excitement and visual impact of a live band just can't be matched by a DJ alone. Talented musicians infuse a wedding with energy and a sense of fresh, joyful, celebration.
Musicians, when playing live, can read a crowd. They can adjust the tempo to suit the audience and if dancing is the aim, create a dialogue with their listeners to ensure everyone is up and moving! Most couples want their wedding guests to feel relaxed enough to dance and have a great night, so choosing the right wedding band for the job is super important. The right act will have the experience and know-how to create the right mood for every occasion.
For something a little different, unplugged and free to roam- an acoustic band will delight your wedding guests. Contemporary acoustic bands can deliver modern pop, folk, indie, soul or live-lounge style covers and classics.
If you're looking for something a little more niche, consider a Mariachi band or lively brass band to get the atmosphere in full flow. If you like the idea of a surprise for your guests, consider undercover singers who masquerade as waiters but have a secret talent they later reveal. Your guests will surely be impressed by that!
Alternative Entertainment
In 2024, couples are getting creative when it comes to adding a bit of fun to their big day. From wedding games to speeches, they're making brave choices to ensure the entire experience is memorable.
Couples might opt for games such as the shoe game. The bride and groom sit back to back and exchange one of their shoes. One of the bridal party asks them questions which they have to answer by holding up a shoe that matches their answer. Include questions such as:
- Who was the first to say I love you?
- Who is a better driver?
- Who has neater handwriting?
- Who dresses more stylishly?
- Who is the better dancer?
- Who is quicker to lose their temper?
- Who says I love you more?
- Who is more likely to be late?
- Who is better at cooking?
- Who got better grades in school?
Even though guests aren't participating, games like this lighten the mood and encourage a sense of fun instead of guests sitting down to hear formal wedding speeches.
Social Media content creator - Think reels!
This trend is brand new for 2024 and is one that's here to stay. For many years, couples have searched high and low for the perfect wedding photographer who documents the day for them and a beautiful album is then created. But in the age of social media and daily content, weddings are often shared first on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok. How about hiring a professional social media content creator to spend the day documenting your wedding? They'll produce reels, shareable video clips, and YouTube and TikTok content for you, which can be instantly uploaded during the day!
Fur Babies!
Bridal couples are leaning toward smaller guest lists and intimate settings. Weddings are all about having your closest loved ones there, and if that is the case, then why not include your pets? Dogs are an adorable addition to wedding photo albums. Well-trained pooches can even double up as ring-bearers. Whether or not someone has successfully included their cat or beloved goldfish in their wedding party remains a mystery.
Ceremony Friday, Party Saturday
This is becoming increasingly popular among couples who want a more intimate environment in which to say their vows. It can be daunting standing up in front of 300 people declaring your love for your life partner-to-be, so how about you only have to do it with your closest friends and family present? The trend in 2024 is to arrange a small ceremony for 30-50 people. Perhaps choosing a harpist or acoustic act to perform. Then organise the party of your life the following day for all of your guests! By the time Saturday rolls around and the party band is playing, the pressure will be off and everyone, including the bride and groom, can relax!
With this concept in mind, there's even scope for two entirely different themes for those indecisive of us. Want a classic wedding you'll look back on and it won't feel dated, but also want to have a bit of tongue-in-cheek fun while you're young and plan something wild? How about a neutral, beautifully simple ceremony one day, followed by a party filled with eclectic decor and bold colours the next? Perfect!
Mid-Week Weddings
Mid-week weddings are becoming more and more popular, and with good reason.
- Save money on wedding venue hire – weekday bookings are usually cheaper than weekends.
- Your guests from out of town will find more affordable accommodation.
- Avoiding crowded weekends means you'll get a booking at your first choice of wedding venue.
- Choose the time of day you want to get married as registrars aren't likely to have other weddings they need to work out times around.
- Pick and choose your favourite wedding suppliers without worrying about availability.
- By saving money on the big things, your budget will go further for those extra special touches or quirky additions such as games and entertainment.
- Your guests get to have a day off work, provided you send out the 'save the date' early enough, that is!
- Celebrate for longer. Midweek wedding with a few days celebrating the following weekend!
- If there's a specific date that's important to you - the birth date of a family member no longer with us, or a special anniversary, you can choose this date to get married even if it's not a Saturday!
Weekend-Long Weddings
If you want your guests with you from start to finish but a one-day wedding doesn't fulfil your party needs, how about a wedding ‘weekend'? Begin proceedings with a Friday evening shindig to get everyone out of work mode. You'll have to limit the drinks if you want everyone to remember the ceremony the following day, but a relaxing evening gathered together could be just the thing before your big day. Friends and family who have never met can get to know each other and you can all break the ice.
Saturday is for the formal ceremony and wedding breakfast. A great day for your close family, maybe those with children, a more formal day. Of course, Saturday night is your party. Drinks, music, games. A change to celebrate now everyone is acquainted and the ceremony you were nervous about is over. Finally, Sunday can be spent eating, drinking, and resting together. Maybe plan a brunch for your wedding party. The celebrations can continue and you truly will make a weekend out of it!
Sequel Weddings
Why does it all have to happen on the same day? If there's a particular date that means a lot to you, why not plan a small, intimate gathering and tie the knot officially, then plan that all-important party to celebrate your nuptials at a later date, perhaps when the weather is good and your guests have time off work to join you? Twice the opportunity to wear your wedding dress and suit too! This arrangement is also ideal for those wishing to get married abroad and perhaps can't have their whole family join. Sequel weddings are proving popular in 2024!
Laid back grub - bowl food and grazing tables
The traditional wedding breakfast usually consists of a three-course sit-down meal with a classic menu. This has its place and lends itself nicely to formal speeches afterwards but perhaps doesn't suit the young modern couple.
If you're hoping to work on the social aspect of your celebration, encouraging guests to mingle, get to know each other, and have a great night, how about food on the go? Bowl food is a trend becoming popular this year with fancy catering companies offering interesting dishes served in simple bowls which you can eat as you wander the space. Such a great concept, especially if you choose a less-than-standard venue.
If that doesn't work with the cuisine you're aiming for, how about a more classic grazing table? We've seen these at events for the past few years but they don't show any signs of disappearing just yet. The concept is simple - a stunning arrangement of food laid out on large boards for your guests to come and go from. Think “buffet” reinvented! A photo op for sure too.
Outdoor wedding, Opt for a Food Van
Some couples are opting for the novelty and festival style of a food truck. A food truck is a practical way of offering people amazing grub outdoors without needing to relocate your entire kitchen! Woodfired pizzas, burritos, gourmet burgers, the options are endless! Local to us in a unique offering - The Cheesy Pig. To die for!!
Cake & Champagne Reception
Smaller weddings often opt to forego the formal sit-down meal in favour of a far sweeter offering. What's more appealing than cake and Champagne?! How about guests are treated to a sweet treat and bottomless bubbles by the glass after the ceremony? You could even combine this with a food truck for later in the evening when your guests are hankering after a tasty dish with their nightcap.
Personal Food Displays
Rather than the grazing platters or standard event buffets, some caterers even offer individual charcuterie boards for the table. This provides a touch of elegance as seated dining negates the need for your guests to queue for their meal. You can still offer this with a laid-back style though, it doesn't have to be formal fine dining. Pinterest has some great examples of individual grazing platters.
Eloping - The Slip-Away Ceremony
As huge formal gatherings are falling slightly out of favour this year, many couples are choosing to disappear off somewhere beautiful to tie the knot without an audience. They are choosing not to have a big, splashy ceremony and instead simply be present in the moment with each other. Whether it's budget-inspired, a deliberate choice to avoid stress or the desire for a simpler occasion that feels right to them, eloping has gained popularity once again and will, I think, continue to do so.
If you are going to do it, do it right! Find a beautiful location, and invite a handful of loved ones if you want to. Remember that you can always have that big celebration at a later stage without the pressure.
All About the Wedding Gown
In 2024, brides are still taking advantage of the opportunity to dress up. There are three distinct trends taking centre stage this year, and we love them all!
The non-wedding-wedding outfit.
Why do we need to stick to tradition? If white isn't your colour or a princess-style ballgown just doesn't tempt, then why not go for something a little different? You could go for a shorter dress with a pouffy overskirt that can be removed for the party later and show off those carefully chosen dream shoes. Guys - how about a colourful suit? Think bold velvets, vintage 50s bold patterns with oversized collars, or even pinstripes. There are endless opportunities to have fun with your wedding attire and classic white dresses and traditional suits don't have to be the only option for you.
Bold romance
Think about using oversized elements, stand-out patterns and eclectic, bohemian fabrics. Layering lace, chiffon, draping sleeves, corseted tops. For an arty wedding, this style is perfect. Take inspiration from rock and roll, or iconic novels. Stevie Nicks, or Miss Havisham. This style is playful, free-spirited and perfect for this year's couples.
The Wedding dress jumpsuit
Another one that has increased dramatically in searches this year according to The Pinterest Wedding Report is the jumpsuit which has increased in search numbers by an enormous +1000%. There's no need to lose the magic and glamour of a wedding outfit if you choose a jumpsuit; available styles often include a detachable train, lace bodice, sparkles!
Hiring a Stylist
With social media at its absolute height right now, every moment of your wedding is likely to be documented by friends, family and guests. If you're a social media influencer, even more so! Have you considered hiring a wedding stylist to plan and shop for every aspect of your wedding attire? You'll never have to worry about maintaining your aesthetic with a professional stylist in charge. They can create mood boards with you during the planning stages and help you decide what really works for you.
Effortless Hairstyles
Simple is better, seems to be the motto of 2024 bridal hair trends. Elevate everyday hair for a classic appeal that is easy to maintain throughout the day and feels very ‘you'. Take a simple chignon or a sleek ponytail, decorate it with jewelled hairpins, or fresh flowers, and you're winning.
Soft, natural curls can be left free, or loosely plaited and decorated with floral elements, adding to the natural look that many brides are opting for.
Soul Wedding Bands
There's nothing that appeals to the masses more than a soul wedding band. Perfect for fans of old-school Motown, Stax, funk, R&B as well as some contemporary chart hits, a soul band will be a breath of fresh air at your reception.
Pump up the playlist with iconic songs from the 60s that will never go out of style, tracks from bands such as The Temptations, The Supremes, and The Miracles. Adding some live soul to your wedding will guarantee an unforgettable event.
Choosing a band for your wedding can seem daunting, but our Beginners Guide to Hiring a Wedding Band will help.
Flower Trends
Flowers are going bold and big this year with full-colour explosions that celebrate life and joy. Wedding style is going to be dominated this year by flowers with decor elements such as sparkles, candelabras and disco balls falling slightly out of favour.
Centrepieces Move Up
The elaborate centrepieces that used to sit atop the tables are now suspended as floral works of art. Apart from freeing up space and emphasising clean minimalism, suspending centrepieces fill the empty space above head height with a pop of colour that is full of wow factor. Of course, you'll have to choose your venue perfectly if you'd like to achieve this idea, but a barn or old building with free-hung beams would be ideal.
Trailing Bouquets
Bridal bouquets are getting bigger, spilling over with big blossoms in a vibe very much inspired by the 80's. Iconic images of brides with huge dramatic bouquets are dominating wedding magazines and social media this year. If you want to recreate this effect without breaking your budget, ask your florist for seasonal blooms and lots of greenery. Those two things should keep the cost down.
Dried Flowers
Dried flowers will still be a popular choice for 2024 couples, particularly mixed with fresh flowers. Dry flower creations with muted bohemian colours look incredible and can be cleverly used in bouquets and installations. The added benefit of going for a dried flower bouquet as it will remain perfect as a keepsake long after your big day.
Earth-Friendly Nuptials
Weddings are a big deal; they take a lot of effort to plan, and naturally, the number of resources needed to make sure your big day goes without a hitch is immense. In 2024, climate change is something we are all thinking about more than ever, with many of us doing our bit to care for the environment and protect our planet. Your wedding is no reason to forget the values important to you. Here are a few ways you can reduce your impact on the environment when wedding planning:
- Rent as much as possible ... dresses, suits, decor and furniture.
- Brides are leaning towards dried flowers, silk flowers or potted plants for bouquets and decor.
- Couples are opting for electronic 'save the dates', wedding invitations, and RSVP's.
- Reduce the use of single-use anything, choosing to live by the motto, 'if you need to use it, rent it.'
- Be aware of food waste.
- Use only biodegradable confetti, petals or rice.
An earth-friendly wedding will help the environment but will also raise awareness among guests who may not be that way inclined.
Make it ‘You&rsquo
Your wedding should always tell your story. It's important not to let tradition and expectation take away from your style preferences as a couple. Be brave and inject a bit of you into your wedding plans! If you love the 70s, use this to influence your outfits, choice of band or food. Love to travel? Plan a beach wedding. You don't always need to marry in a stately home!
Wedding Cake Reinvented
These days, the concept of a formal cake-cutting and seated offering is changing. Many couples opt for a smaller, visually beautiful wedding cake alongside a sweet table of goodies such as brownies, cheesecakes, and desserts that guests can tuck into at any time during the party. The cake itself becomes something of a take-home gift for guests at the end of the night rather than a formal part of the running order.
Informal Speeches.
Traditionally, speeches were read by the groom, best man and father of the bride, but in 2024, a much more informal approach is being taken by many, which includes speeches or moments focused on special members of the wedding party, or even pre-recorded clips, words of love or picture reels played on a screen to guests. Your speeches could even be live-streamed on your socials!
2024 Wedding Trend Roundup
Weddings are more than just witnessing two people commit themselves to each other. The focus of weddings is moving away from the impressive and embracing inspirational. More than ever before, couples are focusing on what is meaningful and making choices that are intentional.
Weddings are a celebration of life, love, and how precious family and friends are, and the wedding trends for 2024 reflect that.
Nothing adds life quite like music. If you'd like a live band to bring life and soul to your big day, call us at 0845 073 9440.
