By Laurette Veres
As the producer of America’s largest wedding planning event, we have the awesome opportunity to sneak a peek at the wedding world’s hottest trends. Houston’s best vendors put their best foot forward each January and July at our premier events. As wedding professionals set the tone for the year to come, here are some trends you should consider as you plan your big day.
To party or not to party?
Gone are the days of large wedding parties. The companions you ask to stand by your side have been with you through thick and thin. Only the best should make the cut; many are opting not to have a bridal party at all.
To heck with Tradition
If it’s been a while since you’ve been to a wedding, you might not recognize the activities. Traditions are being tossed out the window. For instance, no traditional guest book to sign, no bouquet toss, no cake cutting and service, no matching bridesmaids dresses, and no formal departure.
Wedding Friday, Ceremony Saturday
The ceremony is what usually causes the anxiety and requires a rehearsal. Why not get this part out of the way? Host the ceremony on Friday and then turn your attention to the party. Saturday focus on fun!
You must have a Drone
Ever since Lady Gaga launched the drone show at the Super bowl in Houston, drones have been captivating audiences with choreographed displays of light. Drone shows are an eco-friendly alternative to a fireworks show. If you’ve seen one you know how customizable they are. What a great way to depict the couple’s unique story.
Wedding Content Creator
In today’s world nothing seems to be more important than social media. If it’s not on Insta, did it happen? For couples who care about the curated post, a content creator just might be the answer. Don’t be at the mercy of your aunt or cousin, hire a professional content creator to make sure your nuptials are featured correctly on TikTok and Instagram.
Fur Babies
In the past couple of years, pets took on new meanings for couples. Many times offering much needed companionship during lock down. If you can bring your puppy to the wedding…. Do it! If you can’t, you can still involve your furry love in some manner. Consider a sketch of your fur baby on a co*cktail napkin.Or a grooms’ cake or cooking paying homage to your love.
Sustainability
When possible couples are choosing sustainable practice items for their wedding. If you are able to rent or purchase items you will re-use; you might not save money, but you’ll save the planet. Another way to achieve this is to lean into the season. Look around for native plants that don’t have to be shipped in. Search for flowers that are naturally blooming in a garden, and build around them. For instance, here in the Greater Houston area, when the azaleas are blooming in the spring, you could build your color pallet around the beautiful pink, peach and white hues.
Strike a pose…. No more
Photography is going candid. The fewer posed shots the better. Your photographer will still follow you around, but they are going rouge. The focus (pun intended) is to capture the energy of the moment, not just the moment. And remember disposable cameras and Polaroid cameras? They’re back. The net net is couples win as their wedding is captured from many vantage points.
Champagne Towers
This fun way to sever champagne continues to be on trend, well, because champagne towers are fun! Stack your glasses, pop the bubbly, and pour from the top. Tip: you just need to make a tower of 30 glasses, there is no need to serve all your guests from the tower.
Experiential Entertainment
Have you ever seen a roaming silhouette artist? One of the most famous ones, Cindi Rose, lives right here in Houston. Yes, you can delight your guests with a unique item like this. And let this be the year for the live painter – watch the painter work their magic as your reception takes place. The work of art is complete at the end of the event.
Fashion goes Big
Bold patterns with large floral bold lace floral pattern just like Taylor Swift wore at The Eras Tour movie premier. The pattern is what catches the eye and looks great in photos.
Themed Rehearsal Dinners
Tell your story with a themed rehearsal dinner. Do you love movie night? How about an Academy Awards themed rehearsal dinner? Celebrate your Irish heritage with cornbread and cabbage. Love playing Clue? Did you know you can host a murder mystery dinner complete with who done it actors and prizes?
Non-traditional Guest Books
Guests can record their well wishes in vintage audio phones. These cute recording devices entertain your guests and provide you with precious audio you can enjoy for years to come. Message in a bottle is a creative way to collect guest notes of love. coming back. Chose an old vintage wine bottle or a bourdon bottle and have guests leave notes on sticky notes. Read the notes on your first anniversary.
Permanent Favors
Do you even remember the favors you have received over the years? Monogrammed chocolate, honey, mini champagne bottles? Couples are treating guests to bracelets that are welded onto wrists, in addition to tattoos and piercing stations. Yep, you read right. Too avant garde for your taste? Hire an on-site engraver to personalize candles for your guests or an embosser to add initials to leather bound journals.
Recovery Lounge
The night was unforgettable. What about the next day? Don’t host a farewell brunch, instead create a recovery lounge. Include grab and go breakfast, chair massage, and IV drips.
Minimoon Before the Honeymoon
Have to get back to work? Want to save time for that bucket list trip to Egypt? Consider a mini moon right after the wedding and a larger trip at a later date.
Destination Weddings Keep Trending Up
As the cost of doing business in Houston is on the rise, you could turn your attention to a destination wedding. Inherent in this type of escape is the smaller guest list. According to the 2023 Destination Wedding Global Market Report, this industry grew more than According to Research andMarkets’2023 Destination Wedding Global Market Report, the destination wedding industry brought in $7billion more in 2023 than it did in 2022, growing from $21 billion last year to$28 billion this year. The report forecasts that by 2027, the industry will be worth more than $78 billion. They are also so popular due to the increased focus on family.
Who’s Hungry?
Wedding food – make your menu meaningful. If you have a favorite family recipe, this is the time to bring it out. Perhaps print the recipe for folks to take home. Also, late night snacks and food carts are a great way to wow your guests.
To see these trends in real life and so much more at the BridalExtravaganza Show.
#weddinginspiration #2024wedding #groomsmen
#weddingtrends #2024weddingtrends
