Wedding Trends for 2023

With 2023 upon us, here are some wedding trends to be on the lookout for this year.

Get Dressed Up: Black and White Tie weddings 

This is coming fast and fierce.  After having several years of mini and backyard weddings everyone is ready to get dressed up.  Two thirds of the weddings we have planned in 2023 are Black Tie or Black Tie Encouraged. I think we may even see the resurgence of white tie in the months to come.  Which leads to the next trend I expect…

Fancy Photo Booths: Introducing the live photographer photo booth

I think we may see the sun set on photo booths with silly signs and hats and maybe even the digital ones that take photos and gif’s that go straight to your phone via text.  But replacing this fun and interactive element will be portrait vignettes with a live photographer (like Banga Booth or Dennis Kwan’s Portrait Experience) who helps to pose guests and make sure you look your best in a well designed setting. Dennis’ experience even includes an actual print to be taken home with the guest. This is a “favor” I could get behind.

Warm Welcomes: The pre-ceremony cocktail hour

In the past you may have attended a wedding where you were delighted by champagne on arrival.  This doesn’t typically work if your wedding day event begins at the church but will if guests are gathering at an alternative location for the ceremony. A pre-ceremony cocktail hour gives your guests 20-30 minutes to mix and mingle and receive a warm welcome before they sit for the ceremony or board shuttles that will be taking them to your ceremony at the church.  It’s a nice surprise to be offered a glass of champagne or a signature cocktail and maybe have some music. This is a great location for a beautiful welcome sign and gift card table so that guests can immediately get that off their hands.

Digital Dates: Save the dates are going digital versus by mail

Postage rates are on the rise again and mail is continuing to get slower.  Digital save the dates have turned a new leaf in the last couple years and truly can be stunning.  Not only are digital save the dates faster and less costly, but they’ll free up some of your stationery spending allotment to upgrade your invitations. It’s also nice because they can offer a direct link to your wedding website.  If your stationer doesn’t offer digital design, you can still turn to them to see if they have someone they can collaborate with to make sure there is consistency from start to finish.

Lace: Not just on dresses, expect it in designs
Wedding design follows fashion and lace has finally made its way. With long sleeves, full lace dresses, and gorgeous veils beautifully adorned with lace; I knew it would be just a matter of time and I am here for it. Let Lace Live! From lace runners and tablecloths to entry draping details, to wedding cakes and invitations; be on the lookout for Elizabethan Core to arrive (see more here).  

While we’re ushering in these trends, these few can die a sudden death:

Monograms on dance floors and walls.  Anything, literally anything can be designed on a dance floor these days with the new dance floor wrap technology.  Leave the monogram to papers & small details.

The dress on a hanger photo. Can we stop this?  Ask your dresser/stylist or coordinator to bring a dress form to photograph and style your dress so that we don’t have to see the “underthings” of your beautiful gown.

Sparklers.  Haven’t enough people been burned? Get cold sparks or fireworks.  Say no to fire sticks in the hands of people who have been socially drinking for 4-5 hours.

Unpopular opinion (I’m prepared for the backlash). Knotted napkins. Nobody wants to untie them. There are 80 other ways to beautifully fold and present a napkin that adds a beautiful layer and or texture to your table design.  While we’re here, let me remind you that placing napkins in glasses or coffee mugs on dinner tables are still abhorred ideas.

Nobody wants a favor.  Give your guests a treat on the way out (warm cookies and a bottle of water) or a guest portrait - but absolutely we can stop with the wine corks and luggage tags.

For more 2023 trends, read this Martha Stewart Weddings article that we contributed to. Images by: Shauna and Jordon, Chris Glenn, Jayleigh Flood and Maria Glassford