In 2020 we saw a lot of weddings get downsized, rescheduled, and scaled back - but we are here to make up for it in 2021! After being quarantined for most of 2020 these celebrations with family and friends mean more than ever. We are seeing couples put a lot of thought into the details of their wedding day and aiming to make them a more intimate and traditional experience - while still adding a little bit of spice. Looking for the latest wedding trends? 2021 calls for smaller weddings, new color pallets, and more! We share all of the popular trends below.
1. Small, Intimate Weddings
We still expect to see smaller weddings in 2021. This year, people are continuing to keep their guest lists small and intimate. We’ve been seeing and will continue to see, many micro-weddings, backyard weddings, and elopements.
2. Twinkly Lights
For outdoor weddings in 2021, twinkly lights are extremely popular - and it’s no surprise as to why. Twinkly lights formed into a wedding tent adds a romantic and whimsical touch to the outdoor space. What’s more, working with lighting technicians gives you the opportunity to create the specific ambiance you are looking for with your mood lighting.
3. Sustainable Wedding Practices
Today, people are more eco-conscious than ever. The latest of the 2021 wedding trends is sustainable wedding practices. At weddings this year, you’ll see people making efforts to reduce their footprint by using less single-use plastics, renting items when possible, sending digital invitations, and more.
4. Mini Appetizers
Small plates are a big 2021 wedding trend. From mini charcuterie boards to tiny picnic baskets and mason jars filled with salad, portioned foods for one are going to be a popular occurrence for weddings in 2021.
5. Mini Cakes
The theme of mini, single-portioned foods doesn’t end with appetizers - small cakes for one are also trending this year! Rather than making a statement with a multi-tiered cake, many brides and grooms are opting for single-tiered cakes or small, individual cakes that each person can enjoy separately.
6. Brunch Weddings
Another 2021 wedding trend? Brunch weddings! Enjoy mimosas and Bloody Mary’s at a daytime reception! With many outdoor weddings taking place, many weddings are taking place when it's daylight. Brunch weddings give you the option to continue the reception throughout the entire day without the need to fear getting tired from staying up all night. After a celebration of love and yummy breakfast foods and drinks, you’ll have the rest of the late afternoon to relax.
7. Higher End Invitations
With wedding sizes being smaller, and the focus will be on those intimate details, we can expect to see higher quality wedding invitations, with luxe features like letterpress, white ink printing on dark envelopes, and vellum paper overlays for example.
8. Rust Color Pallet
Every year we see a new color pallet emerge for brides to plan around. One of the big wedding trends for 2021 is using a lot of rust colors - reddish-brown, red-orange-brown, or even a reddish-yellow color comb. These colors will go great with greenery and give your wedding a boho aesthetic.
9. Bold Dresses
From bridesmaid dresses to wedding dresses, one of the wedding trends for 2021 that we are seeing is bold, unique dresses. Brides will opt for their bridesmaids to have deep, darker colors (maybe even black) and will choose larger, statement gowns for themselves. We also predict that most brides will choose to have a fun, reception dress to change into after the ceremony.
10. Dried Florals
Florals, for weddings? Groundbreaking. This year, we will see a heavy shift to the dried floral trend - adding more texture to bouquets, centerpieces, and backdrops - and giving weddings a more bohemian feel.
11. Custom Cocktails
Custom cocktails are another 2021 wedding trend. Many couples are creating creative, pre-made drinks and naming them after important aspects of their life, whether it be their pets, college, or a special memory. What’s more, some couples go the extra mile and create custom coasters or Koozies to go with their drinks, leaving guests with a fun memento to remember the day by.
12. Mobile Bars
Since we will see smaller weddings and a lot happening in venues or areas that aren’t your typical wedding locations - such as backyards, parks, or smaller venues - mobile bars are an option to bring the party to you - wherever you are.
13. Neon Signs
One of the other fun 2021 wedding trends includes adding some personal touch to your decor. This includes neon signs. These signs can be customized (like using the couple’s last name), and are a great addition to your cocktail hour, reception, or afterparty. They can be used as a photo backdrop, ambiance lighting, and can be a keepsake for the couple’s home.
14. “In Lieu of Favors”
While many look forward to receiving a small memento of a wedding, I think in 2021 we can expect to see more couples opting to donate instead of spending money on favors.
15. Longer Celebrations
As smaller weddings are becoming more popular, many couples are choosing to extend their celebration to last the whole weekend. After the wedding, many guests are enjoying a reception immediately after, as well as a whole next day of festivities, making it a fun small getaway from daily responsibilities for all.
Finding the Perfect Wedding Venue
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