The Wedding Trends That Are In—And Out—For 2024 (2024)

When Vogue asked eight of the world’s top event planners to share their predictions for 2024 wedding trends, one term kept popping up again, again, and again—the non-wedding wedding. Let Melissa Sullivan, of Studio Sully, summarize it in a sentence: “Most of our couples are asking for non-wedding weddings: They’re wanting to celebrate their love with their family and friends but not to stick to all the stuffy traditions.” The data backs this up: According to a Pinterest report published in May, searches for “nontraditional wedding dresses” on the platform have spiked 110%, whereas “nontraditional wedding vows” went up 205%. The phrase “anti-bride,” meanwhile, increased by 480%.

What makes a non-wedding wedding, exactly? Menus that focus on casual, family-style food. Fly-on-the-wall photography. Intimate ceremonies with larger, separate parties the next day. (“Weddings continue to be less and less structured,” says Dawson Haynes and Lynn Easton of Easton Events.) Smaller bridal parties, if there are bridal parties at all.

Then there’s the fashion: More and more couples are including stylists in their budget to ensure they have looks that feel like them.

The rise of the non-wedding has also caused some traditions to fall by the wayside: The days of sweetheart tables, it seems, are behind us, as is cake-cutting table service. (“Let’s face it, by the time the cake is cut and distributed, your guests are most likely three sheets to the wind and—hopefully—on the dance floor,” says Bronson van Wyck. “The goal is to keep the celebration going, not coax them back to their seats.”) And while a white-and-green color palette is always a classic, many couples want more distinguishable, personal decor. “I’m seeing a lot of bold patterns, a lot more color, and people are getting extremely more adventurous when it comes to designing their wedding,” says Fallon Carter. TL;DR—formality just for formality’s sake is out.

So without further ado, here are the 2024 wedding trends to consider—and what to avoid.

What’s In

Ceremony Friday, Party Saturday

Weddings are different from any other kind of party because you’re balancing a set of expected traditions with the desire to have fun. Sometimes trying to (ahem) marry the two either fails to pay respect to the former or limits the scope of the latter.

Consider getting married one day and giving the party the next. By separating the sacred aspects from the profane ones, you kill two birds with one stone. You open up unlimited possibilities for the party—themes, decorations, dress codes, run of show, menu—and, because even the most laid-back couples can feel anxiety on their wedding day, you’re freeing yourself up to go all in on partying on day two. —Bronson van Wyck, Van Wyck & Van Wyck

Dutch Masters–Inspired Florals

The influence of Dutch Masters–inspired floral design is evident as well. People are catching on to the trend of artful, fruit-dripped tablescapes with creative, often darker arrangements. —Colin Cowie

Flowers are in and in a heavy old way. We are seeing big, extremely architectural moments. —Fallon Carter, Fallon Carter Events

To-Go Wedding-Cake Slices and Dessert Stations

Skip the actual table service, and pass slices to those guests who want them, and for the rest, place them in custom to-go boxes to grab on their way out. This will ensure the dance floor stays full and the late-night revelers satisfy their midnight cravings. —B.V.W.

The move toward funkier desserts isn’t new—but themed stations are! Rather than espresso martinis, serve affogatos. (Coffee and ice cream are a delight and serve two needs at once.) Or have a fruit station with tajin and maybe a chocolate fountain. —Melissa Sullivan, Studio Sully

Drone Shows

Enter the era of the drone show! This innovative spectacle offers a fresh and elevated take on the traditional fireworks display. Drone shows are not only more environmentally friendly, thanks to the absence of smoke associated with fireworks, but they also provide greater customization and choreography options to reflect the couple’s unique story. It’s a win-win situation in our book. —Bryan Rafanelli, Rafanelli Events

Wedding Stylists

Our brides and grooms are taking their wedding wardrobes to new heights, enlisting the help of professional stylists to curate diverse looks for their special wedding weekend. From embracing non-white and nontraditional wedding dresses to giving the wedding party more freedom to style themselves, wedding attire is all about making a statement. This attention to style adds a touch of sophistication to the overall celebration. —B.R.

More and more of our brides are interested in dedicated stylists for the weekend. While providing hair and makeup for family and friends is still a lovely gesture, brides want to be sure they are very comfortable with their hair and makeup talent and are investing in stylists who are there solely for their beauty needs. —Augusta Cole

Digital Guest Books

In 2024, the conventional guest book is making room for an innovative digital experience. The digital guest book offers the bride and groom a more immersive journey through the well-wishes shared by their guests. Imagine reliving your special day with the ability to revisit heartfelt photos, engaging videos, and touching audio messages, all weaving together the narrative of the day you shared. Plus, this digital guest book eliminates the worry of losing or damaging these cherished written memories. —B.R.

Tonal Design Palettes

Without shying away from color, we are finding our clients being drawn to tonal palettes. As with a recent shades-of-blue wedding dinner in Venice we organized, there is built-in restraint and sophistication when challenged to work with one color—but there is also really interesting layering and depth of design that comes into play. —A.C.

Documentary-Style Photography

A documentarian style of photography and social content will be a top priority in 2024. Couples want fewer posed portraits and more candid content. A dedicated team of photographers, videographers, and content creators will be brought on-site to capture and post the event in real time. —Jennifer Zabinski, JZ Events

Restaurant Receptions

Restaurants are no longer being considered just for rehearsal dinners! Have fun decking out a restaurant you love. Infuse your personality by way of decor. And don’t underestimate the power of a good staff uniform. It’s the most underutilized decor element that every guest interacts with and remembers. —M.S.

Private Ceremonies

More couples are choosing to have more intimate, private ceremonies. At Cunningham Farms in Maine, a couple opted for a first look and private vows in a serene forest setting. —C.C.

Over-the-Top Guest Dress Codes

Whether our clients are getting married in their charming hometown or on the other side of the Atlantic, the allure of encouraging adventurous guest fashion is on the horizon. Providing dressing guidelines has become a sophisticated trend, injecting creativity and a tinge of rebellion into what typically would be defined as a traditional celebration. Our favorite attire request of 2024? Your most outrageously en vogue attire…coming to you soon in St. Lucia. —Dawson Haynes and Lynn Easton, Easton Events

Black-tie no longer means just ball gowns and penguin tuxedos. Formality can be fun and creative and should be. Encourage guests to add their own creative flair with a dress code like ethereal black tie (but be careful not to get too obscure as to confuse and stress out your guests or overly prescriptive in a way that feels limiting). —M.S.

Male Brooches

We have a strong affection for the introduction of a unique accessory in the world of men’s fashion: the brooch. It effortlessly combines whimsy and elegance, allowing you to tailor your selection to a specific interest. And it can be a perfect gift for your groomsmen! —B.R.

Meaningful, Nonformal Menus

The menu should feel very personal and not generic just for the sake of formality. Consider including a family recipe and printing it on the menu. If you don’t have one, consider a dish from a notable dinner date. We recently curated a fully Vietnamese dinner experience to honor the groom’s heritage in a tropical-garden estate in Los Angeles. Filet mignon is out, pho is in. —M.S.

Wedding Crests

We’re all used to branding your events and having your monogram all over the place, but now we’re going into creating custom logos that aren’t necessarily the couple’s names. They’re an emblem or a crest that’s used throughout the event. —F.C.

Negative Space

We are seeing a shift toward embracing negative space in our tented events. We are leaving a little breathing room for larger design moments to create a huge impact when juxtaposed against empty space. This is one of the most critical components of creating quiet luxury. —D.H. and L.E.

Champagne Towers

What’s old certainly is new again: Cue the Champagne tower. Champagne towers offer a glimpse of glimmer and glam—and are a catalyst for a good time! —F.C.

Sustainability

People are much more mindful of sustainability all around. That means: What are we giving away? Can the trinket be a little less filled with plastic? Also being extremely mindful about how the decor impacts the environment. For some of our weddings on a private estate or at a family farm, we’re growing flowers in advance that we want to use for florals. —F.C.

What’s Out

Sweetheart Tables

The trend of exclusive sweetheart tables is waning. Couples are opting to celebrate with friends and family, choosing communal dining experiences over an isolated table for two. I love this trend. You get to spend the rest of your life eating with your spouse. This is one of the only times all your friends and family are here to celebrate you—why not dine with them? —C.C.

Farewell Brunches

The last thing guests desire after a long celebratory weekend is another formal event, especially one that takes place the morning after a raucous night. Skip the farewell brunch, and let them embrace the tranquility of a well-deserved, hungover respite. —B.V.W.

Bows

Bows have peaked. Bows are classic for a reason and are cost-effective, but are everywhere at the moment and need a rest. —M.S.

Large Bridal Parties

We have seen a shift in smaller and more intimate guest counts, and as a result, smaller bridal parties. A smaller bridal party of your closest inner circle allows for more quality time and ease throughout the day, from getting ready together to group photos prior to the festivities. —J.Z.

Traditional Cake Cuttings

Rather than a traditional cake cutting, we anticipate creative alternatives for a unique spin on tradition and for those who aren’t cake lovers: dessert stations, a silent cutting, or skipping it altogether to make way for late-night food. —J.Z.

Let’s face it, by the time the cake is cut and distributed, your guests are most likely three sheets to the wind and (hopefully) on the dance floor. The goal is to keep the celebration going, not coax them back to their seats. —B.V.W.

The White-and-Green Color Palette

The white-and-green color palette is out. Color trends are ever-changing, but in 2024 we will see a lot more bold colors. Lavender, green, and white were big this year—next year, we’re seeing a swing toward warm, hot colors like poppy red and sunset colors. —M.S.

We’ve been in this zone of 50 shades of white with a splash of green for a little bit. I’m seeing a lot of bold patterns, a lot more color, and people are getting much more adventurous when it comes to designing their wedding. —F.C.

Formal Departures

Many couples are opting to continue the celebration after the wedding reception by going directly to the after-party without a formal departure. —D.H. and L.E.

Matching Bridesmaids Dresses

We’re seeing a move from uniform bridesmaid gowns to the individualized-gown trend. While matching dresses is more traditional, it provides less visual interest in the overall aesthetic. By assigning bridesmaids a specific color or pattern, they can add a bit of their personality to the attire. —J.Z.