Thanks to Pinterest and Instagram, couples are spoiled for choice when it comes to wedding inspiration these days.
As well as keeping abreast of the current trends, everyone’s looking for fun wedding details to make their celebration the one everyone remembers. So, before you order that doughnut wall or four-tier marble cake, check out the wedding trends everyone’s talking about in 2019.
The most famous bride of 2018 is influencing bridal makeup in 2019. Meghan Markle nailed the natural look when she married Prince Harry at St. George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, with a little help from her makeup artist friend, Daniel Martin. Martin told Glamour that Markle wanted a look that was “timeless, effortless and chic.”
“She wanted to look like her best self,” he said.
Brides in 2019 are going for minimalist makeup with glossy lips, said Anna Bessonowa from Magic Day Luxury Experiences.
Grooms and groomsmen in 2019 don’t have to restrict their attire to the traditional colors of black, blue or grey. The modern groom isn’t afraid to make a bold sartorial statement and we’re not just talking about a boutonniere or pocket square.
Expect to see jackets or entire suits in a range of vibrant colors, said Bessonowa — like these dapper chaps at a wedding at Longview Vineyard, Adelaide Hils, Australia. Photographer Dave Pascoe shared the image in May 2019.
You might not expect the groom’s feet to be a talking point at a wedding, but keep your eyes peeled for some quirky sock choices this wedding season. According to boldSOCKS, bright colored argyle, fun patterns and cheeky novelty designs have been the most popular, with countless grooms customizing them with the names of the men in their party or labels such as “groomsman,” “usher” and “best man.”
A growing number of couples want to celebrate their marriage without harming the planet, choosing eco-friendly options wherever possible, such as no plastic and foam-free florals.
“There are lots of creative ways to eliminate wedding waste,” said Kylie Carson from International Academy of Wedding & Event Planning. “To remain environmentally conscious while still focusing on beautiful decor and design, consider using ‘upcycled’ elements and mismatched antiques like recycled stationery, repurposed glassware, or even handpicked florals and foliage that are in-season.”
This sustainable wreath, shown on Instagram by New South Wales floral designer Film and Foliage, is made entirely from dried ingredients and lasts for years.
Brass, copper and gold still have their place in wedding decor, but silver and chrome accents are making a comeback, says Carson. But the goal is a stylish — not overdone — look, like this wedding table setting by Nashville wedding planner Fête Nashville.
“Without blatantly utilizing sequins, try creating a natural mirrored effect with furniture, tableware or even metal glassware,” suggested Carson. “Pewter chargers and serving dishes are particularly stunning when paired with candlelight for a reflective, intimate dining experience.”
Pantone’s Color of the Year always influences wedding trends, so expect to see 2019 weddings feature a lot of Living Coral, like this wedding dressed by GDC Weddings & Events in Cambridge, England. According to Carson, this paves the way for bright accents to make more of an appearance, both in decor and in wedding attire.
“Think shades such as Mango Mojito, Poppy Red, Iris Blue and Primrose Yellow to incorporate bold shades typically found in nature,” she said.
Today’s couples have more than carats on their minds when they’re shopping for wedding jewelry.
“One of the biggest trends in engagement rings and wedding jewelry this year is lab-grown diamond jewelry,” said Haley Anhut, Marketing Manager at Clean Origin, who showed off one such ring below. Lab-grown diamonds are an eco-friendly alternative to mined diamonds, and they come with another bonus: they’re 20-to-40 percent less expensive.
“Millennials are huge advocates for this new type of diamond, as they are constantly looking for ethical alternatives and ways to help make a difference,” added Anhut.
Huge, at-home weddings are increasingly a thing of the past. Instead, couples are now thinking outside of the box when it comes to their venue.
“In today’s experiential landscape, couples want their wedding to be a celebration of love and life, so it’s only natural that they want to plan bucket-list experiences that highlight their passions, or take everyone back to the destination of their heritage to incorporate authentic elements of their culture,” said Lauren Grech, CEO and Co-Founder of LLG Events.
Move over the bridal shower and make way for the “wedding shower.”
“Couples are choosing all-inclusive themes to leave party norms behind and celebrate with every single person, not just the females,” said Grech. “We’re also making these events charitable, as couples can opt to align their wedding registries with initiatives such as VOW — which works to end child marriage by partnering with industry leaders such as The Knot and Crate & Barrel — at no cost to them or their guests.”
If there’s one word that pops up throughout any discussion of 2019 wedding trends, it’s “flexible” — and that applies to the reception in particular.
“We’ve seen a lot of couples doing away with a formal, seated reception that lasts for several hours,” revealed Grech. “Instead, they’re changing the typical wedding day timeline. Some are opting for an extended cocktail hour that lasts for up to five hours, referred to as ‘Gatsby style,’ while others are getting all of their formalities done at the beginning of the night, such as speeches, first dances, cake cutting, etc. so that they don’t have to pay extra for their photographer and videographer, and can spend the last three hours of the night entirely on the dance floor without any interruption!”
The bolder, the better when it comes to wedding flowers, says Shane Pliska, President of the Planterra Conservatory, a botanical garden venue in Michigan.
“Our planners are seeing big, bright, bold colors this year,” said Pliska. “As well as floral designs, it’s being carried through other décor choices, such as linens and candles.”
Huge weddings are a thing of the past, as couples focus on more intimate celebrations with only their nearest and dearest.
“The focus with these smaller weddings is really to spoil the select guests who are in attendance with delicious food (often higher-end entrée choices and multiple courses), and thoughtful and personalized details (such as wine bottles engraved with each guest’s name as the favors or a handwritten note to each guest at their place setting),” explained Holly Patton Olsen from Perfectly Posh Events. However, a smaller guest list doesn’t necessarily mean a smaller budget.
“We’re seeing a lot of intimate weddings splurge on a higher cost per guest than a larger wedding because the couple really wants to create an overall experience for their guests with high-touch elements that really make their wedding distinctive and special,” said Patton Olsen.
Cardstock for day-of-wedding stationery, like signage, menus and place cards, is so 2018.
This year, couples are using their imaginations more than ever for these important details. According to Patton Olsen, popular materials include tile, glass and laser cut metals or acrylics. This custom acrylic design by Oregon-based design and signage company Letters and Dust shows how much of a difference a unique material can make.
A modern alternative to the traditional wedding favor is a welcome bag, which is particularly popular — and useful — when guests are traveling out of state.
“We’re seeing couples get more and more creative with what they are including in their welcome bags and with the popularity of supporting local shops we are also seeing a focus on local products rather than generic bottles of water and snacks,” said Patton Olsen.
Standalone beverage stations have been growing in popularity for a while and they’ll be enjoyed by a record number of wedding guests in 2019. Unique beverage stations during the reception are very popular!
“From an artisan espresso bar with a barista, to whiskey-tasting stations, to craft beer flights, to kombucha on tap, to champagne towers, we’re seeing couples get creative with the beverage options they are featuring at their receptions this year,” said Patton Olsen.
This espresso bar by Key Largo Conch House Catering in Florida Keys is more than a drinks station — it’s a photo opportunity.
It’s a tradition for the bridesmaids and groomsmen to get gifts from the married couple, but instead of the usual jewelry and personalized keepsakes, a new trend is gifting activities, from painting or pottery courses to culinary or cocktail masterclasses, says Bessonowa.
And when it comes to gifts for the couple, there’s no stigma attached to asking for cash nowadays, whether it’s to buy a house or take an expensive trip.
Florals accents have always been a huge part of weddings, but they’re bigger than ever — creating focal points rather than blending into the background.
“Hanging centerpieces are a fabulous way to decorate a space without taking up space, and installations can be as simple as single-strung steam to full floating pieces,” said Joan Wydrum from Blooms by the Box. Expect to see circular and half-moon designs replacing the traditional ceremony arches, and flowers like dahlias, ranunculus, asters and tropical greenery like monstera and palmetto taking center stage.
The donut wall trend has been big for a few years, but it’s on its way out, says Heather Jones from Wente Vineyards. Instead, she predicts new twists on classic favorites, like deconstructed banana splits with frozen, chocolate-dipped bananas and a variety of toppings.
The Dump Buckets show how it’s done.
There’s still a place for custom cocktails at weddings, but the classics like Manhattans, Old Fashioneds and Bee’s Knees are making a comeback in 2019, says Jones. As with all aspects of wedding feasts, the focus will primarily be on fresh ingredients, so think handcrafted syrups and unusual garnishes.
“We’ll continue to see the microbrews, wineries and distilleries being served,” added Jones. “Couples and guests alike love a locally sourced feel.” Give a classic Margarita a twist with a funky straw (paper, of course) in a mini tequila bottle, as photographed by Binita Patel and shared by Longwood Venues.
More than a canape but not quite a full meal, “bowl food” was a talking point after Prince Harry and Meghan Markle‘s wedding, Apparently, their guests enjoyed food served in miniature or hand-sized bowls, accompanied by a small fork.
“Bowl-served foods are going to be at the forefront of wedding menus,” said Meryl Snow from Festivities Events. “The options are endless, whether it’s poke, noodles or full entrees. This presentation allows for easy cleanup, and the marriage of ingredients (no pun intended!) will really draw the eye to the dish’s unique flavor.”
Australian boutique caterers Figmint Catering are all over this trend.
The Economist declared 2019 “the year of the vegan” and this will be reflected in wedding ceremonies across the US (and beyond).
“Prepare for meatless protein to take center stage,” said Snow. “Diet restrictions are no longer a rarity among guests, so ingredients such as lentils, chickpeas and quinoa are becoming more relevant!”
Wedding guests with a sweet tooth will get even more variety in 2019, as traditional wedding cakes make way for a range of layers, flavors and toppings.
“Singular cake flavors are on the way out. Couples and guests want more options and depth to their palate, so deconstructed cake displays are on the rise,” said Trip Wheeler from SB Value.
Baker Natalie Pirovano, @acakestory on Instagram, recently showed off a deconstructed wedding cake she made for friends and it looks delicious.
More couples will jump on the “moon” (professional honeymoon picture) trend this year, like Kaila Elise and her new husband who put their results on Instagram. Photographer Keith Phillips also predicts that more wedding films will be produced in 2019 (“couples and loved ones want to relive the big day”), with the importance placed on short, quick cuts so that the edit can easily be shared on social media.
“We’ll also see more first looks that include parents,” added Phillips.
The silent disco trend has been embraced by the festival and corporate markets for a while now, and it’s finally broken into the wedding scene.
“We are seeing more and more clients adding silent disco to their weddings,” said event planner Tracie Domino. “It’s a way to add excitement to the dance floor late night, but also helps when you have to turn down amplified music due to local noise ordinances for outdoor events.”
The premise is simple: all guests put on their own set of headphones and choose their music channel to throw some shapes on the dancefloor. Meanwhile, guests who want to talk can do so without screaming over the music. The California headphone-rental company, Sound Off Orange County, showed how one of these receptions look on Instagram.
It’s no surprise that many couples want their weddings to be Facebook-friendly and Instagram-worthy. So it’s goodbye to simple photo booths as they opt for “interactive memory makers” like video and green screen options, as well as Boomerang and GIF shoots. says Kevin Dennis from Fantasy Sound Event Services. The photographer at Lace & Lavender Photography posted one Boomerang they shot with a couple at their wedding, showing how fun these can be.
