Predicted Wedding Trends for 2024
According to a recent article on Vogue online, the biggest trend for 2024 weddings, is the non-wedding wedding! Their army of wedding experts suggest that it’s out with all the old established traditions to pave the way for a deeply personal, alternative celebration. But is it really time to buck all ideas of weddings as we know them? Here we look at some alternative wedding day ideas.
The ‘Where’
Here at Coastal Tents, we may have been creating unforgettable outdoor weddings since 2014 but it wasn’t until the pandemic that outdoor nuptials really rose in popularity. The government made a temporary change in the law to allow weddings to be legally conducted in a wider selection of outdoor spaces, rather than the previously restrictive ‘beneath an approved structure’ rule! This has since been made more permanent, meaning there are so many more licensed outdoor options.
But couples are also choosing to ‘do the legal bit’ with fewer guests, and then hosting a beautiful outdoor ceremony (using a celebrant) in breathtaking natural areas, charming family gardens and simple private outdoor spaces.
Not only can you choose to marry with the most incredible views (we love Studland Bay House and Burnbake for their sea views) but there is something really special about marrying outside. All our senses are awakened when we’re in nature - imagine a gentle breeze, the warmth of the sun and the sound of bird song in the background. Research has shown that when multiple senses are awakened, we are more present in the moment and feel more connected to our memories. What a lovely way to create an unforgettable wedding day for you and your guests.
The ‘When’
How many weddings have you been to that started around 2pm with the ceremony, followed by a drinks reception, wedding breakfast, speeches and then dancing? If you’re anything like us, then that’s pretty much every wedding we’ve been to. And while this is still the most popular way, (and let’s add, a fantastic way of doing it), there are no longer any rules when it comes to the structure of your day.
Growing in popularity is the idea of a split wedding, with the ceremony taking place on one day and the ‘party’ following later (be it a day, a week or more). What we love about this idea is that it creates even more possibilities for the style and theme of your party! While you may love the idea of a traditional wedding for your ceremony, you could then go wild with your outfits, guest dress code, decorations and menus for the party!
Another great reason for choosing to marry this way is that it allows you to really enjoy each element. Since the whole reason for marrying is to commit yourselves to one another, the ceremony is a pretty big deal! By keeping things separate you can really focus on this special moment without feeling rushed, or worse still, worrying about speeches or whether your table planning will work out ok.
The ‘Who’
No – we’re not suggesting you reconsider your current partner! This is more about ditching the formal ‘roles’ and associated prerequisites. Rather than matching bridesmaid dresses, best men stood during the ceremony and ushers dashing about keeping the order of the day in check, its more about guest experience. For example, more brides are choosing to get ready with their favourite ladies but not an allocated ‘bridal party’. You can easily incorporate friends and family to be part of the wedding if you wish, but by keeping things simple there is less to organise beforehand (matching wedding attire for example). The focus is on you as a couple and your guests don’t have to worry about any responsibilities.
The Food
One of the biggest changes to traditional weddings is around the catering and we love seeing new ideas and trends emerging. Couples are able to personalise their wedding day by choosing food that represents their shared experiences and cultures. With things such as family recipes being recreated by caterers, there is a definite move towards non-formal menus. We’re also seeing more and more couples wanting to provide memorable culinary experiences for their guests – think live cookery!
Sharing Platters
For many of us, there’s nothing better than getting a group of friends round and sharing delicious plates of food. Your wedding should symbolize you as a couple so why not incorporate this into your wedding day. We chatted to Stephen Green, Head Chef at Coastal Kitchen Catering. They’re based in Hampshire and cover all surrounding counties, supplying food for weddings, parties and events. We asked Stephen about emerging wedding catering trends, and he agreed that shared food is gaining in popularity. “Anything on vintage planks is becoming a popular trend. These offer a rustic and visually appealing way to serve appetisers, charcuterie, or even main dishes. The variety of textures and colours help enhance the overall aesthetic of food presentation. It also adds a unique touch and encourages a shared, communal atmosphere among guests”.
Themed Dessert Stations
If you want full on party vibes for your wedding, then reducing the amount of time guests spend sitting down formally dining will help. Rather than serving dessert, set it up on the side of the dance floor to allow people to graze! We absolutely love the emerging idea of themed dessert stations. Here are a few of our favourites:
· Affogato – creamy vanilla ice cream drowned in hot espresso coffee! Add a liqueur to get the party going! Coffee, dessert and cocktail in one!
· S’mores – replicate a cosy mini bonfire and have all the ingredients set out as a DIY station.
· Cake Pops – a great alternative to a wedding cake and a fun way to add colour.
· Churros – serve in cones with a choice of dipping sauces.
· Doughnut Wall – imagine hundreds of colourful iced ring doughnuts hanging on pegs. Fun, quirky and delicious!
You could even place desserts in take-away boxes to satisfy late night cravings!
The Styling
It might not be new, but sustainability will continue to be a key factor that couples consider for all aspects of their wedding, and this is particularly prominent when it comes to décor. With many of the venues we work with and the outdoor spaces that couples choose, there are already stunning backdrops with gorgeous colourful gardens and some spaces really need little in addition. But for table decorations and inside our tipis and marquees, we love the move towards non-floral accents. Rather than masses of cut flowers, stylists and florists are looking at other natural materials to complement displays – fruits, mosses and even fungi will bring texture, height and colour. Potted plants, succulents and herbs also work well and can be used as wedding favours for guests. Wedding stylist Melissa Rose Design often adds potted living trees and greenery to our structures – a beautiful way of bringing the outside in!
What we love about weddings is the fact that you can really create your very own day. By choosing an outdoor wedding you generally have even more scope to make the day your very own. Choosing some of the things you have always loved about other people’s weddings and then adding your own unique elements is a lovely way to embrace tradition and modernity. We hope this has given you some ideas but if you need any more, check out our other blog posts or give us a call to talk through your options!
We cannot wait to see what you all do xxx