As the years go by, wedding trends continue to evolve as each wedding season passes. As new trends come to be, they are shaped by cultural and design shifts that create a more personal experience throughout the wedding design. Centered on tradition and authenticity, the intention behind a modern-day wedding design is completely different from what it used to be. Whether it’s your own wedding or helping a loved one design their own, knowing what trends are in and what trends are out will help you design a meaningful, modern, and relevant wedding design that will be memorable for years to come.

What’s Out:

1. Overly Formal Celebrations

While many couples want to create an elegant atmosphere, an ultra-formal feel isn’t the first option couples are gravitating towards anymore. Moving away from a rigid timeline and overly traditional ceremonies, couples are focusing more on a relaxed atmosphere that has their guests and themselves feeling comfortable and at ease. Having a more laid-back ceremony and free-flowing reception will have everyone enjoying the night with zero stress.

2. One-Size-Fits-All Décor

Having matching décor covering every inch of space is becoming outdated. Incorporating mixed textures, layers colors, being more intentional with hand-chosen installments, and mismatched design elements add more personality and personalization rather than simplicity and tradition.

3. Impersonal Guest Lists

Couples are shifting from having expansive guest lists to creating a more intimate guest list. Prioritizing quality over quantity by hosting a smaller number of family and friends creates more quality time with each other and makes every guest feel specifically chosen. This will allow you to have more personal experiences with your guests and also help your budget stretch with fewer people to feed.

4. Excessive Décor Waste

Choosing décor that only has a one-time use is falling out of style. Choosing rental installations, using recyclable materials, and thrifted antiques will help decrease waste and give every detail more meaning behind it, without negatively affecting the environment.

5. Traditional Wedding Favors

Generic wedding favors for guests are rapidly declining. More and more guests are leaving their favors behind as they either take up unwanted space or are too small to remember. Choose to gift something consumable or completely skip on gifting wedding favors. This will enhance guest experience and will give you more funds to put towards something else that will create better memories in the future.

What’s In:

1. Personalized Experience

Your wedding day should be centered on the couple’s love story. Specifically curating design elements that elevate their love story will bring a different meaning to the event. Creating a completely personalized experience for your guests is becoming couples’ number one priority when designing their wedding.

2. Sustainable Celebrations

Choosing to go local or having eco-friendly decorations is becoming the mainstream option for a sustainable wedding. By picking reusable décor, thrifting items, and non-processed food options, choosing sustainable practices throughout your wedding day will reduce your environmental footprint and make you feel better about your choices.

3. Bold & Unique Design Elements

While neutrals aren’t completely out of style and aren’t a bad choice, bold tones and unique textures are forging their own path when it comes to décor. Mixing hues and textures, such as wood with terracotta hues or blues with mixed metals and glass, will bring an added touch of visual depth to your design.

4. Modern Keepsakes

Instead of using a traditional guest book for everyone to sign, these are being replaced with different interactive displays for your users to actively take part in. Whether it’s an audio recording through a phone message or video messages, going with a more modern keepsake will add personality and emotion that a guest book can’t capture.

5. Candid Photography & Documentary Style Videography

Be specific with your wedding photographer and videographer about capturing more candid moments than posed. This will create more intentional and authentic memories to look back on.

6. Bridal Party Comfort

Bridesmaids and groomsmen have gotten away from wearing identical and traditional outfits. More brides and grooms are opting to mix-and-match outfits, whether it’s different colors or different dresses. Embracing that everyone looks different and has different comfort levels, this will ensure that everyone hand-chosen to stand next to you on your big day feels included and seen.

7. Multi-Day Wedding Experiences

Rather than having a single ceremony and reception, couples are choosing to host welcome parties and morning-after brunches with loved ones to create a multi-day experience for everyone to enjoy.

Being able to balance elegance with a more modern feel is key. By identifying your design priorities and the atmosphere you want to create, the trends you decide to lean into will support your overall vision rather than make it feel overwhelming.

Taking these trends and bringing them to life isn’t just about checking them off a list. It’s about creating the atmosphere and aesthetic you’ve always dreamed of with an up-to-date feel. Whatever the feel for your wedding day may be, choosing the trends that are in rather than choosing trends that are out will offer endless possibilities to make your day unique to who you are.

The Garden Room

Discover Omaha’s most stylish hidden gem, where vintage charm meets modern design. With a bright, greenery-filled entrance, a dramatic speakeasy lounge, and 220 seated or 350 cocktail-style capacity, The Garden Room offers a one-of-a-kind backdrop for weddings, receptions, corporate events, and social celebrations. Every corner is designed to spark conversation and capture unforgettable memories.

Located in Downtown Omaha | Versatile Wedding & Event Space | Intimate & Stylish Atmosphere

Contact us today to book a tour or learn more about hosting your event at The Garden Room.

Modern Wedding Trends: What’s Out and What’s In?