Trends come and go…it is their nature. Yet, some trends are so appealing that they last a lot longer than others, and some even transition into outright traditions.
Take diamond engagement rings - they were never a common thing until the 1800s. Even then, they did not go mainstream for many decades.
Today though, that former "trend" is a major tradition and a key part of marriage. This is why it is a good idea to keep up to speed with the latest wedding trends and consider if they fit in with your style, budget and goals.
You might choose to integrate something that seems ahead of its time and discover you were a forerunner in using that activity, item or element on your big day. If not, you can still have a lot of fun being all trendy and up to date with all things wedding.
So, what are those wedding trends to watch and even integrate into your plans? Let's look at the top five:
1.Unplugged Weddings
Going completely old school and eliminating the presence of cell phones and cameras during the ceremony (and even the event) is becoming a real thing.
Why?
Most who implement the unplugged rule do so for a variety of reasons. Interestingly enough, it usually has almost nothing to do with control. Instead, most are expressing a sincere desire for all of their guests to be totally present for the big moment, rather than using a device to photograph or record it.
Some say they don't want to see a flood of phones in all of their photos, preferring the smiling faces of guests instead. Some don't want the backgrounds of shots, or shots themselves, ruined by the flashes and appearance of the devices.
Any way you look at it, an unplugged wedding is an excellent way to eliminate a few worries and be sure that everyone is truly part of the ceremony.
2. Hashtags
That's right! Going from one end of the spectrum (unplugged) to the other (fully modern), weddings now commonly come with customized wedding hashtags.
As one expert wrote:
"we're betting that shortly after getting engaged, you started thinking of the perfect wedding hashtag."
Just what is the purpose of the wedding hashtag? Essentially, it is going to be used on all social media platforms whenever anyone (couple, vendor or guests) is posting during the event - as well as before and after.
As you might guess, you have to get creative and be sure you are not creating or using a hashtag that means something else or is affiliated with another event or issue. Most couples use a combination of their name and the date.
You can also "get punny" opting to use synonyms, rhymes and puns to create a memorable hashtag. Be sure to capitalize the first letter of unique words and double check before releasing it to guests.
Then start spreading the word. Put it on the "save the date" cards, invites and your wedding website.
Test it out on social media before the wedding and then allow guests to post live from the reception or the ceremony (if you are not going the unplugged route).
3. Sparklers
Noted by many as one of the best trends to emerge in the past few years, wedding sparklers are a fantastic way to forgo some more traditional options.
For example, leaving the ceremony or entering the reception can become a major event when you make your way beneath an avenue of sparklers.
Rather than the traditional 12" sticks with dazzling sparks shooting from the end, wedding sparklers can be found in an abundance of sizes - even as long as 3 feet!
The longer sparklers can burn for almost five minutes and are the only styles deemed wedding sparklers.
As one authority points out:
"sparklers at weddings have become very popular over the past couple years as one of the most popular ways to exit a wedding. This is a great way to gather your entire wedding party…Not to mention, the pictures taken with the sparklers turn out to be some of the best taken of the entire wedding…"
Safe and fun, they can be a great trend to introduce to your wedding.
4. GIFs
Another modern innovation, and one you need to speak with your photographer about long before signing a contract, is the creation of GIFs.
These are animated photos that run for a few seconds in a continuous loop. It is why they are called movement shots. They include capturing a bride's dress or veil gently blowing in the breeze, someone's face when first seeing their partner in their wedding clothes, cutting the cake and more.
They take special steps and knowledge to create, but they can be a fantastic part of your wedding photo gallery. They can even be humorous, especially relating to kids in the ceremony, dance floor antics and photo booth hijinks.
And with mention of photo booths…
5. Photo Booths
This is a trend that seems to have already taken hold. Whether you find vendors offering authentic photo booths or those who create much more spacious areas with backdrops, boxes of props and space for groups, it is a fantastic way to add an element of fun in the wedding day activities.
Remember that it can also be a good wedding favor for your guests. Instead of budgeting for candy, tokens or other items, why not let everyone take home a few strips of fantastic photos.
As you can see, almost everyone can add a trendier element or two to their wedding day. Some of them, like the GIFs, do require a bit of extra research since not all photographers can handle such work, but they can be a wonderful addition to your big day.
By all means, don't think you must use trendy items to have an enjoyable and memorable wedding, but don't overlook the value that some of these options and trends offer. They can often set your wedding apart from the rest.