2024 Wedding Trends: A Guide to What’s Hot in the World of Weddings

Welcome to our 2024 wedding trends guide; a must-have reference tool for engaged couples in search of style guidance and inspiration for the wedding year ahead.

The world of weddings is constantly evolving and changing, and with couples beginning to value personalisation above tradition, we predict a particularly exciting and increasingly original landscape for the future of wedding trends.

From bridal style and decor to sustainability and celebrant-led ceremonies, here’s what is trending right now in the world of weddings and what we expect to see more of in 2024 and beyond.

The wedding weekend

Once reserved for destination weddings, we are seeing a huge increase in couples opting for an entire wedding weekend, regardless of if they’re marrying at home or away.

UK couples are looking for wedding venues that can host them for two to three days in a row to really maximise their wedding experience. Typically, couples will have a rehearsal or welcome dinner the night before the wedding day, and then invite everyone back for brunch the day after the wedding to share memories and give everyone the opportunity to catch up with friends and family in a more low key setting.

If budget is a concern when considering whether to upgrade your wedding day for a wedding weekend, why not take a look at the latest special offers at some of our featured wedding venues.

Sustainability

Not so much a trend as a movement; sustainability continues to take centre stage in the world of weddings. Couples are becoming increasingly mindful of how their wedding plans affect the environment, with a focus on minimising waste, eliminating single use items, and reducing carbon footprints.

Sustainable wedding food options might include locally sourced ingredients and creative vegetarian options, and couples are becoming increasingly aware of seasonality in terms of both wedding food and flowers. Where possible, couples are looking to reuse and recycle by hiring instead of buying decor, reusing flowers throughout the day, borrowing special items from family and opting for recycled and recyclable papers.

Hiring and styling

Hiring decor or even bridal attire for a wedding is becoming increasingly popular, as it can save time and money, and is a more eco-friendly choice than buying something which you may not use again.

Stylists and hire companies provide an invaluable service by offering a wide selection of decorative items to choose from, and removing the stress associated with having to source and buy your own decor.

We also predict that the number of couples opting for unique and unconventional venues such as vineyards and industrial spaces will continue to rise, which is even more reason for couples to consider hiring a venue decorator to help them transform these blank canvas spaces into a reflection of a couples personal style and story.

In terms of the kinds of decor we expect to see in 2024 weddings, suspended installations will continue to feature heavily as focal points for wedding breakfasts and ceremonies. Gypsophila clouds, hanging lighting arrangements and cascading flowers that give the appearance that they’re floating are just some of the key looks we expect to see couples asking their stylists and florists to create in next years’ weddings.

Celebrant-led wedding ceremonies

As many couples opt to focus less on tradition and more on creating a day that reflects who they are, customised celebrant-led wedding ceremonies will continue to increase in popularity throughout 2024.

A celebrant will succinctly tell a couples story, adding personalised vows and incorporating favourite memories into a wedding ceremony. So with the upward trend for personalisation and fluidity set to remain strong throughout the coming years, we expect to see less couples opting for traditional ceremonies using fixed vows.

Registry office weddings

Registry office weddings have made a real comeback, with an increasing number of couples opting for a simple, low key ceremony followed by food, drinks and dancing at a separate venue.

Some couples are even separating the two events, and holding a smaller registry celebration on one day, followed by a larger, separate wedding day that involves a wider group of friends and family. Rules are out of the window. It’s about celebrating your day in a way that works for you.

Analogue wedding photography

Analogue film photography is the latest, must-have way in which couples would like to document their day. Analogue photography is a nostalgic style that typically results in more artistic photographs that capture feelings felt at a moment in time rather than sharp poses.

The richness and depth of analogue photography render it timeless, and we are already seeing an increasing number of photographers add this style to their portfolio as an option for couples.

Wedding veils

Wedding veils are set to become a key wedding trend for 2024, influenced by celebrities who wed this year such as Sophie Habboo, Kourtney Kardashian and Olivia Attwood, all of whom wore personalised, dramatic and unconventional veils for their ceremonies.

Expect to see both short and long veils featuring on wedding catwalks, the latter making for incredible wedding photographs. Embroidered personalisation on veils will continue to skyrocket in popularity, with couples opting for sentimental quotes, initials or messages that mean something.

Wedding bows

Again influenced by celebrities such as Sophie Habboo, we predict that more couples will opt to include bows in their wedding day.

Whether rich velvet bows tied as place setting details, bows worn in hair or oversized bows on dresses, these feminine details and striking focal points are set to stay for 2024 weddings.

Wedding dress

As custom wedding gowns and tailored suits become a more accessible choice for brides with differing budgets, let’s explore some of the bespoke requests that wedding dress-makers have received throughout this year.

Coloured wedding dresses – yes, colour is set to stay for 2024 weddings. White and ivory are most certainly not the only acceptable option any more.

Drop-waist wedding dresses – with a slightly vintage feel, low-rise waist lines elongate the body and highlight curves.

Two-pieces – this more relaxed bridal look is both stylish and practical, rendering it a popular choice for brides who really want to let their hair down at their wedding party.

Lace – lace is a timeless choice that looks romantic and feminine. It’s going nowhere.

Food as an experience

Unique and memorable culinary experiences are going to be a key trend for 2024, with sharing menus such as antipasti platters and self-serve bowls of vegetables and sides creating more of an informal family atmosphere during wedding breakfasts.

We expect to see grazing tables replacing evening buffets, and dessert bars replacing sweet carts and in some instances, wedding cakes. Miniature desserts can look really impressive and add personality to a wedding, making them ideal for couples seeking a move away from the traditional.

Signature cocktails and shots

As we continue the theme of personalisation, 2024 weddings are expected to feature signature cocktails which can be set out as a striking reception feature for guests to admire and enjoy after the wedding ceremony. We have also seen a growing trend throughout the year of couples opting for celebratory shots instead of champagne toasts – a sure fire way to get the evening party started.

Entertainment

One trend that has gained in popularity is the use of live bands instead of traditional DJs. Live music adds an energetic atmosphere to wedding receptions and can feel more personalised and special. Roaming saxophonists also make for a truly immersive and unforgettable musical experience, and we’re predicting an even greater demand for roaming musical soloists in 2024 weddings.

Incorporating 2024 wedding trends in your big day

Whether you’re an avid follower of trends or prefer to do things your own way, understanding what other couples are choosing to do for their wedding day is a great way to start forming ideas and selecting wedding details that matter the most to you.

Weddings involve a lot of decision making so it can be helpful to refer to wedding trends as a foundation upon which you can add unique touches that reflect your individual personality and style.

We hope you have found inspiration in our 2024 wedding trends guide.

For newly-engaged couples, why not take a look at the latest special offers at our wedding venues. You could secure big savings on your wedding day, leaving a little more in the pot for some of these gorgeous wedding trends.