2021 Wedding Trends
Without a doubt, the pandemic has had an impact on almost every facet of our lives. 2020 saw the cancellation of many normal events as our states went into shut down mode. Couples who had planned weddings had to cancel or postpone until 2021 are embracing the idea of shorter guest lists and more personalized attention to each individual.  The creative wedding trends of this year embrace both the celebratory nature of marriage as well the need to provide safety and social distancing at the wedding reception. Here are some fun 2021 Wedding Trends that have developed because of our ‘new normal’.
#1 Outdoor Weddings
With the desire to maintain social distancing and be in an area where fresh air is abundant, the number one wedding trend for 2021 is tented weddings. A wedding tent rental can create a venue for your big day in your own backyard. With versatility in shapes and sizes, a wedding tent be customized to include anything your heart desires.
Outdoor brunch weddings are also trending so couples can take advantage of the natural light while enjoying the shelter the tent is providing overhead.
#2 Reception Trends
A huge emphasis has been placed on providing alternative entertainment at the reception. Although a DJ is still the first choice, consider additional ways to entertain guests who may not be comfortable going out on the dance floor. Some popular choices are stand-up comedians, karaoke, photo booths, backyard games, bounce houses for the kids, illusionists, and live painters. The idea of this trend is to entertain guests who prefer to be at their table and providing alternatives for those who may want to be outside.
Another big trend is mismatched tables, chairs, and linen colors along with unusual floor plans. The idea behind this trend is to create social distancing as well as seating families or groups who live in the same household together. It will not be unusual to see tables for 4, 6, 8 or 10 people at any wedding reception. Do not worry though, this style still photographs beautifully.
#3 Food Serving Trends
Plated dinners have become the pattern for many wedding receptions to avoid crowds at a buffet line. Because of fewer guests at many weddings who typically know the couple well, this intimate restaurant-style of dining has led to a trend of ‘mini-toasts’ where each guest shares a memory of the couple throughout the meal.
Appetizers have evolved to provide them to guests without having servers wander through groups with trays. Bento boxes or mini picnic baskets with an appetizer selection for each guest have become popular, as well as individual charcuterie boards for each guest served at their table.
#4 Welcome/Celebration Boxes
This concept is to provide each guest with an individual box at the start of the wedding which contains items such as hand sanitizer, customized masks, favors, wedding programs, or anything else you would like to add. This gives each guest untouched individual items rather than having favors at the table or someone handing out programs.
#5 Cocktail Hours
The bar is one of those areas at any party that gets crowded both from people being served as well as those waiting in lines. Pre-mixed self-serve custom cocktails in cute electric punch fountains, grab and go cans and bottles, or orders being taken at tables by servers have been an up and coming way of keeping guests socially distanced.
#6 Color, Color, and more Color
From the florals to the linens to the table décor, spring colors will be bright, fun, and happy – a lot of powder blues, papaya orange and lavender – and summer will be bold and vivid – think fuchsia, lime, teal and purple. How did color become the new white at weddings? Because couples are not doing much travelling after the wedding or having destination weddings, they are bringing the destination to their own backyard wedding. Tropical hues reminiscent of Bali or Costa Rica are being infused into the theme along with big, bold floral arrangements.
#7 A Little Bit of Humor
Save the date notes have become ‘Change the Date’ or ‘Unsave the Date’ notes as so many couples had to change long planned out events. Realizing that your wedding may not be the one you dreamed of as a child might be difficult but approach it with humor and think of these and other great 2021 Wedding Trends that can help you reimagine how your dream wedding can look.
