Top 5 Wedding Trends that Won't Go Away

With wedding season upon us, it's every couple's goal to create a memorable day, scouring the latest trends to incorporate unique details on the big day. I've seen wedding trends come and go, but some trends just won't seem to budge in the hearts of brides and grooms. So, here are the top five wedding trends that just won't seem to go away and how you can put your own new twist on them.

1) Photobooths

When I got married just seven years ago, I desperately wanted a photobooth at my wedding. But, alas, photobooth vendors were few and far between back then. Times have changed. Now photobooths are at almost every wedding I work at. They are provided by DJs, photographers, and independent photobooth companies. While photobooths may not give your wedding that one-of-a-kind feel, they continue to be a crowd-pleaser.

Update the Trend: Instead of a simple photobooth where guests get a strip of snapshots to take home, try a video photobooth! Companies, like PaperCinemas, will turn each guest's short video into a flipbook that they can take home!


2) Trolleys

In an attempt to make even their transportation unique, couples often eschew classic limos for vintage cars and trolleys. In Chicago, you can't drive through downtown on a weekend without seeing a wedding party being carted around by a trolley. Indeed, trolleys are spacious and great for cute photo ops.

Update the Trend: Transportation is an area where the old has become the what's unique again! A limousine is often now the more surprising choice! But if limos just conjure up memories of prom, then consider transporting the wedding party or guests in a British-style double-decker bus.


3) Family Photo Displays

While weddings are all about the newlyweds, I love that couples want to pay homage to their families by incorporating displays of old family photos into the decor. Showcasing black and white photos of the weddings of parents and grandparents makes for a beautiful tribute.

Update the Trend: If looking for other ways to spotlight your loved ones, arrange for the DJ or band to play the first dance songs from your parents' weddings and invite them to the dance floor.


4) Photo Guestbooks

Thank goodness the old guestbooks, where guests just wrote in their names and addresses, have been replaced! Now I most often see photo guestbooks filled with couples' engagement photos, where guests write well-wishes on the pages around the pictures. Photo guestbooks result in a nice memento for the newlyweds.

Update the Trend: Instead of using engagement photos, where guests just see a barrage of images of the couple in various embraces, assemble childhood photos of the couple, with each page showing the bride and groom at different ages. Guests will get a kick out of seeing how the newlyweds have grown up and how their separate paths eventually crossed.


5) Dessert Tables and Late Night Snacks

After your three-course meal, save room for more, because dessert tables and late night snacks have become de rigueur at weddings. Mini-pastries and sliders are popular additions to the wedding menu. But, the truth is, these tasty treats often end up as leftovers!

Update the Trend: Instead of a table of food just appearing in the corner as the night progresses, make your late night goodies stand out so guests gobble them up. Passed cookies with milkshakes in shooter glasses or rolling out an actual ball-park style hot dog stand will get guests' attention.


These five trends have hung around because they are fun and useful details in a wedding. But make a lasting impression on your guests by tweaking these trends and making them your own!

Happy Planning!

Tweet

Laura & Joe: Candlelight & Romance

My bride, Laura, had fantastic ideas for a wedding full of personalized details. On wedding day, Mother Nature chose not to cooperate. A huge storm rolled through, briefly knocking out the power during our setup and drenching the outdoor patio. But with a little maneuvering, nothing would stand in our way to bring the bride's vision to life. Check out the stunning photos by Dayna Schroeder Photography:

 

 Pinning on boutonnieres to ensure the guys look dapper.

The ceremony programs doubled as fans for the hot summer day.

We hung the bride's beautiful framed photos along the church pews. 

It was a unique touch and a great use of engagement photos. 

 Grand Exit

Your wedding coordinator will orchestrate your grand exit from the ceremony by guiding guests outside to form two lines, distributing the bubbles, and cueing the bride and groom.

On to the reception at the beautiful Ravisloe Country Club.

(The calm before the storm...literally!)

Instead of lining up the escort cards in rows, 

we hung them from these wrought iron decorative pieces.

A scotch bar atop the fireplace mantle gave the cocktail hour a cozy touch. 

Wedding coordinators often have to make quick judgments and split decisions. With the storm, we knew we'd have to do cocktails inside and found new places for the cigar & scotch bar on the fly. 

No detail was overlooked, with personalized drink stirrers and napkins.

The dinner table signs featured family member pets, 

and this board introduced and showcased each furry friend.

If you look closely on the bottom row, you'll notice the bride's new pet...the groom! ;)

Here is the gorgeous view from atop the stairs.

Black and Gold Tablescape

A big part of a wedding coordinator's job is setup. Yes, we make sure your other vendors are setting up according to plan. But think of all those little details that don't fall under any other vendor's responsibilities. 

That's where we come in! 

Those miscellaneous details that we setup can include escort cards, menu cards, favors, table signs, candles, cake toppers, and DIY centerpieces and decor.

Menu cards in a vertical pocket fold napkin.

 The table decor featured two different looks interspersed throughout the room: candlelit lanterns and tall floral stands.

 The Cake

The storm caused all sorts of trouble, knocking down power lines and causing traffic delays. When the cake had yet to show up, I was just about to send my team off to pickup a backup when ...Voila! The beautiful cake arrived in the nick of time, just as we were about to seat the guests. We like to have a backup plan but are thrilled when we don't have to use it!

The Head Table.

Using the bridesmaid bouquets is a great way to decorate a long head table and gives a place for the ladies to keep their bouquets. Your wedding coordinator will gather up the bouquets to put in place, as the bridesmaids arrive at the venue. 

 Photo by Camille Victoria Weddings LLC

When the sun went down, the room was awash in romantic candlelight.

Late Night Snack

How often do you get White Castle hamburgers on silver platters?

Congratulations to Laura & Joe!

Vendors:

Ceremony Venue: Second Presbyterian Church

Photographer: Dayna Schroeder Photography

Videographer: Leap Weddings

Reception Venue: Ravisloe Country Club

Florist: Avenue Flower Shop

Wedding Coordination: Camille Victoria Weddings LLC

Tweet

Jaclyn & Joseph: A Day Full of Surprises

After all the planning that goes into a wedding, every bride thinks she knows exactly how the big day will go. But this playful groom had some surprises in store for his beautiful bride. Check out the awesome photos by Colin Lyons Photography:

You don't see it often anymore, but we did a traditional rice toss. 

Not to worry - I did my research and it's a myth that rice is bad for the birds!

The groom's surprise display of some of the couple's favorite memories.

Recognize our special surprise guest? It's Elvis! 

Famed Elvis tribute artist, Rick Saucedo, serenaded the bride and groom during the cocktail hour.

The Hyatt Lodge in Oak Brook.

Late Night Snack

Congratulations Jaclyn & Joe!

Vendors:

Reception Venue: Hyatt Lodge Oak Brook

Florist: Carousel Flowers

Cake: Lezza

Photographer: Colin Lyons Photography

Band: Standing Room Only

Wedding Coordination: Camille Victoria Weddings LLC

Tweet

It's Never Too Late for a Snack

Brides are always trying to surprise their guests with unique touches. So, if you're pondering what else you can do at your reception once the dancing has begun, why not bring out more food?

One of the latest trends in wedding receptions is the late-night snack. Most often, comfort foods or local food favorites are offered in miniature bites. Guests can help themselves to a quick, fun snack and then continue dancing.

Cookies with milk shots will satisfy a sweet tooth (and be a hit kids both little and big) while a hot dog stand can serve as a nod toward a local Chicago specialty.  S'mores stations and food trucks can also be an unexpected twist and a big hit.

When planning for the late night snack, keep in mind that some guests will likely leave before the snacks are put out. So, you won't need to order food for the full number of guests (unless you’re looking forward to leftovers!). Your wedding coordinator can help you with ideas for a unique late night snack and manage the timing of the big reveal.

Here are some delicious ideas for your late-night snacks:

 Mini Grilled Cheese & Tomato Soup, Mini Milkshakes, Cookies & Milk, Hot Dogs = Yum!

Funnel Cakes!

S'mores Buffet from That's A Smore!

Doughnuts are the new cupcakes!

Incorporating a late-night snack will leave your guests with a big impression, a full tummy, and a big smile.

Tell us what you are serving below....

Tweet