This year was one that we could never have planned for—and the pandemic’s impact on the wedding and events industry has been monumental. Couples along with event planners, designers, and vendors worldwide have faced countless challenges, and sound advice on what to expect when postponing your wedding and how and when to shop for a wedding dress has become harder to navigate as weeks of no gatherings and lockdowns turned into months, and regulations on domestic celebrations differed from state to state, day by day. These sudden changes and health concerns have made planning anything but easy, and have had an affect on how we approach the joyful celebrations weddings are designed to be.
We’ve spent the majority of 2020 talking about trends for small weddings and how to host a wedding at home— but we’re now considering what happens once gatherings are back in action and once we can gather—and travel—again safely. We’re looking ahead to 2021, which offers a glimmer of light at the end of a long tunnel. This year’s impact on weddings will remain, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Think smaller guest counts, more intimate dinner parties, and an emphasis on the things we can control—like fashion, food, personal details, and more. We’re looking forward to the future. Here, the top wedding trends for 2021, and beyond.
SARAH FALUGO
Destination weddings were all we talked about before 2020, and they’re all we’re currently craving as travel remains up in the air. Expect 2021 to be all about transformative design, rather than experiential travel—at least to start. Extraordinary design is a mainstay, not a trend, but next year, a couple’s favorite destinations to play a role more so than ever in inspiring the event’s look, feel, color palette, and more. The goal here is to bring your original wedding destination, your dream honeymoon location, or an experience you shared together abroad or out of town into your home, or to an intimate affair, via destination-inspired experiences, tastes, textures, and colors.
Whether you set up tropical arrangements that call to the lush greenery of Bali, deck tables with accents that remind you of your favorite meal in Provence, or include Moroccan-inspired lounges with trays of abundant fruits and candies, immerse your guests in menus, music, scents, blooms, and multi-sensory experiences of your favorite destination in the world—even if you’re actually at home.
Pictured: Florals by Putnam & Putnam (left); Design by David Stark (right)
NORMAN & BLAKE
It’s the simple things that mattered to us in 2020, after staying at home became the new norm. All we want to do is go to a restaurant, where we can order off a menu after struggling to choose between multiple entrees that all sound delicious. We’re looking forward to cocktails mixed to perfection by someone other than ourselves, and dinners where wine, conversation, and laughter flows non-stop. Expect couples and the industry’s top planners, designers, and caterers to keep those experiences in mind as they execute events in 2021.
These intimate dining experiences are best served to a smaller guest count, which make them prime for 2021 events. Have your guests place orders, or host a welcome dinner or reception at a favorite restaurant of yours. Keep in mind that our support for the restaurant and hospitality industry is paramount now more than ever; if you’re considering an event at a restaurant, book it now to support them when they need it most. If you’re working with a local restaurant or caterer, take that support a step further by ordering takeout if they offer it, or arranging a tasting at home ASAP.
Pictured: Planning by Alison Events
Quality Over Quantity
SYDNEY NOELLE PHOTOGRAPHY
This trend is simple and straightforward: quality over quantity—from food and beverage, to design, and the guest count.
When it comes to the number of guests you invite, couples are likely going to keep things small into the new year. Guests will have different reactions to showing up to a large wedding—even with a vaccine. We will have those events again, but that doesn’t mean you need to host one right this second. Instead, couples will continue to host incredible, nothing-spared, small events, and plan to throw a killer anniversary party next year or the following.
But with smaller guest counts, come more elaborate options to wine and dine your guests, or just the two of you for an over-the-top elopement. This couple is the perfect example; the two opted for an elopement at Amangiri, complete with a Danielle Frankel gown, and a candlelit dinner for two overlooking antelope canyon.
From Harper’s Bazaar US
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