The Top 7 Wedding Trends to Watch in 2023
A new year is around the corner. We couldn’t be more excited about wedding trends we are expecting to see in a big way.
This is a list of the top seven we have our eyes on for 2023.
A new year is approaching, and we find ourselves reflecting and looking ahead. In 2022, weddings returned on a significant scale. Some couples that were affected by COVID-19 were finally able to have the celebrations of their dreams. We also planned for others that waited or timed 2021 and early 2022 engagements. More than anything, though, our team noticed new beginnings for wedding trends. This year, more than others, couples got out of their comfort zones to try new styles and rule out long-standing traditions.
As we look ahead to 2023, we couldn’t be more excited about wedding trends on the horizon. These are the seven that we have our eyes on.
Wedding Trend #1: Bold Colors & Floral Arrangements
By all indications, weddings in 2023 will be bright, bold, and beautiful. Brides- and grooms-to-be are opting for colorful arrangements, lush centerpieces, and novelty backdrops. Pastels and monochromatic looks still make for elegant wedding design schemes, but vivid floral arrangements and more dramatic concepts will likely make their way into next year’s wedding and special events world.
To see some of the palettes we are watching, check out the 2023 Wedding Forward Color Guide.
Wedding Trend #2: Less Is More
In today’s modern world, smaller, more intimate wedding ceremonies and receptions are rising. There is nothing like receiving an invitation to a Cinderella-style, large-scale wedding, but we think it is likely that smaller weddings will be even more common in the new year.
Why are weddings getting smaller? First, downsizing is one of the best ways to maintain a lower wedding budget. Couples know smaller weddings can sometimes allow for head starts on other milestones, like first home down payments. We are also seeing brides and grooms opt for small celebrations so their day can be even more personal. Sorry, friend-of-third-cousin, we know this might mean your invite is on the fringe!
Wedding Trend #3: Living Ceilings & Hanging Décor
This next trend may be our personal favorite. Couples are choosing ceremony and reception settings where they can include living ceilings and hanging flowers. Ceiling-mounted décor draws the eyes up while providing a refreshed, romantic look to any wedding space.
Tall centerpieces and floor-based arrangements are still on the scene, but more brides and grooms are moving away from them to modernize their wedding designs and free up table space. We are also seeing more wedding venues install permanent ceiling trellises and hardware so ceiling arrangements can happen cost-effectively.
The dramatic ceiling and others are featured in Vogue’s 2023 Predictions.
Wedding Trend #4: Ditching Outdated Traditions
So long, garter toss! More people are choosing to retire outdated wedding rituals and opting for new traditions that add to a personalized and more natural-flowing wedding day. These are a few that we love:
Couples getting ready together in the morning
Non-traditional guest books
Private last dances
Downsized or seated wedding parties
It is always special when long-standing traditions are chosen in earnest and bring joy to the married couple-to-be, but we couldn’t be more excited to see more brides and grooms planning new creative wedding elements that truly bring them joy. Others are featured in the Insider 2023 Wedding Trends highlight.
Wedding Trend #5: Your Friend, the Wedding Officiant
Coming off the heels of new traditions, we expect to see many weddings in 2023 with officiants that are close friends or relatives of the bride or groom. This trend is hard not to love. It allows couples to personalize every second of their wedding ceremony. It is also a great way to include an additional loved one in a way that’s not a traditional bridesmaid or groomsman invitation. Inevitably, asking a friend or family member to officiate also sets up the wedding ceremony to include personal anecdotes or memories that a hired officiant may not be able to include.
Although every state and country has its own rules surrounding wedding officiating, we expect this approach for wedding ceremonies to come up even more often next year.
Want to know more about asking your friend or family member to officiate your wedding? City & Terrace can help. Get in touch, and we can help you navigate the paperwork and the planning process.
Wedding Trend #6: Less Matchy-Matchy
This trend has been rising, but we are excited to see more bridesmaids in mismatched dresses. Nothing is worse than preparing for a wedding knowing your chosen bridesmaid dress, hairstyle, shoes, or other elements (the list goes on!) don’t fit your look. We love this trend not only knowing that it will give your bridesmaids more opportunities to incorporate their styles but also because it will create a more natural aesthetic in your wedding photos.
Some trends we are watching in 2023 include bridesmaid dresses in multiple, complimenting colors, more natural hairstyles, added textures, and more.
Wedding Trend #7: Organic Designs & Sustainable Features
Couples are putting more thought and effort into planning sustainable and environmentally-conscious weddings than ever. In 2023, we expect to see more wedding and reception design schemes with organic features. We will also see more brides- and grooms-to-be utilizing sustainable and recyclable components to get as close as possible to hosting zero-waste celebrations.
City & Terrace is known for its signature organic styles, and we specialize in sustainability and responsible uses of materials. There are so many creative ways to produce a wedding that is friendly to the environment.