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Wedding Trends Straight from the Industry Insiders

Looking for the perfect way to align your wedding vision with the most up to date styles sweeping the industry? Look no further than this! As the end of the year quickly approaches, so does the beginning of engagement season. The holidays always put us in the spirit of love and celebration, while the sparkle of New Years, and romance of Valentine’s Day pave the way for an ideal time of year to pop the question. We’ve reached out to some of our favorite vendors to get ahead of upcoming trends this wedding season. See what the insiders had to say about the best ways to style your celebration…

Photography

It’s all about capturing picture perfect moments! Tired of traditional photos and posed family portraits? Relaxed and casual photos are always the ones that stand out in the bunch so see what the pros have to say about how simple and organic moments translate into the most breathtaking memories.

“My new favorite trend is the bride and groom exchanging personal vows just the two of them; I’ve had couples do this at their ‘first look’ or ‘first touch’. It’s such a personal and quiet moment for the couple to really take the moment (and their vows!) in. I’ve found that my couples are more relaxed after doing this privately first before the ceremony. Some of my favorite photos are the ones I naturally capture when the bride and groom are just being themselves, those are the moments that always translate to the most beautiful images!”

Kaitlyn Blake Photography

Hair and Makeup

Beautiful bridal style starts here! Nina McCaskey from Wedded Kiss walks us through how best to dial up the glam without overdoing it on your big day. These hair and makeup essentials will leave you feeling confident and beautiful taking your first steps down the aisle.

"Our team aims to create a classic look that our clients will look back on in ten years and still feel was ‘timeless'. Although we are seeing hair down trends a lot, big Hollywood waves are very popular. We suggest if you are doing your hair down then it should be an indoor ceremony or a cooler weather date. August is not the time for that! :) The loose romantic updo has become increasingly popular too. These styles are timeless with little tendrils coming down around the face and at the nape of the neck. And makeup is increasingly getting more glow! I am thrilled with this because our team loves skin to look healthy and soft. Lip color in the fall is also very popular again; we are getting a lot of bold lip requests which makes our creative hearts sing! Choosing a more matte formula is best for that ‘wedded kiss’ :) To us, it is essential that our clients know they don't have to follow trends though...bridal looks should match your personality, not a magazine cover!"

Wedded Kiss

Bridal Style

Every bride wants that, “this is IT”, kind of feeling when they’ve found the perfect gown. With endless bridal options to choose from, a little insight from the pros can help point your style compass in the right direction. a&bé Bridal Shop in Raleigh, NC gave us a taste of the most sought after looks that continue to be on the rise.

“We believe that many bridal trends will revolve around style and comfort. Brides are opting for low-back styles and off-the-shoulder necklines, often with detachable sleeves to allow for easy movement. We have a feeling these popular design details will only get bigger. Some trending gowns and designers we foresee being hot picks include low-back dresses like Platte by ‘The Label by a&bé x anna bé (exclusively designed with our brides in mind) and whimsical off-the-shoulder styles like ‘Peony and Armeria by Alena Leena’.”

Anna Walsh, Founder & CEO, a&bé Bridal Shops and anna bé Bridal Boutiques

Dress 1: Armeria by Alena Leena, Photography: Brady Bates Photography

Dress 2: Platte by The Label by a&bé x anna bé, Photography: a&bé Bridal Shop

Custom Rentals

It’s all about the extra touch! Thoughtful details are what set the stage to truly wow your guests. From small elements like linens, chargers, and napkins to creating unique and immersive spaces for your guests to enjoy, bringing in custom accents are what can elevate the wedding experience. Below are some of the newest ways to reimagine your color palette, decor, and overall vision.

“Our couples are loving low key elegance in their designs: rich textures, depth of color, and stand-out details, without being super formal. Our Tuscany linens, velvet napkins, mango wood chargers, and contemporary flatware options have all been popular for that refined but still down-to-earth style. We’re also loving bold pops of color in places like napkins and accent linens – dusty blue, mauve, mustard, terra cotta, and deep taupe have all been gorgeous additions, especially to highlight seasonal designs and to complement floral color palettes. Beautiful tents have also been a popular addition. Our couples love giving guests more time outdoors, so clear top tenting, bistro lights, and draping details have created outdoor spaces that work regardless of weather. We always hope for the best for wedding day forecasts, but it gives couples so much peace of mind to know that their outdoor plans won’t be impacted by a rainy day”.

Curated Events Raliegh

Special Event Lighting

How to truly create the perfect lighting glow and accentuate special details on your wedding day! Lighting is taking center stage of cocktail hour and reception as couples are using twinkling lights to create next level ambiance to complete their celebration decor.

“Magical twinkle-light ceilings and walls continue to be very popular, and with good reason!  It's amazing how the lowly twinkle light strand can transform into an elegant canopy of pinpricks of light.  We have been installing these for years and the effect they create does not disappoint.  When looking at photos of all the beautiful decor lighting that can be added to a venue, I want couples to keep an eye out for the fixtures you can't see, but do help tell your story.  The spotlights that highlight the gorgeous flowers and wedding cakes are so important for bringing attention to the artistry of these vendors. The soft glow on a lounge area is not just candlelight! Candles need a little help and we love to add an amber wash light to create inviting warmth. Lighting can be a decor focal point, and it can also elevate other personalized elements in the space.”

Get Lit Event Lighting

Catering

Crowd pleasing cuisine and more. When it comes to food and beverage presentations for your event, the options are really endless! Some of the staple wedded favorites always stand the test of time but incorporating unique trends or personalized touches are the best way to give your guests a truly memorable experience.

“A trend that has been a lot of fun to be a part of is the increase of specialty cocktails. Clients have been more interested in a personalized & unique beverage to offer guests vs. the traditional options we all know. Naming them after beloved fur babies or a momentous occasion adds that extra bit of a personal touch to a drink that not only reminds you of where you’ve been, but the wonderful event you attended celebrating the couple you love.”

Rocky Top Catering

Follow along on Instagram to see more of our weddings, or take our quiz to discover your wedding style. We love to travel and design weddings and events in other locations, so send us a message if you’re looking for a floral designer!