7 Awesome Wedding Trends You Haven’t Heard Of

It’s 2023, and awesome wedding trends are popping up all over the place. And, let me tell you, they are so fun you’ll be inspired to try them out at your wedding.

While weddings usually have a traditional element to them, it’s totally okay to add a new spin to yours. Planning outside the box, and doing things that are a bit unusual won’t make you any less married at the end of the day. These days, it’s even expected to do the unexpected, so feel free to implement any of the awesome wedding trends you see in this post.

The great thing about wedding trends is that they add spice to your wedding. Trends are the kind of thing that your guests will remember, and talk about well after your wedding is over. Doing something they have never seen before can make your wedding stand out. And, when the new thing is fun, sweet, or inspiring, it can make your wedding even more special.

This post is going to share seven awesome wedding trends you probably haven’t heard of before. Now, if you are paying close attention to weddings online, you may be aware that some of these trends are happening. If so, perfect – you know how they work. And, if not, read on. I’m going to delve into the positives of each of these trends, and how you’ll know if they are right for your wedding.

Let’s get into it!

1. THE SOCIAL MEDIA MOMENT

By now, we’ve all head of the unplugged wedding, right?

At an unplugged wedding, cell phones are totally prohibited during the ceremony. The point is to allow the couple to avoid having cell phones in their wedding photos, and to help guests stay present in the moment. However, not everyone has an all or nothing mentality when it comes to cell phones at their ceremony.

Enter the Social Media Moment. The best of both worlds.

2. THANK YOU CARDS AS MENUS

Sustainability is always in style, and this is one of those awesome wedding trends that combines two well known items into one.

Every wedding should have thank you cards that follow afterwards. And, many wedding have menus on tables to let guests know what they are eating. Some weddings are combining the two these days. Couples are actually writing “thank you” messages on the backs of menus and leaving them for guests to receive and read at the wedding. This is a great way to get thank you cards out of the way, and reduce the amount of paper your wedding generates. You can make the thank you messages generic, or customize them for each guest.

3. GUEST BOOKS AS CENTERPIECES

Long gone are the days of guest books that guests actually write in. These days, alternatives to traditional guest books are common, but some weddings are mixing it up a notch. Rather than having the “guest book” in a central location, many couples are making it easy for guests to leave their mark right at their table.

For example, some weddings are keeping wine bottles, corks, or frames on their wedding tables for guests to sign. There are ample opportunities to play off this idea, too. For example, some couples are keeping an actual full bottle of wine at tables, and numbering each table. The thought is that they will save the bottle to drink on their anniversary that corresponds with the table number. During that anniversary they will also read the messages from guests and look back on their wedding day.

Of course, you can keep pens and a simple sign at each table and have guests sign just about anything, as detailed in this post. Having the items where you know people will find them will definitely increase participation.

4. GROOMSMEN FIRST LOOKS

First looks between fiancés has had its moment of newness, and seems to be here to stay. However, many couples are moving onto other trends with regards to first looks.

A quick scroll through Instagram first looks and you’ll see what I mean. Many couples are opting to showcase a “father of the bride / bride first look”, a “bridesmaids first look”, and even a “pet first look”. The first look that is gaining the most traction as an awesome wedding trend right now is the “groomsmen first look”. During this first look, the groomsmen line up and photos are captured as they see the bride for the first time ahead of the ceremony.

What’s charming about a groomsmen first look is that it can still allow for the couple to avoid seeing each other ahead of the wedding. And, it can amp up the excitement when the groomsmen return to the groom and inform him of beautiful his fiancé is. It’s a fun twist on a newish tradition.

5. PRIVATE co*ckTAIL HOUR FOR THE NEWLYWEDS

It’s rare that couples get to enjoy their co*cktail hours. With expectations of photos, bombardment by guests, and having to take the time to freshen up, it’s easy for newlyweds to skip the tastes and drinks altogether.

Because it’s been difficult for couples to enjoy co*cktail hour with their guests, many couples are opting to have their own private co*cktail hours. During this time, they will have their venue or caterer set up a private space for them to relax. It gives couples a chance to eat, drink, and talk without interruptions and craziness that is sure to ensue if they enter a space filled with guests. I personally love this as a wedding trend and hope that it becomes more of the norm.

6. AUDIO GUEST BOOKS

Remember earlier when I said guest book wedding trends were changing? This is another type of direction that is popping up at weddings all over the place.

The audio guest book.

The concept of an audio guest book is pretty cool. Couples are working with companies who ship or set up audio guest books at their weddings. Guests use the audio guest book as they would a telephone. They pick it up and speak into it. The guest book then records their message for the couple to hear later on in life.

This is a really fun twist on tradition as it’s unusual and totally of-today.

7. MEETING YOUR NEW SPOUSE ON THE DANCE FLOOR

Of all the awesome wedding trends in this post, this one is the easiest, most cost effective, and most subtle one to do.

Meet your new spouse on the dance floor.

Many couples are agreeing ahead of their wedding on songs that they will both hear and then dance to together. The thought is that weddings are busy, couples may not get the chance to really enjoy each other without the fanfare and attention. Taking the time to dance together, and to think about when it will be happening, makes sense. It’s a sweet moment, and only the couple really needs to know the details of it.

CLOSING THOUGHTS

Friends, there are so many awesome wedding trends right now. Many of them make a lot of sense, and it’s baffling that no one thought of them earlier. Some may only appeal to certain couples. No matter what you decide to do for your wedding, remember that you get this opportunity to make it your own. Traditions are fine, but is so is change. Happy wedding planning!