Expect
bold wedding trends in 2018, like asking for cash, passed cake bites
and the revival of a seriously budget-friendly flower.
by Lauren Kay
photo by Allie
Lindsey Photography; Michael Radford Photography; Addie Juell; Birds of
a Feather Photography; Haley Rynn Ringo Photography
When it comes to finding wedding inspiration,
the options are truly endless—so let our top wedding trends for 2018
lead the way for making your day unique and a reflection of you both.
"Personalization has made its way into every aspect of weddings, as
couples proudly show their unique personalities and styles throughout
the food, entertainment, escort cards and florals," says Kristen Maxwell
Cooper, editor in chief of The Knot. "Couples are also making a
personal statement with their registries. Long gone are the days of
registering just for the sake of tradition. Today's couples are asking
for what they truly want, be it a KitchenAid mixer for the baking
obsessed, a couples massage for their beach honeymoon or IVF treatments
to help start a family."
Below, check out the 12 hottest wedding trends of 2018 and how make them your own.
Vibe Over Palette
Couples are letting the feel of
their celebration dictate the details. Instead of starting with colors,
they're coining words that express the kind of party they're
throwing—like "rustic with a bit of romantic and a touch of retro"—and
using that to communicate their vision to the local professionals who'll
pull off their day. Having trouble defining your style? The Knot Style Quiz
walks couples through a selection of inspirational wedding photos and
keeps track of their likes and dislikes. After analyzing the couple's
choices, The Knot defines their unique style and creates a personalized
Wedding Vision that can be shared directly with vendors—that way,
nothing gets lost in translation.
Weddings in 2018 will give way to the wow-worthy (think: totally
Instagramable) escort card installation that incorporates the couple's
personalities. Create a flower wall and allow guests to "pick" their
seats and take home a gorgeous stem. Or set up a large display of
personalized thermoses for a woodsy-themed wedding. Love tequila?
Welcome guests with Himalayan sea salt shot glasses with their names
written in edible ink, filled with tequila and topped with a lime.
"It’s a great place to incorporate
your shared interests or play up a fun
wedding theme," says Emily Clarke of
Emily Clarke Events in Dallas.
The traditional retail registry
isn't going anywhere, but more couples are asking for cash in the form
of experiences. Thanks to The Knot Newlywed Fund,
you can ask for exactly what you want. New camping gear, a down payment
on a home, a fund for adopting a baby—the sky's the limit. Have a cause
that's close to your heart? Attach a charity to your retail registry
and The Knot will donate on your behalf each time a gift is purchased
off your registry.
Balloons make the perfect fun and festive flower alternative and can
easily transform a space. Pair colorful Mylar options with basic latex
balloons in varied sizes for a real "wow" factor. They can be strung
like garlands, suspended from the ceiling or shaped into a mural-like
wall installation.
The classic altar setup is also getting a revamp, with round archways
or an almost closed circle to stand under and say your "I dos." The
circle is a unique spin on the expected and symbolizes eternity.
More couples are opting out of favors and prioritizing the experience
over a simple takeaway. They're treating guests to extras like a
specialty sip station, a lipstick touch-up bar, a passed after-dinner
treat or even a fun late-night cover band. Thoughtful welcome bags for
destination weddings are still all the rage and this year, couples are
choosing to gift a series of small presents parceled out over the course
of their guests' stay. Out-of-towners are welcomed with the essentials,
followed by a sweet treat at turndown and a parting gift for their
travels home.
As couples move away from providing favors and takeaways, they're
focused on creating the most memorable experience for guests, with
entertainment taking the main stage. Instead of hiring one form of
entertainment like a band or DJ, don't be surprised to see a steady
stream throughout the night, including experiential theater
performances, roaming sketch artists, tarot card readers, astrologists
and magicians. Couples are pulling out all the stops to create an
interactive, unforgettable night that's personalized to their interests.
"It’s like
a photo booth, but better," says Jove Meyer of Jove Meyer Events in Brooklyn,
New York.
First Look Beyond Your Partner & Wedding Parties Reimagined
The first look with your spouse-to-be is huge, but this year, we'll
also see couples do an official reveal with other VIPs in their life.
Moms, dads, bridesmaids, grandparents and more will enjoy a first look
with the photographer in tow to capture their priceless reactions.
The traditional wedding party is also getting a twist. Couples are
mixing up their wedding party with people of the opposite sex standing
on either side of the couple and honoring certain relatives in special
ways (like flower grandmas!).
"Let's face it—by the time the cake is cut,
everyone is on the dance floor. So bring the
cake to them," says Madison Lee of Madison Lee's Cakes in New York City. Have your baker prepare bite-size pieces to be passed while guests get down.
Also trending? Hand-painted confections. White wedding cakes have
become a canvas for personalization, and hand-painting is a popular way
to add a bespoke touch. Not only is the design on the outside important,
but creating a flavorful bite like no other is totally on trend. Step
aside chocolate and vanilla—new flavors like cookies and cream, confetti
and exotic pairings (think: bourbon and mocha) are taking center stage
with fillings and frostings.
Nontraditional Venues
As
couples create a wedding uniquely their own, more are stepping outside
the traditional reception space and hosting their weddings in unexpected
places: boxing gyms, pop-up barns, historic libraries and large homes
with sprawling backyards. Met at a summer camp? Host your wedding under
the stars surrounded by nature. Love music? Choose a concert hall and be
rock stars for the day. Looking for more inspiration? Check out our new
book The Knot Yours Truly. Chock-full
of beautiful real wedding photos, fresh ideas and tips, this book has
everything you need to plan a unique wedding that perfectly reflects
your relationship.
Single-stem flowers are making a comeback. Opt for a sculptural stem,
like an oversize tropical leaf, a calla lily or a big-headed bloom like
a peony or dinner-plate dahlia for maximum effect.
Baby's breath, that inexpensive stem of tiny white flowers, is
also making a return in big and small ways. It pairs perfectly with
on-trend greenery and works well for flower crowns and other small
hairpieces. Want to go big? Create "clouds" of baby's breath suspended
above your dinner tables for a dramatic effect.
From caps and bells to barely
there, sleeved silhouettes will be big this year. Also hot for 2018 is
the cape. Sheer capes, lace capelets, hooded style and pearl-encrusted
designs all made their way down the runways. What's not to love about
this removable trend that's a more fashion-forward take on the classic
veil?
For men, suit colors and textures are getting an upgrade. Black, navy
and gray suits will always be in style, but today's guys are opting for
more colorful alternatives (think: burgundy, dark green and even dusty
mauve). Textures (like casual tweeds and herringbone patterns) are also
playing a big role in groom and groomsmen ensembles.
