Untraditional seating was spotted throughout the year, like this circular ceremony by Penny Haas. Photo courtesy John Meyers Photography
Ceremony magic Whether micro weddings or lavish destination weddings, ceremonies are increasingly being sandwiched between (at least) two extra days of activities. The day before is no longer limited to the rehearsal dinner; guests are invited for a casual pre-ceremony event to break the ice and amp up excitement. In some cases, the hype takes different forms; Sebastien Centner (Eatertainment Events & Catering) told Special Events , “pre-ceremony activities, such as welcome kits for out-of-town guests, are becoming more common.” The day after is popular for brunches and official goodbyes. Yet even on the wedding day, formal dinners are sometimes replaced by cocktail receptions, and vibrant after parties keep everyone partying until the wee hours of the morning. That being said, not everyone wants to party hard—some couples are calling it an early night, or even holding ceremonies in the morning. Timelines are at the whim of the couple. “The trend toward intimate, luxurious celebrations will continue, with many couples opting for smaller weddings followed by big parties months later,” says Jaclyn Watson (Jaclyn Watson Events). Centner adds, “We also expect to see themed wedding weekends grow in popularity, turning weddings into immersive festival-like experiences.” On top of these flourishes, there are other changes afoot: some couples are opting for private vow readings, and many are choosing a pre-ceremony look, doing away with the superstition of old traditions. Increasingly, officiants are someone that know the couple well. “One of the more memorable things I have seen at weddings this year is family members or close family friends marrying
For the guests As traditions change and leave, couples are refocusing their priorities. “It seems like couples want less focus/attention on them and are focused more on the guest experience,” says Kevin Dennis (Fantasy Sound Event Services). “They're wanting to get to the party portion of the evening as early as possible!” Julian Ribinik of Julian Ribinik Studios echoes this sentiment. “I think we will see more focus on the guests, less time spent on ‘wedding traditions’ but more investment in cultural traditions, more simplification and longer receptions to allow for more time to party and connect.” One thing that has stayed in the back of some couples’ minds is keeping the wedding free from heated political division. Some couples carefully curate seating charts to avoid any divisive conversation, while others have opted for a “no politics” sign to avoid the discussions altogether, keeping the night light-hearted and focused on celebration.
the couple,” says Kelsey Strickland (Twickenham House and Hall). “The intentionality of this choice reflects the couple's values, and it is so refreshing to hear a first-hand account of their love for one another.” Mixed heritage weddings are also continuing to stick. Melanie Lust (Melanie Lust Photography) notes, “I am excited to see more interfaith marriages. I recently photographed a Catholic church ceremony where the bride was Catholic and the groom was Jewish. The priest incorporated some Jewish traditions into the Catholic ceremony, including the breaking of the glass. A small note describing this Jewish ceremony custom was placed next to the bibles in the pews.” Lastly, we’re seeing the continuation of scaled-back weddings. “Intimate micro-weddings were a major theme in 2024, with couples opting for weddings that focused more on the experience than the guest count, creating highly personalized events with fewer people,” notes Craig Peterman of Craig Peterman Photography & Videography.
(Opposite Page) Extravagent floral arches have been quite in vogue in 2024. Photo courtesy Tracy Autem Photgraphy
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SPECIAL EVENTS WINTER 2024
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