Acrylic
Get ready to see acrylic in small wedding details like signage, place cards, or ghost chairs at the reception. “We’ll see the minimalist trend taken to the next level with plenty of colored tints to choose from,” says Raquel Bickford Oranges of ROQUE Events in Napa and San Francisco. “The translucent details let surrounding decor take the true spotlight.”
Cocktail Party Receptions
Formal sit-down dinner receptions aren’t a “must” anymore. Cocktail party receptions with swanky lounge furniture and food stations are a perfectly good alternative for couples favoring a low-key evening. “When I chat with couples about their wedding priorities, most of them have the exact same answer—the ‘vibe’ of the evening or wedding weekend is most important,” says Jaeger Chacon of Revel & Roots in Denver.
More Videos From Sunset
Himalayan Rock Salt
This pastel-hued wellness phenomenon is now finding its way into many couples’ special day, especially at tropical and summer weddings. “The trend is famous simply for its beautiful pink color,” says Bickford Oranges. You’ll see anything from welcome cocktails with Himalayan sea salt rims to boho-style Himalayan salt candle holders to elegant table number signage, as seen here.
Dogs at the Wedding
Okay, so it’s not a completely new concept to include dogs in your wedding, but the trend isn’t going anywhere in 2019. “It brings my [clients] and their friends and family so much joy to see a dog at the wedding, so if their dog is able to, they most definitely will make an appearance,” says Hallea Tse of Hallea Events and Coordination in Seattle. Invite your pups into the family photo session or enlist your semi-Instagram famous corgi to be a ring bearer—dogs are here to adorably steal a bit of the wedding day spotlight.
Non-White Wedding Cakes
White wedding cakes, as classic as they are, certainly aren’t the most creative of desserts. Couples are having fun with unconventional colors that don’t feel kitschy or too “out there.” “This trend elevates the cake from mere dessert to a statement-making centerpiece in the wedding design,” says Laurie Arons of Laurie Arons Special Events in San Francisco. “Warm bronze, soft gray, pale blue, and gold are currently some of my favorite fondant tones.”
Potted Plants and Flowers
Give a nod to your wedding locale by decorating your event space with native plants in stylish pots. “You really can’t go wrong with incorporating potted grasses and flowers into your ceremony design, whether it’s the focal point up at the altar or your aisle decor,” says Eileen Lacey of E Events Co. in San Francisco. “You can repurpose them into your reception space or lounge after the ceremony is complete.”
Couples Getting Ready Together
This year, it’s going to be less about getting ready with your bridesmaids and groomsmen, and more about soon-to-be newlyweds prepping for the ceremony together. Why? “Couples love it because it allows them to spend time together with minimal distractions and be present with each other before they enter the swirl of wedding events and partying with wedding guests,” says Tse. “It’s intimate, fun, and a special moment to be together before it gets hectic.”
Quirky Personal Touches
Are you the couple who spends hours analyzing every subplot in Game of Thrones? Can you recite every show tune from the ‘90s? If you have a quirky trait you’re known for, incorporate it into your big day for a personal touch. “My clients Brittany and David had a mutual love for dinosaurs, which was one of the things that sparked their relationship—so we had dinosaur figurines nestled into their tablescapes,” says Morgan Christiansen of Cluster Events in Santa Monica. A custom detail sparks conversation among guests and “welcomes guests into another layer of the [wedded couple’s] relationship.”
Craft Cocktails
Craft cocktails aren’t exclusive to indie bars and mustache-clad hipsters. According to Chacon, “signature cocktails that couples name [for their personal event] has become the norm at any wedding bar.” Brides- and grooms-to-be are asking bartenders with a knowledge of high-end libations to help curate a drinks menu for the special day—think Old Fashioneds with a personal twist.
Velvet
Possibly one of the softest, coziest, and most romantic textiles out there, velvet goes hand in hand with weddings. “The plush fabric brings another dimension [to the decor] and enriches the tone of your selected pieces for a bold but chic statement,” says Meg West of Events by M and M in Santa Barbara and Los Angeles.
Pampas Grass
Succulents may have been the bohemian bride’s go-to for the past few years, but soon everyone will be swooning over pampas grass. “Not only is it beautiful, it’s also budget-friendly, versatile, available year-round, and super textural,” says Bickford Oranges. “It can be a gorgeous focal point for a ceremony arch, hanging floral installation, or a table runner.”
Vintage Lounge Furniture
If you like the aesthetic of mismatched chairs at a reception, consider adding vintage lounge furniture to your post-wedding hangout space. “Add some comfy lounge spaces where guests chat during cocktail hour or to kick their feet up after hitting the dance floor,” says Bickford Oranges. Don’t limit yourself to seating, either. Bickford Oranges suggests using an antique dresser in your wedding bar display or vintage rugs in an outdoor garden lounge for added character. Bonus: the pieces work well together to form a chic photo backdrop.
Sitting at a King’s Table
Couples are opting out of a traditional sweetheart table and choosing a more inclusive seating option: a king’s table. Besides the two newlyweds, the huge table is big enough to fit the couple’s immediate family and entire wedding party, plus their dates for the night. “I just love how this creates a sense of unity, not just between the couple but between families and friends,” says Christiansen.
Bold Colors in Florals and Tablescapes
Today, there’s less pressure to opt for a traditional color palette. Don’t feel the need to strictly stick to pink dahlias—if you like color, use a bunch of vibrant, interesting flowers. “As much as I love a good muted and neutral color palette, I think we will start to see brides really turning toward bright and bold colors in 2019,” says Lacey.
Open-Air Wedding Dinners
Don’t get us wrong—we love a rustic barn or bohemian tent reception, but open-air wedding dinners are going to be the show-stopping trend of 2019. “Al fresco dining allows guests to really take in the beauty of their environment,” says Arons. As for the top open-air reception settings, Arons says California redwoods and a garden dinner under a pergola are the most in-demand.
