After several years of micro-weddings and limited travel, destination weddings are back in a big way! We’ve rounded up the hottest destination wedding trends of 2023 and we so are here for it!
Large Weddings
Nearly half of all engaged couples are planning a destination wedding instead of a traditional wedding at home. And these weddings are not small, intimate affairs. Everything from the budget to the guest count is bigger. Couples are planning multi-day wedding events ensuring they invest quality time with their guests.
Bold Colors
Couples are choosing vibrant colors for their wedding palette. Mix and match fun prints for bridesmaid dresses with matching ties and pocket squares for the guys. Flowers trend toward lush, rich colors (this is a great way to incorporate Viva Magenta, Pantone’s Color of the Year). Even tabletop décor and centerpieces can feature bright spots of color.
Unique Venues
The beach is still a dreamy and popular spot to exchange vows, but more and more couples are choosing to say “I Do” in a lush garden, on a rooftop terrace, or sky deck with jaw-dropping views of the ocean. Wedding trends come and go but we’re hoping this one is here to stay.
Conversation Spaces
Lounge areas with comfortable, plush chairs, rugs, and chandeliers offer guests a chance to mingle (and rest their feet from dancing). Chances are your guests may not have seen each other in a while, so these conversation spaces allow them to catch up in comfort.
Food & Drink
Grazing tables and individual servings are here to stay! Cocktail hours and late-night food stations (Churro cart anyone?) are perfect for feeding a crowd and go hand-in-hand with your conversation spaces. Plant-based menu options and local produce are a great way to incorporate the local culture and save a little money. Don’t forget about the drinks too! Signature cocktails inspired by the wedding couple are always a hit and are another fun way to add local flavor to your celebration.
Personalized Experiences
Couples are looking for unique, personalized experiences to entertain wedding guests and invest quality time together over several days. Some of our favorite ideas are a fire show, dancers on stilts toward the end of the reception, or a mariachi band playing during the cocktail hour. Excursions such as a catamaran, a snorkeling cruise, or riding ATVs make for unforgettable memories on the days leading up to or after the wedding day. It’s all about making your wedding guests feel special and loved.
Inclusivity
Let’s face it, asking your family and friends to use hard-earned vacation days and travel for your celebration can be a big ask. Finding ways to include them in your wedding can show your appreciation and let them know how special they are to the two of you. Ask a friend to officiate your ceremony, play DJ at the reception, or take photos or videos. One trend on the rise (that we LOVE) is having grandparents or close friends as flower people instead of young children.
Offering vegetarian and vegan dinner options and zero-proof cocktails shows consideration for your guest’s individuality and preferences.
Inclusivity means watching the words we use too. Terms like wedding party instead of bridal party or wedding couple instead of bride and groom can make everyone involved feel included.
Sustainability
We are all about keeping the environment in mind when planning a celebration. Incorporating organic and natural elements into décor, using local flowers and then composting them after the wedding day, farm-to-table menus, and even sustainable wedding attire are all ways to keep your wedding green.
As 2023 progresses, destination weddings will continue to be popular. Mexico and the Caribbean are still the top destinations for weddings due to all-inclusive resorts, the ease of travel from the U.S., and the value those destinations provide for wedding budgets.
While 2023 wedding trends can offer new and fun ideas, your wedding should reflect your unique personality as a couple and should cater to your guests and what they’ll enjoy. Blaze your own trail and host an unforgettable wedding reflective of your style and love.
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