The Wedding Trends That Are In—And Out—For 2025

When Vogue asked seven of the world’s top event planners what the biggest 2025 wedding trends will be, the answers weren’t all over the map. Instead, they were (quite literally) local: Multiple planners said that more and more couples are opting for hometown weddings, whether it’s in the bride’s backyard or a nearby venue the groom’s family has gone to for generations—even if their budget allows them to throw a splashy international party.

The shift occurs just as destination weddings have reached a fever-pitch: After the pandemic, cooped-up couples were eager to throw an event abroad to celebrate themselves and the act of travel itself. “In the post-COVID world, everyone had their eyes on Europe. Clients and guests alike were bursting at the seams to buy that transatlantic ticket,” Lynn Easton, of Easton Events, tells Vogue. Yet after three years of lengthy overnight flights, navigating language barriers, and the emotional disconnect of having a wedding in a beautiful yet often unsentimental venue, the pendulum has begun to swing the other way. (It is also out of respect for guests: destination weddings are typically a sizable financial and time commitment.)

There are also some traditions, according to our experts, that are falling by the wayside: Everyone seems sick of a welcome bag, and photo booths are seen to have hit a saturation point. Although perhaps the thing most out of style is following trends for trends’ sake, rather than because they personally speak to you: “The pressure to follow trends is thankfully fading. We are starting to see the industry lean more abstract in their design thinking and excited by what comes next,” says Melissa Sullivan of Studio Sully.

So without further ado, here are the 2025 wedding trends to consider—and what to avoid.

What’s In

Hometown Weddings

Destination wedding weekends are still hot and happening, but we are seeing a resurgence of interest in planning “at home.” We love an opportunity to make our hosts’ home the perfect place to celebrate. Whether the setting is their private residence or a smattering of venues steeped with meaning, creating a wedding narrative around a place with significance tracing back to childhood provides inspiration and immediate storytelling. Planning a party at home can pack an equally exciting punch as a glamorous destination, it just often takes an outside perspective to breathe fresh air into something that seems so familiar. —Augusta Cole

In the post-COVID world, everyone had their eyes on Europe. Clients and guests alike were bursting at the seams to buy that transatlantic ticket. Now that we are back to our regularly scheduled programming, the event compass has shifted, and 2025 is the year of the “at home” wedding weekend. —Lynn Easton and Dawson Hayes, Easton Events

Doing what feels genuinely authentic to you is very much in style. A recent couple of ours from NYC, celebrated their nuptials on their new upstate New York property. They decided to get married on their front porch, surrounded by loved ones because that’s what felt most “them.” —Melissa Sullivan, Studio Sully

Ready-to-Drink Cocktails

The bar might be the heart of the party, but nothing kills the vibe quicker than a line. Ready-to-drink cocktails mean no waiting, no slowing down—just perfectly mixed drinks in hand, all night long. From the first toast to the last song, the party keeps moving, and the night never skips a beat. —Bronson van Wyck, Van Wyck & Van Wyck

Film Photography

Film is back—nostalgic, romantic, and a little unpredictable, like the best parties. It’s forgiving in all the right ways, softening edges and making everyone look their best when the lights are low and the dancing’s wild. And the wait for those photos is a moment of delayed gratification that feels almost ceremonial. —Bronson van Wyck

Late-Night Takeaway Boxes

Late-night takeaway boxes with tomorrow’s brunch inside are the best way to skip the brunch... but have something for the next morning that is fun and special. Think bagels with spreads and amazing pastries. The best recently was in New York—a breakfast bagel and cream cheese from Sadelle’s! —Stefanie Cove

Calligraphed Invitations

Calligraphy is the star of the paper suite. Illustrated and floral borders as well as contemporary typeface and tailored fonts will continue to have their place, but timeless and stately calligraphy is returning to the spotlight. Icons like Bernard Maisner with his artful gestures as well as Stephanie Fishwick with her many equally stunning styles have never gone out of style. However, allowing the calligraphy to do all of the talking on the main invitation is a return to tradition, but with hand-crafted flourish. —Augusta Cole

Statement Fashion—For Both the Bride and the Groom

Fashion is stepping it up for weddings! From embroidered capes and dramatic trains to bold second (or third) looks, couples are making wardrobe choices that reflect their personality. This red-carpet-inspired trend is all about owning the moment and showing up in style. —Fallon Carter

Drapery as Decor

From elegant backdrops to draped tabletops, fabric accents are making a big statement. Sagging and soft layers are being used to create cozy, intimate spaces that feel romantic and warm, no matter the venue size. —Fallon Carter

In 2025, there will be a rise in dramatic draping as couples move away from traditional wedding decor. Whether cascading from ceilings, framing walls, or creating soft, romantic backdrops, draping offers a versatile and visually striking alternative to conventional floral arrangements and other classic décor elements. Not only will this luxurious trend replace traditional pipe and drape, but we will also see unique styles of draping on chuppahs and even tabletops. —Jennifer Zabinski

Train Weddings

Luxury train excursions through iconic European destinations are redefining intimate wedding weekends. Delight your guests with experiences that blend timeless elegance with breathtaking scenery. Imagine exchanging vows in a setting of unparalleled romance, dining under crystal chandeliers, and arriving by railcar to lunch in the Cotswolds or Tuscany. For couples craving a once-in-a-lifetime celebration, opulent train adventures are full steam ahead! —Lisa Vorce

Objects as Invitations

Wedding guests were blown away by the dedication to the theme and world we began to pull them into before they arrived. —Melissa Sullivan

Private Vows

Couples are embracing the intimacy of sharing their vows privately before the ceremony. It’s a meaningful way to connect and take in the moment without an audience, allowing for a deeply personal exchange. —Fallon Carter

Wedding Wellness Activities

A trend we have been seeing a lot for 2025 is wellness activities over the weekend—lots of tennis matches, pickleball tournaments, organized hikes, and relay races. —Stefanie Cove

Restaurant Weddings or Restaurant-Catered Weddings

360-Degree Bars

360-degree bars! Our clients are loving four-sided bars whether round, rectangular, or square. They create a fun atmosphere for guests to hang out during cocktails and late at night—and it’s even better if they have a whimsical canopy over them with stripes. —Stefanie Cove, Cove & Co.

Old-fashioned Cakes

Old-fashioned cakes are not new, but they are getting wilder! Colonnades are in again as are open-format designs which we foresee becoming more popular (hopefully fountain cakes, too?) —Melissa Sullivan

Statement Escort Card Seating Displays

Experiential escort card seating displays like a ticket booth or a display of an unusual object specific to the theme. A word of caution: Make sure logistics are considered and that these activations are well-staffed. They are only fun if the direction is made clear and lines are limited!—Melissa Sullivan

What’s Out

Random Destination Weddings

Seemingly random destinations. Ensuring your wedding weekend is wildly memorable and completely unique is a fair priority for any couple, but clients are starting to draw the line when it comes to planning in places without any personal connection. —Augusta Cole

Welcome Bags

Welcome bags full of items no one wants to have to lug home are falling out of trend! Giving guests items that can be consumed during their stay like a nice bottle of champagne or chocolates and a handwritten note from the couple is much more appreciated. —Stefanie Cove

Hyper-Monochromatic Color Schemes

Hyper-monochrome or all-white weddings are out. By no means will a classic white tablecloth ever go out of style, but the organic all-white drapery look seems to have taken the wedding world by storm this year. With our clients, we are seeing a desire to experiment more with color play, whether that be unexpected pastel combinations through a whimsical lens or going unapologetically graphic with your big-picture choices like flooring. —Melissa Sullivan

Matching Everything

From bridesmaid dresses to tablescapes, “matchy-matchy” is out. The look now? Texture, layers, and the perfectly imperfect. Think mixed prints, mismatched china, and tables that look artful, not straight out of a catalog. People with the best taste know: Effortless is the ultimate flex. —Bronson van Wyck

Rigid Dress Codes

Black tie might be timeless, but weddings are embracing a new era of style. From vintage pieces and bold patterns to a fun mix of formal and casual, couples are creating attire storyboards to set the vibe—inviting guests to craft their own look that fits right into the narrative. —Lisa Vorce

Boutonnieres

I am happy to say that we are definitely not seeing boutonnieres right now—more pocket squares for the gentlemen! Personally I love this trend, as boutonnieres feel a bit dated and never look good by the end of the evening. —Stefanie Cove

Photo Booths

Couples are increasingly moving away from traditional photo booths, opting instead for more sophisticated and unique ways to capture memories of their guests. We’re seeing a growing trend of portrait photography setups and illustrators who create custom renditions of guests, offering a fresh and artistic twist on event photography. —Jennifer Zabinski

Too Much Plastic

Couples are becoming more mindful of the environmental impact of their celebrations, taking care to minimize waste and reduce the amount of unnecessary items that end up in the trash at the end of the night. There is a noticeable shift away from plastic props, glow sticks, and other tchotchkes. This thoughtful approach reflects a universal commitment to the planet in this generation of brides and grooms. —Jennifer Zabinski

Overly-Themed Decor

Themed weddings with literal interpretations are being replaced by timeless, elegant designs. Couples are focusing on artistry, mood, and ambiance—crafting a wedding that feels sophisticated and will stand the test of time in photos, rather than sticking to a rigid theme. —Fallon Carter

The Tyranny of the Predictable Timeline

First dance, cake cutting, bouquet toss—sure, they’re traditions, but they don’t need to feel like chores. Couples are finding ways to make the night flow effortlessly, where the vibe dictates the schedule—not the other way around. —Bronson van Wyck

By Elise Taylor

December 18, 2024   VOGUE