The 15 Best Wedding Trends of 2015

By Maya Wong
December 15, 2015
Luna Photo/www.lunaphoto.com

Find out brides and grooms we're loving this year

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Luna Photo/www.lunaphoto.com

From nontraditional wedding cakes to homemade wedding favors, one thing is for sure: 2015 weddings were full of personal style and one-of-a-kind details. Here, wedding planners and designers from across the country tell us what brides and grooms couldn't get enough of this year! 

Macramé

Macramé isn't just for beach weddings anymore! "This handmade touch was woven into weddings everywhere from table runners to whimsical escort displays," says Amorology, a California-based wedding coordination and design company. The easy-to-do wedding accent complements bohemian and black-tie weddings alike.

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Extra Entertainment

Jake Thomas Photography/www.jakethomas.co.nz

"Hiring an unexpected treat for cocktail hour like an oyster bar, a barista, or cotton candy cart is becoming very popular. We're always trying to think of new fun ideas to bring to the table that reflect the bride and the groom and their venue," says Meredith Cherniack, Event Planner and Creative Director at Lavender & Clove.

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Cascading Bouquets

Ozzy Garcia/www.ozzygarcia.com

For a growing number of brides this year, cascading bouquets were one way brides brought a majestic element to their look. "These bouquets add the unexpected to any wedding affair with unique colors and textures depending on the type of seasonal flowers and greens selected," says Eileen Morales, owner of Beauty in the Making.

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Mixed-Media Invites

Josh Gruetzmacher/www.joshgruetzmacher.com

Couples aren't sticking to paper wedding invitations. "Other mediums are being used—wood, slate, marble, leather, and acrylic—which can accept many of the traditional stationery flourishes," explains Kate Siegel, owner of Kate Siegel Fine Events.

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(Nearly) Naked Cakes

Shannon Von Eschen

You've seen hundreds of naked cakes on Pinterest, but this year, Anderson noticed brides and grooms going for a barely-there look instead of completely nude. "Partials have a light layer of icing all the way around, you can see the cake through it, and the purpose is so the cake doesn't dry out," says Amber Anderson, owner at Heavenly Day Events.

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Pops of Color

Nicolas Gourguechon/www.commarts.com/fresh/nicolas-gourguechon

2015 was full of neutral color palettes with big pops of color. "We've found more ways to incorporate bright colors naturally without being overwhelming. Using colorful flowers, cocktails, fruit, or china can have a beautiful impact while keeping your palette authentic," Cherniack says.

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Upgraded Calligraphy

Luna Photo/www.lunaphoto.com

Yes, calligraphy has always been a staple in weddings, but in 2015, couples used calligraphy in fresh and innovative ways on everything from invites to menus to place cards. "This hand-drawn detail was customized for each client, ranging from classically romantic to modern and whimsical," Amorology says.

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Unique Desserts

Acqua Photo/www.acquaphoto.com

Nothing says "modern wedding" like opting out of one grand wedding cake. "In lieu of the traditional multilayered wedding cake, we've seen plenty of couples opt for mini-dessert displays along with a small cutting cake for the bride and groom," Amorology says.

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Personal DIY Touches

Sweet T Studios/www.sweettstudios.com

From custom beer to homemade treats in mason jars, couples got seriously personal with their DIY details this year according to Cherniack.

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Whimsical Details

Andrew Chan/www.andrewchanweddings.com

"Flowing lines and open, wild flower arrangements are taking over," Anderson says. Structured and traditional weddings were replaced by breezy and natural weddings.

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Beautiful Backdrops

Gideon Photography/www.gideonphoto.com

Backdrops are a surefire way to set the mood at your wedding. "A lasting trend among Amorology couples has been our custom pieces that we have partnered with Backup Backdrops to create," Amorology notes. We get why so many couples had one at their celebrations—they make for amazing photos!

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Mismatched Chairs

Ozzy Garcia/www.ozzygarcia.com

"In order to bring natural elements of wood, some couples choose to use mismatched chairs that are not only gorgeous, but unique as well," says Morales. The low-key touch brought a home-y vibe to ceremonies this year.

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Silver Flatware

Jason Murakawa

Silver is making a huge comeback on the wedding table. "For a while now, gold flatware has been in vogue and it will continue to stay popular because it is beautiful … but, silver is coming back," Siegel says. And it's not simply silver—silver with intricate details like textured or wood handles are popping up in weddings too.

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Hanging Aisle Décor

Ozzy Garcia/www.ozzygarcia.com

Another trend that Morales's clients went for this year was décor-from-above! The choice is light, gentle, and whimsical. The lush greenery sets the ultimate romantic surrounding for a ceremony.

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Unique Venues

Jake Thomas Photography/www.jakethomas.co.nz

"Couples are leaning away from the hotel ballroom or resort banquet, and finding locations off the beaten path … The venue is probably the greatest opportunity to let your personalities and history shine as it sets the stage and tone for the entire day," Cherniack says.

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