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  5. 13 New Wedding Trends to Watch for in 2018, According to Planners
Martha Stewart Weddings

13 New Wedding Trends to Watch for in 2018, According to Planners

Sarah Schreiber, Senior Digital Editor
By Sarah Schreiber
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Potted Plants
Credit: Erich McVey

Our sources say that the weddings of the future have never looked better. Here, some fresh ideas to look forward to in the new year.

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groom carrying bride
Credit: Mademoiselle Fiona Wedding Photography

If you're planning a wedding in 2018, you're in luck. While classic, timeless touches will never go out of style, up and coming trends are definitely worth your consideration. The reason? These contemporary details are coming straight from the top. We tapped elite event planners for their insight into which trends will rule the 2018 wedding season, and when they talk, we listen.

Based on what they've shared with us, there's so much to look forward to. From dramatic marble dance floors to laser-cut linens, unique texture will be a big element of future celebrations. Also noteworthy? Unexpected uses (and types!) of florals. Expect to see lush dogwood arrangements, living botanical bars, and potted plants on ceremony aisles and everywhere at receptions. Another heads up: Color is back in a big way. Moody and richly pigmented flowers and colorful candle centerpieces will be table décor of choice in the new year. And if you were on the fence about having an outdoor wedding, go with your gut. More and more brides are choosing indoor venues—think industrial lofts, museums, and sheltered rooftops—over the garden, beach, or woods.

The best part? These trends are perfect for every type of wedding, from traditional fêtes to more casual celebrations. As you start planning, feel free to pick and choose your favorite ideas from this fresh and inspired list. Trust us, you'll have no problem selecting a favorite trend or two. We don't want to give away all the fun, so we'll let our go-to event planners take it from here. Click through to discover the future's biggest and brightest wedding trends.

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Living Bars

Living Bar
Credit: Christian Oth Studio/Jack Jeffries
Get More Wedding Bar Inspo

According to Charleston-based planner Calder Clark, custom "living" bars will be hot next year. "Freshly cut foliage fronted with a laser-cut painted wood veneer or stained latticework covered in climbing clematis are just a few snap-worthy ways of transforming the bar experience," she explained. 

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Potted Plants as Aisle Décor

Potted Plants
Credit: Erich McVey
Even More Ways to Elevate Your Ceremony Aisle

The inimitable Ginny Au plans on transforming aisles into garden beds in 2018. "What better way to pay homage to the quintessential English garden than using potted plants in your ceremony décor?" she said. "The pots themselves can be wrapped in silk fabrics to hide the pot and create a harmonious decor that blends with the natural environment."

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Destination Weddings That Embrace Local Culture

Destination Wedding
Credit: Tec Petaja
The Ultimate Guide To Throwing The Best Destination Wedding

An easy way to make a destination wedding feel entirely new? "Embrace the local culture," said Lynn Easton, the planner behind Easton Events. "Exotic destinations for wedding celebrations will continue to trend in 2018​,​ especially in locations where you can get off the grid." The best part of these unique places are the local traditions and customs—like the Montenegro guitar procession, seen here—which makes incorporating them a must-try in 2018.

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Small Wedding Parties

lo-wong-attendants-mwds109374.jpg
Credit: Steve Steinhardt
How To Choose The Perfect Number of 'Maids

In recent years, we've seen brides with huge bridal parties. The largest one in 2017 tallied up to thirteen 'maids! But Kara Delay of Love This Day Events has predicted that brides will choose smaller groups—made up of a single maid of honor or just one or two bridesmaids—in 2018. 

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Emphasis on the After-Party

wedding cocktails rooftop string lights
Credit: Corbin Gurkin
Ways to Make Your After Party Rival the Reception

While nothing could ever replace a reception, more brides will throw their resources into after parties next year, said Lauren Fremont of Loli Events. "The emphasis will be on the late-night portion of the wedding," she explained. "The level of thought that goes into 'the party after the party' will grow in 2018. Whether that means adding a specialty late-night food option, changing into a fun jumpsuit or lighter dress, or moving to an entirely new location to keep guests on their toes, there are many fun ways to keep the party going!"

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Going Back Indoors

meki ian wedding michigan great hall tables
Credit: Lisa Ziesing for Abby Jiu Photography
Go Inside This Ethereal Detroit Art Museum Wedding

2017 might have been the year of the outdoor wedding, but JZ Events founder Jennifer Zabinski believes that couples will reclaim indoor spaces in the future. The types of venues at the top of these couple's lists, however, aren't your average banquet hall. "Industrial, loft-style spaces" and "rooftops or museums" will be venues of choice in 2018, she explained. With high ceilings and open space, they're just as airy as the great outdoors.

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Moody, Colorful Florals

sara-matt-wedding-centerpiece-1506-s111990-0715.jpg
Credit: Alixann Loosle Photography
Discover More Colorful and Moody Blooms

When we asked event planner and designer Anna Lucia what we could expect from the 2018 floral scene, she summed it up in two words: dark and moody. "The big trend for 2018 will be darker, detailed, and textured florals. We've been in a beautiful lull of soft, lush, flowers with lots of greenery, but dark colors are going to be making an appearance in 2018. It's going to be all about the drama!" She also gave us one hue to watch: purple. "We're forecasting color palettes to take a turn towards shades of purples, including wine, lilac, lavender, and mauve."

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Textured Linens

Laser-Cut Linens
Credit: KT Merry
Another Linen Trend: Bold, Bright, Blocky Fabrics

Planners and brides are "taking cues from the runway" for linen inspiration, said Julie Savage Parekh of Strawberry Milk Events. "We'll see more laser-cut, illusion reception details in white and neutral tones," she explained. "Think lots of textured linens." Case in point? This laser-cut overlay from one of Parekh's recent projects, which brought an expected layer to a cream tablecloth.

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Translucent Touches

Transluscent Tent
Credit: Kate Headley
Love Lucite? Here Are More Wedding-Worthy Ways to Use the Trend

With the reemergence of classic mid-century design, it's no surprise that lucite and other see-through mediums are about to have a major wedding moment. According to Allison Jackson of Pineapple Productions, "couples are opting for the modern, architectural, and clean design translucence offers. Clear tents, venues surrounded by floor to ceiling windows, glass tables, and lucite invitations and place cards are all examples of the see-through details to come."

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Marble Dance Floors

Marble Dance Floor
Credit: Christian Oth Studio
Now, Here's How to Get Everyone Onto That Dance Floor

"Texture will reign supreme in 2018," said Calder Clark—even on the ground! "Our latest favorite is deploying Calacatta marble for a jaw-dropping dance floor," she explained. Just be sure to take an aerial photo to capture your guests twirling on the swirled marble.

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Dogwood Bouquets

Dogwood Bouquet
Credit: Rylee Hitchner
More Lush, Cascading Bridal Bouquets

Bridal bouquets have been lush and wild for some time now, but Ginny Au says 2018 will be all about one "overgrown" variety in particular: dogwood. "Bridal bouquets made of only dogwood blooms will make a huge appearance in the spring," she said.

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Colored Candles

edyta-jared-wedding-0246-d110939.jpg
Credit: Belathée Photography
Check Out More Candle Centerpiece Ideas

There's no better way to add vintage romance to your big day than with statement candelabras. But Los Angeles event planner Mindy Weiss wants to give them an upgrade in 2018. "Instead of the standard white and ivory candles, couples are looking to add a splash of color," she said. "Colored candles on tablescapes or peppered throughout the event space are an easy way to add something unexpected to your décor."

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Creative Place Cards

Macaron Place Card
Credit: Ryan Ray
Check Out Other Creative Seating Card Ideas

For Georgia planner Jacin Fitzgerald, place cards are about to take a creative (and delicious!) turn. "While paper will always have a place in weddings and events, there is an ongoing trend to think outside the box," she said. "The new year will weave creative place cards into the event's aesthetic. They'll be edible or made with unexpected mediums, such as plants or vases." The macaron place card seen left—kept fresh by the sweetest mini-cloche—is the perfect example. 

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    1 of 14
    2 of 14 Living Bars
    3 of 14 Potted Plants as Aisle Décor
    4 of 14 Destination Weddings That Embrace Local Culture
    5 of 14 Small Wedding Parties
    6 of 14 Emphasis on the After-Party
    7 of 14 Going Back Indoors
    8 of 14 Moody, Colorful Florals
    9 of 14 Textured Linens
    10 of 14 Translucent Touches
    11 of 14 Marble Dance Floors
    12 of 14 Dogwood Bouquets
    13 of 14 Colored Candles
    14 of 14 Creative Place Cards

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    13 New Wedding Trends to Watch for in 2018, According to Planners
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