Planners Predict 2016 Wedding Trends

We asked planners to look into their magic crystal ball(room)s and predict what will be hot in weddings next year!

More Greenery, Fewer Flowers

Brides still love flowers but are embracing ferns, eucalyptus and other foliage in place of some blooms, says Elizabeth Clayton, a planner with Lowe House Events, in Oakland, California. Garlands will continue to have their moment, as will large potted plants like succulents used as room décor.

From sofas to succulents, couples are realizing the value of renting décor to customize their wedding look, according to Natalie Dawley, of Houston's Two Be Wed, an event planning company. 

"As weddings have taken a turn towards a more formal style, all things sparkly have become very popular," says Holden Alee, an event planner with Stella Event Design, in St. Joseph, Michigan. To show their love for these new neutrals, brides will send out glitzy invitations and set tables with sequined linens and mercury glass.

Brides and grooms who appreciate high-quality food and aren't willing to settle for anything less for their wedding meal are booking restaurant receptions in the new year, says Clayton. "They want an establishment that's experienced in serving 175 people every day and provides excellent service."

Wedding hashtags will continue to be popular in 2016, but planners predict more couples will ask guests not to use their cell phones to take photos or post on social media, says Clayton. Brides and grooms will gear towards more of an intimate feeling at the wedding, and sharing it with hundreds of people would negate that.

To show off their receptions to the best effect, couples will go beyond candles and hang more stylized lighting such as crystal chandeliers, cafe lights, or Edison bulbs, says Alee. 

Brides still love a rustic wedding theme but are swapping out the mason-jar/burlap vibe with something more glam. "We're elevating the rustic venue by incorporating candelabras, greenery, garlands, and lush, romantic florals," says Alee. "Just because you're in a barn it doesn't mean you need to go with hay and wildflowers!"