2021 wedding trends

With the COVID-19 pandemic affecting so many lives, weddings are changing in 2021. Many brides and grooms are opting for smaller, more intimate ceremonies and celebrations, and others are looking to get married on a smaller budget. Since each state has its own set of rules, the type and size of wedding you have may depend on your local jurisdiction. Two of the most popular trends are micro weddings and elopements. Here’s how you can pull these off for a fabulous, one-of-a-kind wedding experience.

How to have a micro wedding

A micro wedding is simply a smaller and more intimate wedding that typically has a maximum of around 20-50 guests. These guests are usually immediate family members and a handful of the couple’s closest friends. Not only is this trend easier to manage, but it’s also less expensive for the couple. With a free venue (your yard,) less food, and fewer people to entertain, it’s easy to see why micro weddings are becoming a preference for couples in 2021. Here are some things to keep in mind when considering a micro wedding:

Limit your guest list. Micro weddings are much smaller than the standard wedding, and that means your guest list will be quite limited. Sit down with your partner and come up with a solid guest list that you can both agree on. Always include immediate family first, then think about the rest of the people on your list and which people in your lives would mean the most if they were to attend. Have a few backup invitees in mind just in case some people decline due to worries about gatherings during COVID-19.

Cut the size of the wedding party: A micro wedding is small, so you may have to say goodbye to the flower girl and ring bearer and cut your wedding party down to just the maid of honor and best man rather than tons of bridesmaids and groomsmen.

Perfect your budget: Since your wedding will be small, you’ll need to think hard about where to focus most of your budget. Maybe you can take that extra money to splurge on a gorgeous designer bridal gown, or perhaps you might decide to save the extra cash for a lavish honeymoon. Think about the areas of your wedding where you want to spend more, like décor or flowers, and put your main focus there.

Spoil your guests. Since you’ll have fewer guests at your micro-wedding, give them a special treat, like a delectable four-course dinner, luxurious wedding favors, or a bit more alcohol to celebrate the occasion.

How to plan your elopement

Another wedding trend surging in popularity right now is elopement. When you choose to get married this way, you’re basically just tying the knot at the local courthouse or in a very private ceremony. In general, very few people are in on the secret. Couples are choosing elopement because they don’t want to wait to get married until COVID-19 restrictions are lifted. Remember that just because you’re getting married without a huge party afterward, it doesn’t mean that your elopement can’t be special. Consider these elopement tips to ensure that the day is extra-special:

Choose a dream location. Since you won’t have a huge guest list, you can elope in your back yard, if that’s your dream location, or you can pick a special place to get married, like a tropical beach, a beautiful mountaintop, or anywhere that you both cherish visiting as a couple. This will make for an amazing backdrop for photos, too.

Splurge on a great photographer. Hire an incredible wedding photographer to document your big moment. These intimate photos will be meaningful to you both, and they’ll be a wonderful way to share the moment with your family and friends who didn’t attend.

Celebrate later. Remember, just because you elope, it doesn’t mean that you can’t have a celebration later. Get excited about planning an amazing party with your family and friends later that will be much more relaxed, laid-back, and fun for everyone involved.

Tell your closest loved ones. Eloping doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to get married in secret. You can tell the people you love about your plans and why you’re choosing to do it this way so there aren’t any hard feelings later on. Let them know what you’re still planning to have everyone celebrate together – it will just be at a later time.

Dress for the occasion. Even though you’re eloping, you should still dress up for the big day. Have fun choosing a gorgeous gown and a handsome suit so that your photos are spectacular. Consider renting your wedding attire to save even more money while still looking stunning when you say your vows, or go the vintage route and order sweet wedding duds online.

Although wedding trends are changing in 2021, it doesn’t mean that your big day won’t be memorable. Decide as a couple which option is best for you, and remember that what matters is that you’re making a lifelong commitment to someone you love, and the big celebrations can always come later. ”

Thank you for this helpful write up from my friend, Isabella Caprario.