I recently designed a wedding invitation for one of my friends and it had me in a wedding planning state of mind. So of course I started pinning wedding ideas on Pinterest and what I noticed is that I really like the ideas for creating a casual wedding. A wedding that is still put together beautifully, but nothing fussy. I think this happened because most of the ideas seemed centered around the guests, making the day not just about the bride, but everyone else too. So it becomes a day that’s enjoyable and memorable for all who attend.
Needless to say, I noticed 10 trends that will help anyone set the tone for a fun, casual and inviting wedding. I grouped them into Decor, Attire and Food. And even if you aren’t planning a wedding, I think these are nice tips for planning any party. So come dream with me.
First, the Decor
1: Casual Dining with Long Tables
1: Grey Likes Weddings 2: Style Me Pretty 3: Once Wed 4: Elle Decoration
I love me a long, rustic table, so it’s nice to see they are becoming more and more a wedding norm. Right away, it sets the tone for a casual, yet elegant, event. And why long tables? The long tables make it easier to use inexpensive items—random bottles, greenery and candles—because they can cascade casually down the center of your table and still make a big impact. That feel is harder to create using round tables that need one main focal point.
2: Succulents, Succulents and More Succulents
I love that succulents are being incorporated into centerpieces, wedding bouquets, boutonnieres and place cards. They are instantly whimsical and are a great choice if you’re trying to DIY your wedding because they are affordable and can be purchased and put together weeks ahead of time.
3: Juliet Roses for the Splurge
1: Magnolia Rouge 2: Style Me Pretty 3: Stylish Wed 4: SF Girl by Bay
Have you ever met a more romantic flower than the Juliet Rose? If you don’t know which one it is, it’s the peach, multi-petal rose in the pictures above. Now, these are not cheap. They’ll cost you about $10-15 a stem—yikes, I know—but they sure do bring the wow factor. If going casual with everything else, perhaps you can find it in your budget to splurge on a few of these amazing blooms.
Now, the Attire
4: Off-the-Shoulder Wedding Dresses
1: Style Me Pretty 2: The Knot 3: Wedding Inspirasi 4: The Wedding Playbook
There’s something so charming about the look of the off-the-shoulder strap on these dresses. It just lends perfectly to all the other casual details.
5: Suits Instead of Tuxes
Let’s face it, if everything for your day is saying, “Let’s have fun,” do you really want the guys dressed in tuxes that they dread? I say, have them rent amazing suits that may still not be as comfortable as board shorts or jeans, but a stylish compromise. I’m really loving the tan and light gray suit choices. Check out The Black Tux for more ideas and suit rental options!
6: Accessories for Men
We tend to spend most of our time thinking about what the bride and bridesmaids are wearing, but there are so many stylish details now available for men. So have fun with it and think about including patterns for the tie, bow tie or even a pocket square. And these details will pay off because when you accessorize the men, it means they will still look dapper even when the coats come off. Insuring your pictures look nice all night long.
And the Last 4 are Centered Around Food
7: Pre-Wedding Refreshments
1: Brides 2: Hey Wedding Lady 3: Martha Stewart 4: Hostess with the Mostest
Let’s face it, weddings don’t always run on time. Or even if they do, dinner never seems to be served on time, leaving guests starving. And having hangry guests is no bueno. Therefore, I’m all about serving pre-wedding refreshments. Greeting guests with cocktails and snacks before the ceremony is sure to have them smiling and saying, “This is the best wedding, ever!” before you even say, “I do.”
8: Wedding Food Trucks
Living in Southern California, I’ve always said I would just hire a taco guy for my wedding and now that food trucks are all the rage, that’s not sounding so crazy any more. Whether it’s for your main course, your bar or your desserts, food trucks are a charming way to not just stay casual but be hip at the same time.
9: Say Goodbye to Fondant
From naked cakes to beautiful buttercream, say goodbye to fondant and hello to gorgeous cakes that will wow with their simplicity.
10: Late-Night Snacks
1: Brides 2: Apartment Therapy 3: Etsy 4: Brides
Okay, maybe I’m obsessed about food, but at the end of a wedding, and after all that dancing, you know you’re starving. That’s why the late-night snack trend is right up my alley. And I must admit, I like the salty treat ideas—like pretzels, popcorn, hamburgers and pizza—a little more than I do sweets like donuts. If you want sweets, get seconds on cake 😉
So those are my Top 10 Casual Wedding Trends for 2017. What about you? What trends are you loving? Do you like these casual trends or do you prefer a more formal event? Let me know in the comments.
