Cake vignettes, coordinating jewelry, AI assistance, multiple outfit changes, curated activities, welcome parties, blurred-action photos, crafting stations, retro vibes, and scavenger hunts – wedding trends are the one constant that constantly changes! Just when we’ve sort of figured out what’s new in weddings, we are amazed to find out that the people getting married out there are more creative than ever. We can only scratch the surface on the latest, and we hope this will provide a bit of helpful fodder for planning the next great nuptial!
Going Green/Farm:
There has been a significant uptick in using farms and barns for wedding settings, adding in such touches as a farm-to-table dining experience, or picking flowers as part of the festivities, or even using farm fresh produce in the meal and at the tables for decorations. The benefits of the trend are more affordability, sustainability, a rustic charm, seasonal themes, and great photo opportunities. Some local options for our area include:
* Schwinn Produce Farm: located in Leavenworth, Kansas, it provides a barn accommodating 250 guests, a bridal house for dressing and mingling for the bridal party, tables, chairs, and a catering kitchen. Only for use as a daytime venue.
* Coffey Grounds Farm: located in Stilwell, Kansas, this is a working farm, they can host events, and they host classes (Porch and Patio series), allow visitors to pick flowers and produce, and they host special events with Chef Jonathon Dallen, highlighting foods from the farm.
* Weston Red Barn Farm: located in Weston, Missouri, barn and farm open season begins on Memorial Day, and they have a working farmstead, provide two wedding barns – the Red Barn and the Timber Barn, hilltop views, and a country store.
* The Farms at Woodend Springs: located in Bonner Springs, Kansas, they have three event spaces, the Main Event, the Veranda, and the Ceremony space. Multiple packages are provided, and climate control, and indoor/outdoor options are available.
Branding:
The term “branding” can refer to the entire wedding experience from save-the-date cards to the final gift given to guests at the end of the festivities.
Let’s explore some of the components of branding:
* Start with a mood board to create visuals for desired style and atmosphere.
* Create a color palette with two to three primary colors, and two to three accent colors.
* Choose a “voice” for the experience – is it casual, formal, folksy, Parisian, or something else?
* Select a font/typestyle suitable for the overall feel – it should match the voice.
* Pick accents – monograms, graphics, and materials such as wood, metals, or textiles.
Now, it’s time to integrate the elements above into the wedding experience:
* Stationery – save-the-date cards, invitations, place cards, thank you notes, menus, and guest book
* Decor – let loose with chosen colors, textures, accents, and how it all fits together and fits with the venue. Think flowers, linens, table settings, door decorations, and more.
* Ceremony/Reception – decorate bars, chairs, signs, instructions, and menus with chosen elements.
Immersion in the Experience:
Once the basics are chosen, and the venue is secured, it is time to start the real planning of how to create a dream wedding with ways for not only the bride and groom to feel the whole experience, but for the guests to be an integral part of the day and night.
* The venue should provide the backdrop for the type of event – maybe it is a more casual affair in a barn, or maybe it is a black-tie event in a club – now is the time to tie all of the pieces together and add the personal touches. The bridal party and the guests should feel as if they are in a curated cocoon. It does not have to be expensive, it just has to be well thought out.
* Thoughtful guest accommodations – ensure the safety and comfort of the guests with ample information being provided about transportation, location, travel, schedules, suggestions for attire for different occasions, and ways to ask questions of someone other than the bride and groom! A welcome gift for guests is always appreciated, if affordable. It can include water, snacks, map of the area, suggestions for finding stores, places to visit, and other necessities. If it is a location out of the country, provide emergency assistance and currency/language information.
* The fun stuff: If there is some time to fill with guests between the ceremony and reception, or other time gaps, consider some fun suggestions like a crafting station, a live artist painting the scene, a scavenger hunt, a photo station, or just coffee and a place to sit and relax. If retro is the thing, consider adding in a jukebox or turntable and selection of albums for guests to enjoy.
The Cake Meadow:
No, it is not a meadow full of cakes! But, it is a gorgeous trend that combines the beauty of the wedding cake with the beauty of the floral arrangements or the great outdoors, or both.
* Use all of the creative elements already chosen to enhance this fun way of displaying a cake. Use flowers that compliment the rest of the venue. It can also be a way to reuse florals – maybe moving some from the ceremony to the reception area.
* Choose a table that is large enough for the cake, a cutting/plate/knife area, and able to handle all of the flowers desired. We particularly like the idea of a serpentine table graced with a beautiful tablecloth (accent or like dining tables), and a lot of flowers in, around, on, and cascading from the cake.
* This creates a photo opportunity of its own, so make sure there is good lighting, and room for everyone to gather around when the cutting of the cake happens. This will truly be a centerpiece of the reception experience. Make sure the photographer gets great shots before the cutting commences!
Positive Psychology:
Don’t check out here! Creating a positive vibe is harder than it sounds and more necessary than one might think. There are myriad stressors with wedding planning for everyone involved. Families are complicated, and there are lots of differing opinions on how things ought to go. Often the bride bears the psychological burden for the event and the people surrounding it. So, there are a few ways to help hedge the jitters and the nerves, and assure a smoother outcome for everyone.
* If cultures, religions, backgrounds, or languages are being blended, take some extra care. Try to honor heritages for the bride and groom, and provide educational tips for those who might need it. A line in the program explaining a religious ritual can be helpful.
* Love story video – it softens everyone’s hearts to see how the love story started and hear the devotion between the two getting married.
* Honoring those not there – set aside a special time and place and moment during the ceremony or the reception to honor those special people who could not be there to help celebrate the couple. Think candles, prayers, a short reading, and more.
* Heirlooms – incorporate a piece of a grandmother’s jewelry or a grandfather’s pocket watch into the ceremony. It goes above and beyond the old “something borrowed, something blue” idea.
* Try to highlight – love, joy, excitement, affection, and romance.
* Stay grounded – in the meaning of the day. Manage expectations. Be present in the moment. Connect with those in attendance. And finally…
* Give yourself grace – something will happen that isn’t expected. Try to absorb it, maybe laugh at it, and go on and enjoy the day.
Happy Wedding Planning!
Featured in the May 31, 2025 issue of The Independent
