As we wave goodbye to 2024, let’s take a look back over the top wedding trends of the year and anticipate what is yet to come!
From stunning decor ideas to new approaches to ceremonies, 2024’s wedding trends embraced creativity, personalisation and sustainability. Whether you’re planning a grand celebration or an intimate gathering this new year, here are the top wedding trends that dominated 2024 and what I predict will carry on through to this year…
1. Sustainable Weddings: eco-friendly is here to stay!
In 2024, sustainability was not just a trend; it was a movement. Couples are becoming increasingly mindful of their environmental impact and this was reflected in their wedding choices. Many couples last year elected for more eco-conscious venues with green certifications, eco-friendly policies and a focus on minimising waste.
Some couples even opted for more plant-based menus and locally sourced ingredients. According to the Sustainable Wedding Alliance, the average carbon footprint of a UK wedding is more than the average annual household footprint! (1)
Over recent years, we have witnessed ‘sustainable fashion’ soar! From the surge in the popularity of apps like Vinted and Depop, to charity shops being flooded by all generations, renting wedding dresses and buying pre-loved garments seemed like a no-brainer: it not only helps save the planet but also saves us a significant amount of money. What’s not to like?
A rather beautiful touch was an increasing number of couples last year chose to donate their used bouquets and flower arrangements to hospitals or repurpose them for charity events instead. With all the money that gets spent on flowers each year, I cannot think of a more kind gesture and great way to extend their beauty for longer (which goes to a good cause as well!).
2. Intimate Weddings: small, meaningful and memorable
I feel, often, the endless possibilities and ever-increasing budgets for weddings have gotten so extravagant that it runs the risk of couples ‘themselves’ forgetting the real reason for them getting married in the first place!
Couples are beginning to prefer to celebrate with their nearest and dearest, focusing on meaningful connections rather than grandiose guest lists. I would like witness much more of this shift towards smaller, more intimate weddings in 2025.
Smaller weddings allow for a greater focus on quality over quantity, both in terms of guest lists and the overall experience. Take micro weddings for instance: weddings that typically have around 20-50 guests where couples can focus on creating memorable moments with the people who matter most to them. We saw lots of these following the recent Covid-19 pandemic and, according to Hitch, there has been a 22% increase in the search for the words ‘micro weddings’ (2).
The shift toward more personal and intimate experiences, combined with a desire for meaningful moments, has made micro weddings a major trend in 2024.
3. Non-traditional wedding ceremonies: cue independent wedding celebrants!!!
The marriage landscape has evolved significantly over the years influenced by cultural, social and legal changes. Couples are moving away from cookie-cutter, traditional wedding ceremonies in favor of highly personalised rituals that reflect their unique love stories and backgrounds. Traditional elements like vows and ring exchanges are still there but couples are adding new, meaningful rituals which has been enabled by the ever-increasing popularity of wedding celebrants.
Historically, couples had to choose between a religious faith-based wedding in a church or with a Registrar in a registry office. Not anymore! The unsurprising increase in wedding celebrants reflects the public’s wishes for something new, something more personal and tailored to ‘their’ own love story and values. This tends to create a more memorable experience rather than a standardised script being used. According to the Hitched Wedding Report, there was a dramatic rise in the number of celebrant-led weddings, with a 49% increase in search volume for ‘celebrant weddings’ in the past year alone, with celebrant-led weddings being number 1 on the list of 2024 wedding trends (3).
Choosing a wedding celebrant also offers couples more financial flexibility, as often many licensed venues have high rates to hold a registered wedding. This is particularly problematic as many are feeling the strain of the cost of living crisis. Couples also want more freedom to choose where they wish to get married: places that are not necessarily ‘traditional’ and there is a growing trend towards outdoor settings, destination weddings and non-traditional locations.
Thanks to the help of wedding celebrants, couples no longer feel constrained by traditional or religious ceremony scripts and, instead, seek ceremonies that truly capture their essence on a more meaningful and creative way.
4. Bold colours and dramatic florals
While pastel tones have always been the popular choice, 2024 was all about embracing vibrant colors and dramatic florals that made a statement.
More recently couples have embraced deep jewel tones and, combined these with rich moody hues…even the colour black! Historically, couples would never have dreamt of having a ‘black’ wedding, with white dresses being the long-standing non-negotiable, traditional colour of choice with its symbolism tied to it that denotes ‘purity’ and ‘virtue’.
With the help of celebrities and influencers testing such boundaries, many couples have since followed suit and embraced these rich colours that create a more luxurious, modern feel.
To match these more daring and vibrant colour schemes, full and lush floral arrangements have also been trending with an emphasis on texture and drama. Couples are embracing large installations, wild bouquets and florals that make a stronger statement. According to Hitched, searches for ‘colourful bridal bouquet’ were up 267% in 2024. (4)
Bold colours and dramatic florals give couples the opportunity to create a more personalised, unique aesthetic that’s more memorable and striking. With the rise of social media, couples are looking for Instagram-worthy designs that leave a lasting impression and for that reason, I expect to see even bolder, more dramatic color palettes this new year.
5. Tech-savvy weddings: weddings in the digital age
2024 weddings embraced technology in new exciting and innovative ways, making it easier to connect with guests and create lasting memories.
Take live-streaming for instance – with your wedding day being one of the most significant moments of your life, it can be unthinkable not having those closest to us not there to celebrate with us. Fear not! Live-streaming wedding ceremonies has enabled family and friends from across the globe to participate virtually.
Also, with a wedding list as long as your arm and a potentially eye watering budget, the growing use of wedding websites and apps has been a godsend, helping provide guests with all the details needed to RSVP without having to send a physical paper invite out. Not only does this help the planet, but our wallets too!
I met a lady recently who told me that the best decision she ever made was using an audio guest book! Rather than a written guest book, family and friends could leave recorded messages on a vintage restored rotary telephone that can later be digitally downloaded (5). She told me that she listens to it all the time, even a year on and it makes her smile every time. There is something much more heartfelt and personal in hearing a familiar voice than a written piece in a book.
As technology continues to play a major role in our daily lives, couples are looking for ways to incorporate it into their weddings for a more connected, modern experience. With AI also really testing the limits of what we all believe technology to be capable of, I can only expect an increase in tech-savvy weddings in the coming years!
The verdict?
The wedding trends for 2024 were a beautiful reflection of the evolving desires and values of modern couples. From sustainability to technology and bold fashion choices, weddings are becoming more personal, creative and meaningful than ever before.
Whether you’re planning a big celebration or an intimate gathering, 2025 offers an exciting variety of trends that make your day as unique as your love story.
Are you ready to incorporate some of these trends into your own wedding in 2025?