It’s our favorite time of the year! With wedding season in full swing, we asked wedding planners across the country to tell us what trends are dominating 2025 weddings thus far.
From intimate guest lists and unexpected décor to hands-on activities and unique experiences, these are some of the trends dominating weddings in 2025.
Smaller Guest Lists
One trend that many planners are seeing this year is smaller, more intimate weddings. Josiah Carr and Justin McGregor, founders of SAMKOMA wedding & event planning, observed how they’re seeing “[s]maller groups but more impact and intentionality. We are seeing more couples hosting a smaller number of guests but for a longer length of time. Three to four days of celebrations. This gives the couple ample quality time to spend with their loved ones, and by having a smaller guest count, the budget can go a bit further.” According to Tum Hi Ho Events, “Intimate guest lists allow for immersive experiences, where cultural storytelling and high-quality dining are taking center stage.”
Anna & Jay’s intimate 3 day destination wedding in France with 38 guests. Photo: Still Miracle, Wedding Planner: SAMKOMA
Interactive Experiences
In 2025, planners are also seeing couples get more and more creative and personalized with the experiences they offer their guests. East Coast-based planner Davis Row said they’re seeing a lot of “[c]eremonies that center your community, curated tasting menus, customized merch…couples are going all in on the things that really make a wedding an experience rather than a performance. I’m so here for it."
Chandani & Dharmin’s romantic, Indian ceremony Photo: Zach Blum, Wedding Planner: Tum Hi Ho Events
While live music or a DJ will likely always be a part of weddings, planners are seeing more variety in the types of experiences offered at weddings. According to SAMKOMA, “Many couples are loving the idea of multiple activities for their guests to enjoy vs. a traditional concept of the dance floor being the sole entertainment. We are booking live poets, tarot card readings, video booths, photo booths, and even pop-up tattoo parlors!”
Kiki & Koko had a live poet/haikuist at their wedding. Photo: Shannon Yen, Wedding Planner: SAMKOMA
Lemon Drop Team, a Boston-based wedding planner, has observed “more couples embrace on-site activations like custom-engraved gifts (think: personalized champagne glasses) and live illustration drawings. It adds such a memorable, engaging touch that guests adore.”
With everyone glued to their phones in today’s digital age, planners are also noticing how more weddings are incorporating intentional, digital-free moments. According to Lea Stafford, Principal of Stafford Creative + Co., “Couples are embracing truly present moments through thoughtful design interventions, analog moments, dedicated ‘unplugged lounges’ for grounded conversation and reconnection, and sensory-first activations that deliver experiences guests wouldn't want to miss by being distracted. Think scent journeys, tactile installations, sound nostalgia, or texture-based interactive displays that engage the senses beyond a photo. We encourage more of this behavior since we're only witnessing the beginning, with a shift in how the world is currently operating. My hope each time? The gathering feels refreshingly human and connected.”
A tactile installation at Stanly Ranch. Photo: Lance Nicoll, Wedding Planner: Stafford Creative + Co
Dedicated Content Capture
On the flip side, many couples are leaning into this digital world we live in, prioritizing content by factoring it into the day and budget. “In addition to photo/video teams, couples are hiring dedicated content creators to capture real-time, social media-ready footage of the day,” says Jamésa of Jayne Heir Weddings + Events. Some are even including “a glamorous photo setup (think Vanity Fair-style) for guests to take stylized portraits during cocktail hour or reception.”
Brittney & Aunsara's photo setup. Photo: Terri Baskin, Planner: Jayne Heir
Key Moments Together
To emphasize the coming together of two individuals, weddings typically keep each person in the couple separated until the actual vows have begun. However, some planners have noticed couples participating in more rituals together, even leading up to the ceremony. According to North Carolina-based Plain With Sprinkles Events, “Getting ready together is a whole new magic,” as well as “[w]alking down the aisle together—my other favorite.” We love how this refreshing perspective celebrates a couple’s unity throughout the entire wedding process, not only after the knot has been tied.
Omar & Casey taking a moment for themselves. Photo: Tia Nicole, Planner: Plain with Sprinkles
Unexpected Elements
One of the most prevalent themes from weddings in recent years, and especially this year, is the desire to make a wedding feel personalized and distinct from the rest. One way couples are doing this is through unexpected elements you wouldn’t see at a traditional wedding. “Couples are embracing surprise elements, from unexpected wedding formats to dramatic outfit changes and nostalgic late-night snacks,” according to Tum Hi Ho Events.
Another way to incorporate the element of surprise? Through the decor! Award-winning wedding planner Jove Meyer reported that “[t]he days of traditional white linens and standard silverware are officially behind us. Couples today want fun, and there's no better way to bring that energy to life than through bold, layered patterns and unexpected pops of color. Pattern-on-pattern is so in right now, adding dimension, personality, and an element of surprise to your wedding décor.”
Marissa & Joe's colorful florals and invites. Photo: Amber Gress, Planner: Jove Meyer
While candlelit weddings will always be a classic, apparently table lamps are the next big thing! According to Jove Meyer, “These stunning pieces evoke a sophisticated dinner party vibe, seen in the chicest restaurants around the world. From sleek modern designs to more eclectic, vintage-inspired options, lamps are a unique way to add warmth, personality, and texture to your tablescape. The right lamp can transform your reception into an intimate gathering filled with character and style.”
Food That Looks AND Tastes Good
This year, planners are also seeing recurrent trends around wedding food and beverage presentation. Once the vows have been said and rings have been swapped, cocktail hours have been getting a makeover. Lemon Drop Team observes, “From martini carts, caviar tasting, and oyster shuckers to boba bars and bánh mì sliders made to order, cocktail hour is becoming more interactive and personalized. It’s such a fun way to kick things off and give guests something to talk about!”
Boba bar. Photo: Hung Vu, Planner: Lemon Drop Team
When it comes to serving the food, “[t]he days of food stations piled high with mountains of stuff are gone. Today's couples are thinking about food not just as sustenance but as art. Food is presented with intention, and aesthetics are key. From beautifully arranged charcuterie spreads to bite-sized masterpieces, the focus is on the visual appeal as much as the flavor,” says Jove Meyer. “Couples are getting creative with their bread choices, opting for warm, floral-infused loaves, and the butter? It’s not just butter—it’s beautifully flavored, perfectly shaped little works of art that add a playful touch to your culinary experience. These small details, yes, even the bread and butter, can set the tone for a meal that’s as memorable as the rest of the day.”
Blair & Iman’s rehearsal dinner. Photo: HV Photography, Planner: Jove Meyer
And finally, it’s time for dessert! Jove notes that “[t]iers are wonderful, but we’re seeing a massive shift toward rectangular, sleek cakes that make a bold statement. The modern twist on the traditional cake isn’t just about taste (though rest assured, they still deliver on flavor) but about shape and design. These long, contemporary cakes are a stylish and unexpected focal point for the celebration, proving that innovation and tradition can come together beautifully.”
Guest-First Decisions
While couples are focused on making their big day feel like their own, they’re also keeping the experience of their guests top-of-mind in 2025—which may be a result of smaller, more intimate guest lists. According to Stafford Creative + Co., “Couples are intentionally weaving slow, immersive touch points throughout their gatherings that demand presence; guided tastings that explore whatever you'd like, live acoustic sets in intimate settings, circles of intention, or storytelling moments that honor history. These aren't just schedule fillers; they're designed pauses that prepare guests for what's on the other side and invite them to connect with the moment and each other.”
Raina & Elliot honoring tradition. Photo: LA76 Photography, Planner: Stafford Creative + Co.
Keeping your guests in mind can also come through in something as minor but impactful as sitting vs. standing. Plain With Sprinkles Events is seeing more couples who are “[l]etting your wedding party sit! Not stand at the ceremony—we see relief all around—photos of the ceremony are less cluttered. The wedding party is happier.”
Pre-Wedding Honeymoon
The stress of wedding planning, coupled with the headaches of everyday life, is influencing some couples to plan a getaway before the big day. According to Jove Meyer, “Planning a wedding can be one of the most exhilarating, but also the most stressful experiences. Why wait until after the big day to unwind? More and more couples are opting for a pre-wedding honeymoon. Imagine escaping for a few days before the chaos sets in—getting some quality time together, recharging, and yes, even crossing off some last-minute wedding tasks. It’s the perfect way to reset, enjoy each other’s company, and return ready to embrace the big day with a fresh perspective. We just had our pre-wedding honeymoon in Africa on Safari with Belmond, and it was amazing, highly recommend!” Another excuse to take a vacation? You don’t need to tell us twice!
Jove Meyer's pre-wedding honeymoon in Africa.
We’d like to extend a huge thank you to all the wedding planners who contributed to our summer 2025 wedding trends roundup: Davis Row, Jayne Heir, Jove Meyer, Lemon Drop Team, Plain With Sprinkles, SAMKOMA, Stafford Creative + Co., and Tum Hi Ho Events.
Questions? Give us a shout at help@hiholden.com or a ring (pun intended) at 646.722.6817.
