12 of the Hottest Wedding Trends of 2015
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It seems as though couples are upping wedding standards each year in terms of creativity, and 2015 was no exception. This was a year of both breaking and reviving traditions from unique bouquet arrangements to modest wedding gowns. While luxe nuptials were inevitably a huge part, thrifty yet fun alternatives were a major trend across the board. Scroll ahead to see some gorgeous inspiration and this year's 12 wedding standouts.
Alternative Bouquets With Greenery
The traditional bouquet might as well be tossed for good, because more and more brides are walking down the aisle with unique bunches. The use of greenery — either as accents or the star player — has become a popular option this year. Not only does it add texture, but it also plays up the shape of the rounded bouquet in a fresh way.
Metallic Finishes
Gold and silver metallics rose as popular chic wedding-cake touches, modernizing the classic white and serving as a fun accent to less-than-traditional cakes. Brides have taken to this trend for a subtle hint of glam that's not too over-the-top.
Modest Wedding Gowns
This year saw a return to more conservative dresses — long sleeves and lacy backs over strapless. Modest gowns are timeless and beautifully elegant, so it's no wonder they made a comeback this year.
Rustic Outdoor Weddings
One of the trendiest wedding themes goes to outdoor rustic. The Pinterest-worthy setting is effortlessly romantic and especially magical come nightfall.
Unique Dessert Stations
This year, it was all about presentation. Repurposing furniture into confectionary sweet spots makes for a pretty self-serving area that guests are sure to love. Macarons in particular seemed to be a wedding favorite.
Succulents
The succulents trend extended from the home to weddings as unexpected bouquet accents and adorable little favors. They're inexpensive yet special, making them perfect centerpiece alternatives as well.
Naked Cakes
Naked cakes were a popular choice among intimate and large receptions alike. Not only is the undressed look pretty, but it's also a great way to cut back on frosting and fondant for health-conscious couples and guests.
Mason Jar Centerpieces
The mason jar is another example of a home trend gone wedding favorite. They're a simple and thrifty way to display floral arrangements and can easily be transformed with metallic paint.
Marquee Signs
What better way to honor a new union than a lit display. From couples' initials to words, marquee signs literally light up the party and serve as creative photo ops for guests as photo booths are becoming overdone. They're also great for mixing up environments — especially outdoors.
DIY and At-Home Photos
More couples this year ditched the grassy meadows and parks for more authentic, intimate photo settings. Whether taken at their own home, in a hotel room, or shot by themselves, straying away from too-posed to a more natural shoot seemed to be preferred.
Creative Wedding Favors
DIY bled into guest favors as originality trumped expensive goodies in 2015 — especially edible ones. Creating thoughtful gifts may be more time consuming, but they're a frugal alternative that guests are more likely to use (or eat).
Surprise Dance Routines
A bride and groom's classic first dance was outdone by choreographed routines. It wasn't unusual for couples to pull out all the stops with popular hits and incoporate their bridal parties into impressive dance numbers like when this bride and groom surprised each other or when this couple made a music video or this groom surprised his ballerina wife with a dance number.