14 Ways Weddings Will Be Different in 2016

Designers and planners have been saying that metals will only get bolder and brighter in 2016, and we are already seeing an influx of gold, rose gold, and silver in a variety of wedding details from stationery to wedding gowns to the cake. Wedding planner and designer Jacin Fitzgerald of Jacin Fitgerald Events in Atlanta thinks the metallic phase has evolved from the sequins and sparkle details that were all the rage in 2015 and 2014. "I don't see metallics disappearing completely, but I see them coming through in a more subtle way, from mercury glass tea lights mixed with clear glass to rose gold instead of bright gold as a softer approach," she explains.

Couples who want a more dinner party and less cookie-cutter feeling will ask for dinner to be served on long tables that can seat over a dozen guests. "I do not see an end in sight for long tables," says Jacin, "but I do see more of a mix of long tables and rounds." As for the decor, she says less bare wood will be seen in 2016 and more textural linens that flow to the floor will be used for a more formal look.

Pantone paired a blush pink and pale blue as their color of the year, so brides and grooms who have been using pink as an accent color for over a decade will be adding more blue to their wedding palettes. "The fine art movement started by film photographers has had a huge impact on style trends, and the blues are really appealing to my clients to create more of a timeless look rather than using only shades of pink," Jacin says.

Personalization has been the focus of weddings since the late ‘90s, but in 2016 it’s not just about the monogrammed cocktail napkin and signature drink. It’s about the experience couples want their guests to share with them. "Couples are less focused on overwrought details and 'unfelt' hospitality through cloying and often unnoticed personalization," says Charleston-based wedding planner and designer Calder Clark. Brides and grooms are realizing this is the first, and probably largest, event they will ever host, and therefore want to entertain their family and friends in a way that speaks to their interests, whether it's the food, music, or location.

Possibly due to a smaller budget, inspired by Kate Middleton and Prince William, or just looking for something different, couples are choosing a daytime wedding with a brunch menu instead of the traditional evening affair this year. "We are seeing a surge in couples who want something different, particularly couples with kids who have a desire to have an earlier wedding," says Bess Wyrick, Creative Director at Celadon & Celery in New York and Los Angeles. A brunch menu also allows for couples to get creative with their menu without blowing their budget and having more money for other important elements such as entertainment, photography, or her dress.

With bridesmaids spending an average of $1,700 on each wedding they’re in, it’s about time someone came along to cut a few hundred bucks off their tab. New to the bridal space is Vow to Be Chic, a bridesmaid rental service with a collection of thousands of designer bridesmaid gowns from Monique Lhuillier, Jenny Yoo, and more. "Men have been outsmarting women for decades by renting tuxes while women purchase expensive bridesmaid dresses they only wear once," says founder and CEO of Vow to Be Chic Kelsey Doorey. "Renting bridesmaid dresses takes the hassle out of the whole process and allows you to save money and hours of time."

Local and organic flowers have been popular for years, but for 2016 brides it's more than just a small carbon footprint that they're thinking about. "Natural-looking flowers as if they were just cut from an English Garden is what brides are asking for," says Chris Hessney, owner of Hessney & Co. in New York. "Brides are looking for designs that mimic how a flower grows in nature and not a tight and round design."

A bride may carry a bouquet made up of a variety of flowers, but when it comes to her bridesmaids, the new look is singular. "The new bridesmaid bouquet looks like the flowers were just grabbed from a flower shop, where one woman may carry all peonies and another all garden roses," explains Chris, "which continues that natural look couples are asking for."

For decades it's been a must to toss the bouquet, grab the garter and announce each member of the bridal party, but according to Kerry Beach, business director at Élan Artists, which offers entertainment nationally and internationally, these traditions are on their way out. "More and more couples are opting out of the bouquet toss and garter toss," she says. And as for the bridal party intros, she adds that couples are starting to prefer a simplified introduction and skip the list of announcements all together: "Couples are eager to relax and enjoy the music and their guests, so the list of usual formalities gets reduced. They just want to have fun!"

Weddings bands are no longer playing a set of disco then Motown then funk in the standardized order you've heard before. "Bands are becoming more eclectic musically," explains Kerry. "There's greater customization in the song list and genres, which can now include folk/Rock, indie dance music, EDM and curated lounge sets. Bands are essentially live DJs that are able to mix and blend songs in such a unique and energetic way." Kerry adds that couples can view and hear potential wedding bands live in order to decide which one they "connect" with personally.