Key Wedding Trends For 2024

As We slowly get over the Christmas and New Year celebrations and head back to work, I’ve noticed on my social feeds this constant barrage of what couples planning their 2024 wedding should and shouldn’t be doing. 

This happens every year, but with the ever-present and encroaching nature of social media, it doesn’t seem like I can get away from this idea that we should all follow the same pattern. My social feeds are constantly bombarded with reels and posts about what’s trending for 2024 and what we should leave behind in 2023. 

Well, I’m here to tell you it doesn’t have to be like that. 

So What Is Trending For 2024?

I’ve told this story so many times, but I’m going to tell it again. Last June I photographed a Christmas-themed wedding! That’s right, Christmas in June. It wasn’t full on Christmas, subtle hints throughout the day reminded you of the best time of year, but during the first dance, it went full on Lapland. 

The reason I mention this wedding is that is it the right to have a Christmas wedding during peak summer? 

The answer is, it doesn’t matter because YOU are paying for it. The couple loved Christmas, and they wanted to celebrate their wedding day the way they wanted.

My point is, do what makes you happy. Don’t feel pressured into having the latest trend if you don’t want to. By all means, use those trends to form your own ideas, but do what makes you both happy. 

Below I have listed some ideas of what I would like to see this year. Some are ideas I’ve seen before and I think they work perfectly. Others are opinions I have formed over the last several years I have been photographing weddings. 

I hope they are useful to you and please reach out if you have your own ideas.

A First Look

This is a tradition that has made its way from America, but from my experience of photographing a few first looks, they work really well. They add another layer of emotion into the day, create great natural photos, reduce the nerves before you walk down the aisle and just gives you both five more minutes by yourselves before all the hustle and bustle starts.

Entertain Your Guests

It seems gone are the days of expecting guests to sit around all day with not much to do. In the summer months, the period between finishing your meal and the first dance can be a very long time. It’s great when there’s a little entertainment to keep everyone occupied. Last year I saw everything from crazy golf, garden games, quizzes, tattoo artists, magicians, singers, sketch artists and face painters. A culture shift has meant people don’t want to be sitting around drinking all day, so try to put a little entertainment on that fits into your budget.

Make Your Own Traditions

I’ve lost count over the last few years of how many times brides and grooms have asked me why they are doing this or that. 

Why are we cutting a cake? Why are we doing a first dance? Do we have to do a speech? I hate group photos. Do we have to do them? 

My answer always is, it’s YOUR wedding day, do what makes you comfortable. 

If you hate dancing, then don’t do it, which goes with so much throughout the day. Make your own traditions and enjoy your wedding.

Good Food

I have a few must-haves for weddings and good food is one of them. Food is what brings people together, it’s what connects us as humans and, in most cases, it’s what we all have in common. 

I firmly believe we should be putting good food on during a wedding day. When I say good food, I don’t mean a roast dinner, or food that’s going to break the bank, but food that will connect people. 

Some of the best ideas I’ve seen that really get people together are BBQ platters, cheese and bread, burgers, mac and cheese and the legendary fish finger sandwich. You might serve these during the evening reception but are open to a BBQ or sharing platter during the day. 

Weddings are a way for two families to celebrate the coming together, so why not also do that with food?

Your Budget

Times are tough for everyone. Add in planning a wedding and it will be a stressful time for any couple. 

Think of ways to save money, but without lowering the quality of your wedding. 

Over the last few years and from the experience of my own wedding, I have seen many ways to have a magical wedding, but without spending your life savings. 

Look at alternative wedding venues. The local village hall, a family or friend’s farm, community spaces, or reign in the guest list and hire a smaller room at a local hotel. 

What can you cut back on or do the DIY option to save money? Can you create your own bouquet with readily available flowers? Do you really need wedding favours? Is it cheaper to buy second-hand tableware etc? Can a friend make a cake?

2024 is the year to make memories and not think about how best to impress your guests with fancy cakes or favours they will forget a few weeks later. 

Candid Photography 

I love candid photography and it makes up about 90% of the wedding photos I deliver. I always tell couples to only do what they want. If you want to spend a period taking group photos, then do it, but don’t feel you have to because a distant relative has said you must. 

See my portfolio here

If it’s important to them, work closely with your photographer and ask them for suggestions on naturally fitting some group photos in throughout the day to make it more spontaneous and natural. 

Conclusion

I hope this blog has helped a little. I wanted to write it to give couples a different opinion away from mags and directory sites that are saying their own words are gospel. 

Remember to be true to yourselves, enjoy your wedding day, and don’t break the bank. 

Lastly, I would love to hear your thoughts about the year ahead, what trends you will be following and trends you may be staying away from. Comment below.