and repurposed materials to create stylish yet budget-friendly weddings. This caused a rise in rustic barn weddings, where Mason jar centrepieces and wooden signage became hallmarks of this period. 2016–2020: THE DIGITAL AGE AND THE SHIFT TOWARD INCLUSIVITY As we fast forward to 2016, social media had become integral to wedding planning! We’re talking custom hashtags to encourage guests to share photos and videos, suppliers showcasing their best work, and endless inspiration to share worldwide. Instagram-worthy aesthetics influenced themes, colour palettes, venue choices, floral arrangements, and even dress styles. Tech integration took off in this period. Drones captured breathtaking aerial shots, wedding planning apps streamlined organisation, and VR (virtual reality) previews of venues became available. By 2020, livestreamed weddings became common, allowing distant friends and family to join in virtually. On the flip side, many couples encouraged guests to put their phones away with unplugged ceremonies to be present. More lovebirds also opted for non-religious ceremonies or handfasting rituals, reflecting a decline in religious celebrations. Throughout this period, we saw bold colour palettes with deep jewel tones and monochrome themes becoming trendy, as well as mismatched bridesmaid dresses. More brides were opting for alternative wedding attire such as jumpsuits, coloured gowns and capes. With climate change awareness rising, eco-friendly weddings became a trend. Couples opted for digital invitations, locally sourced food, second-hand dresses, and zero-waste décor. Sustainable practices weren’t just for budget-conscious couples but also for those looking to reduce their environmental impact. Instead of ballrooms, some chose industrial spaces and warehouses, while others opted for bohemian-style celebrations. 2020 - THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC AND THE REINVENTION OF WEDDINGS As we look back at the year 2020, this was a huge turning point for the wedding industry due to the Covid-19 pandemic that forced many couples to rethink how they celebrated their big day. There was a huge shift, shaping the weddings we see today. Before this time, weddings often had 150-plus guests, but pandemic restrictions forced couples to downsize, giving way to micro-weddings and elopements. With travel restrictions and social distancing rules, many planned creative ways to still include loved ones, such as Zoom weddings, live-streamed ceremonies, and recorded vows. Many couples turned to exchanging vows outdoors due to indoor venues being shut down, limited capacities and social distancing rules. As many people postponed their 2020 weddings by a year or two, venues became massively overbooked, causing many to consider more weekday or off-season weddings in winter instead of the popular spring or summer months. 2021–2025: INTIMATE, TECH-DRIVEN, AND EXPERIENCE-FOCUSED WEDDINGS The impact of the pandemic led to a permanent shift with smaller, more intimate weddings becaming the new norm, with couples planning small but mighty celebrations. It’s all about creating immersive, guest-focused experiences with interactive food stations, live art performances, curated playlists, and weekend-long celebrations at boutique hotels or unique venues. The focus has fully shifted from following traditions to creating memorable experiences tailored to the couple’s personality. Eco-consciousness is no longer a trend but a standard practice, with many opting for lab-grown diamonds, plant-based catering, and biodegradable décor. Renting wedding dresses, choosing seasonal flowers, and eliminating single-use plastics are expected choices rather than special considerations. Perhaps the most significant shift is that weddings are no longer about meeting societal expectations. Couples are redefining what a wedding looks like, whether that means a courthouse elopement, a multi-day adventure wedding, or skipping the wedding altogether in favour of a private vow exchange. The pressure to have a grand event has lessened, giving couples the freedom to celebrate in a way that feels authentic to them. THE FUTURE OF WEDDINGS Over the years, we have seen such a change in the world of weddings from the grandeur of early 2000s weddings to intimate celebrations and the personalised affairs of the 2020s. What remains unchanged is how all these celebrations have still focused on love and commitment. However, the way couples choose to express that love has become more flexible, inclusive, and creative than ever before. As we move beyond 2025, the future of weddings will likely continue to evolve with social changes, but one thing is for sure, weddings of tomorrow will be as unique as the couples who celebrate them. unsplash.com@olivie_strauss SPECIAL CELEBRATION 13
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