In the post-COVID world, everyone had their eyes on Europe – clamoring to buy that transatlantic ticket to attend a wedding in an exotic locale. Since we returned to our regularly scheduled programming, the event compass has shifted, and 2025 will be the year of the “at home” wedding weekend.
Destination wedding weekends are still hot and happening; but the trend is a resurgence of interest in having the big day “at home.” Couples are embracing the concept of making their hosts’ home the perfect place to celebrate. Whether the setting is their private residence or another venue steeped in personal meaning, creating a wedding narrative around a place with significance tracing back to childhood provides inspiration and immediate storytelling opportunities.
An at-home party can pack a punch equally exciting as one held at a glamorous destination – often, it just takes an outside perspective to breathe fresh air into something that seems so familiar. This year, you may be invited to a wedding taking place in a backyard, a garden, a museum, barn or restaurant. Embrace the vibe and take inspiration from the venue when choosing YOUR style! At these interesting locales, the following are celebration features trending for 2025:
Ready-to-Drink Cocktails: The bar might be the heart of the reception, but nothing kills the vibe quicker than waiting in a long line. Ready-to-drink cocktails mean no waiting, no slowing down – just perfectly mixed drinks in everyone’s hand, all night long. From the first toast to the last song, the party keeps moving and the night never skips a beat. In a world reconsidering alcohol’s effects on wellness, look for unique mocktails, pre-mixed elixirs and summer sangrias as reception beverage alternatives. Likewise, consider gifting gorgeous cocktail shakers, exquisite glassware and fun cocktail napkins!
Couples are focusing on their own “loves”to create a celebration with artistry, mood and ambiance.
Wellness Activities: Trending for 2025 are wellness activities over the wedding weekend – tennis matches, pickleball tournaments, organized hikes, picnics and relay races. Be sure to bring your sporty gear, cute athletic skirts, great joggers, tanks and sweatshirts for lively competition with friends and family.
Dedication to a Vibe or Experience: Set the reception tone with experiential seating card displays – like a ticket booth or a display featuring an unusual, theme-specific object. For example, the seating assignments might be displayed on a basketball hoop, complete with basketballs for the guests to play with. If a couple is obsessed with a great, new eatery or style of dining, the reception venue may be laid out with a floorplan that mimics a chic restaurant layout – banquette seating, showpiece bars and intimate table arrangements rather than long, communal tables or traditional eight-top rounds. That said, couples are focusing on their own “loves”, starting with the venue (the at-home wedding is a perfect example) and are creating artistry, mood and ambiance to craft a celebration that feels sophisticated and will stand the test of time in photos.
No More Rigid Dress Codes or Matchy-matchy: Black tie is timeless wedding attire, so as a guest, you can always choose the LBD (little black dress); but weddings are embracing a new era of style. From vintage pieces and bold patterns on ties and dresses to a fun mix of formal and casual, couples are creating attire storyboards to set the vibe – inviting guests to craft their own look that fits right into the narrative. From bridesmaid dresses to tablescapes, “matchy-matchy” is out. The look now? Texture, layers, and the perfectly imperfect. Think mixed prints, mismatched china, bold and micro-florals and geometric prints for guests and tablescapes that look artful, not straight out of a catalog. People with the best taste know: Effortless is the ultimate flex. Pair a great LBD with a smashing hot pink shoe, a sparkling metallic bag or a floral clutch. Great earrings and a statement necklace are easy to set off YOUR style.
Toast the new couple in a fun dress that makes a glamorous statement. Metallic finishes and rich, vibrant colors always work well for those memorable moments. For spring and summer weddings, you can never go wrong with romantic blooms or bright micro-florals. And for beachy, warm-weather nuptials, opt for lightweight fabrics with flowy silhouettes – easy breezy and visually pleasy.
For 2025 weddings, create your outfit with YOUR style … have FUN!
