Wedding Trends 2009-2010

As you may know, I was in Vegas over the last two weeks attending conferences to learn about the latest trends and new ideas in weddings and special events. One of the conferences was the CATERSOURCE/Event Solutions Conference & Tradeshow, THE convention for event planners and caterers.

Many of the seminars and classes focused on new trends. Here is what to expect in 2009-2010:

  • Special event lighting in general will be HUGE. Not just uplighting, but lighting as part of the centerpieces, as part of the decor (focusing on certain elements of the reception), etc. LED lighting, with its low heat, long life, and ability to run on batteries, will allow lighting to be more widespread among centerpieces, portable chandeliers, furniture, etc.

  • Brides & grooms are trending towards more “ethnic entertainment” especially from those ethnicities that they aren’t! You will see more mariachi bands, spanish flamenco music, and Chinese Lion Dances at weddings and special events…especially at your Caucasian friends’ events.

  • Musical tastes at special events are trending more sharply towards “Out-of-the-Box”. Expect more youtube style first dances, more group bridal party dances, and more non-traditional choices in first dance music. I have always talked about personalizing the experience to each event. You will find that this year will be even more profound.
  • Colors: vibrant colors, especially yellow, will be big. Black & white and the various shades of it will remain strong. Expect the color of “chocolate” to be on its way out. Patterns will be big, not so much in the fashions but among the decor and linens.
  • “Going green”: More people today are looking towards cleaner and “greener” technology, and you will find many of that demand applying to the weddings/special event industry. More people will be asking for “greener” limos/transportation rather than the hulking SUV/Hummer-style beasts in the past. If disposable dishware needs to be used, expect more requests for biodegradable plates, glassware, and silverware.

  • Invitations: because of the “green movement”, expect more hybrid invitations, or invitations on recycled material.
  • Transportation: biofuels and “green.” Brides are getting away from gas-guzzling limos and moving more towards “classic cars”. Expect to have grooms order “muscle cars” to shuttle their groomsmen around.
  • Catering: more candy bars. Some markets are seeing a trend of having the candy bar at the END of the night, as a way of giving energy to the people who have been dancing all evening.
  • The 80s will make a HUGE comeback–the styles, the colors, the music. It is becoming evident by the vibrant colors (bright yellows, greens) that were huge then…and will be soon.
  • New trends in monograms: fancy “flourishes” around the initials.
  • Fans & umbrellas/parasols will be seen as alternatives to the bouquets of the wedding party, especially in warmer climates like Arizona & Southern California. Not just for aesthetic reasons and for the uniqueness, but also because of a practical reason: it provides shade from the blistering sun. (Lately, I have noticed this pattern develop in Hawaii as well. It’s too early to tell, but I feel that this is a trend that will be very welcome here in the islands.)
  • Seating/decor trends: “Lounge-style” is coming into vogue. Instead of the traditional high-boy cocktail tables during cocktail hour and traditional banquet tables during the reception, expect to see more lounge style furnishings and look.

  • The Wired Bride: More brides will turn towards the Internet, social networking, and new social media to help make their decisions. You can expect more brides using Facebook and the web to research their vendors. Also expect a change in the style of communication–brides are calling less, but texting more. With the increasing prevalence of iPhones and Blackberries, information and contact are available 24/7/365, quickly and easily at your fingertips.

I posted several image galleries on Facebook that showcase these trends. Even if you aren’t a member, you can access them.


One Response to “Wedding Trends 2009-2010”

  1. 1. Maylea Says:
    July 19th, 2009 at 3:37 AM

    Very cool and inspiring post!

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