Wedding planners share 6 trends that are in, and 6 that are out this spring

Sophia Mitrokostas

2022-04-17T12:12:00Z

Table settings with deep blue water goblets and blue "3" table setting sign and orange, white, and pink flowers with green checkmark; Person taking food out of buffet and vegetables and meats down the line with red X — Wedding experts expect bold colors to take off and buffet-style dining to fade out this spring. dfrolovXIII/Shutterstock; LElik83/Shutterstock

Insider asked planners to share the top spring wedding trends and the ones that are fading away.
Decorating with vivid colors and arranging activities like face painting are rising in popularity.
Some couples are skipping signature cocktails, pastel color palettes, and videographers.

Dessert bars are in this spring.

Pink and white cupcakes and dessert bars on a stick on table with white tablecloth and purple flower arrangement in background — More couples are serving dessert bars. Wirestock Creators/Shutterstock

Wedding planner Jennifer Bennour, owner of Fête du Jour Events, told Insider that dessert bars are trending this wedding season.

"Couples are keeping the cake for the photos, but are adding an aesthetically pleasing dessert bar with an array of sweets," said Bennour.

If you're looking for some inspiration, consider offering your favorite childhood treat or the dessert you ordered on your first date with your spouse-to-be.

Using small bud vases of flowers to decorate tables is a minimalist wedding trend that's blooming this spring.

Two pink roses in two separate clear glass bud vases on a table with candles and some heart confetti on top of a light pink tablecloth — Try decorating your tables with flowers in bud vases. Shchus/Shutterstock

"Bud vases feel organic and you can customize them for each table," said Bennour.

Bud vases work well when arranged down the center of a rectangular table, but you can make them work on round furniture by using different heights and adding accent candles.

Serenading guests with a string duo during the ceremony or cocktail hour is a romantic trend that can save you money.

Newlywed Couple Dancing Wedding Celebration — String duos and instrumental covers of pop songs are becoming more popular this wedding season. Rawpixel.com/Shutterstock

"Bands can be expensive, but for a few hundred dollars you can hire a string duo that will make the moment special," said Bennour.

Bennour suggests expanding beyond the classics for your set list. Many couples are opting for instrumental versions of modern pop songs or film scores.

Face painting is an unexpected reception trend.

Little girl with hair in pigtails and pink shirt getting a pink butterfly painted on her face — Face painting can be a fun, unexpected activity at your wedding. Helen Sushitskaya/Shutterstock

Wedding and event planner Cathleen Holloway of Holloway Events told Insider that face painting is a fun trend for receptions this season.

"Face painting sounds cheesy, but you'll be floored by who gets into it and how creative it becomes," said Holloway.

Hire a professional face painter or simply set up a painting station and let your guests decorate themselves.

Couples are decorating with bright colors.

Wedding seating with cobalt water goblets and blue napkins, light pink and white flowers, and a number 3 table setting — Adding bold colors through small touches like water goblets can have a big impact. dfrolovXIII/Shutterstock

Forget all-white tablescapes and neutral decor because Bennour said using bold, vivid hues is a rising wedding trend.

"Whether it's with a colored water goblet, a bold linen, or brightly colored flowers, couples are now using wow-factor colors," said Bennour.

Crimson, cobalt blue, and even hot pink are popping up in spring wedding designs.

Destination weddings are back in style.

Table decorated with white tablecloth, silverware, pink and white floral arrangements with ocean in background — Since the ease of COVID-19 restrictions, the popularity of destination weddings has soared. pintogame/Shutterstock

With some COVID-19-related travel restrictions easing, destination weddings are seeing a spike in popularity.

"After two or more years of being trapped at home, couples are ready to travel and celebrate big," said Holloway.

If you're planning a destination celebration this spring, consider using a wedding website to give your guests current information about the event and any local restrictions.

On the other hand, matching centerpieces are out.

A pineapple on top of a green leaf and two gold candle votives in the center of a circular table with white table cloths and wine glasses — Couples are ditching matching floral centerpieces for more unique decorations. Arturo Verea/Shutterstock

"Couples are mixing up their table centerpieces and ditching the uniform floral arrangements," said Bennour.

Consider using a different type of floral arrangement on each table, or skip the flowers entirely and try edible fruit centerpieces or unique art pieces.

Buffets are waning in popularity.

People in tuxedos and a white dress scooping pasta out of buffet-style dining area with meats and vegetables further down line — It's likely that buffets will become a thing of the past this spring. LElik83/Shutterstock

Buffets are usually an affordable option for a wedding dinner service, but the COVID-19 pandemic has increased the price of buffet-style dining.

"Due to the extra cleaning required, buffets are now nearly the same price as a sit-down dinner," said Bennour. "Many couples are just opting for plated instead."

Opting for cupcakes rather than a traditional wedding cake, as well as offering free beer and wine rather than a full open bar, can reduce food costs.

Neon signs are losing their glow.

Yellow neon sign that says "better together" on brick wall and plants on wall — Neon signs are out this spring. eukukulka/Shutterstock

Customized neon signs have been a wedding trend for several years, but this lighting fad is fading.

"I love a good neon sign, but this trend is coming to an end in 2022," said Holloway. "Couples are choosing more original lighting."

Edison or colored bulbs and even tiki torches are trendy lighting choices this wedding season.

More couples are skipping the signature wedding cocktail trend.

Close up of wine and beer clinking together and burry purple and green floral arrangement together — Skip a signature cocktail and opt for a selection of favorite local drinks instead. Pormezz/Shutterstock

"We all love a good spritz or a French 75, but claiming a cocktail as your own is a little passé this year," said Holloway.

Instead of a one-of-a-kind cocktail, serve a signature dessert or give guests a flight of your favorite local beers.

Fewer couples are pairing warm-weather weddings with pastel color palettes.

Round table with red napkins and red flowers in centerpiece and candles — Couples are passing up pastels for vivid colors. Rob Wilson/Shutterstock

"We're not seeing as many light and pale shades this season," said Bennour. "The muted tones with gold or silver accents are being phased out this spring."

Add saturated colors to your celebration with vivid cloth napkins, bright floral arrangements, or eye-catching colorful lighting.

Videography may no longer be a priority.

Bride and photographer looking at photo on camera against a brown brick wall — Save money on a videographer and invest more into a photographer. meatbull/Shutterstock

According to Bennour, couples were swooning for an opening drone shot on the social media teaser video of their nuptials back in pre-pandemic times.

"Now, couples are prioritizing booking an amazing photographer, knowing they would only watch a wedding video a few times," Bennour told Insider.

Nixing a videographer from your must-have list can leave room in your budget to extend your photographer's hours or even hire a second photographer for key moments.

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