We’re almost halfway through 2023, and it’s been a whirlwind year so far! We’ve had so many beautiful weddings at The Treasury on the Plaza and our sister property, the Lightner Museum. We wanted to take a moment to reflect on the year so far and share some of the most popular 2023 wedding trends.
While a classic, timeless celebration is always in style, many couples want to jump on the latest buzz-worthy wedding styles and viral ideas. If you’re the type of couple that is always ahead of the game, we’re here to help you find the latest and greatest inspiration for your upcoming nuptials.
Get ready for our top 2023 wedding trends so far!
WEDDING TRENDS FROM SOFIA RICHIE AND ELLIOT GRANGE’S WEDDING
Sofia Richie and Elliot Grainge’s wedding has been hailed “the wedding of the year” for 2023. With all of the social media buzz surrounding their nuptials in the French Riviera, trendy couples are sure to replicate many of the couple’s wedding choices. Let’s look at some of the elements of their big day that are sure to make the top trends list.
Sofia Richie and Elliot Grainge’s quiet luxury wedding | Photo: Norman & Blake Photography
Quiet Luxury
Many people took note of the subtle elegance of the Richie-Grange affair. Searches have skyrocketed for “quiet luxury,” the term most often used to describe this trend. So what exactly is quiet luxury?
In fashion, quiet luxury means not breaking the bank when it comes to over-the-top, loud style choices; it’s new-age minimalism. In the wedding world, we’re seeing this manifest with an increased desire for couples to host a tasteful event, but not go into debt because of their wedding.
As our Director of Events, Emily Allston, says, “I feel like it’s almost ‘not trendy’ to have an unaffordable wedding.” Couples are investing their wedding budget into a few important things that matter the most to them; for example, having a venue that doesn’t need a lot of decorations, hiring a great photographer, and creating statement floral pieces that can transition from the ceremony to the reception.
Another element of quiet luxury is exclusivity. When it comes to weddings, this can be seen in the rise of intimate celebrations. Our Intimate Wedding Package has been one of the most popular choices for couples getting married in 2023 and beyond. By limiting the guest count, each dollar goes further to create the best experience, so you can connect more deeply with your closest friends and family.
Sofia Richie and Elliot Grainge’s wedding in the French Riviera | Photo: German Larkin
Making the Wedding a Multi-Day Getaway
Sofia Richie and Elliot Grainge chose to host a multi-day destination wedding in the south of France. It’s not just the rich and famous planning destination weddings with several back-to-back events. Many 2023 couples want to plan extra time with their loved ones in a unique destination.
You don’t have to travel across the globe to have an amazing destination wedding. With its Mediterranean architecture and old-world charm, St. Augustine has been a top destination wedding locale for decades. It’s close to beaches, historic sites, nightlife, and a great food scene, so there are tons of options for a wedding welcome party, rehearsal dinner, the big day, and post-wedding brunch!
Sofia Richie and Elliot Grainge’s wedding ceremony | Photo: German Larkin
Fabulous Wedding Fashion
If you were on social media following the Richie/Grange wedding, you couldn’t escape a detailed account of Sofia Richie’s fabulous wedding fashion. The bride wore three different Chanel dresses for the rehearsal dinner, wedding ceremony, and wedding after-party.
Wearing multiple wedding looks throughout the big day and the events surrounding the wedding is nothing new. Multiple wedding outfit changes have become the norm in the past few years. Jump on this trend by having a cute mini or jumpsuit on standby for your reception when you’re ready to get down on the dance floor!
Bri Marbas, bridal stylist at one of Orlando, Florida’s trendiest bridal salons, The Bridal Finery, shared her thoughts on this trend. “We are so here for the second look movement! Whether it is a detachable sleeve, removable skirt, a short dress or simply an accessories change – this provides brides with two completely different vibes on wedding day. Truthfully, functionality, comfort and their personal style has a lot to do with it as well. Brides are wanting something a little easier to wear during the reception that is a reflection of their personality.”
Sofia Richie wore three different Chanel looks for her wedding weekend | Photos: German Larkin and Norman & Blake Photography
Classic White and Polished Wedding Décor
Sofia and Elliot’s wedding design was the epitome of classic elegance. They had a traditional Jewish ceremony and said “I do” under a chuppah dripping with delicate white flowers. While there were a few big décor statement pieces that served as photo backdrops, the overall vibe was chic and sophisticated.
The trend toward a more classic wedding style focuses on a neutral color palette with plenty of candlelight and white flowers. If you’re getting married in a historic wedding venue like The Treasury on the Plaza, we can’t think of a better way to show off the grand architecture than by keeping your décor totally timeless!
Sofia Richie and Elliot Grainge’s wedding floral decor | Photo: German Larkin
2023 WEDDING FOOD & DRINK TRENDS
Food & Dessert Trends
Another area where couples are bucking tradition is at the dinner table.
We’ve seen a switch from plated dinners to buffets and even fun food stations that allow guests to meander around the venue. If your reception is going late into the evening and you want your guests to have the energy to last, don’t overlook late-night snacks like french fries, pizza, or even your favorite fast food!
Shelby and Ryne treated their guests to Chic-fil-a as a late-night snack | Photo: Captured By Lau Photography
When it comes to wedding desserts, a cake is still in, but couples are leaning into simplicity and smaller cake designs. Retro Lambeth cakes circa the1950s are popping up on social media, along with simple cakes surrounded by beautiful floral displays that look like they came straight out of a secret garden. Our brides and grooms have opted for other sweet treats as well, serving everything from donuts to cookies, and even popsicles!
Wildflower wedding cake featured on Style Me Pretty | Photo: Rebecca Theresa Photography
Specialty Bars, Specialty Cocktails, and Unique Bar Experiences
When it comes to your wedding bar, it’s all about personalization. Custom signature cocktails are all the rage. For those looking to add a little extra pizzazz, glitter, bubbles, and fresh fruit can even be added to signature drinks!
Many couples are also opting for full bars stocked with beer, wine, and liquor these days, so their guests can really let loose and enjoy themselves. Speaking of staying up all night, one of the top specialty cocktails requested during our weddings in 2023 is the espresso martini.
Cocktails themed around the season are always a good way to go, and a champagne tower never fails to add a celebratory spirit. Everyone loves champagne, and this fun twist turns it into a spectacle that’s truly a sight to behold!
Hanna and Jarred chose to do a champagne tower in lieu of a cake cutting | Photo: Walls of Jerico Photography
Want to add an extra kick to your bar service? Try a themed specialty bar! Our amazing specialty bars will make your wedding something to write home about. Try a Sangria Bar, Mojito Bar, or even a “Welcome To The South” Bar with hard lemonade and iced tea. There are also favorites like a Margarita Bar and Old Fashioned Bar.
Don’t be afraid to step outside of the traditional beer, wine, and liquor service. Your guests will be jealous they didn’t think of it first!
Chelsea and Michael added southern charm to their bar with a “Welcome to the South” specialty bar | Photo: Bow Tie Photo & Video
UNIQUE WEDDING ENTERTAINMENT
Want to keep friends and family engaged all night? Amp up the guest experience by providing some out-of-the-box entertainment.
Don’t worry, music and dancing aren’t going anywhere. Couples are just getting a little more creative when it comes to adding additional entertainment for their wedding guests. This also gives your non-dancing guests something to do while everyone else is on the dance floor.
One such idea is live painting! Hire a skilled artist to paint an element of your wedding right there while you’re living it. Whether it’s your wedding ceremony, first dance, or reception entrance, a live painting is something your guests can enjoy watching and a keepsake you’ll treasure forever.
Things are trending on the dance floor as well! We’ve been seeing a lot of couples add dance floor props such as fun sunglasses, glow sticks, and inflatable instruments to encourage their guests to let loose.
Choreographed dances are all the rage. These have been performed by the bride and groom or by the wedding party, family dances, and more.
Erin and Will’s wedding was captured on canvas by live painter @watchmaggiepaint | Photo: Halle Morgan Photography
UNIQUE ROOM LAYOUTS AND FURNITURE
More and more couples are opting for non-traditional layouts for their wedding reception. This is a simple way to create an entirely different look at your wedding venue and make guests feel cozy, comfortable, and relaxed.
We’ve seen more couples request a floor plan that includes a mixture of rectangular and circular tables to give visual interest. For intimate weddings, we are also seeing long banquet tables that run the length of the room to create family-style dining for guests during the reception.
Unique chair rentals like acrylic, gold, and white Chiavari chairs are favored by couples who want to go the extra mile to create a cohesive look with their reception decor. Statement sofas behind the sweetheart table are also very popular.
Many of our brides and grooms have incorporated lounge-style seating for guests during their wedding reception. Our modern white sofas have been used in the ballroom to create a relaxing lounge area right off the dance floor. And don’t forget about your table design.
Paula and Denzell’s wedding was on trend with long banquet tables and gold chair rentals | Photo: Felicia V. Photography
WEDDING DÉCOR TRENDS
In 2023 we’ve seen a variety of different floral trends. Some couples are taking a single type of bloom, like roses, and going all in with it. Baby’s breath, which was once considered outdated and tacky, has seen a new renaissance–popping up as a major statement in modern weddings.
Speaking of the modern look, black and white color schemes with structured, elegant floral bouquets and lots of candles give a classic, romantic vibe. On the opposite side of the spectrum, bold, bright floral arrangements with nontraditional flowers have been breaking through the sea of neutral tones–adding some color to our lives!
Another jaw-dropping trend we love to see is elaborate ceremony draping! Vendors like St. Johns Illuminations have created breathtaking wedding ceremony backdrops using their inventory of extra-long draping.
Acrylic signage, table decor, and even invitations have also exploded onto the wedding scene, and it’s easy to see why! There are few materials that can work across many different wedding styles, from boho weddings to a modern glam theme.
This is your wedding, and it should be all about you. So why not monogram whatever you can? We’ve been seeing a lot of couples use their monogram as the focal point of their wedding decor, putting it on their invitations, projectors, dance floors, websites, and more.
Danielle and Nic’s wedding decor encompassed many 2023 trends, including acrylic details, white flowers, and elaborate ceremony draping | Photo: Angelita Esparar Photography
UNIQUE WEDDING FASHION TRENDS
Puff sleeves are back in style. But don’t worry! These aren’t the 80s-style sleeves your mother wore. Today’s styles are softer and more whimsical, and the sleeves are often removable, so you can easily change up your look!
An increasing number of brides are also changing out of the more formal wedding dress and wearing a fun reception outfit so they are free to dance and move around all night. Don’t be afraid to change more than once, even. It’s your night, and you should be comfortable!
We’re also starting to see a lot more colorful dresses! The Events Director for The Treasury on the Plaza, Emily Allston, says, “The bride’s wedding attire throughout the night is getting more creative!” We’re also seeing more brides embrace colorful wedding gowns with floral details.
“We love when brides are excited to incorporate color into their wedding dress!” adds Bri Marbais, stylist at The Bridal Finery. “The soft hues of blue, blush and lavender are definitely our favorite shades that we’ve seen. Wearing a wedding dress with a bit of color is such a fun way to express your personality and be a little daring on wedding day. Floral details are also so much fun! Whether it be through the veil, bodice or train – floral will always be a classic bridal touch. As Bridal Stylists, we’re over the moon that color and floral are trending!”
But if a statement dress isn’t your personal style, minimalist dresses will always be on trend, such as classic dresses favored by celebrities over the years from Carolyn Bissette-Kennedy to Nicola Peltz Beckham.
Bri Marbias continued, “The modern, clean girl bridal aesthetic still reigns supreme. We feel this trend will be here to stay for a while! The minimalist wedding gowns are the perfect balance between modern, timeless and chic. When brides opt for a clean wedding dress, this is a way for the glam and accessories to really shine!”
Another fun wedding trend is the addition of customized jackets during your grand exit. If you plan on changing your last name, this is a great way for you to make your debut! And it’s always in style to match your dress to your venue style.
Alicia’s wedding dress was perfectly fitting for a 2023 bride. She wore a modern sheath gown with a removable puff-sleeve cape! | Photo: Life & Love Studio
SUSTAINABILITY
Eco-conscious brides and grooms have found creative ways to host a sustainable wedding that reduce their impact on the environment.
Some brides are shopping at bridal gown companies that are committed to more sustainable practices, such as organic fabrics, liveable wages for employees, and recycling.
“Sustainability holds a special place in our hearts at The Bridal Finery!” says Bri Marbais. “We love that bridal fashion designers are embracing eco-friendly fashion in their designs and collections. Many of our beloved bridal designers are using sustainable fabrics and materials, which is amazing!”
Other sustainable 2023 wedding trends include lab-grown diamonds, biodegradable confetti, and electronic invites.
WEDDING VENUE ILLUSTRATIONS
A lot of couples are leaning into their choice of wedding venue by including artwork of the outside of the building in their wedding signage, invitations, and more!
An exceptionally beautiful, unique, or historic wedding venue deserves to be shown off a little (The Treasury on the Plaza happens to be all three!).
Shelby and Zachary’s wedding featured a custom illustration of The Treasury on the Plaza, along with other St. Augustine landmarks.
FORGOING OLD-FASHIONED WEDDING TRADITIONS
Now that it’s 2023, brides and grooms are letting go of some of the wedding trends of yesteryear.
For instance, many couples are choosing not to have their DJ announce the cake cutting, preferring to make this a more private moment (or forgo the tradition altogether).
Another wedding trend that’s dying out? Garter and bouquet tosses. For many, these traditions don’t reflect modern values. Others simply find them too cliche. In other cases, there aren’t enough single people in attendance to make them work!
YOUR WEDDING DAY, YOUR WAY
We are always in awe of the incredible creativity of our brides, grooms, and wedding vendors. We can’t wait to see what new 2023 wedding trends we are going to see at The Treasury as the year continues!
As always, if you need help with wedding planning, the experts at your favorite St. Augustine wedding venue are here to help! We have a front-row seat to all the changing wedding trends and are always happy to give you the information you need to have a fantastic day!
