Here at The Treasury on the Plaza, we are honored to host over a hundred beautiful weddings every year, each one more memorable than the last. Of course, this also gives us a front-row seat to some of the newest wedding trends.
As the new year begins, we thought we would share our biggest wedding trend predictions for 2024 to inspire your own wedding planning.
Wedding Trends 2024: What’s Out
The past few years have seen a shift away from following traditions for tradition’s sake. Instead, couples want every part of their big day to be meaningful and to reflect their personalities.
Rather than following a traditional wedding day timeline, couples are opting to create memorable guest experiences that stand out from the crowd.
There is certainly nothing wrong with a classic ceremony and reception, but we expect that 2024 weddings will continue to do away with certain long-standing traditions.
Instead of traditional Saturday weddings with 300 of your (not-so-close) friends and family, couples are opting for intimate celebrations on non-traditional days of the week. Long wedding ceremonies are being replaced by a shorter exchange of highly personalized vows.
Even reception traditions—such as cake cutting, bouquet and garter tosses, wedding favors and champagne toasts—are being reinvented or skipped entirely.
In short, weddings are now about whatever makes you happy!
Wedding Trends 2024: What’s In
Wedding Trend #1: Weekday Weddings
While Saturday is still the most popular day to get married, we have seen a growing number of couples who are open to saying “I do” on a non-traditional day of the week, such as Friday, Sunday, or a weekday.
This is not only a great way to save money on wedding vendors, travel, and accommodations, it makes it easier to draw out your celebration to a wedding weekend (or even a week!) full of activities.
Natasha and Jahmel got married on a Thursday at The Treasury on the Plaza | Photo: Stout Photo
Wedding Trend #2: Private Reception Reveals
You put so much time and thought into planning all of the details of your wedding reception, why not take a moment to soak it all in and enjoy it without distractions before your guests arrive? (This is also a great opportunity to take portraits at your venue and do a private first dance before the night gets going!)
Anna and Matt had the BEST reactions to seeing their wedding reception décor for the first time! | Photo: Walls of Jerico
Wedding Trend #3: Freestanding Chandeliers
Unique lighting is one of the easiest ways to completely transform the look of your venue and add some magic to the evening.
While uplighting is still popular, we’re starting to see couples incorporating freestanding chandeliers for the ceremony and reception for a little added sparkle. When coupled with the right floral arrangements, the effect is pure glamour and luxury.
Machaela and Nico’s wedding ceremony featured chandeliers lining the aisle. | Photo: Walls of Jerico
Wedding Trend #5: Statement Seating Charts
For years, reception seating charts tended to follow the same template: a sign listing the entire guest list with the corresponding table number. But 2024 couples are taking every opportunity to inject some personality into their wedding event, and eye-catching seating charts provide the perfect chance!
In addition to reflecting the event’s theme, seating charts may also include personalized details, such as handwritten notes for each guest or wine pairings for their chosen dinner selection.
Alana and Ryan’s statement seating chart was the highlight of cocktail hour! | Photo: Angelita Esparar Photography
Wedding Trend #5: Wedding Branding
Wedding hashtags were only the beginning! In addition to unique themes, couples are opting for full branding—monograms, logos, and specific fonts and color choices—for their wedding signage and décor.
Creating a cohesive look and feel to your ceremony and reception décor not only makes for a memorable experience for your guests, but it also looks amazing in photographs!
Erin and Justin worked with event designers Texture and Tequila to create a wedding brand that was utilized on their signage, seating chart, lighting projection, and more! | Photo: Sydney Marie Co.
Wedding Trend #6: Unique Guestbooks
As couples are opting for more sustainable weddings, one of the first things to go has been the traditional guestbook full of signatures. Instead, digital and/or audio guestbooks are capturing more personalized memories.
This unique format also allows guests to share advice, well wishes, or favorite memories with the couple.
Bri and Dane’s chose to do an audio guestbook from After the Tone instead of a traditional guest book. | Photo: We Are the Bowsers
Wedding Trend #7: Espresso Martini Towers
Don’t worry, champagne isn’t going anywhere! But espresso martinis have seen a resurgence of popularity in recent years, and St. Augustine couples have found a stunning new way to feature this classic beverage at their weddings.
Espresso martini towers are a combination of spectacle, décor, and a signature drink that guests can’t get enough of!
Sarah and Maxwell’s espresso martini tower was a total hit during their reception!
Wedding Trend #8: Polaroid and Disposable Cameras
There will always be a need to have a professional wedding photographer capture the special moments throughout your big day. But we’re seeing Polaroid and disposable cameras pop up as a fun way for guests to get in on the fun of capturing memories on your big day.
This is one trend we can’t get enough of, as it gives you a unique perspective of your wedding through the eyes of your guests! A polaroid wall or photo book can take the place of a traditional guestbook, or it can be a fun interactive station set up during the cocktail hour or reception.
May and Matthew did a polaroid book instead of a traditional guestbook. | Photo: Bow Tie Photography
Wedding Trend #9: Wedding Day Content Creators
Dedicated wedding day content creators help capture your event and post the results on social media—and they’re not just for influencers.
These pros combine the skills of a photographer, videographer, and social media specialist into one incredible package to help capture your big day in a totally modern way.
Mattison and Jacob worked with wedding content creator @thebridalgirly to capture their day for social media.
Wedding Trend #10: Fun Food Experiences
“Plated” and “buffet” aren’t the only options anymore. Couples are starting to choose from a wide array of unique food options.
From interactive stations to late-night snacks, couples are thinking outside the (lunch) box when it comes to feeding their guests. Offerings of Chick-fil-A, pizza, charcuterie, and customizable specialty bar stations give guests something unique. Meanwhile, wedding cakes are being replaced (or served alongside) alternative desserts, such as flaming donuts, smores, and popsicles.
Not only did Rayna and Logan have delicious Chick-fil-A as a late-night snack for their guests, the Chick-fil-A cow also made an appearance! | Photo: Polk Bros
Wedding Trend #11: Dance Floor Props
Dance floor props don’t just make for fantastic photos, they encourage even the most straitlaced guests to get out on the dance floor!
Light-up dance floor props are still the top choice, but you can never go wrong with wigs, hats, and inflatables.
Talia and Eduardo’s guests had a blast with their fun dance floor props! | Photo: Josh Haltam Photography
Wedding Trend #12: Unique Music Performances
DJs and wedding bands have become synonymous with weddings, but 2024 couples are getting creative with unique musicians.
The rock-pop sounds of an electric violin or a modern saxophonist make a fun and unique addition to your cocktail hour or reception entertainment. If you happen to have a musician in the family, this is the perfect chance to show off their skills while adding some sentimental value to your day. Just make sure that any performer (even family!) has liability insurance.
Erin and Justin hired saxophonist Troy Harris (aka. Sax Therapyst) to provide a unique musical experience for their guests during cocktail hour. | Photo: Sydney Marie Co.
Your Wedding, Your Way
In recent years, one of the best trends we’ve observed is couples embracing the idea of caring less about external opinions and wholeheartedly pursuing what brings them joy! Whether it involves curating an intimate guest list with only the nearest and dearest, orchestrating a dreamy destination wedding in the place you’ve always envisioned, or even incorporating your beloved pets into the grand celebration – the possibilities are boundless for crafting a wedding day that authentically reflects your unique love story! It’s all about celebrating your connection in a way that feels genuine and true to your shared happiness.
We are always in awe of the incredible creativity of our couples and wedding vendors. We can’t wait to see what other 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!
