In case you haven’t heard,
engagement season has officially begun. Which means that more and more brides- and grooms-to-be are starting to plan a
wedding for 2018. If you happen to be part of this camp, then congratulations! But as you are likely well aware, there’s a ton of work that needs to get done between now and your big day. For starters, you have to book a venue, order invitations, and commit to a myriad of vendors. However, before you send out those digital invites or accidentally choose a constricting color scheme, be sure to read the advice we’ve compiled below.
Here, seven top wedding planners, including
Mindy Weiss and
Bronson van Wyck, sound off on the wedding trend mistakes that they think people should avoid in 2018. After all, in an Instagram- and Pinterest-dominated world, it’s easy to get swept up in a trend of the moment without even realizing it. So if you want your wedding photos to stand the test of time, rather than making you (and others) ultimately cringe, think twice when it comes to naked cakes, rose gold, and much, much, more.
- Flower Walls and Ceilings
“These are done, finished . . . out!”—Bryan Rafanelli of
Rafanelli Events
- Rose Gold Everything
“Don’t get me wrong, I love this elegant color and it’s still very much in-demand right now. But going all-in with rose gold can make your wedding feel dated years later. Instead, opt for touches of rose gold throughout your wedding decor. It will make the color pop and feel less overwhelming. Take it a step further by mixing other metallic as well.”—Mindy Weiss of
Mindy Weiss Party Consultants
“I’m thinking flatware, napkin rings, chargers, and glass cylinders with column candles and rose gold foil invitations. Rose gold may have 10 more minutes, but it’s time to go.”—Bryan Rafanelli of
Rafanelli Events
- Photo Booths
“Photo booths had their moment. But you’ll likely end up with a bunch of photos of your friends all doing the same thing. Think holistically and create fun, photo-ready moments throughout the evening. A hand-painted mural or an archway trimmed with garlands are opportunities for guests to take great pictures that don’t involve saying ‘cheese’ or looking cheesy.”—Bronson van Wyck of
Van Wyck
- Twinkle Lights
“Unless you’re having a holiday-inspired December wedding, leave the twinkle lights for Christmas. There are so many elegant ways to light your reception, from soft washes of light to string lights with market bulbs, to beautiful hanging lanterns or chandeliers.”—Laurie Arons of
Laurie Arons Special Events
- Bunched Table Linens
“This recent trend of bunching linens on dinner tables may be inspired by Dutch still-life paintings, but in real life, it’s messy and impractical. It’s difficult for guests to set down glassware on the uneven surface, and creases or wrinkles in the linens just look like a sloppy execution.”—Laurie Arons of
Laurie Arons Special Events
- Too Many Specialty Cocktails
“A special cocktail or two that reflect the bride and groom’s favorite flavors is a lovely touch to any wedding. But including several of these artisan beverages in your cocktail hour overwhelms your guests with choices and slows down bar service. Pick your two favorites, then let the guests order their own favorite drink from the bar.”—Laurie Arons of
Laurie Arons Special Events
- Naked Cakes
“What started out as a rustic wedding trend is now popping up everywhere. But naked cakes, in my opinion, are far too casual and unfinished for most wedding receptions. The lack of frosting also causes the cake to dry out more quickly, leaving guests with a less-than-ideal dessert at the end of an otherwise great night.”—Laurie Arons of
Laurie Arons Special Events
- Vintage Table Settings
“Vintage pieces are just too small and precious. Kindly avoid the old china, crystal, and silverware.”—Bryan Rafanelli of
Rafanelli Events
- Place Card Walls
“Why build a wall? Unless you are celebrating in a Hudson Valley stone barn with killer stone interiors that you want to highlight, don’t bother.”—Bryan Rafanelli of
Rafanelli Events
- Mixed Fonts
“When it comes to wedding stationery, it’s time to go back to the classic wedding invitation with one font style and size. No more mixing. Simplicity rules in 2018.”—Bryan Rafanelli of
Rafanelli Events
- “No Flower” Weddings
“Pantone’s color of 2017 was Greenery. A lot of people took that to heart when it came to their weddings, eschewing live flowers in favor of eco-friendly succulents. We’re delighted that 2018’s choice is Ultra Violet and seriously hope that no one will ever consider ‘no flower’ weddings again. The brighter and bolder, the better!”—Marc Eliot of
Swoop
- Overwhelming Food “Experiences”
“Interactive food stations are all the rage at weddings these days. While something like a made-to-order sushi bar is a great way to add some interest to your event and get guests mingling, don’t go overboard with multiple food ‘experiences’ unless you have a solid plan for crowds. You don’t want to get the food to feel like a chore for your guests. And if they have to wait on long lines for custom creations, or do a lot of the heavy lifting themselves, it will.”—Mindy Weiss of
Mindy Weiss Party Consultants
- Digital Invites
“The times may be changing, but brides and grooms alike should bring back the traditional stationery wedding invitation. Digital invites are so impersonal. And when your big day comes and goes, you will have your stationery to look back on. Plus, who doesn’t like to open non-junk mail?”—Marc Eliot of
Swoop
- Champagne Towers (of Terror)
“While a tower of Champagne may look great in photos, all it takes is one accidental bump to come crashing down. Instead, delight your guests with a ‘bubbly bar.’ If you want that picture-perfect moment, dust each rim with edible gold glitter.”—Marc Eliot of
Swoop
- Non-Traditional Cake Flavors
“Couples are spending an exorbitant amount of money on multi-tiered cakes with flavors such as apple cider, hot chocolate, orange liqueur, and matcha. Most guests do not appreciate these exotic flavors, leaving the couple with a lot of leftover desserts. Opt for a vanilla, chocolate, or red velvet cake and dress it up on the outside. If you want to experiment, do it with a smaller groom’s cake.”—Marc Eliot of
Swoop
- Donut Walls
“Donuts are not the new cupcakes. Avoid this trend unless your father owns a donut shop.”—Bryan Rafanelli of
Rafanelli Events
- Blush and Neutral Color Tones
“It’s more about merging the traditional with the unexpected pops of color.”—Emily Pinon of
Bastille Flowers & Events
- Overdone and Overcrowded Tables
“Less is more. Negative space will add to the overall composition.”—Emily Pinon of
Bastille Flowers & Events
- Welcome Bags
“Don’t give people more stuff, nobody needs it! Think about the planet and the last time you actually wanted to carry extra trinkets back in your suitcase after someone else’s wedding. Instead, maybe give one really nice item, like a travel candle.”—Yifat Oren of
Oren Co.
- Large Bridal Parties
“Aren’t you surrounded by your friends and family anyway? Instead of a huge bridal party, give your loved ones meaningful roles in the ceremony that are more participatory and reflective of your relationships with those people.”—Yifat Oren of
Oren Co.
- Tight and Compact Bridal Bouquets
“Tight and compact bridal bouquets, where the flowers are overcrowded and stuffed together, is not a good look. A loose, natural style with movement is much more elegant.”—Emily Pinon of
Bastille Flowers & Events
- Rustic Burlap and Mason Jars
“Save your burlap for transporting potatoes and leave the mason jars at the cannery. That combo is so done, it hurts to even hear about it.”—Bronson van Wyck of
Van Wyck
- Constricting Color Palettes
“Instead of a single-coloured palette carried through an entire wedding, think of the celebration as a series of acts, each with its own look and its own colors. Take the guests on a journey and reveal a new look at each step. This can also be a great opportunity to let your own look change throughout the night.”—Bronson van Wyck of
Van Wyck
- Matchy-Matchy
“Avoid trying to match every aspect of your wedding day. There should be a flow but a matchy-matchy look is passé.”—Emily Pinon of
Bastille Flowers & Events
- Non-Edible Take-Home Gifts
“If it’s not edible, it’s a total waste. If you don’t want to give an edible take-home gift, make a donation to a charity on behalf of your guests and communicate your decision through a sign.”—Emily Pinon of
Bastille Flowers & Events
- Royal Wedding Copycats
“Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s
upcoming wedding is sure to shake up the wedding world as we anxiously await her dress, the food, and so much more. While it’s perfectly acceptable (and expected!) to want to take inspiration from a few elements of this royal affair (or any celebrity wedding for that matter), you don’t want your event to feel like an imitation of a high-profile wedding. Be sure to take your own personalities and your own love story into account and personalize your wedding in your own way.”—Mindy Weiss of
Mindy Weiss Party Consultant
The end result of all the planning is to have a beautiful family... keep your focus - design2caredaily.
This story was first published by Vogue - https://goo.gl/Xf4UUh
