Mismatched Seating

A big trend in 2021 will be a shift in floor plans and seating arrangements. Rather than circular or rectangular tables that sit a lot of guests together, couples will opt for less people at tables or smaller tables instead. This will help with social distancing and also to give guests more room at their tables, rather than elbowing the person next to them all night.

Mini Cakes and Desserts

Couples are trading in the multi-layered cake for mini desserts instead in 2021. Some couples who are going virtual with their celebrations are even sending these mini desserts to each of their guests beforehand so they can enjoy something sweet after they watch the couple say, “I do.” At in-person weddings, this mini dessert trend allows guests to have a treat that’s more than just a slice of cake (think a selection of mini cupcakes, cookies or single-serving pies).

Welcome Boxes

A fun way to get guests excited about a 2021 wedding is to send over a welcome box, which is becoming a trend especially for virtual weddings. Pack these boxes with fun items, like mini wine bottles, picture frames and candy, so guests can enjoy while they partake in your celebration over video chat or send these boxes over before a bachelorette party, so your bridesmaids have something special to enjoy as they get ready to celebrate with you.

Instruction Cards in Invites

With weddings constantly shifting and changing, couples will stuff their wedding invitations with more details about their main event than ever before. Some might even list out safety precautions they are asking guests to take or offering a site to visit for more real-time updates as the months go by.

Luscious Greenery and Pops of Color

As more weddings take to the outdoors as a backdrop for the reception and ceremony, the aesthetic and color scheme will play into the beauty of nature. Expect to see lots of bouquets and centerpieces that are filled with luscious greenery and pops of bright colors.

Weekday Weddings

Weekend wedding dates have taken the reign in popularity for quite a while but, in 2021, as couples plan more intimate and local parties, options for weekday weddings will gain popularity. Big benefits, such as price cuts and availability with vendors and venues could tempt couples to pick a Wednesday over a Saturday.

Smaller Guest Lists

Cutting down guest lists is a fitting response that a lot of couples will have in 2021. As people rethink what their celebration will look like, they are also going to shorten guest lists to meet local restrictions (due to the pandemic), paired with an option to have one in-person guest list and a second list of people who will be invited to watch the wedding virtually.

Plated Hors d'Oeuvres

Cocktail hour is expected to get quite an upgrade. While passed appetizers usually are a fan favorite at weddings, a more socially distant option may take over instead. Plated bites will see their day at 2021 weddings as a way for couples to limit groups from getting extra close and instead let each person enjoy a sampling of appetizers before the reception begins. This means no more fights over who gets the last meat skewer.

Practical Party Favors

Move over scented candles and chocolate bars. Party favors in 2021 are now going to see a popular spike in couple’s picking face masks with the couple’s initials or wedding date screen printed and bottles of hand sanitizers. Consider these practical gifts that guests can use while they are at the wedding and even for many weeks after.

Added Technology

Adding in technology to the wedding experience will start to become even more standard. With people wanting to share access to parts of their big day with family and friends who can’t make it in person, having technology to live stream the wedding will be on many couple’s wedding planning checklists.

A Part Two

In 2020, we saw a rise in minimonies (smaller-scale ceremonies) and elopements. But in 2021, we can expect a lot of people to have two parts to their wedding. One celebration will be around the exchanging of vows (that will likely be with a smaller guest list or have a virtual component) and then a larger party later on, depending on how 2021 evolves. Either way, people will position their wedding celebrations as having an act one and two.

Outfit Changes

With the rise in popularity of multiple wedding celebrations comes the desire to have outfit changes. For so many years, having one main wedding dress was the go-to for most brides. But in 2021, more people will pick out a few outfit choices to meet their different celebration settings and plans.

Artificial or Dried Flowers

With the trend of people having multiple celebrations on different dates and even at different locations, using artificial or dried flower arrangements will become extra popular in the new year. Being able to reuse centerpieces and bouquets at a later time is a great money-saving option that couples will adore.

Virtual Pre-Wedding Celebrations

Rather than putting off pre-wedding celebrations, like bachelorette parties or bridal showers, people are getting creative with how to bring their loved ones together for a good time. Virtual pre-wedding celebrations in 2021 will have a twist, like a set theme or a special guest to help make the night extra memorable. For example, try a wine connoisseur to lead wine tasting or a magician to entertain.