Now that the post-pandemic wedding boom has ended, the event and entertainment industries have slowed down. More and more people have chosen to forego big, lavish events for smaller and more intimate affairs. Wedding vendors, photographers, venues, florists, and caterers have noticed that business is slowing down, and wedding couples are opting for more downscaled, natural, and eco-friendly weddings. Here is a look at weddings in 2024, and what wedding trends are going to be most popular in 2025.
Avoiding ‘Stuffy’ Wedding Traditions
Most wedding couples now want to avoid ‘stuffy’ wedding traditions, and prefer smaller, intimate weddings that are more like a celebratory party with close friends and family. They are more interested in nontraditional wedding venues and themes, casual dress codes, and smaller venues. They want to focus on casual, family-style food, candid photography, and intimate ceremonies. Weddings have become less structured and more about celebrating love and creating real, authentic moments of connection.
Separate Wedding Ceremonies and Receptions
Wedding couples are also more aware of managing expectations and reducing stress. They are trying to find a balance between meeting the expectations of their family with preserving the authenticity of their love for each other. Many are choosing to reduce stress by having a ceremony one day and the reception or party the next. This gives them more freedom in choosing wedding and reception venues and allows them to focus more time on connecting with their guests rather than fussing over last-minute details and rushing from one place to the next.
Casual Catering Packages and Dessert Stations
Another way that wedding couples are simplifying their weddings is by making their catering packages more casual and less fussy. They are opting for dinner buffets, chef stations, and dessert stations, which makes it easier for guests to mingle and spend time with each other instead of worrying about a formal seating plan and formal, sit-down dinner. Guests also have more time to actually enjoy the entertainment and decor of the wedding reception because they can get up and move around, rather than being confined to a specific seat.
Focus on Sustainability and Upcycling
With so many weddings delayed due to the pandemic, it’s understandable why post-pandemic weddings were lavish affairs with huge guest lists. However, wedding in 2024 are foregoing tradition and focusing more on sustainability and upcycling. Wedding planners and wedding couples are thrifting their wedding decor and finding tables, glassware, plates, and more at estate sales and second-hand shops. They are more interested in creating unique, one-of-a-kind floral arrangements, decor, and table centerpieces that can be used and enjoyed after the reception.
More Private Ceremonies
For now, weddings are trending more towards intimate, private ceremonies rather than costly, over-the-top affairs. Wedding couples want to share their love and commitment with close friends and family in a smaller, more intimate venue. They are also turning more towards nature-based wedding venues in remote or highly private locations like forests, mountains, and rural settings.
Colorful, Creative Decor and Catering
While weddings aren’t as lavish as they were in the years after the pandemic, wedding couples are returning to bold, colorful wedding choices and more creative decor and catering. Gone are wedding palettes featuring beige, gray, white, and neutral colors. Now, wedding couples are opting for colors that truly celebrate their uniqueness and creativity and that include a variety of color gradients, textures, and patterns. Wedding catering menus have also gotten more creative, with wedding couples turning away from more stuffy, traditional wedding fare and instead choosing catering menus that incorporate foods they genuinely love. Wedding catering has become more casual and more focused on personalization to the wedding couple instead of trying to please older relatives and guests.
Simplicity and Connection
Wedding couples are now focused on simplicity and connection during their ceremony and reception. Priorities have been reset and 2024-2025 weddings are going back to basics, with a focus on celebrating with friends and family, enjoying good food and music, and keeping it simple and stress-free.
Looking for a Wedding Caterer in Tucson, AZ?
At Tucson Creative Catering, we stay on top of the latest wedding trends and are committed to providing a unique, highly personalized wedding catering experience. We are experts in wedding catering and event planning in Tucson, AZ and will work closely with you to make sure your vision of your dream wedding is brought beautifully to life. With decades of experience in the industry and thousands of satisfied customers, we can help you design a wedding and catering menu that speaks to your priorities and centers your connection with your partner. Call us today or contact us online to get started.