Your Ultimate Guide to Destination Wedding Trends 2023

1 of the first things you need to do when it comes to planning is narrow down your guest list. Due to the nature of destination weddings, not everyone you invite can attend. Because of this, combined with the ever-changing Covid requirements, guest lists are getting shorter. That’s to say that smaller and more intimate weddings are big right now.

Keeping your list to close family & friends ensures that you have the right people surrounding you. And it adds an extra layer of safety since it’s easier to socially distance with fewer people. Not to mention it’s less expensive! A good thing the pandemic has normalized is live-streaming events.

This means your granny who couldn’t make the trip will still be able to see and feel included in your wedding.

After solidifying your guest list, you have to send out save the dates. With weddings being more intimate and money-saving, couples are using that extra cash to splurge on stationery. Everything from a handmade card to professionally done personalized stationery is all the rage. When you think of destination weddings, you think of flights and beaches.

A trend that is being spotted is a save the date that resembles a passport, boarding pass, or luggage tag. On the other hand, you can choose to have a clean simple design.

Invitations are getting more and more creative. This means clear or see-through invitations made with acrylic or vellum. Envelope options include solid colors or a type of envelope that folds onto the invitation itself tied with a ribbon. If you’re going the normal envelope route and want to be in style, then consider using a wax seal & dried flowers.

Personally, I love seeing the creativity that is being used.

While the traditional ball gown & suit will never go out of style, we see couples going out of their comfort zones. Some dresses that are trending right now are more functional dresses that you can move freely in. Everything from simple slip dresses to high-low skirts or even removable skirts. I’ve even seen some gorgeous pantsuits instead of dresses being used.

For those wearing suits, you don’t have to play it safe with a plain black suit anymore… Unless you want to, of course! Some suit styles that are cropping up are mismatch suits, fun patterns, colors, and even casual outfits. Go a step further and ask guests to match the theme of your wedding. Speaking of themes, I’ll be covering those next.

Themes aren’t a new trend, that’s for sure. We’re used to seeing vintage, romantic, & Bohemian themed weddings. Now we’re thinking about the environment! Eco-friendly and sustainable weddings that incorporate nature are the new thing. Think dried flowers as confetti and packs of flower seeds as wedding favors.

But we’ll get into the wedding favors later. Another trend that’s up and coming is a geometric themed wedding. You can use geometric designs on everything, from your invitations and lighting to your cake & table numbers. Along with geometric designs, consider a galaxy, stars, or space themed wedding.

There’s nothing wrong with sticking to the traditional white wedding, but color palettes are gaining traction. Colors to look out for in 2023 include bright & bold colors to earthy & dark or neutral tones. We’re seeing color in the types of non-traditional flowers used, decorations, even in the wedding attire!

Color Palette ideas: – Burnt or Papaya Orange – Mustard or Sunflower Yellow – Emerald Greens and Earthy Blues – Sky Blues and Dusty Pinks – Burgundy and Navy Blues – Lilac

Wedding favors are a fun way for guests to have a memento of your celebration of love. Match these to your overall decoration and you’re good to go. Interactive decor like swings and send-off kits are also on the rise. Masks & hand sanitizers as wedding favors are also popular, and for good reason too.

Also, consider functional & fun favors like customized mini alcohol bottles, coffee, candles or succulents and mini jars of honey. Have fun with it! Wedding Favor & Decoration Ideas – Fairy or tea lights – Large flowers that are colorful or non-traditional – Geometric terrariums – Floral or macramé swings – Welcome kits – Send off Kits

Taking social distancing into consideration in weddings, there has been a surge of reception entertainment. This way guests can enjoy the reception without having to be in close quarters trying to dance. Since you’re having a destination wedding, you’ll have a ton of entertainment options.

Popular forms of entertainment include: – Live music – Games – Photo booths – Live performances

Ideas for Wedding Entertainment: – Mariachi – Bands – Board games – Game stations – Trivia – Photo booth or Station – Art Station – Live Painting – Acrobat/dance performances

Buffets are out of style. Yup, you read that right. No more buffets, at least for now. Food & drinks are becoming more personalized, along with everything else. Restaurant style meals with a menu are what’s in right now. The individualized portions take health & safety into consideration.

It also avoids a buffet stand that might make it easier for germs to spread. Think about having individual charcuterie boards, picnic baskets, and snack stations. Drinks are becoming more fun too! Cocktail hours are a thing at weddings now, and so are drink walls, stations & tables.

Sticking to the individualized food & drinks, the single cake is out. Don’t get me wrong, you can still have your fancy cake and eat it too! Now, the trend is individual desserts. Dessert like mini cakes, cookies, cupcakes, doughnuts, cake pops are great options.

And the options are endless. These are already portioned for 1, so each guest can just swing by and grab one. Or you can hand them out. This way the big cake is only for the newlyweds!

Cake Alternatives – Cupcakes – Doughnut wall – Doughnut tower – Cookie stand – Mini pie stand – Churros – S’mores making area

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Your Ultimate Guide to Destination Wedding Trends 2023

1. Guests

1. Guests

This means your granny who couldn’t make the trip will still be able to see and feel included in your wedding.

1. Guests

2. Save the Dates

A trend that is being spotted is a save the date that resembles a passport, boarding pass, or luggage tag. On the other hand, you can choose to have a clean simple design.

2. Save the Dates

3. Invitations

Personally, I love seeing the creativity that is being used.

3. Invitations

4. Dresses & Suits

4. Dresses & Suits

5. Themes

5. Themes

6. Colors

Color Palette ideas: – Burnt or Papaya Orange – Mustard or Sunflower Yellow – Emerald Greens and Earthy Blues – Sky Blues and Dusty Pinks – Burgundy and Navy Blues – Lilac

6. Colors

7. Favors & Decor

7. Favors & Decor

Taking social distancing into consideration in weddings, there has been a surge of reception entertainment. This way guests can enjoy the reception without having to be in close quarters trying to dance. Since you’re having a destination wedding, you’ll have a ton of entertainment options.

8. Entertainment

Popular forms of entertainment include: – Live music – Games – Photo booths – Live performances

8. Entertainment

Ideas for Wedding Entertainment: – Mariachi – Bands – Board games – Game stations – Trivia – Photo booth or Station – Art Station – Live Painting – Acrobat/dance performances

8. Entertainment

Buffets are out of style. Yup, you read that right. No more buffets, at least for now. Food & drinks are becoming more personalized, along with everything else. Restaurant style meals with a menu are what’s in right now. The individualized portions take health & safety into consideration.

9. Food & Drinks

It also avoids a buffet stand that might make it easier for germs to spread. Think about having individual charcuterie boards, picnic baskets, and snack stations. Drinks are becoming more fun too! Cocktail hours are a thing at weddings now, and so are drink walls, stations & tables.

9. Food & Drinks

Sticking to the individualized food & drinks, the single cake is out. Don’t get me wrong, you can still have your fancy cake and eat it too! Now, the trend is individual desserts. Dessert like mini cakes, cookies, cupcakes, doughnuts, cake pops are great options.

10. Cake

And the options are endless. These are already portioned for 1, so each guest can just swing by and grab one. Or you can hand them out. This way the big cake is only for the newlyweds!

10. Cake

Cake Alternatives – Cupcakes – Doughnut wall – Doughnut tower – Cookie stand – Mini pie stand – Churros – S’mores making area

10. Cake

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