2022 has been an incredible year of weddings, and as I look forward to celebrating 2023 with even more couples, I wanted to share some of my favorite 2023 wedding trends! As a wedding photographer, I love seeing fun ways to design, celebrate and capture your love story.
The biggest trend for weddings in 2023 is the guest experience. Weddings are all about throwing a party! From creating unique spaces that will leave your guests in awe to having live entertainment to get them dancing all night long, creating an incredible guest experience is at the forefront of 2023 weddings.
This is one of the trends I am swooning over! This one comes straight from the runway, with countless designers highlighting feathers and texture in their Spring 2023 Bridal Collections at New York Bridal Fashion Week. From Houghton to Galia Lahav, this trend was everywhere. Feathers add drama, perfect for couples who want to stand out. Our bride, Alex, wore a custom gown by Lourdes Chavez. Her gown featured a dramatic ostrich feather collar and a subtle lace peplum.
Another popular trend was texture all over, including the veil! From floral appliques to pearl details, texture can be added to everything. And don’t forget the flowers! Feathers are taking the place of pampas grass in 2023.
Gorgeous cakes are getting more custom every year, and I love seeing these pieces of art at receptions! One of our favorites in Savannah is Vanilla And The Bean, who creates delicious custom-made cakes for every client. No two are ever the same! Another trend is vintage cake toppers to bring that “Something Old” into the reception. It is also a great way to pay homage to family members!
Live Bands have always been a wedding favorite, but we are seeing them even more going into 2023. You can have it all from a String Quartet at your ceremony to an acoustic guitar at your cocktail and even 10-piece band receptions! Our favorites in the Low Country are The Main Attraction, Az Izz, and Velvet Bay Groove Company. Live Bands offer an incredible guest experience and are perfect for the couple who want a lively reception!
After a decade of more casual menswear, Tuxedos, including white tuxedos, are making a comeback! As couples start to plan more formal affairs, classic tuxedos are a great way to add some formal attire. But they don’t have to be boring! You can customize your tuxedo in a variety of colors, fabrics and even add fun linings. From all white (I love a white tuxedo jacket!) to shades of blue, there are more options than ever before.
You probably already know how much I love color, so seeing it make a comeback makes me so excited! While I love all color palettes, bold colors hold a special place in my heart. For 2023, color isn’t just about picking one accent color but playing with various colors and pairing them together with texture to create one-of-a-kind designs. For example, Alex and Jordan chose a unique palette of lavender and orange, and it came together perfectly! And the color isn’t just happening with decor and flowers! Colored and patterned gowns are popular, with romantic floral and watercolor being featured at NYBFW.
As a wedding photographer, I love to capture all of the moments of a wedding day – not just the posed ones! While I always help my couples with posing to make them feel at ease and comfortable in front of the camera, I also love to capture those in-between moments. I love to weave a magical tale of images, from the quiet and intimate to the emotive and movement-filled.
From formal gowns to mini-dresses, many couples choose to change into something fun for their reception or exit. Our bride Olivia wore a classic Carolina Herrera gown for her ceremony and changed into a stunning lace gown by Galia Lahav for her reception. Alex changed into a red Givenchy gown, while Yumei donned a fringe mini dress from Lulu’s. The possibilities are endless!
If you are looking for an epic photo moment, add a champagne tower to your reception! Many couples are opting for this moment instead of a formal cake-cutting, and I love it! While it does involve stacking champagne glasses carefully, it gives an old Hollywood vibe to your pictures and is a fun way to kick off your reception.
I hope this list inspires you as you start planning your wedding! There are so many fun and unique ways to create a wedding that is perfectly you, and celebrates your love story. We are booking weddings for 2023 and even into 2024 – so reach out today!