Weddings Inc. has been one of Orlando’s top wedding planners since 2002 and through the
years, we have seen many wedding trends come and go. We always stay up to date on the
latest wedding trends, so our couples can be fully informed and decide if they want to take or
leave any given trend for their wedding.
As 2022 draws to a close, we are looking ahead to 2023 and have compiled the latest and
greatest wedding trends that are about to be huge in the coming year.
In this post, we will break down the biggest 2023 wedding trends to inspire you in your wedding
planning. But we will also tell you what wedding trends are not going anywhere. After all, some
things are timeless!
Here are the 2023 wedding trends that are new and hot, and the trends that are proving to be
everlasting.
1. Pearls & Bows
One of the most popular bridal fashion wedding trends in 2023 will be the inclusion of pearl and
bow details. Pearls have always been classic but have primarily been used in bridal jewelry.
2023 will take pearls to the next level! In 2023, you’ll see more pearl-studded veils, bridal
shoes, clutches, and even wedding dresses. 2023 brides will be less about bling and more about
subtle but still fashion-forward details, like pearls.
Bows will make a huge comeback as well! Bows are one of those wedding trends that tends to
always come back around. Whether brides wear a large white bow in their hair or have an
oversized bow on the back of their wedding dresses, you will see a ton more bows in 2023
bridal looks.
2. Immersive Wedding Catering Experiences
The timeless debate between plated versus buffet meals for weddings isn’t going anywhere.
However, couples will now be throwing in more creative dining options into the mix! They will
opt for more immersive wedding catering experiences, such as action stations, where guests
can see their food being prepared right in front of them.
From freshly made guacamole and salsa for cocktail hour to chef carved beef brisket for dinner,
couples will be looking for more out-of-the-box food options to “wow” their guests with.
Our catering partner, John Michael Events, offers numerous action stations for weddings with
the option for customization. They have gotten ahead of this 2023 wedding trend by offering
couples action stations like a gourmet pasta bar and street tacos prepared in front of guests.
This 2023 wedding trend will encourage couples and caterers to provide guests with
unexpected food options, providing them with a fully immersive dining experience.
3. Slim, Curated Wedding Menus
Similarly, 2023 wedding trends will also inspire couples to create a slimmer, more curated
menu for their weddings. Couples will be looking for quality over quantity, hoping to narrow
their wedding menus down to one or two entrée options rather than three to four.
The intention behind this 2023 wedding trend is to produce less waste at weddings, especially
for younger couples. They are striving to make less of a negative impact on the environment
with their weddings, resulting in pared down menus.
There is also a strong motivation to showcase a couple’s personalities through their wedding
menu. They might serve guests delicacies from their culture and heritage, or offer guests food
that is local to the city the wedding is taking place in. They may also simply serve their guests
food options that they themselves personally love. Think a mac and cheese bar or a chicken and
waffles appetizer!
As part of the 2023 wedding trends, couples will be looking for quality over quantity, which
extends to the ingredients used in the food. They want fresh, locally sourced ingredients,
building off of the “farm-to-table” wedding trend that we have seen becoming more popular in
recent years.
4. Sustainability
One of the more recent wedding trends of sustainability has been proving to be a mainstay at
weddings! We’re glad to report that the sustainability movement is only growing, encouraging
couples to be mindful of the environmental footprint their weddings are creating.
Couples will be looking to utilize fewer paper products in their big days, like reducing the use of
paper napkins and utensils. They will also cut down on the use of paper signage and décor, such
as ceremony programs and menus at every place setting.
If couples want to take it a step further, they may consider donating to a cause like Cool Effect
to help offset the greenhouse gas emissions produced by guests’ travel to the wedding.
Our catering partner, John Michael Events, is again staying ahead of the 2023 wedding trends.
They have had a partnership with O-Town Compost to reprocess any food waste and transform
it into fresh soil to be used in the local community. It’s also important to them to continue their
green efforts of recycling, using energy efficient lighting, and limiting their printed collateral.
This is one of the many reasons we partner with them!
5. Customized Pre-Wedding Wardrobes
In recent years, the popularity of pre-wedding events has skyrocketed! Not only have the
amount of pre-wedding celebrations increased, but the scale of these events has grown
exponentially. Bachelorette parties have become full weekends in destination cities, like
Nashville and Austin. Bridal showers have become like mini weddings. People are eager to
celebrate and willing to spend more time, money, and effort on them than ever before!
This means that one of the wedding trends for 2023 is customized pre-wedding wardrobes.
Think personalized, all-white ensembles specific to the bachelorette party, bridal shower, joint
couples’ shower and more. Brides (and grooms too!) will have a different personalized outfit for
each of these events, often opting for something monogrammed or something that says
“Bride,” “Groom,” or another related saying on it.
This wedding trend doesn’t just apply to the main outfit though. It also extends to accessories,
like beaded or monogrammed bridal clutches and customized robes and slippers to wear while
getting ready on the morning of the wedding.
6. Destination Weddings & Reduced Guest Counts
The wedding trends of 2023 are still being impacted by the pandemic. As a result of the
coronavirus, weddings saw smaller guest counts and that much isn’t changing going into 2023.
What is coming back to life though are destination weddings! Since the world has opened back
up, couples are itching to take full advantage of that by having a destination wedding. They are
either eloping or inviting a handful of guests to celebrate with them.
Destination weddings don’t always mean somewhere tropical though! Orlando, FL has been a
destination wedding locale for years with couples using the city as both their wedding and
honeymoon spot, all in one!
One of our venue partners, Celebration Gardens, is no stranger to this! They have been
Orlando’s premier botanical garden wedding venue for years and their newly expanded
property is perfect for a micro wedding, intimate wedding or even a more traditional largescale wedding.
2023 Wedding Trends Recap:
Here’s a quick recap of the 2023 wedding trends that you’re about to see everywhere in the
new year:
• Brides are taking pearls and bows to the next level and using them on their veils, shoes,
and dresses.
• Couples crave more immersive catering experiences, like action stations.
• Couples are serving guests a slimmer, more curated menu to avoid waste and showcase
their personalities.
• Sustainability efforts are ramping up more than ever.
• Pre-wedding events will grow even more in size and scope, including the outfits for
them.
• Couples will have destination weddings once again, but with smaller guest counts than
before.
Let’s Chat about these 2023 Wedding Trends!
Did you see a 2023 wedding trend that you love? Let’s chat! Our team of Weddings Inc.
wedding planners will guide you on the best way to incorporate these wedding trends into your
big day. Simply click the button below to reach out to us. We’re excited to meet you!