Wedding Trends for 2025

2025 is here and  set to bring a wave of exciting trends that celebrate intimacy, nostalgia, and personalization. From embracing timeless photography to rethinking the wedding party, the upcoming year will reflect a shift toward meaningful, relaxed, and beautifully understated celebrations. Here’s a look at the trends we’re most excited for in 2025:

Film Photography: A Timeless Touch

Don’t get me wrong, I love digital photography but there’s something magical about the soft, dreamy quality of film—its rich tones, unique textures, and grainy imperfections lend an authenticity and timelessness to wedding photos that can’t quite be replicated by digital images.

Film photography feels personal and nostalgic, as it adds a sense of artistry and soul to the captured moments. Whether you’re opting for a mix of digital and film or going entirely analog, this trend allows couples to relive their wedding day with a sense of history and beauty that feels both fresh and familiar.

Vintage Cakes: A Nod to the Past

We saw the rise of the vintage cake trend in 2024, and it’s going to take 2025 by storm. Gone are the towering, over-the-top confections that often leaned toward the modern and minimalist. Instead, couples are opting for vintage-inspired cakes that evoke a sense of nostalgia, with delicate buttercream flowers, intricate piping, and soft pastel shades.

These cakes are often styled after retro design elements, drawing inspiration from old-fashioned recipe books, vintage china, or even family heirloom cakes. Classic flavors like lemon and elderflower are being favored over more trendy options, bringing a sense of refinement and charm to the dessert table. Vintage cakes aren’t just a treat—they’re a statement of timeless elegance.

Smaller Guestlists: Intimacy Over Extravagance

As weddings become more personalized, the guest list is shrinking. Many couples are choosing to keep their celebrations intimate, inviting only their closest family members and friends. The focus is now on creating meaningful moments with those who matter most, rather than adhering to the tradition of inviting everyone from your office to distant relatives you haven’t spoken to in years.

A smaller guestlist allows for more personalized touches and a more relaxed atmosphere. It also gives couples the chance to spend quality time with their guests, making the celebration feel more like a shared experience rather than a grand spectacle. Whether you’re saying “I do” with 50 or 100 guests, the joy is found in the connections and the moments you share.

No Wedding Parties: Breaking Tradition

The traditional wedding party is undergoing a transformation. Again, we saw this starting to happen in 2024 but in 2025, more couples are choosing to skip the formal bridal party altogether, or opting for a less structured approach. The days of rigidly assigned roles for bridesmaids and groomsmen are giving way to more fluid, inclusive roles. Some couples are asking close friends and family to take on special duties without the formal “bridesmaid” or “best man” label, while others are embracing a “no wedding party” approach altogether.

This trend gives couples more freedom to focus on what really matters—the celebration of their love—without the pressures of matching outfits, specific duties, or hierarchy. It’s a more inclusive and relaxed approach that allows everyone to feel like they’re part of the celebration, rather than restricted by traditional roles.

Draping: Creating an Elegant Atmosphere

Draping is making a big return in 2025 as a way to add elegance and romance to wedding décor. Whether draped across ceilings, walls, or altars, soft, flowing fabrics create a luxurious atmosphere that is perfect for both indoor and outdoor venues.

Draping can be used in a variety of ways: to create an intimate canopy over the ceremony space, to add softness to a grand reception hall, or to enhance the texture and ambiance of any part of the celebration. The beauty of draping is that it can work in virtually any setting, bringing a sense of grandeur without being overwhelming. It’s a simple yet stunning way to elevate your wedding décor and set the mood for a truly magical day.

Following YOUR own style

Your wedding day is a celebration of your relationship. It’s about who you are as a couple and the journey you’ve taken together. While trends might offer inspiration, it’s your personalities, style, and interests that should shine through the décor, attire, and overall vibe.

Whether you prefer minimalist elegance, rustic charm, or vintage glam, leaning into what feels true to you—rather than what’s “popular”—will create an atmosphere that feels more intimate and meaningful. Whether it’s through your choice of music, venue, or flowers, crafting a wedding that aligns with your personal style will make the day feel more special and unique to you.

Photo by Brittany Nemec Photography