Wedding Trends to Consider for Your SoCal Wedding

Planning your wedding is one of the most exciting experiences you and your partner will share. And while it can be incredibly fun, it does require some work to turn your wedding day vision into reality. You’ll balance a budget, figure out a guest list, weigh the pros and cons of venues and vendors – and all the time, work together as a couple on what’s most important to you on this life-changing day.

Here at Los Willow, our team is always on top of SoCal wedding trends that are sure to become elegant and creative celebration options. Here are some that focus on giving your wedding a sense of relaxed elegance and luxury and work well with the ambiance of our venue.

Interior design takes center stage

Gracious SoCal living is all about home décor that takes greenery and earthy elements and brings the outdoors inside. But it’s not just our living rooms. Engaged couples in California are carrying this aesthetic over to their weddings, and we are loving it! Think charming rattan and woven wedding décor, bohemian fringe chandeliers, and wishbone chairs. Sounds comfy, right?

Elevated single-serving bites

Whether they’re passed hors d’oeuvres or part of a station, couples are embracing single-serving styles. Think tiny charcuterie boards at cocktail hour or mini wedding cakes. Consider high-end offerings like caviar tastings or sushi flights. And there’s nothing like displaying petit fours in elegant cloches. Small is beautiful!

Luxury but make it relaxing

Small is also sophisticated. By trimming down your guest list, you can focus more on luxury and on your terms. We’ve seen a shift towards celebrations that are as laidback and intimate as any other family gathering. However, a low-key vibe doesn’t mean you have to settle for a low-key design. In fact, small and intimate weddings open up your budget to décor and other elements that you might have to sacrifice with a larger guest list.

Weekday weddings

Weekday weddings go hand-in-hand with destination weddings. You’ll often find greater availability and savings with a weekday wedding, giving you more budget to customize and elevate. Take the opportunity to enhance your celebration with ancillary events, like welcome dinners, group excursions, after-parties, and post-wedding brunches.

Stateside destination weddings

Southern California is the ideal choice for a stateside destination wedding. With beautiful beaches, idyllic weather, and a wealth of things to see and do, couples are hosting multi-day experiences that allow them to spend more time with their family and friends. Be sure to get the word out early to your guests so they can make travel plans.

A fresh take on wedding photos

Wedding photography is an area you don’t want to skimp on, as it captures the moments you’ll want to remember forever. But the style of photos you want is entirely up to you. Work with someone who can tell your story in an authentic manner. And if you’re looking for a little wow factor, think about including some drone photography in the mix.

Support for small businesses

As strong proponents of the Shop Local movement, we appreciate how a wedding impacts our local small business community, from floral designers and DJs to pastry chefs and photographers. Couples also show their support for small businesses by requesting menus that are locally sourced and showcase the produce, proteins, food artistry, and beverages of an area.

Weddings embracing technology

Working with your wedding vendor team is much more streamlined, thanks to Zoom and digital planning apps. You can even give your guests the convenience of an online RSVP or a QR code. If they’re unable to attend, technology can also bring your guests virtually to the wedding. And photo booths certainly no longer resemble those clunky pipe and drape boxes – think iPad on a slim stand with state-of-the-art digital imagery and effects.

These are just a few of the top trends poised to take over the wedding scene this year, so let the inspiration flow and start scouring Pinterest for a taste of what’s to come! Whatever you choose, make sure all your decisions are true to both you and your partner. And if any questions arise, we’re here to be your companion on the way to the aisle. Give us a call!