Wedding trends change like the weather. One day it’s all about vintage-style wedding cakes and micro weddings, and then it’ll be back to single-serve wedding cakes and large ceremonies.
Let’s take a walk down memory lane and see how much has changed since the 1970’s. Keep reading to discover popular wedding trends from the last five decades.
Wedding Trends from the 1970s
Fueled by disco fever and rock and roll, weddings in the 1970’s were a celebration of peace and love.
The vibes: Palm Springs.
The venue: Outdoor weddings became popular during this decade. Some couples got married in their backyard while others opted for destination ceremonies.
The style: Men swapped loose fitting tuxedos for tight white suits. Women wore flowing dresses with statement sleeves and lace details. Flower crowns, hippie headbands, and velvet accents were the cherry on top.
The colors: 70’s weddings often featured fun patterns and bold color combinations like pink and orange.
The food: Wedding catering became popular around this time, featuring treats like deviled eggs and jello salad.
The music: Couples grooved to the tunes of Stevie Wonder, Billy Joel, and Natalie Cole.
Wedding Trends from the 1980s
Prince Charles and Princess Diana’s 1981 nuptials inspired many weddings during this decade. Wedding videography also became popular as video cameras were becoming ubiquitous.
The vibes: big and bold.
The venue: Most weddings took place at religious venues.
The style: Every bride-to-be dreamed of Princess Diana’s wedding dress. Think puffy sleeves and long, flowy veils. Bridesmaids wore similar style dresses to one another and sometimes mixed up the colors.
The colors: bright pink, blue, and green.
The food: shrimp cocktail and cheese logs.
The music: 80’s couples danced the night away to songs like “Every Breath You Take” by The Police, “Faithfully” by Journey, and “Endless Love” by Lionel Richie and Diana Ross.
Wedding Trends from the 1990s
The wedding industry rose to new heights in the 90’s, largely thanks to Hollywood hits like My Best Friend’s Wedding, Father of the Bride, and Four Weddings and a Funeral.
The vibes: traditional family affair.
The venue: churches.
The style: Brides wore off the shoulder gowns or halter dresses while bridesmaids wore matching dresses and often had similar hairstyles and makeup. Bridal gloves were a major fashion statement.
The colors: Inspired by the decade’s love for neon, many weddings featured the powerful combination of light pink and teal.
The food: meat or fish.
The music: Receptions often featured tearjerkers like “You’re Still the One” by Shania Twain, “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing” by Aerosmith, and “Amazed” by Lonestar.
Wedding Trends from the 2000s
Following the season seven finale of Friends, Monica and Chandler’s wedding inspired many marriage celebrations from the early aughts.
The vibes: simple but elegant.
The venue: less church weddings, more country clubs and hotel reception halls.
The style: Brides favored spaghetti straps or strapless satin wedding dresses paired with silver jewelry. Tiaras were a popular accessory in lieu of veils.
The colors: jewel tones like Pantone’s 2002 Color of the Year, True Red.
The food: Couples swapped multi-tier wedding cakes for cupcake towers.
The music: Popular first dance songs included “I’m Yours” by Jason Mraz, “Bubbly” by Colbie Caillat, and “Everything” by Michael Buble.
Wedding Trends from the 2010s
From DIY reception inspiration to flash mobs and wedding hashtags, social media platforms like Pinterest and Instagram played a huge role in weddings throughout the 2010s.
The vibes: rustic chic and boho flair.
The venue: antique barn.
The style: Brides donned flower crowns, headbands, and a hint of chevron.
The colors: Pastel colors like mint green and pale pink were big, along with gold or gray accents.
The food: Couples started to get creative with out-of-the-box food stations like donut and waffle bars. Cake pops had their moment along with naked cakes.
The music: “A Thousand Years” by Christina Perri, “All of Me” by John Legend, and “Marry Me” by Bruno Mars were wedding hits.
To Trend or Not to Trend
Wedding trends may come and go, but memories of your special day will last forever. Before you blindly follow the latest trend, make sure it feels like “you” and your soon-to-be spouse.
Visit our wedding directory for help planning a timeless wedding that you’ll remember for as long as you both shall live.
