Summer weddings can be great, but the heat can sometimes make those months less than ideal for your wedding day. If you prefer crisp, cool weather, consider a winter wedding! Weddings during this chillier season are especially beautiful: from glistening blankets of snow to icicles sparkling in the sunlight, winter is a dreamy season for weddings. That’s why I’m here to share some insider tips about the best wedding trends for the 2021 winter season!

Color Palettes of the Season

One of my favorite things about winter is the dark, moody color palettes. Now, don’t get me wrong — I always love a bright and sunny color combination as well. But there is something special about pairing deep colors with the crisp whites of winter to create a perfect palette for a winter wedding. This year, many couples a shying away from a traditional black-and-white scheme. Instead, dive into color! Wine and forest green are two of the hottest (or should I say, coolest!) colors for this year.

You really can’t go wrong with any of these colors this season. Add in a complementary color and a neutral tone, and you have an elegant and beautiful wedding palette that is ideal for winter.

How to: Florals in Winter

One of the most frequent hesitations I hear from brides considering a winter wedding is that they won’t be able to have a big bouquet. While it’s true that winter (especially in New England) can make it more difficult to find fresh flowers, there are lots of alternatives that are just as beautiful! Wooden bouquets are a cool, new trend right now! They are exquisite, custom, and last forever! You can always opt for faux or dried flowers as well. These options take the guesswork out of wedding bouquets: you won’t need to worry about allergies, finding in-season blooms, or worry about how long they will last!

If you’re set on a classic fresh floral bouquet, there are still options in colder seasons as well! Winter jasmine, snowdrops, and winterberry are just a few of the cold-bearing flowers that you can incorporate into your big day. Be sure to consult an expert florist ahead of time so you know what will be available on your big day!

Perfect Winter Wedding Dresses

Another 2021 trend that is diverging from traditional weddings is mismatched bridesmaids’ dresses! There are several different ways to execute this trend without risking a chaotic look. First, you can choose a single color from your palette, and let your girls each pick individual styles for themselves. On the other hand, you can also choose one style and mix-and-match different colors of that dress. Finally, you can opt for a less restricted style, with variable options in both color and style, but kept within your defined color palette. These are all great ways to add a bit of personality and fun to your ceremony!

Hair and Make-up for Winter

Fresh-faced looks are some of the biggest trends in wedding make-up right now. A dewy, natural glow is a perfect look for winter! Many brides are opting for a lighter make-up style that enhances their natural beauty. If you want to add a little more glamour to this look, you can also add a bold lip! This look is perfect to transition from your ceremony to reception.

Decor and More!

This season, balloon arches are a fun, new wedding trend! Balloons aren’t a tacky children’s birthday party decoration anymore. You can choose an elegant design coordinated with your color palette to adorn your ceremony space for especially dreamy photos! You can even keep this into the reception, giving your guests another fun photo-op! Oversized signage is another effortlessly cool decoration trend! These can be executed in a variety of ways, like a cute 6’x8′ board to easily display your seating chart to your guests. Most custom stationery designers can create this type of signage for you to perfectly coordinate with the rest of your colors and stationery design!

Unique reception features are a growing trend this year as well! Many couples are choosing something to make their party even more special, such as a cigar roller, a live painter, or even a caricaturist! The options for this trend are endless, and while they will depend on your budget, they are a great option to make your big day stand out and give your guests even more to talk about!

Speaking of unique trends, mixing up the traditional idea of a “wedding party” is also an increasingly popular choice as well. There’s no need to be limited to traditional gender norms anymore: choose mixed genders for the bridal party and grooms-people, or choose a male (or gender non-conforming) friend as the “flower person.” Others are also choosing to diverge from traditional age norms, with grandmothers as flower girls also becoming a growing trend to include more of your beloved family members in your special day.

Wedding Trends in a Post-Pandemic World

During these unprecedented times, many couples are choosing exclusive, small ceremonies or even elopements rather than large parties. These are great options to keep family members and friends safe, but, if you still want to have the option for a huge celebration as well, vow renewals and sequels are a fun and trendy option! These parties make it so you don’t need to hold off on getting married, but you can still celebrate with your loved ones at a later time!

We are currently in a wedding boom right now! In fact, 2022 is said to be the biggest year of weddings since 1984! If you want to get married in the coming year, be sure to start your planning as soon as possible by booking your vendors now! Don’t wait!

Take inspiration from these tips and trends, and be sure to follow your own style to get your dream wedding!