Stress-free Wedding Planning Podcast #150: Discover the Secrets Behind Today’s Wedding Trends
What’s the biggest of today’s wedding trends? What special touches do you envision for your wedding day?
The Stress-free Wedding Planning Podcast
Meet Sal and Sam, your hosts for The Stress-free Wedding Planning Podcast. Additionally, this podcast is for engaged couples who feel overwhelmed with wedding planning and family expectations but want a memorable and fun wedding day.
Join us in the Stress-free Wedding Planning Facebook group
Sal and Sam, are your hosts, two professional DJs with over 80 years of combined wedding expertise and thousands of happy couples. Furthermore, they’ll guide you through planning your wedding. As a result, taking you from concern and being overwhelmed, they’ll take you to a memorable, fun, and stress-free wedding.
Also, listen for engaging interviews from event professionals, and insightful topics.
In This Edition
Overall, the latest wedding trend, is still the ‘First Look’.
Today, we’ll discuss co-ed wedding parties, personalized themes, outdoor ceremonies, rehearsal dinners, plus why couples are gravitating towards virtual vendor consultations.
By the end of this edition, you’ll learn about the growing popularity of the pre-wedding traditions like Rehearsal Dinners, and the Farewell Brunches.
Furthermore, this edition also covers how technology and apps are playing a significant role in modern wedding planning, and the importance of blending timeless romance with a modern flair.
After Hours Events Of New England – Music Giveaway
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Stress-free Wedding Planning Podcast #150: Discover the Secrets Behind Today’s Wedding Trends
Host: Sal & Sam
Music: “Sam’s Tune” by Rick Anthony
Join our community for free tips and suggestions – Stress-free Wedding Planning Community
Produced By Atmosphere Productions in association with After Hours Events of New England
Transcript
Discover the Secrets Behind Today’s Wedding Trends
Sylvester: [00:00:00] What are the most surprising and creative ways couples are personalizing their weddings? How can you use the latest trends to make your wedding an unforgettable experience for both you and your guests?
Today, we’ll explain the top wedding trends that’ll make your special day not just beautiful, but also memorable and talked about for years to come. Thanks for joining us. I’m Sam from Atmosphere [00:00:30] Productions. We’ll answer these questions and more in today’s edition of the Stress-Free Wedding Planning podcast.
DJ Sal Fusco: Welcome to another edition of our podcast. Hi, I am Sal from After Hours Events of New England. Listen now and discover the secrets behind today’s wedding trends. These are wedding insider secrets for a stress free, fun and memorable day. Our podcast helps engage couples navigate wedding planning complexities while addressing family expectations. We’ll guide you through the journey of creating the [00:01:00] perfect wedding day without unnecessary stress. By the end of this edition, you’ll get concise tips on budgeting, wedding party management, ceremony, reception planning, and more. Perfect for anyone who’s planning a wedding in 30 minutes or less. Trust us, you don’t wanna miss this.
JR: Welcome to Stress-Free Wedding Planning, the podcast that will transform your wedding planning journey from chaotic to enchanting, Sal and Sam bring over 80 years of combined wedding expertise and exclusive insider information to the table. [00:01:30] If you’re recently engaged, feeling the pressure of wedding planning.
Struggling with family expectations, but still dreaming of a joy filled wedding. You’ve come to the right place. Get ready to unveil the best kept wedding secrets. Discover practical tips and strategies and learn life-changing lessons for a stress-free wedding. Your unforgettable wedding day awaits.
We’re here to take you on a transformative journey of love, laughter, and memories, so don’t miss out on the podcast. That just might change your life. This is the Stress-Free Wedding Planning [00:02:00] podcast with Sal and Sam.
DJ Sal Fusco: On today’s podcast, discover the secrets behind today’s Wedding Trends. By the end of this edition, we will explain to you how you can make your wedding stand out, in a year filled with innovative ideas and cutting edge technology. Hi, I am Sam from the Award-Winning Atmosphere Productions. Wedding Entertainment with expert knowledge in the difference in quality, specializing in live ceremony musicians, [00:02:30] cocktail hour string, musicians plus lighting, and an elegant and classy presentation. We have exactly what you need. Visit us at Atmosphere hyphen Productions dot com. That’s Atmosphere hyphen Productions dot com. Learn more about our experience and the journey to help you with stress-free wedding planning in the trailer or pilots of this podcast.
As the wedding industry continues to evolve, this promises to be a year of [00:03:00] innovation and creativity, offering couples the chance to craft a truly unforgettable celebration. Today we’ll explain the trends that will make your wedding day unforgettable. Hi, I am Sal from After Hours Events of New England. The experts are creating a stress-free, unforgettable wedding experience. We bring energy, professionalism, and a passion to making every couple’s big day, truly special. Visit us at After Hours Events of N.E dot com.
Sylvester: This year, weddings are all [00:03:30] about blending timeless romance with a modern flare. Now, if you are a couple looking to make your special day a reflection of your unique story, then we’ll guide you through the top trends that are redefining the wedding industry landscape. Based on our experience in the last few years, and what we see with our current clients, we’ll explain and you’ll discover the secrets behind today’s wedding trends on today’s [00:04:00] edition of the Stress-Free Wedding Planning Podcast.
DJ Sal Fusco: All right. What I want to talk about, and it’s been a huge thing in the last few years, is the First Look, it is still the number one trend, and I don’t think this is going away. If you don’t know what the First Look is, it’s typically when the couple prior to the ceremony, get to see each other for the very first time. The photographer brings you two together and then you take some pictures together, and then you have pictures with your parents and wedding party and everything’s done before the [00:04:30] ceremony. It gives you an opportunity to relax in between. Take a few minutes for yourself so you can kind of collect your thoughts and realize what is happening.
And then when it comes time for the ceremony, you’ll feel a little more relaxed. Those stressful shoulders are gonna come down a little and you’re gonna remember a lot more.
Sylvester: Another trend that we see on the horizon and that some couples are using, uh, today is wedding apps. Now we can talk about The Knot, the Wedding Wire and those type of [00:05:00] apps because, uh, they will definitely help you plan your wedding reception, especially if you get, uh, overwhelmed. As a matter of fact, over the past decade, couples using apps like these has grown above 15% and more. It’s clear that these platforms absolutely do work to help you track your guests, uh, track your RSVPs and register your guests, but there’s also other apps that you can use.
I know one that I recently recommended to a client [00:05:30] was the Sun Tracking app because she’s getting married, uh, later this year and she wanted to know where the sun was going to be at her reception site for the ceremony. Uh, So there are loads of sun tracking apps and I do suggest that couples use these to help plan where the sun’s gonna be, especially if you’re gonna do golden hour shots and stuff like that. So apps, that is the big wedding trend.
DJ Sal Fusco: The next thing I wanna jump into is talking about Co-ed [00:06:00] Wedding Parties and what are they? So traditionally the girls, represent the bride and the guys represent the groom, but that’s no longer true. We have men who have “best women” and the women having the “man of honor” and then some. So it doesn’t have to be the same old, same old. If you have friends that are male or female on either side, please feel free to let them be part of your special day and honor them because they should be honored ’cause they are really good friends of [00:06:30] yours.
Sylvester: Next on our list of trends is wedding themes. Couples personalizing their big days more and more couples are just being just more and more creative. Something that I’ve experienced is a couples that wanted a fairytale wedding. They had Harry Potter or Lord of the Rings themes at their wedding reception. Now you can do whatever theme that you like. Just make sure it’s consistent throughout all your planning, and of course, make it [00:07:00] something that you like. I had a wedding where they had TV shows as the theme. Each table was a TV show they liked. Friends, Seinfeld, et cetera. Remember that the theme has got to follow your personal story. Don’t make it anything random.
DJ Sal Fusco: Something that Sam and I wanna remind you is you can join us on our YouTube channel. Just search for stress-free wedding planning podcast with Sal and Sam. Subscribe and get it first.
Next, [00:07:30] let’s discuss the trend of shifting locations. So over the years, what has changed when it comes to locations is the ceremony. It’s not always at a church or a synagogue. Many times now it’s at a beach, it’s at a park, or maybe the same location that you’re having your wedding reception. Which can make things so much easier when you have it in all in one place. Other things is having your wedding outdoors under a tent or even in a barn. There’s just so many other options than the [00:08:00] typical wedding reception facility. So, sky’s the limit. Do some research and you can find some really incredible ways to do something a little different at your wedding.
Sylvester: Let’s now discuss about changing of the names. Over 70% of today’s couples are choosing to have one partner change their last name to take that of their spouse. Tradition once dictated that the woman typically took the husband’s last name. This is not the same in [00:08:30] modern society. You can do whatever you want. I’ve had many couples that just don’t change any names at all. Uh, Or, the groom may take the bride’s last name. Very rare, but I’ve had an occasion of that happening. Whether it’s a mutual decision or simply a matter of personal preference, changing that last name has become popular and a personal choice among today’s couples.
DJ Sal Fusco: Another big thing that’s happening before the wedding is the Rehearsal [00:09:00] Dinner. Uh, This is a pre-wedding tradition that over 70% of couples are doing, and for good reason. It’s getting your wedding party together, getting your parents together. It’s typically something you do right after rehearsing your ceremony.
It’s a nice little gathering where it allows you to have a meal together and just have a great time. And this is also a good time to give away your gifts that you’re going to give to your wedding party, uh, so you don’t have to worry about that on the day of the wedding.
Sylvester: We’ve just [00:09:30] explained seven wedding trends that you’re likely to see this upcoming year and most definitely during the next couple of years of wedding seasons.
DJ Sal Fusco: Coming up next, the Cake Cutting, the Final Last Dance, Grand Send-Off, and more wedding trends will make your special day not just beautiful but memorable and talked about for years to come. But first, if you have a question or concern, go now to Facebook and join us on the Stress-Free Wedding Planning Community and ask away.
You can also join us on YouTube. Just search for Stress-Free [00:10:00] Wedding Planning podcast with Sal and Sam. Subscribe and get it first.
JR: This is the Stress-Free Wedding Planning podcast with Sal and Sam. A podcast for engaged couples concerned about wedding planning and family expectations, but who want a stress free, fun and unforgettable wedding.
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Let us help you relive the romance, laughter, and tears of your wedding day. Visit Fitzner Productions dot com. That’s [00:11:00] F-I-T-Z-N-E-R Productions dot com.
Sylvester: We’re here to share essential tips that’ll help you craft the wedding of your dreams. It’s Wedding Tip Wednesday time, and today it’s walk slow for that walk down the aisle.
DJ Sal Fusco: On your wedding day, you’re walking down the aisle. You don’t wanna go too fast. You wanna keep a nice pace, but don’t go too slow. You do wanna take the time for your guests to enjoy seeing you as you enjoy the attention of everyone that’s there for [00:11:30] your special day.
Sylvester: And that’s another wedding tip from Sal and Sam.
Adam: Wedding Tip Wednesday is available on the Stress-Free Wedding Planning Facebook group page every Wednesday. Join the group for free.
Sylvester: Welcome back to our discussion, discovering the secrets behind today’s wedding trends. Yes, the trends you are likely to see at the upcoming weddings or trends that you can incorporate into your wedding celebration.
I’m Sam from Atmosphere Productions.
DJ Sal Fusco: And I’m Sal from After Hours Events of New England. We’ve already [00:12:00] discussed the First Look, co-ed wedding parties, outdoor ceremonies, rehearsal dinner, and more.
Sylvester: Now let’s discuss that cake cutting ceremony. The cake cutting ceremony typically happens after the meal. It’s served as dessert. Couples would feed each other, and this would be in the event that pictures would be taken. Now you don’t have to do the cake cutting after the meal. We’ve had couples that do it right after the First Dance or after the First Dance, do the parents dances, and [00:12:30] then the cake. Get it outta the way. Two thirds of couples still include this moment on their wedding day, so it is something that is still a popular tradition, but it’s evolving on when it’s going to be done. This classic tradition symbolizes the couple’s shared future and is a highlight at the reception.
DJ Sal Fusco: So something we’ve been noticing in the last couple seasons is what’s called the Final Last Dance. And what I mean by [00:13:00] final last dance, this is a private dance between the couple. So you’ve had the last song for your guest and now we get ’em out of the room. So it’s just your moment alone. A nice romantic moment with a song of your choice, and you just let the music play. Enjoy the moment, take it all in.
So now we need to prepare for this dance. So the first thing that needs to happen is we need to get the guest out of the room. Let them know that the party’s over and they need to move on. And [00:13:30] we’re gonna have this very special dance just for the two of you. Now we to make sure the facility knows what’s going on. Your DJ has to be aware of it, of course. And if your photographers or videographers, there till the end, you wanna make sure that they’re aware this is happening so they’re not packing up and missing this great moment. This is such a wonderful moment just to be by yourselves. Kind of take in that whole day. Uh, It’s just such a romantic moment, and what a great ending to a wedding.
Sylvester: Now, if you are not doing the Private Last [00:14:00] Dance as a special farewell, you can do another trend. That’s the Grand Send-Off. Nearly half the couples that we work with are choosing to have a Grand Send-Off at the end of the reception. Now, this is done after the Last Dance, so you do the Final Last Dance and then you usher the guest outside, and typically it’s a sparkler exit. That’s the most popular one. But you can do other things. Make sure you check with your facility to [00:14:30] make sure that you can use sparklers or anything else that you want to do, uh, for your Grand Send-Off.
And then what we do is invite the guests outside for a Grand Send-Off, and the guests would line up outside and you would walk through the middle and hopefully a photographer or video would, uh, capture that. So Grand Send-Offs, very popular trend and I hope it continues.
DJ Sal Fusco: Do you like the party? Here’s another trend you could do. It’s called the After Party. This is right after the wedding. We’re finding that [00:15:00] most couples don’t do this. But the ones that do, it’s either a very specific list of people or it’s a free for all dance party, having a great time. So it’s typically at a different location, uh, where they’ve set up time for just them and no other people are walking into this party.
So it’s just a very special moment with you and the couple and just having a great time for just a little longer. ’cause the party doesn’t have to end right away.
Sylvester: Just a reminder, if you haven’t done so already, join us on our [00:15:30] YouTube channel and search for the Stress-Free Wedding Planning Podcast with Sal and Sam, subscribe, and you will get it first.
Now as we start to wrap up this edition, there’s a couple more trends that we want to discuss. So one of those is the Farewell Brunch or the Morning-after Brunch. Farewell Brunch is typically done in the hotel that most of the guests are staying. Uh, Morning-after Brunch, same thing. You can set up something there. Or you can do it at a family or friend’s [00:16:00] house, that they’ve set up that you can do that depending on what your expenses are.
The Farewell Brunch or the Morning-after Brunch is a thoughtful gesture, but it’s also an unnecessary expense. Don’t think that this trend you have to do because many guests are not gonna go to it. It’s typically for guests that are traveling outta town or traveled long distances or have a flight later in the afternoon, something like that.
Less than 25% of [00:16:30] our couples are opt in for it. However, for those that do, it’s a great way to relax and an opportunity to meet the couple again after the wedding, get together with close family and friends, and share stories of the big day.
DJ Sal Fusco: The next trend is not something that is dealt on the day of your event, or even the next day. It’s prior to, is getting ready for your big wedding, and that’s Virtual Vendor Consultation.
In our experience since COVID-19, people aren’t really doing in-person meetings [00:17:00] anymore, it’s, it’s virtual. I know in our own company it’s almost a hundred percent virtual. Now we’re actually moving into a smaller office because of it. So this is something that we’re seeing a lot of and talking to a lot of other professionals, they say the same exact thing.
Photographers and videographers are finding that people are not meeting with them in person and they’re doing more and more of the virtual thing. We may be almost a hundred percent, but I think right now we’re looking at about 75% as an industry. Uh, So this [00:17:30] is something that’s happening and it’s, it’s available to you. Now you don’t have to drive anywhere. You just turn on your computer and you get to see the vendor and talk to them and, make things easier for you. So no travel, no fuss. Uh, It makes things so much more simpler.
Sylvester: In our experience, couples are taking control of their wedding experience, and this is a trend I think will continue. From the big moments to the smallest details, our couples want it to be personal. Whether it’s choosing unique [00:18:00] locations, embracing technology, or reimagining an old tradition, modern couples are all about personalization, connection with the guests, and celebrating their love in a way that’s meaningful to them.
DJ Sal Fusco: So there you have it. If you’re planning your wedding this year, take inspiration from these trends and make your celebration as unique and special as your love story.
Sylvester: Now as you spend the next week planning your wedding, if you want me, Sal, [00:18:30] or our community of stress-free engaged couples and wedding experts to answer any wedding related questions, then join us in the stress-free Wedding Planning Facebook group.
DJ Sal Fusco: Once you’re in, go ahead and share your concerns and worries, and we’ll let you know if you are on the right track or if there are some things you need to work on. The link to join us is in the show notes of this edition, or go to Facebook and search for the stress-free wedding planning community.
Sylvester: Remember to do something nice for someone today, and if you can’t, then do something nice for [00:19:00] yourself. If you’ve enjoyed what you’ve just heard, leave a review and share it with a friend or someone who would benefit from this information.
Until next time, it’s TTFN, Ta-ta for now.
DJ Sal Fusco: Thank you for listening to this edition. A new edition is released every Wednesday. Subscribe and get it first. We’ll catch ya then. Ciao.
Wayne: The Stress-Free Wedding Planning Podcast is produced and copyrighted by Atmosphere Productions in association with After Hours Events of New England.
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