Punchy Palettes
“Color, color, color!” says Leeanne Rocheleau Spadola, founder of Luxe + Lovely Events. “From drenching [décor] to curating a combination of your favorite hues, vibrant and elegant palettes” are popular. Brianna Alcorn, director of sales and marketing at Terrain (Glen Mills), adds that sunset hues in particular are having a moment. “Golden hues and sprinkles of yellow, reminiscent of your favorite summer sherbet…have beautifully appeared in bridal party attire, flowers, intricately decorated ceremony structures, elegant place cards, and even in the food and drinks,” she says. Umbrellas are also big, rain or shine. “Get creative!” Alcorn says. “We adore a beautifully hand-painted umbrella, especially when adorned with garden-centric designs.”
Candid Captures
“We’re still seeing a trend toward documentary-style, cinematic, and storytelling photography” says wedding and editorial photographer Becca Mathias. Her clients appreciate her emphasis on “the little moments—a parent reacting to a first dance, a hug from a grandparent’—they don’t always realize are happening in the moment and are grateful to witness in photos. Mathias says the demand for content creators is also on the rise. “If you want something easy to share on social media, they record bits and pieces of the day on their phones”
Best Furry Friends
“Is there anything sweeter than sharing your special day with your furry friend? We love seeing our couples include their beloved pets in their wedding, whether it’s for a walk down the aisle, a private moment in the suite before seeing your partner for the first time, or that celebratory ‘we did it’ moment,” Alcorn says. “Adorn their collars or keep it simple—either way, it’s a moment you won’t forget.”
Sur La Table
Wedding rehearsal and reception fare follow in restaurants’ footsteps. Enter small bites and an overall experience—not just a meal. Robbie Jester, owner of Newark-based In Jest Events, recently catered for a couple who asked for fusion hors d’oeuvres. Consider taco and Pan-Asian stations and a barbecue station with mac-and-cheese martinis, brisket or pulled-pork sliders, and pimento cheese on toast. Meals on wheels—woodfired pizza, oysters, and other tapas—style dishes are also on a roll. Food boards and grazing tables are still popular, as are late-night noshes, like custom popcorn carts, ice cream stations, or a snack specific to your locale. (Grotto slices, anyone?)
Bespoke Mocktails
Sean Norris of Rehoboth Beach-based Limbo Mixology says nonalcoholic cocktails are taking center stage as a sophisticated alternative for guests. “Reflecting a broader cultural shift toward wellness and inclusivity, these mocktails are not just an afterthought but a highlight of the celebration, crafted with as much care as their alcoholic counterparts,” Norris says. Picture signature drinks like a virgin mojito or a sparkling elderflower spritz. Colors and flavors can complement the event theme.
Related: This Delaware Wedding Celebrates a Long-Lasting Romance
