2016 has been a stand out year for destination weddings. Couples have been taking full advantage of all that going abroad can offer, and with that, comes a brand new set of trends that we are excited to share.
Locations on the Rise
The traditional beach wedding certainly isn’t going anywhere, with Mexico, the Bahamas, and Jamaica continuing to hold the top spots for many to-be-weds. However, locations like Ireland, Spain, Iceland and South Africa are starting to gain some ground with couples looking for something different. Getting married in an Irish castle or a Spanish mountainside is not only an exciting journey, but makes for some stellar wedding photos as well!
It’s All in the Details
The custom details of any wedding, whether it’s abroad or at home, are one of the most important aspects of planning a wedding and key to creating a personalized experience. This year, there has been a shift from the shabby chic style to rustic glam. This style brings out romantic lighting and bold table patterns that are mixed with metallic and neutral accents.
Brides heading down the aisle have been drawn to dramatic backs and embellished sleeves in 2016 (can this be a trend forever, please?). Grooms have been getting in on the fun too with colorful shoes and patterned bow ties that make every groom stand out.
While bold shades and metallic hues are certainly making a scene at destination weddings, neutral tones and pastels are also here to stay. In fact, Pantone’s colors of the year, Rose Quartz and Serenity, have been incorporated in countless celebrations since they were announced.
The Food
Couples are steering away from traditional wedding food and incorporating regional cuisine into their menus. This is a great way to not only be cost effective, but to show off the destination and give guests an authentic cultural experience! Naked cakes and buttercream have emerged as favorite choices for destination couples as well.
As the destination wedding market evolves, so do the trends that couples bring to the table each year. Knowing what’s on trend can serve as a great source of inspiration while still staying true to what your wedding vision is. No matter what you choose, there is no doubt that it will be the experience of a lifetime for both you and your guests.
Megan Velez is the Vice President of Product at Destination Wedding Travel Group, the world’s leading destination wedding and romantic travel planning company. Destination Wedding Travel Group, which encompasses GayDestinationWeddings.com, DestinationWeddings.com and LuxuriousDestinationWeddings.com, has worked with nearly 25,000 couples and half a million guests to plan dream destination weddings around the world. For more information, visit DestinationWeddings.com.