We are offically in 2023 and starting to see trends hit for the 2023 wedding season! Here are a few of my OPINIONS for the 2023 wedding season! A few things I see as “In” and a few things that I think are time to head “Out”! I’d love to know your opinions in the comments!

Ins:

Elopements and Intimate Weddings: You know I can’t resist an Intimate Wedding or Elopement! Ever since Covid and everything that hit in 2020, smaller weddings are all the rage! We have even popularized Elopements to become almost as normalized as bigger weddings! I am so happy to see it and love to see if stay forever! Just your closest people there to truly celebrate you, the way you want!

Floral Dresses: I love when wedding dresses have a pop of color, dimension or individual flare! Floral dresses have hit the runway and have totally hit my heart! I love how they are still classy and romantic but add a whimsical fun element to the day!

Champagne Tower: I love timeless and chic a Champagne Tower is! As a photographer, it is not only absolutely gorgeous and elegant but it also gets natural reactions and laughs! One of my favorite things! Totally worth doing if you are going for timeless, elegant and CHIC!

“Free the Dress” Sessions: When I started this movement, I knew it was going to a big hit! And I am so excited to see so many bookings for 2023! Because why not FREE your wedding clothes from your closet and take them out for an EPIC day of photos and adventure with your forever love!

Non-White Dresses: I love it when a bride wears something other than white! I think it adds so much drama and uniqueness to the day! I love to beautiful black, blue, pink or red wedding dress! I’d love to someday see all the colors! Because why be traditional when you can be YOU! Whatever makes you feel beautiful!

Private Vows: I love the option of private vows for my more shy couples! It is an amazing chance to have an intimate moment and say your words of commitment to each other without the pressure or presence of anyone else (even your photographer)! It also gives you time on a very busy day to take a moment for just the two of you!

Live Music: How romantic is it to have a string quartet playing you down the aisle or a tribute band keeping the energy alive during your reception?! Live music gives such an amazing energy to the day! There are so many talented musicians out there ready to make your day even more beautiful with their music!

Outs:

Bouquet and Garter Toss: This is the number one thing I am ready to be done with in the wedding world! The Garter Toss causes me so much uncomfortableness as a photographer. Seeing the Groom go up the Brides dress.. so awkward! The Bouquet Toss points out the single ladies, not only is it sexist but it is also so unnecessary in this day and age. Many women choose to be single, don’t want their singleness pointed out or don’t want a future marriage at all. A Bouquet Toss shouldn’t be forced upon anyone.

All things “rustic”: As much as I love a good country wedding and a beautifully decorated barn, I am ready to be past the wood rounds, country accents and decor, and making everything sunflower related. I love timeless and chic and rustic can sometimes take away from that, especially if you’re following the latest “rustic trend”. But don’t think I won’t start dancing if country music is played! There is a way to be country and timeless without “rustic”.

Not seeing each other before the Ceremony: This is an old tradition that is forced upon so many people that don’t need it. I say see each other whenever you want! If that means sleeping in the same bed before the wedding, having a First Look, or spending the whole morning getting ready together! I also love the idea of having breakfast and a morning walk or hike together! Why not start your favorite day with your favorite person! Also, so many couples get anxiety before the wedding. Whether it be from nerves of being in front of so many people or just because it’s a big step forward, why not be with the one person who knows how to keep you calm?! Spend time together taking it all in, talking, relaxing, calming each other before the chaos of the day!

Scripted Ceremonies: As an Officiant myself, I am a huge believer that every ceremony should be unique to the couple. Even if kept short and simple, the ceremony is the part of the day that you talk about the couple’s love story, how they got to this momentous day and the future they are about to embark on. It should be as unique as their love story!

Big Boring Wedding Cakes: Heck no! I have seen so many unique, colorful, timeless, fun and brilliantly designed cakes! Why go boring when you can have fun and unique to YOU and your day! I also love that more and more people are shying away from cake at their wedding and doing a different kind of dessert. I have seen ice-cream, pies, a candy bar, and so many fun ideas for the sweet part of the day! My Husband and I don’t really like cake so we did an Ice-Cream Bar for our wedding! It was fantastic!

Not Hiring a Wedding Planner: HUGE NO NO! Don’t make your photographer or a family member your day of coordinator. Hire a professional to keep your day running smoothly. Trust me, it will be one of those things you look back on and be so glad you did! Even if you just have a day-of (month-of) coordinator, it makes a huge difference for the flow of the day, for the vendors to stay connected, for the little mishaps to go unnoticed by the guests and the couple, and for every little detail to remain accounted for! As a wedding photographer, it is a role I often have to play (and don’t get paid for) and it can be incredibly stressful. It has gotten to the point that I will rarely take weddings that don’t have one because of how many bad experiences I have had that could’ve been fixed if that had hired a planner! Trust me, it’s worth it!

Remember these are all my opinions and there is nothing wrong with doing or not doing any of these! A wedding day is about YOU and making your dream come true!

Here to capture – AND – help plan your day!