I am a wedding planner. Here are eight trends I think will be huge in 2025 – and three that will go out of style.

• Based on my observations as a wedding planner, here are the trends I think will come in and out next year.

• I predict that live music, whimsical accents and photo booths will remain huge in 2025.

• More and more couples want a quiet wedding entrance, and many no longer stream their ceremonies.

I have been working as a wedding planner for years and have planned dozens of special days.

While some things rarely change in this industry, I do see many wedding trends come and go. As we head into 2025, there are a few that I think will be huge – and some I can already see falling out of favor.

Live music is becoming a popular choice for ceremonies, receptions and cocktail hours.

For the first time in years, I have had multiple clients hire live musicians, and not just for the ceremony.

I also see live bands being booked for the cocktail hour and reception. (Live music is a great way to have a packed dance floor at a wedding.)

More and more couples are kicking off their first dance during the reception.

Several of my recent clients chose to do their first dance as soon as guests sat down for a main meal.

It’s a good choice for a couple who has spent some time practicing a first dance or just wants people to pay attention to it.

If you do this and don’t have additional VIP dancing planned for later at the reception, make sure you have a way to let guests know that your dance floor is officially open. (An announcement works fine, as does a particularly beloved song.)

Living plants are having a moment.

Flowers aren’t going anywhere, but I’m seeing increasing interest among couples who want to incorporate living plants like succulents, ferns and even potted trees into their home décor.

I see more and more locations asking for proof of insurance from the supplier.

I have noticed an increase in the number of locations requiring suppliers to provide proof of business insurance. This is important for couples to know as not all suppliers offer it.

Read your site contract and use my list of vendor interview questions to avoid an awkward situation.

Quirkiness is so trendy.

Many of my clients have started celebrating the quirky parts of their relationship at their weddings and letting guests join in on the fun.

From wearing wings with a wedding dress to using Lego bricks as a centerpiece, there are so many unique ways to add whimsy to the big day.

Photo Booths have a lot of staying power

There’s no denying that people love photo booths: they combine a souvenir with an activity.

I see continued interest in this, especially if there is a real person present, rather than the more DIY ring light setups.

Physical reminders are popular, especially when it comes to a guest experience.

People seem to want more physical memories of their weddings than ever – especially if they can help create an unforgettable experience for guests.

I have seen couples hire artists to paint the ceremony as it takes place, or to create tintypes and flower presses for the guests.

Audio souvenirs, where couples rent a phone and have guests record messages that are later converted to vinyl, are also popular at the moment.

Couples recognize their honorees in more unique ways.

Mixed-gender and mixed-number weddings are nothing new, but the way we recognize the people we love continues to evolve.

Some couples skip wedding celebrations altogether and instead celebrate VIPs through toasts, flower distributions and other meaningful moments.

On the other hand, custom cocktails are no longer as special as they once were.

In recent years, couples are common had to have custom drinks inspired by themselves and maybe even each of their pets.

These specialty cocktails are still cute and fun, but the once intense desire to have them seems to disappear.

I see more and more couples skipping a formal entrance.

More of my clients want to magically appear at their reception rather than be formally introduced.

This makes sense for introverts, and it’s not difficult to turn a grand entrance into a more casual one. For example, skip the coordinated dance moves and don’t let the host announce the arrival of each VIP.

Not that many people stream their weddings.

Streaming the ceremony and other important wedding day moments feels like a relic from a bygone era.

People are still using video at a wedding – perhaps to call loved ones who couldn’t be there in person – but I saw far fewer clients sending out Zoom links over the past year.

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