The Biggest Wedding Trends of 2024

Weddings in India have always been associated with abundance. Think of an Indian wedding and you’ll imagine large buffets serving unlimited food, a long guest list, a massive wedding venue to accommodate all those guests and a week-long festival at the least. Not to mention, the hectic days of shopping that precede the wedding and weeks of unpacking and settling in after. The last few years, however, have elicited more stress-free, leaner events that focus on the couple and their inner circle. A trend that seems to have started with celebrity couples escaping to faraway lands to wed in peace, and stayed with the pandemic urging people towards thoughtful celebrations. If you’re uncertain about how extravagant or simple you want your wedding to be, we’ve curated a list of the top wedding trends this year, to help you make up your mind!

The Fewer, The Better

Couples are increasingly valuing intimate weddings where they can focus on spending time with their closest friends and family members. By keeping the guest list shorter you can have more control over the guest experience and include personalised elements that reflect their personalities and preferences. Having fewer people also allows you to get more creative with venues that are better suited for cosier gatherings - think rustic hill chalets, a pretty gazebo by the beach or a relaxed cocktail by the poolside!

Evites are Welcome

E-invitations open up a whole world of possibilities and save you a lot of time. You can also avoid paper wastage and save on printing, postage, and other related costs. Whether you’d like to create a video invite set to your favourite music or share an elegant card with the necessary details, there are thousands of options to choose from. Once you prepare the list, the evites can be sent out quickly and easily to guests in any part of the world. The RSVPs are also convenient to track and the guest list can be updated accordingly.

Celebrate without Food Waste

Food waste is a major environmental and ethical issue. It contributes to greenhouse gas emissions and takes up valuable landfill space. Couples are increasingly becoming conscious of how their choices impact the world and want to make sure that the food they serve at their wedding is not wasted. Plus, food is a major part of the budget. A leaner menu enables you to design a more curated and specialised appeal without compromising on quality. Instead of opting for an overwhelmingly large buffet, try including more variety in smaller portions to emulate a degustation dining experience. Cultural representation of the couple and their food traditions has become an important aspect of weddings. Well thought out menus that weave a story through food can be a great way to add meaningful details and put together a memorable feast.

Pastels are Perfect

The understated elegance of pastels can make a bride or groom stand out without being ostentatious. Delicate shades add a touch of freshness to traditional wedding silhouettes and can complement a range of skin tones. Bridal lehengas and sarees in soft tones are versatile and can be paired with different jewellery styles and make-up looks. For the grooms, sherwanis or Indo-western sets in muted colours can be paired with dupattas and accessories in metallic or bold colours for a more dramatic look or with similar hues for a more restrained effect. Over the past year, we’ve witnessed a slew of celebrity weddings where couples have opted for soft palettes of beige, off-white and pinks instead of heavier reds. Lighter colours paired with the right kind of embroidery or detailing work well across seasons and can be styled in different ways to suit other occasions later as well.

Let's Make it a Holiday

A destination wedding is all about a change of scenery and celebrating in an exotic location. It is also a great opportunity for you and your guests to explore a new place and its culture. From major pre-wedding ceremonies to the reception, all the events are at one location so the guests do not have to worry about making separate travel arrangements. This can be especially helpful for guests who are travelling from other parts of the country or from abroad. Destination weddings offer privacy and exclusivity, and give you the time to enjoy one big festive holiday with your closest friends and family.

Less is More When it Comes to Decor

Minimalist decor with clean designs not only reduces costs but also creates a more sophisticated impression. Instead of going heavy on the decor and props, wedding planners suggest opting for scenic locations amidst nature, like having a beach or hilly backdrop; or including aesthetic cultural spaces like forts and heritage hotels to amplify visual impact without extravagant adornments. A moderate take on decor can help create a sense of calm and serenity as opposed to an opulent setup, which can feel overpowering and shift the focus away from the couple. Swap heavy chandeliers for dainty fairy lighting and focus on a few key areas to highlight instead of placing bulky decorations all over.

Weddings are a celebration of love and commitment, and it’s important to plan your big day in a way that embodies your values and choices. The trends we’ve mentioned are not just fads but a reflection of the changing times. Cross cultural weddings have given way to more deliberate and thoughtful events that express a modern thought process while still embracing traditions. It’s important to remember that weddings don't have to be extravagant or wasteful to be fun. You can go big on one ceremony and keep the other gatherings intimate. Balance is key to creating an occasion that's not only beautiful and intimate but also responsible and sustainable. So go ahead and plan your wedding with these trends in mind, but make sure it is an affair that truly reflects your style and cultural preferences. After all, this is one event where you should focus on the things that matter the most to you!