Did you know that the holidays are known as engagement season? Seriously, its the time of year where most people are saying yes and starting to plan their wedding!

Sooo… with more people popping up on my feed as getting engaged, I was reflecting on all my 2023 weddings and started to think about some of the trends I can’t wait to photograph in 2024.

I think in the last two years, couples have started to shift their priorities when it comes to their wedding day. For example, in the last two years, I’ve had more and more couples tell me they want less timeline and more flexibility. Or I’ve had couples tell me they want more private moments rather than constantly being around people. Overall the trends has been that couples are taking back their wedding day and making it customized to what they love and skipping out on traditions that don’t feel right.

I’m super excited for 204 weddings, I think couples are going to personalize their wedding days like never before. I think they will prioritize experiences and moments rather than tradition and I can’t wait to photograph it.

Here are a few things I hope to see this year and get the opportunity to photograph!

1. The Rise of The Party Dress

I’ve seen a few brides switch into a second dress over the years but it’s becoming more and more common. I love it when a bride pulls out a party dress, because usually this is an outfit where the bride picks this all on their own and it’s a true reflection of their personality!

I also have seen a few trends where brides and grooms step away for a few minutes to change together, and have a few photos of couples zipping each other up into their party outfits, usually paired with a few drinks and thats always super cute.

*Image above is by Chelsea Stratso, read her blog about couples getting ready together here.

2. Micro-weddings – Tiny but Mighty

I love that couples are cutting their guest lists in half and then half again. I think its so special that they are putting so much thought into their list and really making sure every person there is a VIP. In 2023, the biggest wedding I photographed had 115 people, in years past that number was close to 200 people. On average, this year my weddings were between 20-50 people. I love the brides are leaning into intimate ceremonies, it gives you the opportunity to hang out with every single person there rather than spreading yourself thin. By keeping things a little smaller, you become the guest of honor and not just a host.

3. Film – Nostalgia will always be on trend

It’s either you hirer a photographer who offers film photography as part of their package or you have film cameras at the wedding. In the last few years, it was the polaroid that made it out on to the dance floor, and now I am seeing more and more people bringing disposable cameras or film cameras to weddings. I think there some thing nostalgic for film and it feels really timeless. I think we will continue to see film elements tied into wedding media for the next couples of years.

4. Day Of Content Creation

This is a fun one! This year, I was photographing a wedding and everywhere I was, there was this lady following me around with her phone. This actually happens a lot, most of the time its an aunt or uncle trying to get the best shot of the couple. But this time when I asked how they were related to the couple, she told me she was a vendor and that she was actually doing day of content creation! I had no idea they hired her, and she told me it was super last minute. It was the coolest add on! She spent the day snap clips and photos of the couple so that they could do a social media highlight reel of their wedding day. I loved this.

5. Seated Bridal Parties

I love this one… because we did this for our own wedding. I’ve been a bridesmaid about seven times now – and yanno what sucks? Standing up there, pretending you can see what’s happening. All I want to do is see my bestie crying when she reads her vows and all I get is the back of her head. So, seeing more and more couples opt for having their wedding party sit down is super exciting. Being able to witness your friends getting married is the whole point of a wedding day, and being put in the front rows is the best place to be.

6. More private moments

This year, I’ve seen more couples opt in for private last dances, private vows, getting ready together, walking down the aisle together and I think it’s beautiful. It so easy to get seperated from your partner on your wedding day, everyone wants a moment with you. So finding moments for you to have time alone is so perfect.

I can’t wait to see how couples plan their weddings in 2024 and I hope to help you remember them! I am now booking 2024 weddings, click here to learn more about packages.