Destination wedding ceremony

From the Experts, Wedding Planning Tips

2019 Destination Wedding Trends Your Clients Will LOVE

Amira Harris is the owner and destination wedding planning specialist of Aisle Travel™ based in Calgary, Alberta Canada. Aisle Travel™ provides Canadian couples with full group travel services, destination wedding planning, and customized wedding group experiences.

Destination weddings are usually, but not always, set in tropical locations with amazing ocean backdrops and swoon-worthy views. Since destination weddings are becoming more popular year after year, we know this setting will still be a favorite.

As a wedding planner specializing in destination weddings, I’ve seen many trends come and go—sometimes, I’m sad to see certain trends go. Today, I’ve compiled a list of 7 of my favorite wedding trends for 2019. You may recognize some of these trends that are still going strong from previous years. Let’s dive into it!

1. Coral tones

living coral color of the year 2019 by pantone is a trendy wedding planning color

With Pantone announcing Living Coral as the 2019 Color of the Year, I’ve seen it used in many destination wedding themes. It can be used in the floral design, event decor and wedding attire. Living Coral’s vibrant hue can be paired with so many different wedding elements and is the perfect color for your beach-side soirée.

2. Circular ceremony set-ups

For brides who want a modern twist for the traditional seating layout, this will be a hit! Circular or free-form set ups are such a great option for garden and beach weddings. The setup provides guests an unobstructed view of the couple while adding a unique element to the wedding ceremony. I’ve seen this done many different ways, and I never get bored of it.

3. Metallic elements

While bronze and copper are the trendiest metals for weddings, any metal will do. Some couples are using metal details into their event decor, ranging in gold, silver, platinum and rose gold to name a few. Your clients can choose their favorite metallic décor pieces to add to the tablescape for warmth and texture.

4. Romantic lighting

wedding reception string lights and lanterns wedding planning trends for destination weddings

Whether it’s a ceremony in a gazebo or a sea-side reception, lighting is a must. Most couples don’t consider lighting essential, and in most cases, it’s overlooked. Your wedding clients may assume that since their wedding takes place at a tropical location, lighting isn’t necessary. Unfortunately, the sun isn’t out 24/7.

If you’re planning a sunset ceremony or outdoor reception, you’ll definitely need some lighting to bring you from dusk into the night. String bistro lights over reception tables or even the dance floor. Candles and string lights illuminate the venue, provide a romantic glow, and is visually interesting.

5. Cultural experiences

More couples are hiring authentic cultural experiences for their guests. We do a lot of weddings in different parts of Mexico, and I’m always asked to integrate the local culture to the wedding. That could mean incorporating the local mariachi band for cocktail hour, authentic Mexican food for the reception, or doing a Mayan ceremony. If you haven’t experienced a Mayan wedding, dancing and drumming is involved while a Shaman performs. It truly is something to see and adds a unique factor to your nuptials. You can easily infuse one of these elements into your wedding away or even add it to the welcome party for your client’s guests.

6. Pampas grass

pampas grass wedding and event decor trends for destination weddings 2019

I’ve seen pampas grass with Boho Chic themes, and the grass is popular with our eco-conscious brides, too. It’s so versatile to use and adds some texture to any wedding element. Brides are loving it for its earthiness, and it’s so affordable for the bride-on-a-budget. It can be used in floral arrangements, ceremony backdrops, and arches—honestly, arches with pampas grass are my favorite right now!

7. Unplugged ceremonies

This isn’t a new trend, but it’s one that’s increasingly popular year after year. Your own wedding planning clients may want their wedding to be uninterrupted and for their guests to be present in the moment. After all, it’s a wedding, and it shouldn’t be a big ask for guests to put devices away.

No newlyweds want their guests being distracted taking pictures or scrolling through Instagram at their nuptials. Photographers also don’t like guests getting in the way of that perfect photo. Couples are asking their guests to leave their electronics behind, and let the professionals do their work.

The hardest part about unplugged ceremonies is communicating and then enforcing the policy. Don’t worry, you have a few options! You can use signage, have a phone check-in station, or have the officiant announce the couple’s stance on unplugging.

destination wedding planning trends young couple just married

So many destination wedding trends from 2018 are still going strong for 2019. You may even find that some of these will still be around next year. I could easily list 20 more trends that I love, but these seven are the ones I’m asked about the most. When it comes to wedding decor or wedding planning trends, you don’t need to incorporate them all. If your client asks for your advice, help them pick out a couple that suits their vision for their big day, and then work with them to see how it can be used with their wedding decor style and theme.

Any other big wedding planning trends we missed? Let us know!

What’s the next big trend in the wedding planning industry? Check out our guide to throwing a zero-waste wedding!

3 responses to “2019 Destination Wedding Trends Your Clients Will LOVE”

  1. Mona gadhave says:

    Great! I really appreciated your work..this is really helpful for me. This is all my favorite wedding trends for 2019 mostly i like Pampas grass,Unplugged ceremonies,thanks for sharing this post…Please keep sharing…

  2. Amy Thomas says:

    Awesome! Thanks for sharing such a nice article.

  3. Stef says:

    What a great article and so many ideas too!

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