A local wedding photographer talks about current bridal trends, her expectations for 2024 weddings and offers some advice for the big day.
Photographed by Taylor Square Photography
Few people get the birds-eye view that wedding photographers get on a couple’s big day. We asked Ann-Marie Wyatt of Taylor Square Photography to share her thoughts on current trends, coming changes and more.
Q: How have wedding florals trended over the past year?
A: According to Wyatt, florals have gone one of two ways this year: a big, overflowing bouquet of mostly white flowers with hints of greenery, or the colorful route with bright, bold florals. Flowers are also becoming fixtures in venues. “A lot of the larger receptions have had florals on the ceiling and laced around the light fixtures or draping over the dance floor or incorporated onto the cake,” Wyatt said.
Q: What colors have been most popular for weddings recently?
A: “While there are definitely still more traditional brides that stick to a classic black/white color palette, we’ve seen a lot more color this year,” Wyatt said. “Whether it’s incorporated into the wedding through the florals, the reception decorations, the bridesmaids’ dresses, or a combination of the three, a lot of our weddings have been filled with bold, vivid colors. This gives the wedding a fun, nontraditional look and is always so fun to shoot.”
In addition to bridesmaid dresses, mother-of-the-bride dresses and bride and groom shoe choice have been adding to colorful wedding palettes.
Q: Are there any common venue trends?
A: Weddings are parties, and that seems to be capitalized on in current venue and decorating trends, including tented receptions, disco-themed receptions, checkered dance floors and reception after-parties. Brides’ family homes are popular gathering spots to get ready and sometimes even hold the reception.
Q: What are people serving to eat?
A: Most receptions focus on finger foods and appetizer plates, according to Wyatt. Classic Southern food such as shrimp and grits, corn on the cob and smoked meats are also popular choices.
Personal touches linking food to the bride or groom’s hometown, are also common. She has seen Oxford weddings serve up local food, like Chicken on a Stick, for example.
Q: What about the cake?
A: Couples still love having a fun groom’s cake. Last year, Wyatt saw a monkey-shaped cake, a dog on a plane, a truck and several Ole Miss-related groom’s cakes. Additionally, vintage heart wedding cakes with a 1980s sort of style seem to be catching on.
Q: What are the bridesmaids wearing?
A: Mismatched bridesmaid dresses have been on trend, with bridesmaids choosing their own dress within a color guideline. Wyatt says she has seen more color, printed floral dresses and lots of silk material. Shades of blue — from deep navy to light blue — are most popular. Additionally, Wyatt says mothers of the bride are wearing more fun, colorful dresses instead of the stiff, maternal dresses of the past.
More 2024 Expectations
Bouquet and garter toss is slowly going away
Paparazzi-style direct flash photography
Smaller bridal parties
More destination weddings with smaller groups for more of an “experience weekend”
More organic photography, less posed and formal, more photo-journalistic and raw moments
Themed rehearsal dinners
Bold florals
Easy and fun sushi bars for reception catering
Less-is-more bridal makeup, for a simple, natural look
More film-looking photography
Wedding Day Advice From Taylor Square Photography
Do the first look. The brides we see that opt out of the first look end up getting way less photos with their bridal party and groom than the ones that do the first look.
Hire a good photographer. Ask to see an entire wedding they have shot. Don’t trust anyone based on their Instagram or website. That is a collection of their best images. Make sure you see family shots, inside the church shots and reception shots. If someone says they are a “natural light'' photographer, be wary of their skill level. The last thing you want is to hire a photographer that isn’t versed in flash photography and it’s storming on your wedding day!
A good planner is worth their weight in gold. The weddings we’ve worked in the past with no planner end up being extremely stressful for all involved. If you are having more than 150 guests, do yourself a favor and spend the money to invest in some peace of mind!
Have fun! You spend months, maybe even a year, planning this day. Try to be present and soak the day in, let your photographer and planner lead you, and let the rest fade away. The more fun you have, the better your photos will be.