Woo! We made it to 2023! It's a special year for all my 2023 brides, but for me as well! I'm getting married this year! Ahh! With my planning, I've been keeping an even closer watch on the trends coming in for 2023.

As a wedding photographer, I've seen trends come in and out. Here are my top 7 trends that I think we will see a lot more of in 2023!

1. Welcome Parties

Welcome parties have slowly been becoming more and more popular. Especially for the weddings that have a significant amount of guests traveling. This way, when your guests arrive, they have more than one event to attend. They get to see you and you get to chat with them without the day of pressure. Typically, these are held the evening before the wedding. I've seen cocktail parties at an AirBnB, happy hour at a favorite bar or even a "Brews Before I Do's" at a local brewery. You could have it be an open bar or a cash bar. It's really just to focus on your loved ones and out of town guests without the wedding day stress.

2. All the Color

We've seen color slowly coming back into weddings. Whether it's bridesmaids dresses, florals or everything in general. I think color is going to make a bold appearance. Bold colors or pastels, the neutrals (besides black and white) are slowly leaving the wedding industry and color is coming back!

3. Private Last Dance

As a photographer, this is a no-brainer to me, especially if you're having a grand exit - sparklers, ribbon wands, glow sticks, etc. Typically, it takes about 10 minutes for guests to gather their things, line up and get all the sparklers lit. The bride and groom are typically just standing inside the venue waiting. Why not create some epic photos while you wait? Pick the song you almost picked for your first dance and enjoy being with your new husband (or wife) alone in your empty venue.

4. Low-key Hair

I've seen the big extravagant hair, while it's absolutely beautiful, I see a lot of my brides (and bridesmaids) going for the low-key hair lately. Whether it's a braid or simply curling it, I think we are going to see a lot less of the fancy up-dos. I've also seen a few brides to a fancy up-do for ceremony and taking it down for reception.

5. Destination Weddings

We were stuck in our homes for quite a while, so naturally, we all want to travel. Couples are taking advantage of this and doing destination weddings. Whether it's to a different state or to a different country, I see a lot more destination weddings. I love this because Savannah is one of the top destination wedding locations!

6. Outdoor Ceremonies

Outdoor ceremonies have been becoming more and more popular and I see even more coming in 2023. Whether it's under Savannah's spanish moss covered oak trees, on the beach or just an incredible view!

7. Unique Floral Installations

I've seen very simple floral, extravagant floral and unique florals. All are absolutely beautiful, but I'm seeing a lot more unique installs than anything and I'm here for it! Hearing guests say "look at the flowers hanging from the ceiling" or "look at that giant vase" is so exciting!

Bonus Tip: Keep in mind that trends come and go. I always recommend that you incorporate mostly timeless elements into your wedding, with just a few trends. That way, your wedding doesn't seem too outdated when you're looking at photos years from now!