Insights on Wedding Venue Selection in 2024: What’s Hot and What’s Not

The new year is here, and so are fresh wedding trends. It’s finally the year you can say that you’re getting married THIS year. It’s also time to start taking a serious look at wedding trends and start your wedding planning in earnest. Time to start the search for a wedding venue! Love blogs like this? Make sure to check us out on Pinterest for all the trendiest inspo!

Some trends from the end of last year are likely to continue their successful run. A few trends are definitely out, and some others are likely to pick up this year. Read on to find out what’s hot and what’s not in the 2024 wedding trends related to venues, as this information could help you choose the perfect wedding venue.

What’s Hot in Wedding Venue Trends 2024:

Let’s dive straight into the venue trends that are likely to gain popularity or remain popular for a significant portion of the year 2024: 

Non-traditional Wedding Venues

PC: Wilma Towell Photography | Forevermore Media

Many are opting for the unconventional this year. People want weddings that aren’t rigid, stuffy, or formal. Basically, they want weddings that do not seem like weddings at all. And this means non-traditional venues are going to be all the rage this year. Restaurants are no longer just for rehearsal dinners; they have made it to the list of venue options, and this has increased the number of available options manifold. You can have your wedding reception at the restaurant you’ve always loved to frequent with your special one. Hold the wedding at any place that carries special meaning and significance to both of you as a couple and create new unforgettable memories.

California’s outdoor options for wedding venues apply well to this trend as you can get as unconventional with them as you like. Due to the diversity in the landscapes of the state, it’s possible to hold a wedding in the most distinctive places. The flexibility that these unusual wedding venues offer aligns with the desire to break free from traditional constraints.

The unconventional trend extends to more than just the appearance of the wedding venue. Couples are requesting meaningful menus, late-night snacks that induce a wave of nostalgia, food customization options according to guest preferences, and more. Venues need to be up for the task of handling such requests, or at least facilitate external vendors who can meet these requests. 

Wedding Venues That are Perfect for Low-Key, Intimate Celebrations

PC: Natalie Franke | Aaron & Jillian Photography

Couples now want their wedding celebrations to be warm, friendly, and intimate. The weddings this year are increasingly likely to be laid-back events. Celebrations will be more about communality. People don’t want their weddings to be over-the-top spectacles. 

This trend can free you from unnecessary stress and competition. A smaller wedding is typically easy to plan. In this case, you’ll also be more in control over the details of your wedding.

Managing a big guest list is overwhelming. Under this trend, you only invite the people you cherish the most, and who you think feel the same way about you. You’ll have a more meaningful experience when you focus your attention on close connections rather than a large crowd. 

Different Wedding Venues for Ceremony and Celebrations

PC: Michael Anna Photo | Haley Richter Photo

People are renting different venues for the wedding ceremony and reception so that they can hold them on different days. It’s also a lot easier to decorate and create the right ambiance for the ceremony and the party this way. Since the venues will be different, you can have different themes for different days. This would also mean variation in the menus and the dress code. This trend opens up infinite possibilities, which is why it is becoming increasingly popular. 

You, your partner, and the guests can relax after the ceremony and turn up to a new venue for the party. Instead of one wedding day, you can have a wedding weekend, and double the fun. It will allow you to shed the anxiety, nervousness, and fatigue of the wedding day and enjoy the wedding celebration with a relaxed mind and body.

Opportunities for Experiential Wedding Entertainment

PC: Lauren Rae Photo | Georgina Harrison

Another trend that people are loving is experiential entertainment and venues need to be able to accommodate requests for the same. Examples of experiential entertainment include art installations with interactive elements, a taste of the culinary journey with interactive food stations, a booth that allows the guests to try their hands at an art form, and a murder mystery dinner. 

This type of entertainment is all about tailoring the wedding experience to make it more engaging and infuse it with more fun. Venues need to have the flexibility to facilitate entertainment options that will provide memorable experiences to the couple and the wedding guests. If you select the right venue, you can drizzle glaze with eye-catching hues over a white cake along with your partner as an interesting prelude or alternative to traditional cake-cutting. 

Focus on Guests

PC: Rehte Photography

Instead of the over-emphasis on it being a special day for the new couple, this year you’re likely to see an increasing focus on guests. This rising trend is about making arrangements to increase comfort and maximize the fun for the guests. With that in mind, couples are increasingly looking for venues that will not only comfortably accommodate their guests, but are also easy to reach via various transportation options. Venues with infrastructure facilities that promote accessibility are also more in demand. Couples are also likely to request spaces where their guests can take some time off and relax. Venues need to step forward and provide cozy corners or low-stimulation areas. 

Rather than making guests mere spectators, they are being involved more. The emphasis is on a special experience for the guests. This is such a sweet and refreshing trend. It shows the guests that you care and helps everyone have a good time. It is also likely to keep the internal groomzillas and bridezillas at bay.

Softer Aesthetics

PC: Hello Blue Photo

The preference for calming hues and softer shades is growing. Couples are likely to go for a timeless aesthetic by embracing soft lighting, pastel tones, natural textures, curves, and minimalism. Venues that bear such features are likely to be more in demand this year. If you like this trend, opt for delicate decor and a more understated ambiance. 

Incorporate Dutch masters-inspired floral arrangements, fairy lights, and ethereal decorative elements in indoor venues, or look for outdoor venues with natural light, scenic landscapes, and a more organic feel. The furniture should have soft lines and gentle curves. For drapery and linen, flowing fabrics such as chiffon and lace make great options. Opt for a color palette that includes hues such as blush pink, lavender, and sage green. The end result is likely to be subtle, refined, romantic, and elegant.

Wedding Venues That Promote Sustainability

PC: Caroline Lima Photography

Sustainability is taking over everything, from the decor and the wedding dress to the venue. It’s not a passing trend; rather it’s quite a ‘sustainable’ trend! Sustainable weddings are not limited to outdoor venues, although parks, gardens, and beaches often align better with sustainability values and offer more opportunities for eco-friendly practices. 

Indoor venue options could include those that use renewable energy and ethically (and locally) sourced decor materials. Go for venues that promote or allow rented decor. This might be an extra step, but worthwhile: ask the venue management to show you certifications like LEED, so you know that you’re opting for the right place. It’s also better if your chosen venue supports sustainable and environment-friendly entertainment such as drone shows instead of traditional fireworks. It’s all about sustainable celebrations this year.

Pssst! Are you an eco-conscious bride? Take a look at our lower-impact wedding dresses and read our blog to learn about our sustainability initiatives! Here at Maggie, we believe in LOVE and love for ALL. That includes Mother Earth. And in case you haven’t heard yet, for every gown purchased, we plant a tree through our partnership with One Tree Planted!

What’s Not:

PC: Ria Mishaal Photography | Lauren Rae Photo

It’s time to take a look at the wedding venue trends that have run their course:

• Venues that are decorated mostly in white and green

This year, the decor will be dominated by trends like the usage of more colors, a tonal palette of the same hue, and the inclusion of a floral rainbow. You can get more creative and adventurous with your wedding decor. Include patterns and hues that you love.

• Seating arrangements with an exclusive sweetheart table
  

Couples seek a more intimate experience these days. They prefer to sit with family and friends and savor the curated spread. Do away with the special table and seating arrangements and enjoy your wedding celebrations with your guests. Inclusive head tables that allow the wedding party to sit together with the couple are likely to make more appearances this year.

• Excessive decor
  

Since weddings are likely to be low-key affairs, the preference for understated ambiance and minimal decor is growing. This year, less is definitely more. Opt for a venue with existing features that tie into your theme, reducing the need for excess decor that clutters the place. 

Parting Thoughts

This was a brief look at the venue-related wedding trends of 2024. If trends make it easier for you to plan your wedding, then go ahead and take your picks from the hot trends. Combine trends with your unique style to come up with something that will leave a lasting impression on your guests. But, if you find that you love something that is not trending or popular, and doing that can make you, your partner, and your guests happier, let not trends stop you from doing it. In such a case, you do what pleases you, and maybe you’ll start a trend! Speaking of which, go explore our trend pages! You can start here with our backless wedding dresses page. Happy scrolling, brides!

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