Thought weddings had fallen into a predictable pattern? Think again. 2025 is here to shake things up and flip the script! According to Nicola Woodgate, Weddings Executive at ANEW Hotels & Resorts, this wedding season is full of surprises.
Nicola dives into the latest wedding trends, sharing what’s new, fading fast or about to take over the aisle.
- Draping is back!
What once felt like a throwback to the 1980s wedding décor is making a full-blown comeback, and it’s wearing linen. Today’s couples are choosing natural tones such as sand and stone colours to create soft, romantic spaces. More than just decoration, draping is now used to zone areas, create texture and an air of intimacy.
- The rise (and rise) of the giant dessert
Traditional tiered cakes and bite-sized dessert treats are out. The trend has shifted to massive tray desserts such as giant Tiramisu or Pavlova on the table to share. These communal treats offer a talking point, are Instagram-worthy and bring a touch of theatre to the traditional cake-cutting ceremony.
- Fruity florals
Flowers are fabulous, but with the rising cost of beautiful botanicals, couples are adding vibrant, fresh produce to their decor. Think plump peaches, juicy plums, ripe figs and bright lemons arranged among blooms or as centrepieces on their own. It’s cost-effective, sustainable, functional and photogenic. Place brown paper bags with your wedding logo on each table so guests can take fruit home as a favour. - Statement seating charts centrepieces
Attention-grabbing seating charts are becoming the focal point of the wedding reception. Gone are the days of a printed A1 board by the door. Today’s couples are turning seating plans into statement pieces with names printed on old vinyl records, vintage books or even hand-sketched mini portraits that double as wedding favours. GreenWeddingShoes shows some of the creative new trends.
- Content creators – the new must-have guest
Why rely solely on posed, traditional photos when you can have a behind-the-scenes storyteller? The latest must-have is a wedding content creator, this is someone who captures candid moments from an authentic point of view and turns them into reels and stories for social media. Perfect for phone-free weddings and those who want shareable content without the pressure.
- Embroidered veils that speak volumes
Plain veils (or even, no veils) are out! South African designers, like KZN-based, Earth & Sugar Bridal, are turning veils into wearable art, embroidered with delicate florals, personal notes or even a bride’s “something blue”. Each one is lovingly handcrafted and deeply personalised, making it a focal point of the wedding dress and a keepsake.
- Soft whimsical, “fairy-core” photography
Harsh lighting and studio backdrops are no longer trending. Brides are booking photographers who shoot in soft-focus, dreamy tones that capture the day like a timeless film scene. Think along the line of sun-dappled glows, light flares and a gentle vintage feel to add romantic nostalgia to your special day.
- Big bows, gloves and headbands add to the vows
The 90s are back with a modern twist. Brides are embracing elegant gloves, oversized bows and headbands. Big bows are being placed at the small of the back or in cascading hairstyles, while gloves add to the modesty trend of more fabric and less skin, than in previous year’s trends. The trend goes further to opt to have detachable sleeves and short party dresses hidden beneath sweeping gowns, giving brides that big reveal moment when the dancefloor opens.
