Singaporebrides | Weddings 101
May 2021
7 COVID-19 Wedding Trends That Are Here To Stay
These wedding trends are here to stay for the next few years, at the very least.
Weddings used to be big and boisterous affairs where family and friends mingled in merry making as they celebrated their loved ones’ union, that is, before the COVID-19 pandemic completely changed the way we went about our daily lives and celebrate our milestones.
For over a year, couples have been forced to adapt to the new normal for weddings, such as planning a minimony or micro wedding and offering a live stream of their celebration, sparking new wedding trends inspired by the pandemic. While we look back fondly on the days where we can celebrate and mingle openly and freely, not all of these new normal for weddings are unwelcomed or bad.
In fact, intimate weddings were already trending amongst couples even before COVID-19 showed up, while a handful of the changes inspired by the pandemic, such as the live streaming of weddings, will likely continue to trend even after the current COVID-19 situation is resolved. We’ve picked out seven wedding trends that became popular during COVID-19 that we feel are here to stay even after the pandemic is over.
1. Minimonies and Micro Weddings
Cleo and Paul’s Minimalist and Ethereal Art Gallery Wedding by Iki Company
Move over intimate weddings, here comes minimonies and micro weddings. But wait, what are minimonies and micro weddings, and how do they differ from intimate weddings?
A minimony refers to an intimate solemnisation ceremony where only the couple, their witnesses, officiant and perhaps, a handful of family or friends are present. A micro wedding refers to a reception that involves 50 or fewer guests. While minimonies and micro weddings can also be considered intimate celebrations, they are generally smaller in scale as compared to intimate weddings, which may include more than 50 guests.
Since COVID-19 is still very much a concern globally and in Singapore, minimonies and micro weddings remain the default celebration size for couples seeking to marry during this pandemic. While it may have been a little difficult for couples to adjust to a smaller wedding at the start, many are starting to embrace the emerging trend of minimonies and micro weddings as they gradually discover the benefits of a smaller wedding guest list.
Not only do they get to spend more time with each and every one of their guests, they are also able to cut down on their wedding expenses or use the excess budget to personalise wedding favours for every guest to create a unique experience for those in attendance.
2. Bigger and More Flexible Budgets
Mabel and Cheong Jun’s Free-Spirited Lawn Wedding at Wheeler’s Estate by Juanmoley Fotologue
A slimmer guest list and smaller wedding venue would mean couples now have a bigger budget for other areas of their celebration, so it wouldn’t be a surprise to see them splurging more on items that they previously would not have spend on. Couples may also include more personalised touches in their celebration, such as customised gifts for each and every one of their guests, or a specially curated menu of dishes that their guests will enjoy.
But if you prefer to save up on the excess wedding budget that you’ve initially set aside, or don’t plan to splurge on customised gifts, that’s perfectly fine too. There is no right or wrong here, and whichever option you choose, you should remember to make the experience an enjoyable ad memorable one for you and your guests.
3. More Elaborate Decor
Evangeline and Joel’s Ethereal Impressionist Monti Wedding by Trouvé Photography
Weddings in 2021 and perhaps 2022 may feature more elaborate and lavish decorations as compared to weddings pre-COVID-19. Now that couples have bigger and more flexible budgets on hand, they may be more willing to spend on other areas of their wedding to enhance their and their guests’ experience. One of the easiest ways to do so is to splurge on decorations for the venue.
Flowers can never go wrong, and they do wonders in beautifying and brightening up a space. But dressing up a venue with lush florals can get expensive. Lights are another way to spruce up a space instantly and cast a magical and romantic spell over the event, especially if you are having an outdoor or garden wedding, but they too may not come cheap. However, with extra budget on hand, couples may be able and more willing to spend on floral and light decorations now that they are downsizing their wedding for a memorable once-in-a-lifetime celebration that they and their guests can enjoy.
4. Live Streaming of Weddings
Jane and Rob’s Intimate COVID-19 Wedding at The White Rabbit by Hong Ray Photography
Live streaming of weddings have become a natural option for couples getting married amidst the COVID-19 pandemic as they are forced to leave a number of their family and friends out of the guest list in an effort to keep to their wedding small.
While many may have thought attending a live stream of a wedding a little awkward and odd, it has quickly become a welcomed way to be part of a couple’s celebration without actually being physically present at the wedding. In a post-COVID-19 world, live streaming of weddings will become an excellent option for couples to involve overseas guests who are unable to physically attend a wedding in Singapore or local guests who cannot travel out for a destination wedding.
5. More Casual/Non-Traditional Wedding Outfits
Samantha and Jarred’s “Love You to the Moon and Back” Minimony at Open Farm Community by Justrealle Photography
With the move to minimonies and micro weddings in 2021, brides and grooms now have more flexibility and options when it comes to their wedding outfits. Since most couples would be tying the knot at a less formal or more intimate venue instead of the usual hotel ballrooms, they have the choice to dress in an outfit that is slightly more casual yet still wedding appropriate, rather than donning a formal wedding gown and groom’s suit.
Brides may also dress in a modern cheongsam for their minimonies or micro weddings if they wish to, to include a touch of Chinese tradition into their celebration. Of course, if they still prefer a formal wedding dress over more casual one, then go for it! After all, it is your big day and a once-in-a-lifetime event, so you should be able to wear whatever you want!
6. Eco-friendly or Sustainable Weddings
A Summertime Pastel Romance Styled Shoot at The Summerhouse by KAI Picture
Couples today are more eco-conscious than ever before and are looking for ways to host their celebration responsibly. That means they are searching for venues that are committed to going green and offer a menu that uses locally sourced produce, and looking for ways to cut back on unnecessary waste in an effort to be as eco-friendly as possible.
In the coming years, we’ll see more couples opting to cut down on plastic usage or cut down on waste by choosing faux flowers over fresh ones for their big day. They may even ditch the traditional paper invites and go with digital ones to reduce the unnecessary use of paper. Trending options for eco-friendly wedding favours for couples who are hosting a sustainable wedding might include re-useable straws and utensils.
7. Online Shopping
Colours of Spring, A Romantically Vibrant Styled Shoot at The Summerhouse by La Belle Couture and Rosette Designs Co. by Multifolds Production
All thanks to the pandemic, we no longer just shop online for leisure. In fact, most of us do our shopping for most things online now, including our wedding shopping. Instead of hopping from one bridal boutique to another, or meeting one photographer after another, couples are encouraged to do their wedding shopping online to minimise their interaction with too many groups of people in accordance to the government’s advisory.
As couples shop for their wedding vendors online and set up meetings with their shortlisted vendors via Zoom in online wedding fairs, they’ll discover the convenience and freedom of browsing through a variety of wedding vendors and their wedding packages at their own pace in the comfort and safety of their homes. The ability to shop online for their wedding needs will also benefit couples who are unable to set aside time to do their wedding shopping together, and will likely be a trend that stays even after the pandemic is over.
Feature Image from Rachell and Sean’s Peranakan Themed and Dreamy Rooftop Pre-Wedding Shoot with OneThreeOneFour by OneThreeOneFour.
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