When Emily Yohn went bridal dress shopping for her April 2022 wedding, she started out searching for a white dress in a modern bohemian style. She knew she didn't want a ball gown. Dress after dress was cast aside, Yohn says, "because it just wasn't giving me 'the feeling.'''
Just as she began to grow weary, finding something wrong with every dress she tried on, Yohn was approached with an option she never would have considered. The staff at LA Formals at White Oaks Mall, whom Yohn says had pulled out all the stops to make her VIP bridal appointment ultra-special, encouraged her to simply give this particular dress a try.
When she slipped it on, she felt instant magic. "I put it on and just bawled," Yohn says. "It gave me the feeling I was looking for. I felt confident. I felt perfect in that one."
So what was so special about that dress? In additional to loving the delicate lace and rhinestones that shimmered every time she moved, Yohn felt at home in the color of the dress: black. "I've always been different," Yohn says. "I wanted something that would feel more 'me.'" As she left the fitting room, Yohn wasn't sure what the rest of her bridal posse would think of the unusual color choice, but everyone loved it immediately – even her mom.
Sparkle and shine
Opulence mixed with self-expression is the order of the day, says Angie Knapp, owner of LA Formals. Think long bell sleeves, floral motifs, detachable jewelry or "back bling," glitter tulle, dramatic cut-outs, ornate capes and Disney princess vibes – or a combination of the above.
Detachable overskirts can transition from ceremony to reception, and it's increasingly common for brides to buy two separate dresses altogether. Versatility is key, as well as embellishment. "Brides are moving away from what their mothers wore," says Knapp.
Stephanie Endsley of Having a Ball Productions in Springfield says lavish maximalism has influenced wedding décor as well. She's seeing a movement toward luxe materials such as brass, velvet and satin, and moody color schemes spiked with black.
Like Knapp, Endsley also observes a common desire to do something uncharted, something none of the wedding guests will have seen before, but she notes how frustrating it can be to try to stay ahead of trends in the age of social media. "It has become exponentially more complicated to come up with an original thought," Endsley says. "Trends are moving so fast."
Just because it's harder to be unique doesn't mean couples aren't going to try. Endsley says that people have been waiting a long time for their weddings, they've come up with a lot of ideas and they're "very willing to get creative" to make their dreams a reality.
Intimate luxury
One way couples are achieving their over-the-top wedding dreams is by scaling down the size of the event. Brides aren't wearing their mother's wedding dresses, and they aren't using their guest lists either – a matter, Endsley says, that can be as delicate to resolve as an international peace treaty.
Repurposing and recycling are common money savers. Affordable locations, which are often semi-outdoor or rustic, can be coaxed on-trend with the right finishes, like splashes of shiny gold and matte black. Endsley says people want maximalism – on a budget –so they're asking, "How can we use our resources differently?"
Having fun with the food
As many a wedding guest knows, often the most memorable piece of the event is what you were given to eat, and the brides and grooms of 2023 bring the same creative energy to the meal as they do to the rest of the celebration. Gone are the days of the standard white-clothed buffet table featuring a protein, two sides, a salad and rolls.
Today, food is another opportunity to express a couple's unique story, perhaps through a treasured family dish or a meal themed to pay homage to an emotionally significant geographical location. Lavish tablescapes, lights and even performative cooking can add theatrics and drama to the event.
Brian Reilly of Cured Catering suggests engaging guests with a variety of action stations rather than a sit-down meal. "The bride and groom want mingling," Reilly says, "and action stations give the ability to mix up the focus and add another layer of interest and uniqueness."
An example might be four stations in the four corners of the room – one of roasted veggies and charcuterie, one of pastas, one of seafood and one of typical barbecue fare. Foods can be prepared on-site, giving partygoers a peek behind the curtain and opening up dining options, such as shrimp, that often don't cater well.
"It's fun," Reilly says. "You're dressed up for a reason. People want weddings to be special. It's about creating an experience and expressing themselves through the food as much as any other part of the wedding."
Elizabeth Watson is a freelance writer and editor based in Springfield.
