4 Wedding Trends That Will Be Popular in a Post-Pandemic World
From a sustainable setup for the eco-conscious bride to retro accents that'll transport you into a different era, these trends will make it big in 2021!
With the global pandemic shattering a million bridal dreams, we are already hopeful for a better, brighter 2021! And with everything that's gone down, the year-to-come definitely demands a change; a reinterpretation of wedding themes and sources of inspiration.
'While décor elements and wedding themes are subjective, the well-traversed modern day bride has picked up western influences that she now seeks in her own wedding,' states Rahul Kumar, Director of Vivaah Celebrations. 'These distinct sources of inspiration that have been picked up along the way present themselves not only in the domain of décor, but also with respect to entertainment, food etc,' he adds.
As the year 2021 will mark new beginnings, so will the wedding business. If you're in the process of planning your nuptials, take note brides!
A Sustainable Soirée
Given the pressing need for conservation and minimal wastage, couples will attempt to incorporate ecological elements at their celebrations, ones that encourage an environment-friendly approach and limit hazardous waste. 'We have also noted a substantial increase in requests for organic and vegan food options at weddings. It seems all major world influences are gradually creeping into the Indian wedding industry, urging us to explore the uncharted,' informs Rahul. From re-usable floral décor, paper straws, and recyclable wedding invites to cutlery that can be planted as a tree post use, there are umpteen ways to promote sustainability. 'Some couples also choose to plant trees in proportion to the miles distance that their guests travel for the wedding!' he claims.
Rewind to the Retros
'On the creative front we have been incorporating a lot of neon lights and signages, along with eclectic movie posters and music album adverts from the 80’s. Audio tapes and old vinyl records also seem to be a popular décor choice for couples who wish to transport their guests into an unforgettable era,' says Rahul. He firmly believes that millennials are changing the face of the business and how it is approached, opting for concepts that are out-of-the-box and would make their wedding go viral. 'In the age of social media, the bride and groom won’t stop at anything to get their wedding trending!'
Time to Turn to Technology
There is a lot available out there in terms of innovative technology that can be infused in weddings to enhance the clients’ and guests’ overall experience. From wedding apps that help you effectively plan your big day to wedding websites that share your unique love story, many services are now being provided on a digital platform. According to Rahul, technology may also be used to better manage guest attendance confirmations through an RSVP management system, where one can accurately record the response received from each guest. More so, this information can be tracked and retrieved at any given time, just with a click of a button!
'Besides, technology can be used for special effects, visuals, sound enhancements, mood settings and lighting arrangements to curate a magical and multi-sensory experience for the couple and the guests,' he adds. Photo-video teams have begun investing heavily into cutting edge technology so that they can offer the best to their clients, by capturing special moments in one frame. 'Most recently, virtual reality has made its way into the wedding space where a wedding can be shot 360° in real time and can be revisited and relived by family and friends at a later date,' informs Rahul.
Food & Beverage
The global pandemic has pushed the catering industry to forage for alternatives as well. 'Covid-19 has boosted a major shift in how couples curate the culinary experiences for their guests. While we cannot completely eliminate the concept of buffets at weddings, there has most definitely been an increase in plated services and food being served as canapes and pass-arounds, along with live food counters,' states Rahul. A culinary expert can help provide a great party-in-your-mouth experience!
All said and done, while Covid-19 may have temporarily hindered and hampered the beautiful world of weddings, couples haven’t stopped envisioning their dream-come-true special day and wedding planners have taken this time as a blessing in disguise to research, reimagine, and evolve for the upcoming season!