Jewel tones and bold colors brighten the 2019 wedding season.

Wedding trends for 2019

WRITTEN BY NISHA HALLERT
PHOTOS BY COURTNEY AARON PHOTOGRAPHY

Zach and Morgan Watchous’ wedding at Gansberg Ranch in Gardnerville. Design by Jenny and Julie Gansberg

Planning a wedding can often feel like a ride on the proverbial emotional rollercoaster. It comes with elation, exhaustion, excitement, confusion, frustration, and bliss. While no planning guide provides the perfect remedy for the planning madness, my hope is that by shedding light on what’s trending for 2019, I can help ignite your creativity.

Venue

Venue selection should be your first focus. What kind of experience do you aim to create for your guests? In what kind of setting do you imagine yourself saying “I do”? What kind of backdrop do you want for the photographs? Once you have solidified the venue, the rest of your vision can really begin to take shape.

While outdoor venues never go out of style, they are particularly hot for the 2019 wedding season. In Northern Nevada and Eastern California, we enjoy a preponderance of pleasant weather, especially in the summer. Given the unpredictable nature of spring, however, when selecting an outdoor venue, I recommend choosing a space that has indoor/outdoor capabilities. That way you have options if an unexpected storm decides to rain on your wedding parade.

Venues that have both significant architectural features and incredible views will help set the tone for a memorable experience for both you and your guests. Features such as wall murals, stone columns, and wooden beams are all the rage this season. The benefit of these features, though, is not their trendiness but rather their timelessness. Contemporary, design-focused venues have the panache to be stylish without you needing to be trendy.

Color and design

For this spring and summer, jewel-toned hues are everywhere. Ruby, sapphire, emerald, and amber appear in everything from table linens to tuxedo shirts. These tones are especially hot when complemented by cool colors such as dark teal, soft blue, off-white, and dove gray. Even if you lean toward conservative looks, you can contemporize your wedding-day feeling by using bright, bold accents with your traditional palette. Linen and floral splashes are a good way to go if you aren’t ready to make the jeweled or color wardrobe commitment.

Flowers and décor

This season is all about bold color combinations. Last year’s royal wedding sparked an appetite for lush floral arches featuring abundant, textured blossoms. If that’s not your style, not to worry: Round or geometric ceremony arches, such as triangles with asymmetrical floral arrangements, also are on trend. Suspended floral chandeliers with blossoms create a focal point and create an Instagrammable décor element. Add a neon accent and really show your personality! Velvet linen in jewel tones complemented by teal, ruby, or mustard will add a splash of class to your Big Day. Add velvet couches and love seats to create an unforgettably swanky party!

Wedding attire

Say yes to boldly colored, mismatched bridesmaids’ dresses, sparkle and metallic accents, or geometric patterns. You can put crazy colors into simple and classic cuts, do a contemporary take on bows, add a puff to your sleeves, or play with sharp back cuts. For the princesses out there, ball gowns are back! For the rest of us, we take pleasure in a rather contemporary trend of wedding dress jumpsuits in lace or floral prints.

Bride Jenifer Merlyn at Round Hill Pines Beach Resort in South Lake Tahoe. Hair and makeup by Nancy Rice Artistry

Food and beverage

Ah, a favorite subject for us all! Bust out the local craft beer and distilled liquors; gin and whiskey still are hot. Interactive food stations and edible décor also are trendy. Think nitrogen ice cream stations or a pretzel wall with a chef making pretzels to order. For the main dish, lamb beats beef this year. Rather than a traditional sit-down dinner, consider pub-style table service with shared small plates, or a family-style meal. Multicultural fusion menus such as ramen beef burgers or falafel with garam masala stew will wow your guests. For the health and earth conscious, consider sourcing your food from a single farm. And always make sure to take care of your gluten-free/vegan guests.

Photographic experiences and online wedding identity

Finally, all the details are done and now you get to enjoy the party! How do you want to remember your Big Day? Consider an organic photo backdrop, such as a living succulent wall. For the quirky folks, Airstream trailers make a fun photo prop. Whatever element you choose, let your personality shine. Think of creating a space where guests can be entertained through interactive fun. They will want to share those wedding moments on Instagram, and then you can relive the party through their eyes on your honeymoon. Remember to create your unique wedding hashtag!

Nisha Hallert has more than 16 years’ industry experience planning 600-person galas, rooftop weddings, intimate exclusive dinners, events for VIPs such as Former President Bill Clinton, and more. She currently works as director of special events and sales at the Nevada Museum of Art and serves as immediate past president of the Reno/Tahoe chapter of the National Association for Catering and Events (NACE). In 2014, Hallert and her team were awarded a national NACE award for the Best Social Event Production of the Year.