Today’s wedding couples are updating treasured traditions—and adding some of their own—to reflect their personal tastes and lifestyles, with a focus on providing guests with a great party. For couples today, it’s about less time sitting and more time dancing and socializing, and finding ways to personalize the wedding experience.
One noticeable trend is that the groom is much more involved in the planning process than before, helping to choose the venue, menu selections and music. In tandem with those decisions is the growing preference of young couples to have the entire wedding—from ceremony through reception—in one space. Rather than shift from synagogue to reception hall, many couples want to enjoy a seamless flow from one room to another for an uninterrupted event. Another popular trend is towards more informal locations, such as country farms and beaches, with chuppah, catering and music all there.
Couples are also infusing their own style and more contemporary tastes into menu selection and décor. This generation of foodies is asking chefs to prepare dishes from favorite restaurants or travel destinations, to cook up innovative international cuisine or to update traditional dishes with new presentations. This includes kosher catering, which has been experiencing a makeover, with more creative dishes reflecting broader culinary tastes. Also new: specialty cocktails at the bar and passed desserts in place of wedding cake and plated desserts, to keep everyone having a great time on the dance floor.
A trend in room décor is seen in the shift away from opulent floral centerpieces to more exotic greenery, candles and dramatic uplighting, which adds romance and soft color to the space. Another contemporary take on room setup is mixing the table styles, such as rounds with rectangular tables, and omitting the long bridal party dais. Beyond the lighting, romance is often on display with personal mementos, photos and stories the couple shares with guests. The choice of chuppah may be equally as personal; many incorporate family heirlooms or personal art, or tie in with the décor with lighted stanchions.
Live music is making a significant comeback after a generation of DJs. Bands are keeping guests on the dance floor with customized set lists, aided by shorter speeches or simple toasts to help maintain the party momentum.
Keeping the celebration going with on-site after parties is gaining renewed popularity. Following the formal reception, the bride, groom and friends move to another room, staged informally as a lounge for smaller groups, with a separate bar and late-night snacks or breakfast foods. Although typically for the “kids,” it is becoming more common for older guests to stay and join in the fun.
Today, the emphasis is on hosting a personalized wedding reception that will help couples share the joy of their big day while creating a memorable experience for everyone there. Venues must be responsive to wedding clients’ changing tastes and preferences as together, they strike a balance between the modern and traditional.
By Candice Timmerman
Candice Timmerman is the event coordinator at Edgewood Country Club in River Vale, NJ. http://edgewoodnj.com.
