You know how every wedding from the 80s looks like the theme was hydrangeas and white taffeta?
And in the 2010s, people seemed to get married in rustic farmhouses with hay-bales in lieu of seating, and the brides all wore flower crowns?
Until a few years ago, each era tended to be dominated by one wedding theme that captured the general zeitgeist. When you look back on photos from celebrations past, it's pretty easy to gauge the look and feel of the time.
Watch: Ask Mia Anything: My Wedding Day. Post continues below.
Of course, social media changed all that. With the mounting pressure to pull off the perfect day for the Insta receipts, couples are seeking out ways to create one-of-a-kind experiences for their guests. There's a whole booming industry built around this, full of clever creatives, suppliers and planners that can be engaged at the drop of a hat (or a deposit) to help couples execute their vision.
But on the flip-side, with the globalisation of trends comes the absolute certainty that if one person is inspired by it, someone else will be. *Vibes* catch on; that's just how trends work. It's the reason we've seen those delightful pastel retro wedding cakes trending this past year, while a few years back it was all about naked cakes.
So what new aesthetics should we expect to see coming through in the upcoming wedding season?
If you analyse pop culture, it's not hard to predict the trends that are set to, ahem, take the cake.
A recent Instagram post by Melbourne-based Creative and Event agency Lenzo showed a visual moodboard of some of the key ones set to go mainstream, and they're as gorgeous as they are different.
Here are four major themes you're bound to spot on your feed, according to Lenzo's founder and director, Elleni Pierce.
The new Bridgerton-core.
With the release of the third season of Bridgerton on Netflix came a predictable spike in Regency-era style. But there's less corsets and pastels this time around, promise. Rather than feeling too literal, weddings inspired by the hit show will be imbued with a sense of whimsy (you might even call it a bit naughty). Where Bridgerton takes the themes of the era it's set in and turns them on their head, couples embracing this theme will have fun with upending classical wedding tropes, too.
"Whimsical weddings are capturing hearts with their playful and imaginative elements," says Pierce. "Couples are embracing creatively by incorporating unique details like vibrant colours and unexpected decor... allowing their personalities to shine through in a fun, carefree celebration."
The Bridgerton influence will come through more specifically in elements like hand-drawn stationary and decadent dessert tables brimming with cheeky cakes and tarts.
When it comes to the bridal party, expect subtle styling elements borrowed from the ton, like hair bows, crystal brooches and satin shoes.
Texas Hold'em.
When Beyonce announced herself as a country artist with the release of her new album, it was obvious we were about to see Western themes infiltrate... well, everything. All of a sudden Bella Hadid was dating a rodeo star and Kim Kardashian was wearing leather chaps and cowboy hats. Pierce predicts we'll see this manifest in desert-themed weddings.
"They're on the rise thanks to their stunning natural backdrops and earthy aesthetics," she says.
We can also expect a new wave of "boho-chic": think cacti lining the aisles instead of flowers, terracotta hues, and for a more literal take on Cowboy Carter, whisky cocktails on the bar and even brides in boots — yee-haw.
Some couples will go one step further and sweep guests away to actual desert destinations, says Pierce, upping the sense of romance and adventure. We're here for it.
New York, New York.
The inspiration for this one is a little harder to pin down, but you can base it more on a feeling of glamorous nostalgia. The fashion industry has seen a trend in designers hosting chic dinner parties for their close brand allies over big blowout events. The movement is already influencing weddings, and what better setting to take cues from than an intimate New York bistro?
"This theme is popular for its urban chic vibe, combining intimacy with sophistication," says Pierce. "It's perfect for modern couples who appreciate a touch of metropolitan flair."
Blending gourmet cuisine and stylish decor, we'll see a preference for long feast tables made for close conversations, along with old-school cocktails on the drinks menu. The colour of the moment? Big Apple red, of course.
One for the effortlessly cool bride, she'll be dressed in a contemporary look straight off the rack and sunnies.
Mediterranean summer.
After The White Lotus season two took place in a dazzling Amalfi setting, you could practically hear 2024 brides taking note. The trend for Italian-inspired aesthetics isn't new (see: Kourtney Kardashian's 2023 wedding to Travis Barker), but this fresh take will tap into La Dolce Vita and everything the feeling of a European summer conjures.
"It's all about creating a dreamy atmosphere that transports guests to sun-soaked shores," says Pierce.
We'll see striped stationary and table settings that nod to the iconic beach umbrellas of Positano, vibrant flowers spilling out of porcelain vases, and oyster and champagne bars that lean into the excess of it all.
The overall aim is "relaxed elegance," Pierce says.
Which theme is your favourite? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
Feature image: Left: photograph by @theweddingcreators_; styling by @love_thebeautifullife; Right: photograph by @jamesdkelly via @belpowley
Do you have any Streaming Video Services in your household? e.g. Netflix, Stan, etc. We want to hear from you! Take our survey now to go in the running to win a $100 gift voucher.