With a new year comes a brand new set of wedding trends to look forward to. Destination weddings have continued to evolve with the modern couple, and LGBTQ weddings are no exception. From beautiful customized celebrations to new and exciting locations, 2017 is shaping up to be a year to remember for romance travelers.
So what are we forecasting looking ahead?
The Destinations
More than ever, same-sex marriage is becoming accepted around the world, and it’s opening the door for many more regions to host same-sex destination weddings. Beach celebrations are still a perennial favorite when it comes to saying “I do” abroad, however LGBT couples are thinking outside the box this year with locations like Ireland, South Africa, and Spain topping the list of favorite places. Who wouldn’t want to get married on the cliffs of Ireland or in a historical Spanish venue?
The Colors
Last year’s Pantone colors, Rose Quartz and Serenity, are on their way out with the announcement of Greenery as the “it” color for 2017. Expect to see it here, there and everywhere- from floral choices (we’re imagining lots of garland centerpieces) to stationery and fashion. With the rise of nature-themed weddings, it’s a perfect choice for the upcoming year.
Cultural Weddings
Expect to see an increase in cultural weddings such as Jewish and South Asian. Resorts are welcoming to-be-weds from all types of backgrounds and are catering to couples looking for more customization geared toward unique experiences and tradition. Gone are the days of the cookie-cutter destination wedding, with couples bringing their own style and traditions for their walk down the aisle.
Technology
LGBTQ couples are using technology to make sure their friends and family, wherever they are, feel included in the celebration. From video sharing apps like WedPics that live-streams a wedding on the Internet to using a personalized hashtag on Instagram that can be accessed by anyone, the possibilities are endless. Couples are also using technology to make sure guests who are attending are up-to-date on all of the fun activities planned. WhatsApp and Viber are popular choices that allow group chats while in your destination, while Appy Couple provides everyone access to the wedding website with all of the necessary information.
We’re gearing up for a fantastic year, and are looking forward to seeing what LGBT couples come up with for their memorable celebrations.
Megan Velez is the Vice President of Product at DestinationWeddings.com, the world's leading destination wedding and romantic travel planning company. DestinationWeddings.com has worked with nearly 25,000 couples and half a million guests to plan dream destination weddings. DestinationWeddings.com is one of the award-winning brands in the Celebration Travel Group collection.
