It’s easy to become overwhelmed when planning a wedding. From booking the venue and the caterer to the guest list and music selections, there’s a lot of decisions leading up to the big day. The latest trend to take social media by storm is “anti-bride.” Many soon-to-be brides are embracing the trend that encourages people to ditch the pressure of wedding traditions and go for more of a personal experience.
Last year, a Pinterest x Zola wedding report showed an increase in searches for “anti-bride wedding.” On TikTok, Zola, the wedding planning platform, shared posts about the trend. They described it as a way for couples to take the reins on wedding planning, giving them the freedom to do what they want with no rules.
Amy Shack Egan, or who some call “The Anti-Wedding Wedding Planner” mentioned in a 2022 interview with The Cut that “love parties” are meant to reflect the couple rather than adhere to societal expectations.
Couple taking a break from tradition with anti-wedding trends
Anti-wedding doesn’t mean no wedding at all. Some people see it as having a micro wedding with a smaller guest list or saying no to party favors and excessive extras. It could also be having a wedding at home, wearing an inexpensive dress from Target that’s not white at all. Many anti-brides are even opting to walk down the aisle by themselves or with their partner, or not walking down the aisle. This trend become a financial necessity for some people.
Throughout the years, plenty of celebrities have followed the anti-wedding trend. For instance, in 1997, Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick had an anti-wedding. People reported that the couple exchanged vows at New York City’s Angel Orensanz Synagogue. The pair invited friends and family to the event under the guise that it was just a party. In the end, they surprised roughly 100 guests with a wedding. Parker said “I do” in a black dress rather than the traditional white.
In 2022, Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck got married in Vegas with a very relaxed wedding ceremony. Entertainment News reported that the couple got married next to a Caesar’s Palace blackjack table. Affleck changed into the white jacket he’d grabbed out of his closet in the men’s room. Meanwhile, Lopez wore a dress she used in an old movie.
Check out some anti-wedding trends below.
Ditching White Gowns
While most conventional wedding dresses feature white dresses with trains, a new trend has hit the scene. Many soon-to-be brides are opting for dresses with pops of color or even daring to wear the color black. Google Trends had high searches for “black wedding dress” over the past 12 months, CNN reported. In fall 2021 specifically, “black wedding dress” was searched more times than “white wedding dress” on Google. Another traditional gown switch-up is not wearing a gown at all and wearing a suit, or a romper.
MarinaZg/ Getty Images
Swapping Veils For Dramatic Capes
More brides are saying goodbye to veils and going to wedding capes. Some brides just don’t find veils to be a comfortable accessory. It can easily be removed without destroying your hair and is perfect for chilly weather. We can’t forget to mention that it adds a majestic timeless feel.
Dziggyfoto/ Getty Images
Тодорчук Екатерина/ Getty Images
g-stockstudio/ Getty Images
Halfpoint/ Getty Images
Kharchenko_irina7/ Getty Images
Quiet Receptions
Keeping it casual is a very bold and anti-wedding move. You can just gather your friends after an elopement and head to a restaurant to celebrate. The key to this is to make restaurant accommodations in advance and to make sure the food tastes good. You don’t want your family and friends to leave disappointed.
Andreua/ Getty Images
Non-Wedding Activities
You may have been seeing this a lot more at weddings. People are ditching the first dance, cake-cutting, and speeches. Some people are taking a didn’t approach to the typical wedding program and stepping outside of the box. If you’re more into the idea of having board games, forming your own newlywed band performance, or non-conventional forms of activities, you should go for it.
Dziggyfoto/ Getty Images
Minimal Decor
One anti-wedding trend that could save you some coin is scaling back on decorations. There’s always the pressure of making your wedding Instagram-worthy. But with anti-weddings, this isn’t the case. Think low-key set-up with cozy seating with an at-home feel. Some people even go as far as not having chairs at their outdoor ceremony, trading them in for blankets.
Тодорчук Екатерина/ Getty Images
The Chosen Ones Guest List
Keeping your guest list small is another anti-wedding trend to look into. Think about it, the more people mean a bigger venue, more food, higher costs, and higher expectations. A smaller wedding and reception makes it more intimate. It also gives you more options when it comes to budget.
Halfpoint/ Getty Images
The Aisle Walk
Some people may dream of recreating the scene from Father of the Bride, but not the anti-bride. Anti-weddings often consist of walking down the aisle solo, with your pet, your mom, both parents, your soon-to-be Mr. or Mrs., or anyone other than your father. The big moment where you truly shine on your wedding day is your processional or the start of the ceremony. It’s the first time your guests and maybe even your soon-to-be spouse, will see you in your big-day attire. So, why not do it the way that you want?
g-stockstudio/ Getty Images
