Wedding Traditions and Emerging Wedding Trends for 2024
Posted on: 05/12/2023
There can be few more evocative words in the English language than 'with this ring I thee wed'. A symbol of commitment since the Ancient Egyptians fashioned the first rings out of the rushes growing along the waters of the Nile, the wedding ring is an enduring sign of eternal love.
Traditionally worn on the third finger of the left hand, in the belief that the vein of the finger travelled directly from the heart, the wedding ring has long been treasured as a token of lasting devotion by cultures throughout the world.
But what other wedding traditions of old remain popular, and what new trends and traditions are we seeing rise in popularity?
To find out, we’ve quizzed UK couples on the topic what wedding traditions are still important, as well as delving into the new trends expected to be big in 2024 nuptials. Here’s what we found:
What are the most important wedding traditions?
Our research revealed that the top five most important wedding traditions that couples still really value include the bride being walked down the aisle (53%), having wedding rings (52%), cutting the cake (49%), having a best man (44%), and the bride being given away by their father – when possible (43%).
Wedding traditions, ordered from most to least important, as according to UK couples:
- Bride(s) being walked down the aisle (53%)
- Wedding rings (52%)
- Cutting the cake (49%)
- Having a best man (44%)
- Bride(s) being given away by their father (43%)
- Having bridesmaids (37%)
- Having a first dance (36%)
- Speeches by the groom(s), best man, and father of the bride (35%)
- Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue (34%)
- An engagement ring (34%)
- Fresh flowers (31%)
- Formal sit-down meal (28%)
- Not seeing your fiancé the morning of the wedding (27%)
- An official photographer (27%)
- Confetti toss (26%)
- A white wedding dress (26%)
- Bouquet toss (25%)
- Wedding gifts (24%)
- A honeymoon in the days straight after the wedding (23%)
- Have a top table (23%)
- Getting married in a church, or other religious place or worship (20%)
- Having a maid of honour (19%)
- Hen / Stag do (19%)
- A reception band / DJ (19%)
- Having groomsmen (`7%)
- 'Full day' and then additional 'evening only' guests (16%)
- Father / daughter first dance (15%)
- Readings during the ceremony (15%)
- Hymns during the ceremony (15%)
- Having a formal dress code (14%)
- Culturally traditional attire for wedding outfit (11%)
- A veil (11%)
- None of the above (10%)
- Saving the top tier of your wedding cake (10%)
- Wedding guest favours (9%)
- A garter (9%)
- Being carried over the threshold by your partner after the wedding (9%)
- A colour scheme (8%)
- Having a page boy (7%)
- Other religious or cultural traditions not yet listed - such as a specific blessing, ritual, ceremony, etc. (5%)
Interestingly, women saw wedding rings, the bride being walked down the aisle and cutting the cake as their top three traditions, whereas men chose the bride being walked down the aisle, having a best man, and cutting the cake as theirs.
Brides were also more likely to want their wedding planning to include ‘something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue’, fresh flowers, and a veil.
Grooms on the other hand are more likely to want their wedding planning to include a hen/stag do and a formal sit-down meal.
Heterosexual grooms also said they still like the tradition of seeing their bride in a white dress.
Couples in Newcastle, Liverpool, and Southampton were, across the nation, the most likely to consider wedding traditions as being very important, whereas couples in Leeds, Norwich, and Birmingham least likely to include many traditional aspects in their big day. The 25-34 age group were also least likely to find traditions important.
What traditions are falling out of favour?
While it does of course come down to personal preference, overall our survey showed that wearing a garter, begin carried over the threshold, and sticking to a colour scheme, were among the traditions that couples considered to be least important, and therefore less likely to incorporate into their big day in 2024.
Other less popular traditions included having a page boy, giving your wedding guests ‘favours’ and saving the top tier of your wedding cake.
Which new wedding trends are set to be popular in 2024
Our research revealed that smaller, more informal and intimate nuptials are becoming especially popular amongst modern couples – and large events with extended family may become less common in future weddings.
The classic sit down three-course meal could become ‘extinct’ from future weddings, with couples favouring more informal food options such as grazing tables, dessert bars, and brunch- and afternoon tea- inspired set ups.
It also seems that both coloured wedding dress and short wedding dresses are growing in popularity amongst modern brides, although long white dresses are still popular too.
Looking at new trends, the 10 most popular included:
- Smaller, more intimate wedding ceremony (29%)
- Smaller, more intimate wedding receptions (24%)
- Informal guest dress codes (22%)
- Coloured wedding dress (14%)
- Getting guests to take photos (13%)
- Informal food such as grazing tables / dessert bars (12%)
- No speeches (12%)
- Adult-only guestlist (10%)
- Brunch / afternoon tea for wedding meal (10%)
- Short wedding dress (9%)
The younger generation (those aged 18-24) were most likely to consider new trends and want to incorporate these into their big day.
Couples in Belfast, Cardiff, and Bristol were also the most likely to want to try new wedding trends, whereas couples in Glasgow, Newcastle, and Liverpool least likely to do so.
Where do we go for wedding inspiration?
Family and friends were the main source for wedding inspiration (32.4%) according to our poll, followed by wedding magazines, Instagram, Pinterest, and professional wedding planners.
Despite its growing influencer across other niches, just 8.4% cited TikTok as their main source of wedding inspiration.
Fewer still – just 6.2% of couples - said celebrities were a source of wedding inspiration.
What do other experts think will be big in 2024?
We asked Zoe Burke, leading wedding expert and Editor of Hitched.co.uk, to tell us which other trends she predicts will be big for 2024/2025 nuptials, as well as which wedding traditions are being considered less important.
Zoe said: “Couples are moving away from tradition and planning their days to be more aligned with their own lifestyles, budgets, and beliefs. Weddings are now more personalised than ever, and have more of a focus on the guest experience, and just having FUN. Couples are going above and beyond to make sure their big days truly sum up who they are both individually, and together.”
Her five trend predictions include: comfy shoes, celebrant-led weddings, film photograph, wedding weekenders, and wedding gifts. More details are below.
Comfy shoes
An important element when it comes to aisle style, is comfort. Research reveals that almost a third (32%) of brides would choose a wedding shoe with a low heel for their big day, while Google searches for ‘wedding Crocs’ have soared by 26% in the last year as couples seek to include current fashion trends into their big days, especially if they’re extra comfortable.
‘Wedding trainers’ are another popular choice for modern couples, with more than 3,600 Google searches every month for alternatives to the traditional formal wedding shoes. And, since the return of the ballet flat to fashion runways this year, searches for the impractical shoe have increased by a whopping 61%, with more than 16,000 users turning to Google the item every month.
Zoe added: “It was only a matter of time, wasn’t it – especially with more couples opting for casual comfort on their big days and less couples blowing out on traditional wedding fashion, but it’s interesting to see how even weddings - events that are typically seen as more formal or special affairs - are not immune to our innate desire to be comfortable in how we dress.”
Celebrant-led weddings
One of the biggest trends that Zoe expects to see really take off next year is customised celebrant-led wedding ceremonies, where wedding vows can be completely rewritten by couples, making them truly original.
Research shows that has been a 49% increase in Google searches for ‘celebrant weddings’ in the past year, and traffic to a Hitched.co.uk article about celebrant-led weddings has increased by an incredible 157%, showing a clear trend for unique celebrant-led wedding ceremonies.
“Having a celebrant-led ceremony offers couples so much freedom that they wouldn’t necessarily get in a traditional ceremony” added Zoe.
“There’s room for personal stories, inclusive language, and cultural diversity, and couples also get to spend quality time with their celebrant beforehand to make sure that the ceremony truly reflects their unique relationship. You just don’t get that anywhere else.”
Film photography
Google searches for ‘film wedding photography’ have surged by 266% this year, highlighting it as a key trend for coming weddings.
Zoe puts this down to the magic of anticipation, saying “Nostalgia is always on trend, and in a time where everything is instantly available in digital format, the anticipation of film wedding photography has a huge appeal.”
Wedding weekenders
Google searches for ‘weekend wedding venue’ have risen by 50% in the past year, as couples seek to make even more of a celebration out of their wedding.
“It’s no surprise that after all that time and effort, couples don’t want their wedding to be over in a day. Inspired by the more drawn-out wedding celebrations in the US, we’re seeing arrival parties taking place on a Friday, with drinks and ice-breaker games, ahead of the big day itself. This is then followed by some kind of goodbye event on the Sunday - usually a hangover brunch” said Zoe.
Wedding gifts
A recent poll showed that almost three quarters (71%) of wedding guests have no idea how much to spend on wedding gifts, which aligns with the 313% rise in traffic to articles on wedding gift ideas on Hitched.
Zoe says that while cash gifts are a popular option for couples to put towards bigger purchases such as honeymoons or couples experiences, gift lists give guests the opportunity to choose something the couple will genuinely love.
“As everyone feels the impact of the cost-of-living crisis, giving cash as a wedding gift can feel a bit daunting. Gift lists are such a great way for couples to communicate what gifts they would actually like to receive from their guests, and stops the issue of getting more than one of the same gift, too.
“It’s very easy to see exactly how much your gift is worth, and that can make some people feel exposed - especially if they are on a tight budget. Choosing a thoughtful gift is an easy way to make it look like you’ve spent more, and to give something sentimental that the couple can keep forever. A win win!”
Zoe added that “These trends have accelerated post-Covid as couples had to reinvent their weddings completely during the pandemic. This meant the inspiration for upcoming couples was drastically different, and nearlyweds realised they didn’t have to follow the common format to have a wedding.”
And what trends and traditions do experts see falling out of favour?
Zoe shared that there are five main wedding traditions which are being considered less often, and are no longer seen as a vital part of UK’s couple’s wedding days – these include the first dance, wedding speeches, save the dates, conservative rules, and boozy weddings.
Speaking on these, she added that “So much of this comes down to how weddings had to change so dramatically during the pandemic. Couples who married in this time had to completely reinvent their weddings to suit the guidelines, and couples who postponed realised that they didn’t have to follow a specific formula - you could skip your first dance and still have a totally valid and fun wedding, who knew?!
“Couples are always inspired by the weddings they attend and see on social media - so the couples of today are being - even subliminally - inspired by the weddings of the previous few years and feel more able to change the formula of the wedding to suit them.
“With nearlyweds cohabiting so much longer now before the big day too, it makes sense for them to ditch traditions like name changing and waiting until marriage to have children. Life continues whilst couples are saving up to get married and waiting for their wedding day, and lots of people progressed with whatever life plans they could during lockdown as it didn’t make sense to wait.
“Long may it continue, I say! No couple should dread or not enjoy any aspect of their wedding day, or do anything that doesn’t feel authentic to them.”