I've been a wedding planner for 7 years. Here are 10 trends I think will be everywhere in 2024.

• As a wedding planner, I have a good idea of which trends are in — and out — for 2024.
• We'll see more audio guest books, mixed wedding parties, and unique ceremony music in 2024.

As a wedding planner of seven years, I see unique trends come and go with each new year.

Here are 10 wedding trends that will be popular in 2024.

Audio guest books are on the rise

I first encountered an audio guest book at a wedding I did in July. Since then, I've come across these rotary phones at several other weddings.

The concept is simple: instead of having guests write you a note in a book, they record their voices using the phone. The results? Let's just say the longer the bar stays open, the busier the phone gets.

Guest lists are shrinking

Inviting fewer people is one of the most effective ways to save money at a wedding.

Although this option isn't available to everyone, particularly if certain cultural traditions come into play, I'm seeing more clients flex this option to spend less or, more often, more intentionally.

Need help figuring out where to start? As you build your guest list, consider the people who absolutely have to be at your wedding.

Don't be afraid of making an A-List, B-List, and C-List. No one will see these lists except for you and the person you're marrying.

Traditional favors are on their way out

Although my clients continue to offer small tokens of gratitude to their guests, I've seen traditional wedding favors less often.

If there are favors, they're typically items that guests can eat, such as chocolate-covered sunflower seeds at a September wedding.

Mixed (or nixed) wedding parties aren't going anywhere

Earlier this year, The New York Times highlighted multi-gender wedding parties, which I've been seeing more of in the past several years.

Both clients and guests are growing more comfortable with the concept. I've noticed (and encouraged) the rise of wedding words that don't designate gender, such as "best person" or "person of honor."

I've also seen acceptance in the form of requesting (not requiring) pronouns on wedding intake forms, vendors proactively sharing their pronouns, and/or clients offering pronoun pins at their wedding. Sometimes, pronouns are even listed, with consent, in wedding programs.

Also on the rise? Skipping a wedding party all together and instead inviting key people to participate in the wedding in other ways.

We'll keep seeing fewer — or simpler — signs and invitation suites

Invitation suites, programs, menus, signs, and place cards are less common than they have been in past years. This is likely due to rising costs that have clients reconsidering their budgets.

This trend could mean tough times ahead for the talented small business owners behind paper goods, but it could also mean less waste and more intentional buying from clientele.

Clients are loving unique ceremony songs

In seven years, I've only ever heard the "traditional" wedding march played once. But still, the vibe of ceremony songs has typically swung toward romantic and sweeping music.

These days, couples are opting to make their ceremonies more unique and personal.

In 2023, I've heard everything from "Concerning Hobbits" during a ring-warming to "The Addams Family" theme song for a recessional.

This is a trend I don't see pausing in 2024.

Venues are (finally) becoming more gender-inclusive

It's still notably rare, but I've seen more inclusive options offered by wedding venues in my city.

Some venues offer things like non-gendered areas for getting ready and bathrooms where the gendered signs can be removed (or never exist at all).

Outfit changes that aim for comfort are popular

Sure, you want to get the most out of that expensive outfit you bought for the wedding. But it's also hard to wear fancy clothes all day long.

My clients more frequently prioritize comfort midway through their reception or, sometimes, right after the ceremony.

Options range from switching into more forgiving shoes to full-on costume changes that swap body-hugging gowns for pants.

Clients are opting to buy guests a couple of drinks instead of offering an open bar

In an ideal world, every bar would be hosted at a wedding. But in a world where prices continue to rise, more clients are making the (wise) decision to set soft caps.

How does this work? A client typically establishes a budget for the bar before the wedding. Then, as the bar tab approaches that number, the bar manager speaks to the client, VIP, or wedding coordinator.

The client can then decide whether to raise the budget or switch to a cash bar. Switching over often works well if we've already reached the main meal or other reception programming.

Another tool I see is clients "only" paying for wine and beer or skipping expensive line items like custom cocktails.

Personalized moments of creativity are in

Wanting a moment of awe at a wedding isn't anything new. What is new is how creative some people are getting to achieve this goal without breaking the bank.

In the past year, I've had weddings with raffles, costumes, and piñatas. The goal was the same throughout — to share something the client loves with their guests.