2021 Wedding Trends: Entertainment + Guest Experience

It’s no surprise that weddings are looking different these days. All the rules, regulations, and safety precautions of the Covid era have changed the wedding industry in a lot of ways. There’s no denying that it’s been an incredibly tough year for couples and industry professionals alike, but not all of the changes have been bad; in fact, we foresee many of them becoming the norm! Here are some of the trends that we’re expecting to see last well into the new year – and beyond.



Reception Entertainment

With many venues reducing or eliminating dance floors altogether, couples are getting more creative with their entertainment. Whether it’s hiring a band to provide a show instead of just some dance hits or introducing a more interactive performer like a magician, celebrity impersonator, or tarot reader, our clients are looking outside of the box for vendors who will keep their guests engaged – even without the Cha Cha Slide.


Long-Distance Celebrations

Hosting a Zoom call for faraway guests has become a major element of Covid weddings this year, but we foresee it continuing into future celebrations, too. So many couples have far-flung guest lists these days, and why should we forget about guests who can’t travel for the occasion when we could so easily Zoom them into the party too – and send a bottle of champagne and a party popper to them so they can enjoy the festivities with us?


Welcome Gifts

One of our top new trends in favors: welcome baskets! Instead of having koozies at the bar, programs at the sign-in table, and sparklers outside the back door for send-off, couples are looking more toward curated gift boxes that encapsulate the entire wedding experience – from hand sanitizer to custom masks to fun wedding-centric items – in a more personalized way. Why spread interactive elements out across the venue when you can package them together in a beautiful box for each guests that also includes favors and heartfelt Thank You cards?

Looking for more trends to get inspired by? Check out the rest of our blog series:

Style + Beauty

Covid

Catering + Bar

Design + Decor

Photo credits: (1) Brides, (2) Wedfully, (3) Martha Stewart