Take a look at expert wedding-planning tips, trends, and secrets from Inside Weddings' Editors Circle members! From dress shopping to planning the ultimate wedding day, read the expert advice from these top wedding professionals.
There are hundreds of little decisions that will ultimately make your wedding day what it is. From shopping for the perfect wedding dress, to planning your pre- and post-wedding events such as the welcome party and rehearsal dinner or the farewell brunch, to choosing an overall design aesthetic that fits your personalities and the vibe of your venue – while staying up to date with the latest trends, you'll have a lot to consider during the wedding-planning process.
While we recommend hiring a wedding planner to help you organize the details of your nuptials, we understand that many couples choose to plan their own weddings or gather advice from a number of sources, which is why we're always sharing the expert advice of our Editors Circle members, who are among some of the nation's top wedding professionals.
Since trends are constantly changing and couples have seemingly endless inspiration while wedding planning, look to these professionals who have been in the industry for years to know what to do and how to prepare for one of the biggest events of your life. We invite you to read the latest trends, discover planning secrets, and uncover tips from wedding planners, bridal stylists, floral designers, and photographers on a number of topics featured in the magazine.
Take note of the advice showcased in the pages of our 2024 issues of Inside Weddings, and make these tips your own to fit your desired wedding look. Happy planning!
"Host an intimate dinner with your nearest and dearest to kick off the wedding weekend before the larger group of guests arrive. It’s so nice to carve out time to celebrate with your closest friends and family, and it’ll end up creating some of your best memories from the weekend." - Allyson Joseph of Bob Gail Events
"When selecting your bridal party, choose those closest to you who will shower you with love, keep you calm, and support you and your upcoming marriage to your fiancé. Don’t be afraid to be selective." - Natalie Sofer of Natalie Sofer Weddings and Events
"Your wedding is a once-in-a-lifetime event, so make it uniquely yours by embracing a fun and personal theme! Draw inspiration from your favorite TV series, like the romantic elegance of Bridgerton or the epic grandeur of Game of Thrones. Let these themes shine through in your décor, attire, and overall atmosphere." - Brenna Cicciari for Bridal Reflections
"Hooded capes are the new veil, particularly when paired with a clean, slim-fitted dress. They simultaneously channel enchanting and intriguing, sexy vibes – and as the wedding-day festivities progress, hoods can be put down to become a cowled-back dress detail or removed altogether to reveal a dress change." - Belle Manjong of BBelle Style
"Let your bridesmaids choose their own shoes, jewelry, and nail color. You often cannot even see the shoes in long gowns, and the jewelry and nail color really won’t matter on the day, as long as it is dainty and neutral. This freedom of self-expression will be appreciated by your leading ladies." - Tessa Brand of Tessa Lyn Events
"Hire a team that you feel truly understands you and your vision! A talented professional planning and vendor team will know what to do in any situation that may arise, and when you know your wedding is in the hands of experts you trust, you are guaranteed a smoother event." - Jonathan Reeves of International Event Company
"Never underestimate the value of a wedding planner who is also a designer. A luxury wedding planner will do more than simply organize your tasks. He or she should draw inspiration from your personal narrative and weave it into the design of every event element, ensuring that your wedding day feels deeply personal and exquisitely tailored to you. Embrace opulent details in your celebration – from lush floral installations to intricate tablescapes and dramatic lighting – to create a lush setting of sophistication and glamour." - Andrea Eppolito of Andrea Eppolito Events
"When planning a destination wedding, instead of a standard welcome bag for guests, create a grab+go station at the welcome party where guests can pick and choose what they would like to take. This reduces waste, and guests get to walk away with items they will actually eat/use!" - Kaylen Davidson of Sara Judith Events
"Drones are a hot trend for weddings more recently and that’s because the results can look amazing! Having the option to include drone footage in your photography collection is a major bonus. If it’s available, you and your photographer will have to make sure it’s allowed at the venue and that the shots needed can be timed with the time of day that allows the overhead point of view to look spectacular. If it’s a sunny day, shadows can play tricks on the images themselves so make sure your photographer plans it all out." - Maya Myers of Maya Myers Photography
"Make sure you put a folder together with clean samples of your save the date and invitation suite with stamps for your photographer to take pictures of on your wedding day." - Heather Lowenthal of Posh Parties
"The seating chart is a detail all of your guests see, making it a great option to tie in personalization. Doing something that’s unique or sentimental to you both is a great way to make a lasting impression on your guests!" - Kaylen Davidson of Sara Judith Events
"Whether family-style dinner or plated, long tables are a better choice – all of the décor, from the flowers and candles to the straight line of the chairs, looks much more elegant and dramatic when you and your guests first walk into the space." - David Pressman of David Pressman Events
"Tabletop is now just as important as flowers. Colorful and intricate linens, upgraded glassware in corresponding hues, and details with personality really set the stage for the beautiful florals and overall feeling of the room or event space." - Mindy Weiss of Mindy Weiss Party Consultants
"Peach is the emerging color of the season in wedding florals. More couture-looking and unexpected than pink, and much more approachable than orange, peach is warm and soft, romantic and elegant." - Andrea Eppolito of Andrea Eppolito Events
"Disco balls have made a comeback. Many of our couples love the glamour, energy, and unique lighting effect that disco balls provide a wedding reception. Hanging some above the dance floor brings an instant 'party pop' and adds an unexpected wow." - Victoria Dubin of Victoria Dubin Events
"To avoid guests leaving the dance floor for too long, place a bar or two near where dancing will take place, so guests can just easily step off the dance floor for a refill and get back to dancing as quickly as possible." - Beth Helmstetter of Beth Helmstetter Events, Inc.
"Straight from Bridal Fashion Week in New York, minidresses are in! If you are planning on changing into a second look at your reception, choose a fun minidress that will help you keep the party going all night long!" - Heather Lowenthal of Posh Parties
"Plan to see brides choosing beautiful, classic wedding gowns with timeless details such as luxurious, long trains, and later changing into a completely different second look featuring a flirty, fun ensemble." - Berit Bizjak of Berit Bizjak Photography
"One of our favorite elements of producing a wedding weekend is the after-party. The primary goal is simple: keep the party going! We love to dream up ways to surprise and delight guests with details as the night continues. For some, it’s as simple as delicious well-crafted late-night snacks or tray-passed espresso martinis, and for others, we change up entertainment with live music and custom comfy kicks for guests to slip into." - Katie Pincus of Bob Gail Events
"Looking for a way to surprise your guests, create some beautiful photos, and light up the sky to celebrate your wedding? Then fireworks are the answer. The average cost per minute is $1,000-2,000, and two minutes is just the right amount of time to wow everyone and leave them wanting more. Safety comes first, so have your wedding planner confirm they’re legal, and then hire professionals because your wedding is not the time or the place for amateurs." - David Pressman of David Pressman Events
"Newlyweds… make your thank-you notes unique and personal by collecting postcards from your honeymoon destination. Jot down your heartfelt messages while exploring beautiful locations – or if time doesn’t allow, when you get home. Either way, your friends and family will love receiving a piece of your honeymoon adventure in the mail." - Mallory Ladenheim of Rikki & Mal
For more wedding ideas, discover more wedding advice from our Editors Circle members, find out what to do once you get engaged, and see must-have products and services for brides and grooms! We also encourage you to follow @InsideWeddings on Instagram and Pinterest for daily wedding ideas and inspiration!
Opening photo by Dmitry Shumanev Production; Planning & Design by Natalie Sofer Weddings and Events; From Real Wedding: Vineyard Destination Wedding Featuring Pretty Pastels in Malibu, California