2025 Wedding Trends

Wedding-7

Although any wedding should be unique to the happy couple, trends often sneak their way into the celebration. We’ve rounded up a list of some  wedding trends to be on the lookout for during the 2025 wedding season.

By Anna Hughes

Elongated Diamonds

For the past few years, oval diamonds have been the leading pick for engagement rings. For future brides-to-be, jewelers say that elongated cushion cuts are on the rise. For an additional flair, consider a unique gemstone like a sapphire or canary diamond.

Documentary Photography

It seems many couples are ditching dozens of posed photos and opting for documentary style photography. This might include detail-shots, candid moments, and dramatic editing. These precious pictures might end up being the family favorites!

Tablescapes

Many wedding planners are replacing dainty with decadence—especially in the tablescapes and centerpieces. Instead of classic floral arrangements, guests can expect to see unique and colorful craftings potentially including fruits and vegetables. Also popular will be a lack of florals entirely, focused on greenery and earthy tones.

Drapery

Dramatic drapery is one of the trends to watch out for most this wedding season. Expect to see stunning, floor to ceiling drapes—a unique way to add elegance and flair to a wedding during any season.

Alternate Desserts

Let them eat cake! And cupcakes, and donuts, and ice cream, and macaroons. The list goes on. Instead of traditional wedding cake, consider a variety of dessert options to round out your food selections.

Elopement

Many couples are ditching the “go big or go home” mentality. Instead, they’re choosing to go small and buy a home. This is leading to an increase in intimate ceremonies and elopements.

Bows

Bows have been a staple of the fashion scene during the last year, and wedding experts say they’re not going anywhere just yet. From invitations to decorations and dress details, this subtle touch of femininity is a classic, yet playful, addition to the wedding weekend.

No Bridal Parties

The age of matching dresses or tuxedos for your seven closest friends might be coming to an end. More and more couples
will be relieving their inner circles of bridal party duties and associated costs, leaving the altar to newlyweds only.

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Kristina and Matthew Bailey began reading books to their son, Owen when he was six months old— they haven’t stopped.
Owen turned 4 in June and recently received an award from the Clarendon Hills Public Library for having had 1,000 books read to him before starting kindergarten.

The library’s 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten Challenge is one of a few reading challenge programs offered in Clarendon Hills, where the Bailey family has lived for the past 2 1/2 years.
Kristin Bailey said she saw an ad about the 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten Challenge and decided it was a good fit for Owen.

“He’s always been really into books,” Bailey said. “He had a natural interest in books at nine months old. That’s when COVID started, and he didn’t get out much, so reading books to him worked out very well. He’s a naturally curious kid, and imagination-building is important. The reading allows him to learn and explore new things, and he really wants to learn to read now.”

Krista Devlin, the Clarendon Hills library’s youth services librarian, said there’s a specific reason The Friends of the Library-sponsored 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten Challenge was started in 2022.

“Reading aloud to a child is one of the best ways to help develop important early literacy skills, which will prepare them for kindergarten,” Devlin said. “It is also a great way to bond with your child and to encourage a love of reading.”

Devlin said Owen was the second child to reach the challenge of having 1,000 books read to him before starting kindergarten. He was awarded a certificate, a crown, and his picture was taken to recognize his accomplishment.

Bailey, who said she is “a big reader,” said her family usually goes to the library once a week. Reading three books each night to Owen, along with a book before nap time, is the household normal.

“Consistency in our routine has been good and is important,” she said, adding that Owen’s two sisters, ages 2 1/2 and 1

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