Wedding Trend Study: What's In and What's Out for 2025 - Hitch Studio

I’m sure you saw our 2025 wedding decor trend post highlighting themes like bold color palettes, draping, bows, and upscale western decor wedding trends, but according the most recent publication by Zola (which we are huge fans of!), they put out a list of what’s IN and what’s OUT for overall wedding trends in 2025. Haven’t heard of Zola yet? They are a wedding site similar to WeddingWire and TheKnot, but gaining HUGE traction!! Watch for them to be the upcoming best source for finding vendors and making your wedding website. Find us on Zola here!

Because we live in the midwest and South Dakota weddings tend to be larger (hello to 250-300 friends and family!), I’m going to add a few trends I personally see coming in 2025 — along with a gorgeous and modish styled shoot. But first, the findings by Zola:

What’s IN for 2025 according to Zola:

What’s IN for 2025: Unique venues.
“Couples want to feel like their wedding venue feels original to them and representative of who they are. At the same time, ballrooms, barns, parks, historic estates, hotels, industrial spaces, etc! remain popular choices.” Our take on this, as South Dakota wedding planners is that although our venue choices may be limited, we want a unique venue or to make our traditional venue FEEL unique. We’ve done ceiling installs, draping along the walls, hanging greenery, custom dance floors, etc. just to make the traditional venue make a STATEMENT. (I’m looking at YOU, small town South Dakota bride! We know your roots are there at the local Legion Hall, but how can make that room unique to you? Let Hitch Studio help with our wedding decorating services! Or for size reasons, you need to book the windowless event center. We get it. We all had large weddings too! Let’s see what we can do to add some personality to that space.)
What’s IN for 2025: Green.
Let us explain. According to Zola’s study, “Garden settings of all kinds top the list of what “makes” the wedding venue for 2025 couples. With that, it’s no surprise that green, an obvious complement to the outdoors, ranks as the most popular wedding color for 2025. And overall, color palettes are trending towards romantic, earthy and soft.” What we’re already seeing in our wedding decorating meetings for 2025 is a lot sage green, moss green, eucalyptus green, paired with neutral colors like champagne and ivory. 2025 is going to be BEAUTIFUL! Look at these beautiful photos from KC Imagery.
If you’re wondering about the 2025 Pantone Color of the Year, yes…it’s also an earthy and soft brown color!

What’s IN for 2025: Phone-free unplugged ceremonies.
Zola says, “Put away the devices—aisle selfies are solidly out. Couples want their guests to stay focused and let the pros capture their moments.” As South Dakota wedding planners for 11 years, we wholeheartedly agree in not taking photos of the couple during the ceremony. That’s what the amazing photo booth is for at the reception!
What’s IN for 2025: Film photography.
Zola’s article states that, “81% of couples shared that film photography—and more artistic approaches to capturing the wedding day—are very “in.” You may have also heard the term “editorial” photography. It’s very unposed, candid, slightly blurred with harsh lighting and shadows. It gives those nostalgic vibes and the photos are slightly imperfect…it’s very in right now! This photo from Anna Behning Photography will give you a good idea.

What’s IN for 2025: Exchanging vows in private.
“Yes, couples want to party with their guests, but they also deeply cherish the special moment of exchanging vows, and many are trying to make that moment even more intimate,” says the Zola study. What we’ve seen as South Dakota wedding planners is that vows are often exchanged just after the first look, so it’s a very private moment between the couple. The tears can flow because nobody is watching (except a photographer and videographer if you wish. We, as wedding planners, even step out during this private moment.)
What’s IN for 2025: Extra first look moments.
Zola says, “56% of couples have a first look with their partner, which we know is pretty standard, but 41% are adding a second first look with other loved ones.” That means that having a first look with your dad, bridesmaids, and even groomsmen are getting added into the timeline!
What’s IN for 2025: Nostalgia.
Zola claims a throwback to the past is coming our way! “Like pearls and lace, which we’ll see everywhere from dresses to nails. Even classic music is holding its ground, with Whitney Houston’s “I Wanna Dance With Somebody” topping the list of dance songs for 2025, and Elvis Presley’s “I Can’t Help Falling in Love” reigning as the most popular first dance song.” We’re definitely seeing a trend with the couple using their parents’ champagne toasting flutes from THEIR wedding day 30 years ago or using their grandmothers pearl earrings. Nostalgic, but meaningful elements are being brought back in!
What’s IN for 2025: Cash funds for the wedding & newlywed life.
According to the Zola study, “87% of 2025 couples are adding cash funds to their wedding registry. Plus, we’re seeing a slight uptick in funds specifically for wedding costs, as well as major newlywed priorities like purchasing a home, renovating, and even paying down debts. And let’s not forget the honeymoon fund, which is still the #1 type of fund on registries.” As wedding stationery designers, Hitch Studio gets asked all the time if it’s okay to list a registry on your invitations. Probably not. That’s best listed on your wedding website, but can you ask for cash toward something major in your life? Absolutely!

What’s OUT in 2025 according to Zola:

Over-the-top lavish celebrations: Couples value their money and can’t all afford to get married in an extravagant way.
Wedding hashtags: Similar to neon signs, couples are finding alternative ways to show off their personality. (Hey, we still love a good hashtag or neon sign!)
Bouquet toss: We’re seeing more couples choosing to preserve their bouquet vs. tossing it. (TIP from Hitch Studio: Buy an additional toss bouquet (either artificial or real) that is smaller and intentionally for the bouquet toss so you can also keep it!)
Expectation for the bride’s family to pay: 63% of families receive financial support from both sides.
One partner doing all of the planning: 97% of all couples surveyed think it should be more acceptable for both partners to have an equal say in the wedding vision – a shift we’re rooting for.

New Ideas to Consider for 2025 Based On This Data:

Elaborate wedding exits: Only 30% of couples plan a wedding after-party. If you like that idea, Hitch Studio can help!
It’s an even split between wedding cake and serving a different dessert: 49% of couples are still into traditional wedding cake, while 51% said they’d prefer a different sweet treat.
Hiring a wedding content creator: With only 21% of couples planning to capture short-form video content, 2025 may see growth. Here at Hitch Studio, we’ve added it to our vendor list, fully anticipating working with content creators in 2025!

Trends coming to the Midwest in 2025:

Personally speaking as a Midwest wedding planner in Brookings and Sioux Falls, South Dakota (but we also serve Aberdeen, Mitchell, Watertown, Madison and Marshall, MN!) who has been in business for 11 years and decorated hundreds of weddings, here are our top 5 trends coming to South Dakota weddings in 2025:

Adding a dance floor is hands-down the BEST way to make a statement at your wedding for less than $1000.
Adding lamps to your reception (and even tables!) make your space and tables feel cozy.
Drapery adds a dramatic feel to your reception, and as we mentioned, can turn that small-town venue into something AMAZING. We know your venue choices may feel limited, so let’s add a wow-factor to transform your space!
Signature cocktails are a great way to add personality to your social hour! People will LOVE trying your “lime margs” or “sangria” or “Jack + Coke” cocktails that suit your styles perfectly.
Linking your round tables together in the reception layout to create a serpentine-table or caterpillar effect.

Speaking of serpentine tables at a reception, check out this amazing styled shoot we just did in Fulton, South Dakota! FULL vendor credits at the bottom!