As wedding planning evolves, couples are straying further from traditional formats and embracing unique, personalized celebrations. According to The Knot, nearly 70% of couples now prioritize custom details, opting for weddings that reflect their personalities and experiences rather than following the predictable path laid out by tradition. Spring wedding trends in 2025 are all about individuality, making the day less about strict rules and more about creating an experience that truly feels like the couple.

FOOD NEWS: 10 celebrity chef restaurants to try in Arizona

THINGS TO DO: Want more news like this? Get our free newsletter here

James Lee, founder of Phoenix-based Lee Media Weddings, is a seasoned expert in the wedding industry, with thousands of weddings under his belt. His team has earned multiple accolades, including WeddingWire’s Couples’ Choice Award and The Knot’s “Best of Weddings” year after year. Given his extensive experience, James has a keen sense of where spring wedding trends are headed, and he’s here to share what’s hot (and what’s not) for this spring’s weddings.

What’s HOT

James Lee is the lead producer and photographer at Lee Media.
  • Hometown Weddings: There’s a shift towards celebrating weddings in familiar, meaningful locations. Couples are choosing to tie the knot in hometowns or places with personal significance—whether it’s the place where they met, a childhood favorite hangout, or a venue full of family history. These weddings tap into nostalgia, offering deep emotional meaning and plenty of storytelling opportunities.
  • Private Vows: More couples are opting for a private moment to exchange vows before the big celebration kicks off. This intimate, emotional exchange allows them to focus on each other without the pressure of an audience. It’s a raw, private moment that deepens the connection before the celebration unfolds.
  • Weekday Weddings: While Saturdays have long been the traditional wedding day, more couples are moving their nuptials to weekdays. By avoiding the Saturday rush, couples can secure their dream venues and vendors at lower costs. Weekday weddings also provide the opportunity to extend the celebration into a week of events, turning the big day into a wedding week.
  • Objects as Invitations: Gone are the days of plain paper invitations. Couples are getting creative, transforming everyday objects into memorable invites. Custom-engraved keepsakes, vintage postcards, or interactive maps make for a personalized, unforgettable first impression.
  • Wedding Film Confessionals: Couples are incorporating pre-ceremony confessional-style interviews into their wedding films. These moments, filmed earlier in the day, capture the couple’s emotions, love stories, and excitement, adding an intimate, raw layer to their wedding films.
  • Bridal Wardrobe Switch-Ups: Why settle for one look when you can have multiple? Brides and grooms are now changing outfits throughout the day—from elegant ceremony wear to reception chic and after-party glam, offering more variety and opportunities to express their style.
  • DIY Bridal Glam: Many brides are opting for DIY beauty over professional makeup artists, bringing a sense of authenticity and personal style to the day. The DIY approach also helps reduce wedding costs and can make for a fun, relaxed pre-ceremony ritual.

What’s NOT

  • Random Destination Weddings: The era of jet-setting to far-flung, impersonal destinations is over. Instead, couples are prioritizing meaningful hometown venues that are rich in personal history, ensuring the day feels more intimate and meaningful.
  • Rigid Dress Codes: The rigid “matchy-matchy” dress codes are giving way to a more inclusive, relaxed dress vibe. Guests are encouraged to wear what makes them feel good, allowing for individuality and a more comfortable, natural atmosphere.
  • Overly-Themed Décor: Forget over-the-top themes that overwhelm the space, like the extensive Gatsby or rustic-chic decor. Today’s couples are embracing timeless aesthetics that feel effortless yet meaningful, creating a space that reflects their unique personalities without feeling overdone.
  • Traditional Wedding Favors: Say goodbye to the tiny succulents and monogrammed candles that often end up forgotten. Couples are opting for experience-driven gifts, like tickets to an event, or charitable donations made in guests’ names—adding purpose and personalization to the tradition.
  • Photo Booths: While fun in their heyday, traditional photo booths with props are on their way out. Instead, couples are opting for more interactive entertainment, like live illustrators, drone videos, or audio guestbooks, to offer guests a more unique experience.
  • Formal Rehearsal Dinners: The stiff, sit-down rehearsal dinner is being replaced by laid-back, casual gatherings. Think food trucks, backyard BBQs, or cocktails on the beach, offering a more relaxed and fun atmosphere before the big day.
  • Bye-Bye, Sparklers: While sparklers were once a favorite for grand exits, they’re becoming a thing of the past. Couples are getting creative with their grand exits, with options like fireworks, neon-lit dance mobs, or coordinated flash mobs that add an extra layer of excitement to the end of the night.

As wedding trends continue to evolve, 2025 promises to be a year full of personalization, creativity, and meaningful experiences. Whether it’s opting for a hometown venue, swapping outfits throughout the day, or embracing DIY beauty, couples are making their weddings a true reflection of who they are. In fact, a recent report from WeddingWire found that nearly 70% of couples prioritize custom elements for their weddings, and with these unique trends in play, it’s clear that weddings are becoming more and more about the couple’s story, rather than just a ceremony. If you’re planning a spring wedding, be sure to consider these up-and-coming trends to make your big day truly unforgettable.

Author: James Lee is the lead producer and photographer at Lee Media, a production company based in Tempe, Arizona that specializes in unique wedding films & photos. With more than a decade of experience, James is known for producing high-quality work that is visually striking and effective at telling human stories. His style is one rooted in authentic candid moments, seeing the beauty in life, and preserving what it means to be human. For more information, visit https://leemediaweddings.com/.