Last year, we turned to a group of trusted wedding vendors to predict the trends that would shape Black weddings in 2024. While weddings often reflect the cultural and social nuances of their time, Black weddings have a way of holding onto tradition while embracing subtle evolution. This year, as we gathered insights from eleven wedding vendors about their 2025 predictions, we couldn’t help but reflect on what truly defined the weddings of 2024. Think of this as uncovering the “Pantone Color of the Year” or interpreting the upcoming Met Gala theme. In hindsight, if we had to name the overarching theme for weddings in 2024, it would undoubtedly be this:
“Chasing Timelessness”
Last year, weddings embraced a theme of “Chasing Timelessness,” weaving together classic elements with modern touches that celebrated nostalgia, femininity, and understated elegance. Many brides so desperately want their wedding to be trendless, seeking inspiration from the weddings that preceded them to invoke an air of eternal and it really showed in 2024. From the rise of the Trad Wife aesthetic to the revival of bows in fashion and décor, the use of candles, and a return to vintage-inspired photography styles, couples sought to create weddings that felt everlasting. This theme reflected a desire to embrace simplicity and sophistication, offering a striking contrast to the bold, extravagant trends of previous years.
The Trad Bride: Nostalgia Meets Modesty
Thanks to the Trad Wife, a new definition to the Trad Bride aesthetic gained popularity in 2024. This trend reflects a cultural yearning for tradition and timeless beauty. Rooted in vintage silhouettes, soft fabrics, and elegant yet modest designs, the look harkened back to an imagined past, reinterpreted with a modern lens. For Black brides, it represented an opportunity to reclaim and reimagine the best visuals of eras where we were historically excluded.
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Bridal makeup artist B. Gandy of B for Beaute described the aesthetic as “old money” which is a shift from what we’ve seen as nods to classic Hollywood glam. The difference lies in the aesthetic: the Trad Bride comes off as more subdued with a modest flair. The Trad Bride is reflective of what she wants to project as a wife—demure and somewhat submissive. This trend also manifested in softer bridal makeup looks, with polished yet understated finishes, enhancing natural beauty without overpowering it.
Bows: A Romantic Touch of Timelessness
One of the most visible hallmarks of 2024’s pursuit of timeless elegance was the resurgence of bows. These soft, romantic details appeared in every facet of wedding design, from fashion to décor. Floral designer Marcia Alphonso of Marcia Alphonso Designs noted, “Bows were everywhere—on bridal fashion, table settings, and even incorporated into floral designs. They add a soft, romantic, and timeless touch while elevating the overall aesthetic.”
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Camille Plummer, the wedding planner behind JunePlumm Events, echoed this sentiment, saying, “Everywhere you look, there was a bow… This was a big bow year” Brides adorned their gowns with delicate bow accents, bridesmaids embraced the trend in their hairstyles, and bows even found their way into floral arrangements and table linens, tying together an air of classic charm.
Candles: Romantic Lighting with a Vintage Appeal
Candles became a quintessential element of 2024 wedding décor, further enhancing the timeless aesthetic. (We saw this coming last year.) Whether in the form of romantic taper candles, glowing votives, or clusters of pillar candles, they added warmth and intimacy to every venue.
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Alphonso highlighted the versatility and elegance of this trend, explaining, “Candles complement florals beautifully and create a soft, romantic glow that transforms both indoor and outdoor venues. I think couples and designers are leaning into this trend because it’s a simple yet impactful way to add height, dimension, and drama without relying solely on florals. It’s all about creating a space that feels luxurious, inviting, and unforgettable.” Candles also provided couples with a more cost-effective way to create a luxurious ambiance without relying solely on floral arrangements.
Photography: Vintage-Inspired Visuals
In line with the pursuit of timelessness, photography trends in 2024 leaned heavily into vintage-inspired styles. Film photography made a notable comeback, offering a sense of nostalgic texture and authenticity that resonated with couples. Additionally, blurry photos gained popularity for their ability to evoke emotion and movement, capturing the dynamic energy of a wedding day.
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Plummer described this trend as “love in motion,” adding that they “evoke an emotion of …the hustle and bustle of weddings.”
The rise of these styles demonstrated a shift away from hyper-polished, overly edited images. Instead, couples opted for raw, artistic captures that felt more personal and reflective of the day’s atmosphere. (Perhaps that’s why couples are starting to ask for raw footage from their videographers, too…🤔.)
Vintage Cake Designs: A Sweet Slice of the Past
In 2024, vintage wedding cakes made a triumphant return, delighting couples and guests alike with their intricate designs and nostalgic charm. Brides leaned into the timeless appeal of these cakes, which often featured ornate piping, floral accents, and classic tiered structures reminiscent of decades past. This resurgence was more than just an aesthetic choice—it was a celebration of nostalgia and possibly, a nod to the couples that came before them.
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Plummer highlighted the sentimental appeal of vintage cake designs, saying, “The ornate Victorian-style cakes, like the ones our moms or grandmothers had, came back in a big way. Seeing them incorporated into modern weddings tugged at my heartstrings. They bring a timelessness and a nod to the past that feels so special.”
Champagne Towers: A Sparkling Statement
Champagne towers emerged as a standout trend in 2024, adding an element of glamour and interactive fun to weddings. These cascading displays of bubbly weren’t just a nod to vintage luxurious celebrations—they became a visual and experiential highlight that couples and guests loved. Plummer captured the sentiment perfectly: “Who doesn’t love bubbly? The bigger, the better. It’s just fun, interactive, and you know, a little razzle dazzle on the wedding day.” The dramatic pours and clinking glasses gave couples a chance to share a celebratory moment with their guests while making for great photo opportunities.
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The appeal of champagne towers lies in their ability to combine sophistication with entertainment. Their vintage allure and ability to evoke a sense of celebration resonated with couples looking for ways to make their weddings feel unique yet enduring. With some couples seeking viral moments like Steven Fabius, emcee of Premiere Emcee said, champagne towers proved to be the perfect mix of tradition and modern flair that made for Instagram-worthy moments, further solidifying their place as a defining trend of 2024.
Timelessness with a Modern Perspective
At its core, the 2024 wedding theme of “Chasing Timelessness” was about reimagining tradition in ways that felt meaningful and relevant. The Trad Bride aesthetic, with its nod to vintage Hollywood and old-money elegance, set the tone for a year of sophisticated celebrations. The use of bows, candles, and nostalgic photography styles further underscored this theme, proving that timeless design never goes out of style.
By blending nostalgic elements with contemporary sensibilities, couples in 2024 created weddings that felt personal, romantic, and eternal—weddings that will remain cherished memories long after the day itself.
Special Thanks
We are truly grateful to the wedding vendors that shared their insights with us. Those wedding vendors are: Alyson Thompson of Birdcage and Blushers Events / Ashley Strickland of Ashley Nicole Photography / B. Gandy of B for Beaute / Camille Plummer of JunePlumm Events / JaaEL Shebioba of Yanie + Yael Event Planning / Jamenda Whitehead of JAM & Co Studios / Julie Harris Fisher of Julie Harris Designs / Kimberly Yasmine of Kimberly Yasmine Makeup / Marcia Alphonso of Marcia Alphonso Design / Steven Fabius of Premiere Emcee
