Unique Wedding Decor Ideas

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The pandemic forced us to change many aspects of our lives, and wedding trends were no exception to this. How we interact with people in the world every day, at work or school, has shifted into open or outdoor spaces and virtual meetings. Some of these examples can be seen in wedding decoration trends that popped up in 2021, as people rushed to accommodate the new world we’re living in. 

With more of a focus on open spaces and less formality, we’ll discuss the fun decoration trends that have become popular in 2021. There has definitely been a shift away from the stiff, formal celebrations of the past, towards weddings with more casual and unique home decorations. 

If we haven’t met yet, hi! I’m Lindsey Nickel and I’m a local Sonoma and Napa wedding planner and the owner of Lovely Day Events. My team and I have planned more than 140 destination weddings, so I can tell you firsthand that wine country weddings are something special. My clients want the ceremony to be outside, the food to be outstanding, and the dance parties to be epic. If this sounds like you, you’re in the right place.

Nature Aesthetic

It’s no surprise that many people have gravitated towards outdoor weddings. It’s the safest way to celebrate with a large group of people at the moment, and therefore embracing the natural aesthetic is popular right now. This means lots of neutral hues, like nudes, tans, and greys, as well as incorporating leaves, branches, and other elements from natural surroundings that stick out to you. If it gets chilly at night, you can decorate the space with rustic-looking fireplaces to keep your guests warm and cozy. 

Instead of perfectly neat flower arrangements, look for more organically arranged bouquets that are messier to reflect the outside world. Create a whimsical wedding space plucked right from nature!

Tents and Twinkly Lights

On the same note as the nature aesthetic, consider decorating your outdoor space or tent with lots of twinkly lights. Twinkly lights look magical as the day turns to night, and adds a playful mood to the space. Because most weddings are outdoor at the moment, this is a great way to make your outdoor wedding feel super cozy, bright, and romantic.

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Living Room Decor

As we mentioned earlier, wedding decorations in 2021 have shifted towards a homier, intimate feel. Perhaps it’s to reflect the fact that most of our lives are taking place inside our homes right now, but who knows! The good thing is that there are no rules when it comes to embracing the living room decor concept. Mix and match your table layouts, offer comfy sofas for guests to lounge on, add a bunch of decorative throw pillows in certain spaces to make for a cozy setting.

Like the pandemic has taught us, the unique home decor concept is all about staying as comfortable as possible under any circumstances. 

Mini Cakes or Personal Desserts

Small plates and individual hors’ d'oeuvres are expected (and loved) during the wedding cocktail hour, but what about applying that preparation to your desserts as well? Instead of cutting into one big cake, consider offering small, personal desserts for guests to choose from. This can cut back on germs and is a safe way to enjoy a variety of delicious treats. 

This doesn’t mean you won’t get to cut into a beautiful wedding cake with your new partner — keep that tradition alive! Just offer pre-made sweets to your guests instead of afterward. They probably won’t notice the difference, and a table full of mini desserts will look beautiful. 

Keep It Homey and Comfortable

If we’ve learned anything during the past year, it’s that staying comfortable during hard times is important. Have a safe wedding in 2021 by holding it outdoors, and embrace the natural setting that you’ve chosen. Decorate your space by having comfort as the primary consideration and go with the living room decor style, and add lots of romantic twinkly lights. Just because 2021 has been a tough year, doesn’t mean your wedding needs to suffer for it.

Guest post written by Katie Tejada

Katie Tejada is a writer, editor, and former HR professional. She often covers developments in HR, business, recruiting, real estate, law and finance, but also enjoys writing about travel, interiors and events.