Cheap Wedding Trends You See Everywhere

Became Popular: Always 
Est. Cost: $500-$1,000 more expensive than renting*

The thing about the debate over buying or renting a wedding dress is that none of your guests will know. Unless your mother-in-law is running around telling everyone that you rented it, no one will know. It’s cheaper to rent a wedding dress. It can bring a dress down from four figures to three.

Buying Wedding Dresses ©Jacob Lund / Shutterstock.com

There might even be rental packages, where you can add shoes, a veil, and other accessories for a lower price. Plus, renting a wedding dress makes more sense, as you’re only going to use it once in your life, most likely. Buying the dress is a pricey, lifetime commitment to something that will sit in the back of your closet for the rest of your life. 

Became Popular: 1970s
Est. Cost: $300+*

Most brides and grooms hire a photographer to take formal photos of wedding guests throughout the day. After all, it’s the biggest event they’re ever likely to throw, so why not have it properly documented? That’s one thing, but these days all weddings seem to have a photobooth. 

Photo Booths ©Tatiana Chekryzhova / Shutterstock.com

Companies charge hundreds of dollars to take photos of wedding guests wearing stupid glasses and novelty wigs, but is it really worth it? Ultimately, no. This is purely for guests to post on their Instagram grid or to take home, put in a dresser, and never look at again. Plus, it’s become so commonplace it’s lost its appeal. 

Became Popular: Sixth Century B.C
Est. Cost: Free 

The happy couple probably loves the speech section at their wedding. After all, who doesn’t want to hear your parents gush about how much they love you, or have your bestie reminisce about your college days? However, think about it from a guest’s perspective. Speeches often take a lot of time. 

Speeches ©Andrei Zveaghintev / Shutterstock.com

If you have the speeches before dinner and there are several of them, then that means waiting for food. Plus, speeches are often filled with private jokes and references that most of the guests really don’t get. If you do decide to have speeches at your wedding, keep them short and sweet. 

Became Popular: 1800s 
Est. Cost: Free

We’ve all seen plenty of photos of a bride throwing her bouquet and having it land in the arms of the perpetually single bridesmaid. It’s become so common now that it’s just a cliche. The tradition can actually be traced back to 1800s England when guests used to take a piece of the bride’s dress for good luck. 

The Bouquet Toss ©SmartPhotoLab / Shutterstock.com

Some find it a sweet tradition, while others think it’s getting a little bit dated and sexist. After all, do modern-day wedding guests really want to scramble over a bouquet in the hope it means they will get married next? Haven’t there been one too many Sony rom-coms that capitalize on this theme?

Became Popular: 2010s
Est. Cost: $100* 

Seating plans are a necessary evil at weddings, mainly because it allows the happy couple to pre-empt any awkward social situations that may arise. The rise of boho-chic in the 2010s saw couples use chalkboard signs all over the place at ceremonies, including for the seating plan. 

Chalkboard Seating Plans ©Joshua Rainey Photography / Shutterstock.com

Do they look cute and quaint? Sure – but they also look like they’ve been done to death. Virtually every wedding you go to these days looks like it’s been plucked straight from a Pinterest board. Why go for something everyone else has done when you can start your own Pinterest trend? 

Became Popular: 1980s
Est. Cost: $1,000+* 

Royals have been getting married for centuries, but the game changed somewhat when Princess Diana married Prince Charles in the early ‘80s. The ceremony was televised across the world and brides took note. Since then, royal wedding dresses and other details have been imitated. 

Royal Wedding Imitations ©Lorna Roberts / Shutterstock.com

When Kate Middleton got married to Prince William, there was a boom in sales of laced dresses. That’s just one example. People pay thousands to follow royal wedding trends just because they are the “in thing” at that time. If you ask us, weddings should always have a personal touch.

Became Popular: 1980s
Est. Cost: $200+* 

Lighting is everything at weddings, but have twinkle fairy lights had their day? When used sparingly it can look romantic and sweet, but when used all over the place it can cheapen the overall aesthetic and look somewhat like a child’s bedroom in the ‘80s. 

Twinkle Lights ©Perris Tumbao / Shutterstock.com

No one wants that particular vibe for their wedding, so it’s probably best to eschew the twinkle lights in favor of more refined mood lighting, like candles or lights. If you’re outside, you could use tiki torches or even pool lights for added glow. 

Became Popular: 1980s
Est. Cost: $20+*

There was a time when wedding cake toppers were traditional models of the bride and groom, arm in arm and looking like miniature versions of the happy couple. As the years ticked by, couples started to experiment with novelty toppers. Now, there are so many different kinds out there that it can be difficult to choose.

Novelty Cake Toppers ©IVASHstudio / Shutterstock.com

Some couples opt for superhero-themed toppers, some include their pets, others go for something more risque. In this case, there really is something to be said for tradition. After all, do you really want to see pictures of your cake toppers turned into memes and posted all over Facebook?  

Became Popular: Unknown (a long time ago)
Est. Cost: $20*

Throwing confetti at the happy couple after they tie the knot has been a tradition for years, but it first started out as throwing candy many years ago. That turned into rice, which then turned into confetti which is notoriously bad for the environment. 

Confetti Toss ©Life In Pixels / Shutterstock.com

While an effort has been made to switch over to natural flower petals and other biodegradable materials in recent years, is it really worth it? The confetti often gets picked up by the wind and doesn’t land where you want it to, not to mention it’s messy and gets stuck everywhere.

Became Popular: 1960s
Est. Cost: $50+* 

There’s no denying that flower crowns are lovely to look at, but should they have stayed in the free-lovin’ sixties? Probably. Many brides choose to wear a flower crown these days, but everywhere you look on social media they are a dime to the dozen. 

Flower Crowns ©APM STOCK / Shutterstock.com

They are popular at festivals, parties, birthdays – so is it really special enough to warrant being worn on a wedding day? As pretty as they might be, these accessories are probably best left in the past. A simple hair slide might be more worthwhile in the long run, especially as flowers die. Diamonds last forever.

Became Popular: 2010s
Est. Cost: $30 per centerpiece*

In the 2010s boho-chic weddings were everywhere. With that came the arrival of wooden centerpieces, often made out of reclaimed cut wood. No one can deny that it’s clever, but there’s something about seeing a mason jar atop another piece of wood that just isn’t as unique as it used to be. 

Wooden Centerpieces ©JKorotchenkova / Shutterstock.com

Couples across the world have made the most out of this forest-raiding hack, but for better or for worse, it seems like guests are getting tired of seeing the same old thing, Plus, you can’t exactly stick a ton of wood on eBay and sell it easily afterward. 

Became Popular: 1940s
Est. Cost: $200+*

There’s something wonderfully glam about champagne towers. They glisten in the sunlight and scream celebration, but do the pictures really live up to reality? There are so many tales about champagne towers taking a topple and becoming a logistical nightmare. Not to mention the fact that open champagne loses bubbles quicker than you can say, “Cheers!”

Champagne Towers ©JinnathipT / Shutterstock.com

There are plenty of ways you can get the perfect Kodak moment that doesn’t involve running the risk of a small flood or wasting hundreds of dollars. Ditch the champagne tower and go for something much less alarming. 

Became Popular: Many, many years ago
Est. Cost: $500+*

Formal wedding breakfasts cost an arm and a leg, that’s no secret. It’s not unusual for couples to spend upward of $100 per head on feeding their guests. With that being said, going for a buffet can often seem like the more cost-effective way to please everyone. 

Interactive Food Stations ©LElik83 / Shutterstock.com

Realistically, they’re not the most hygienic of places (especially in this day and age) and food loses its freshness at an alarming rate. Sure, it’s cheaper, but the scramble for the buffet table often leads to more mess and much lower-quality food. Is that the day everyone wants?

Became Popular: Centuries ago 
Est. Cost: $2.90 per pound*

Hog roasts have been popular ever since humans discovered that pigs tasted good when cooked. For many, there’s nothing better than freshly-cooked pork stuffed into a bun and layered with applesauce. For others, it’s a nightmare. 

Hog Roasts ©Joe Gough / Shutterstock.com

Even if you’re an avid meat lover, the sight of a roasting pig could be enough to turn you off. Weddings with hog roasts in the evening still happen, but should it be so? With the number of vegans and vegetarians steadily on the rise, it could seriously upset some unsuspecting guests.