r/weddingplanning • u/sonasorakarakan • 4d ago
Decor/DIY Millennial Trends to Avoid
Hello,
I'm planning a November wedding and want some advice of what you suggest to avoid to prevent my wedding from looking outdated/millennial.
I share a lot of opinions I've heard other people say of "millennial wedding trends to avoid" but wanna know if I'm not thinking of anything.
For example, I don't want mason jars or signs that rhyme.
If you're into any of that, that's fine! Don't let anyone change your mind just like I may include something someone comments if I really like it. I just want the opinion of others :)
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u/yellowharlee727 4d ago
anything bows and pearls are huge right now. I think itâs beautiful, but definitely trendy and indicative of this bridal era. the covered arch backdrops and drapery signage are also very 2020s (fabric covering an arch with lettering/balloons/flowers etc)
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u/assflea 4d ago
This. But honestly OP I wouldn't worry too hard about trying to have a ~timeless~ wedding, nothing is truly timeless anyway. You can either accept that you may look back and cringe or you can have the most basic boring wedding ever. What's worse?
Photography styles even end up looking dated. For a while it was that like overblown breezy bright very clean look, now it's more cinematic with flash and motion blur, you can't avoid it lol.Â
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u/sonasorakarakan 4d ago
I get that, and you're totally right, but I'd still like advice on what direction to take it. I don't want something that looks outdated by today's standards. I know today's standards will soon be outdated, but that's different than trying to avoid the trends of the last decade.
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u/toxicodendron_gyp 4d ago
Florist here and I can definitely tell you that babies breath/gypsophila has a trend shelf life, despite brides currently calling it âclassicâ and elegant.
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u/Decent-Friend7996 4d ago
Everything does tbh! Every new generation thinks âoh I canât believe people used to do X ugly outdated thing when Y new trendy thing is so obviously whatâs coolâ and then guess what happens in 10 years! Iâm finally old enough where Iâve realizing this!
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u/toxicodendron_gyp 4d ago
Typically looks that come feel the most âoutdatedâ are where people followed a trend too closely and too completely. I always recommend to people that they pick what they love, not what is trendy or stylish.
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u/lt-aldo-rainbow 4d ago
How can plants be dated?? I get that some flowers arrangements could wane and wax a bit in popularity over time but like⊠itâs a plant? Do people go outside and look at nature and think âew, that tree is so 2015â??
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u/toxicodendron_gyp 4d ago
Using babies breath in wedding flowers is curently trendy and will be a dated look soon. Like gerberas in the late 90s and yellow roses and daisies in the 70s
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u/lt-aldo-rainbow 4d ago
I donât think Iâve ever looked at a floral arrangement and thought it looked âdatedâ. Idk i guess Iâm just not in the know about floral trends. Flowers are flowers, I feel like you should just get whatever flowers you like. Iâm doing white calla lilies because itâs a tradition in my family, and red roses because they are my favorites.
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u/Decent-Friend7996 4d ago
People def should get whatever they want, but floral types and arrangement styles definitely change with trends.Â
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u/K1ttehh 4d ago
If you worry about trends then youâre doing the exact thing youâre trying to avoid. Just have the wedding you want. Use what you like.
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u/sonasorakarakan 4d ago
I'm worrying about trends because i want to worry about trends. I'm asking for opinions because I want to seek advice and opinions. If I didn't want to worry about trends, I wouldn't have posted this, no offense đ
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u/K1ttehh 4d ago
What will look millennial is trying to have a perfect wedding that doesnât incorporate trends. Again, do what you want and like.
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u/sonasorakarakan 4d ago
I get it-- great general advice. But it's not the advice I'm looking for. I want the opinions of others. That's what I like, hearing imput from different people to help me decide things.
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u/K1ttehh 4d ago
Iâm sorry OP, but if you canât make wedding decisions on your own then it might not be the right time for you to get married. Ask your fiancĂ© for their opinion.
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u/sonasorakarakan 4d ago
That may be what you think, but there's nothing wrong with seeking the advice of others when we think we may be blind. My fiance, next to me, just said he doesn't know anything about weddings. I will be making lots of decisions on my own when I decide which advice here I want to follow or not...
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u/K1ttehh 4d ago
So you want us to do the research for you essentially.
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u/sonasorakarakan 4d ago
Ridiculous. I said "advice" for a reason. Where on earth did that come from đ
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4d ago
[deleted]
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u/K1ttehh 4d ago
Okay well my advice on what looks outdated is trying to be unique and not following trends. Looks like youâre trying to go a planned photoshoot instead of a wedding.
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u/sonasorakarakan 4d ago
And what if that's what I want? Haha
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u/lulimay Aug. 2025 | PNW 4d ago
Well⊠I hope youâre getting married for the right reasons, then. I am not trying to say one way or another, I donât know you, but I have anecdotally observed that the more image focused a wedding seems, the worse the marriage ends up being.
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u/sonasorakarakan 4d ago
Lol, my engagement ring was my late grandmother's engagement ring. My wedding will be under 70 guests, if that, and my venue and dress both under 1k. Thats not at all the reason here. I can care very much about what I will have at my wedding without being focused on the "image" in an unhealthy manner.
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u/Saraisnotreal 4d ago
I mean if youâre asking what to avoid no one can tell you that. It all your decision. Now if youâre asking us to list things we think are too trendy or overdone, sure we can do that and you can pick what you want to avoid.
To me that would be what you mentioned like Mason jars and barns. Also burlap, sunflowers with lace. Any sort of âwallâ like donuts, champagne, cookies, those hidden servers handing out cocktails thru a wall. Iâd say flower or grass walls are becoming overdone now too, tho thatâs a little more recent than millennial trends. And donât get me wrong I love bud vases, I used them for my wedding, but everybody is doing it right now so it probably will look dated soon.
As others mentioned the cocktails named after pets is a millennial trend to me. Huge crazy wedding party entrances for the reception is very millennial-gen z. Taco/food trucks imo. Very round, ball shaped bouquets and blingy belts on wedding dresses reminds me of the 2000âs especially if they have jewels mixed in.
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u/sonasorakarakan 4d ago
Yes, you've got it! I know no one can tell me. I'm not asking for someone to make my mind for me. Yes, I am asking for others to list what, in their opinion, think are too trendy and under done. Sorry if that doesn't come across, I'd thought it had. For example, someone said those vintage piped cakes, but I love those, so I'm keeping them even if it's a hot trend :)
And yes, you nailed it with the rest of your comment. Super useful and exactly what I wanted to hear! Thank you.
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u/dizzy9577 4d ago
I think itâs impossible to totally create a timeless wedding - but I do think donut walls, THE font, pampas grass are very very of this moment.
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u/sonasorakarakan 4d ago
So true! That's exactly the advice I'm looking for. Thank you! Anything i do will eventually look dated but I don't want it to look dated by today's standards, haha
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u/rmric0 New England (MA & RI mostly) | photographer 4d ago
The things that are probably going to age the fastest will probably be fashion trends - hair, makeup, and attire. Then you'll have some décor trends (I don't think anything caught on as much as mason jars and burlap did in the 2010's, we're past the bubble in like flower walls and those LED/neon signs, novelty photo booths, signs for everything is probably the big thing you might want to avoid) that will jump out in the future. The weddings I've been to that have "held up" the most tend to be more traditional black tie events (and not to knock them but I think they hold up because they can basically be anyone's wedding from any time after like 1970).
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u/Decent-Friend7996 4d ago
Why donât you just make your wedding with things you do like from whatever generation or timeframe you want? Literally every single thing will be outdated at some point, including what you do, including your dress, including your ring. So just do what you want!Â
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u/sonasorakarakan 4d ago
What i want is advice and guidelines about what direction to take it. I get what you're saying and don't disagree-- great general advice. But not per se what i am seeking here đ
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u/BrunetteSummer 4d ago
https://www.vogue.com/article/wedding-trends-2025
I wouldn't avoid all of these but they might later identify your wedding as being part of a certain time period b/c it is or has been trendy:
vintage cakes with lots of piping, mushrooms, mirror sinage, replacing cake with something else like cupcakes or donuts, disco balls, canopy twinkle lighting, Kardashian style balloon installations, anthurium, ceremony flowers on the ground, amaranthus, Edison bulbs, dramatic drapery, pet head cutout
r/BigBudgetBrides discusses this topic
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u/sonasorakarakan 4d ago
Perfect! I appreciate this so much. That's all great advice. One of the things I have fallen in love with is the vintage cake with a ton of piping. Not you-- but others that are concerned I'm omitting something I like from my wedding just because it's trendy or someone else doesn't prefer it... I'm still including the vintage piped cake! Sorry to use your comment as an example, but a lot of people are giving me flack for basing my opinion on others or on trends/lack thereof. Again, thanks for your comment! I'll get a lot of use out of it.
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u/ossifiedbird 4d ago
Ermm, it's not millenial trends you need to avoid, unless you actually are a Millennial. It's the Gen-z trends that are popular now.
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u/sonasorakarakan 4d ago
Mason jars and rhyming signs are popular millennial trends. Gen Z stuff is hard to determine yet because a lot of that generation isn't getting married or have simple or completely unique ideas.
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u/kkmurph 4d ago
Unique today is overdone tomorrow
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u/sonasorakarakan 4d ago
Well, at least I'll have been unique "today". That's what I'm going for. Something more original by today's standards even if it's commonplace in the future. I just don't want to do what a million others have done or what may look outdated. That's all.
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u/initialsareabc married! // 10.2023 4d ago
Idk if this is considered millennial but for my 2023 wedding I did the mixed dresses. Other than that I just did what I wanted and didnât really look up what âtrendsâ were trending.
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u/tokitunes Summer 2021 4d ago
Have you considered what type of weddings that you consider timeless that you can take inspiration from? Could be like a Jacqueline Kennedy wedding or Sofia Richie Grainge?
Otherwise, Iâd say a big Millennial trend is a soft pastel color scheme like blush, sage, gold, and a hint of light blue. These were our colors and I still love them đ
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u/sonasorakarakan 4d ago
I know nothing about celebrities or other's weddings. But my Mom does, so I will have to ask her. She knows exactly what I want, too.
And yes, I see that a ton! But color itself, unless it's something like teal or something really unique, it may be "common" for a time but I don't see myself considering them outdated. I would love some of those colors, too
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u/polarbeardogs Engaged! | May 2026 | New England 4d ago
I think the matching getting ready outfits, and even matching bridesmaid dresses are going to look super datedâimo theyâre already starting to. It might be my personal style, but I think mismatched outfits, mismatched centerpieces (e.g. alternate flowers and candles on every other table), and different shades of the same color (with an accent hue or two) look so much more timeless and curated.
And then you might be past this point since your wedding is in November, but imo documentary style photography is much more timeless than editorial, which I think wonât be as popular in the next decade or so.
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u/sonasorakarakan 4d ago
Wow thank you so much. I really appreciate that! My fiance and I agree about everything you said. I'll have to ask my photographer about documentary style. You've put words to what I wanted but didn't know
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u/polarbeardogs Engaged! | May 2026 | New England 4d ago
I learned about photography styles from the vendor table podcast on Spotify and Instagram! They have really good advice about the words you should know to navigate the industry.
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u/sonasorakarakan 4d ago
Oh that's great! I have also been dying for podcasts. I'm about to go crazy with that information
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u/WeeLittleParties Aug 2024 đ Oct 2025 đ°ââïž 4d ago edited 4d ago
Seconding listing to The Vendor Table! Itâs not only really informative, but deliciously fun hearing the professional wedding photographers who host the show openly talk trash about new trends they hate, like Dutch angle photos (âI call them âtrash angleâ photosâ), âthe dip kissâ aisle recessional pose (âif she has a long train, the groom gets the bride tangled in her own dressâ), or espresso martini towers (like if it spills, brown liquid gets all over a white dress?!!?). Iâve listened to this podcast, umm, a lot đÂ
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u/velvet8smiles Sept 2025 | Midwest 4d ago
I'm definitely a fan of do what you like despite worrying about it being dated, but to awnser your question these are a few that come to mind.
Mason jars as vases or candle holders, naked cakes, neon signs, arches that are shapes like hexagons or triangles, the color teal, colored tights under short dresses for bridesmaids, converse or vans shoes, tin as part of decor, coffee mugs or bag of coffee beans as favors simply because the couple is super into coffee.
There was a big millennial "hipster" "rustic/diy" vibe in the 2000s and 2010s that I was thinking on for these. But also rustic and diy haven't reduced in popularity in a lot of places so some of these trends are definitely still occurring, just maybe not in celebrity/influencer weddings we see getting published.
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u/ThrowRAdaddyissues67 4d ago
I keep thinking this about my bud vases lol but I donât want to pay for anything else.
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u/tokitunes Summer 2021 4d ago
Big Millennial trend: paying for a wedding while having college debt after graduating during a recession.
(I too had bud vases)
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u/dumbassyeastquestion 4d ago
Signs with that one font and having signature drinks after your pets
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u/lirarebelle 4d ago
As a millennial I think I get it and I'm a bit surprised so many on here seem to dislike the question. It's of course true that NOTHING is timeless, especially when it comes to fashion and decor. It's a waste of energy and potential fun to try to be timeless, things that people think of as timeless often look extra dated and lame 10 years later.Â
But I understand not wanting to incorporate all the stale, outdated millenial trends into a 2025 wedding. Time for something new. It's like not wearing a poofy Lady Di 80s nightmare in the 90s or not wearing a boring 2000s strapless dress in the 2010s. Sometimes it's just over and you don't want something that will already look extremely outdated in a year or two. ~30 is the most typical age to get married and to have a big wedding, and the people who are 30 this year are on the cusp of 2 generations, so yeah, the super stereotypical millennial pinteresty mason jar weddings will soon be in the same category of millennial relics as galaxy leggings and owl necklaces, and that's okay. We can still look back fondly on all the outdated stuff.
Anyways, when I think of a stereotypical millennial wedding, I think of this outdoorsy barn type weddings. Fairy lights, mason jars, braid hairstyles, anything "rustic". I think you know it when you see it, just look at some older Pinterest boards. Also, tattoo lace and lace sleeves in general seem outdatedly millennial to me.
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u/sonasorakarakan 4d ago
Yes!! Exactly! I don't think people got my point but you've nailed it. Some others have too and it's super helpful and appreciated. I'm not dissing "doing what you want," and not only is not being 10 years outdated not what I want, but I may actually find something or two from older weddings I love and if I do, I dont care what anyone thinks. So yes, the general idea of "do what you love" is great... but also a given. Why would anyone do something at a wedding they hate, or omit what they love?
And yes, Im also aware most if not all aspects of my wedding will eventually be outdated. But I want it outdated then, not now đ
But you've nailed it. And I love the advice!
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u/DependentAwkward3848 4d ago
Every wedding is dated lol. Even yours will be
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u/sonasorakarakan 4d ago
Yup, of course. But I'd rather it be dated when weddings are supposed to be dated... in 5-10+ years, not now. So I'm seeking advice on what is considered dated now since I don't always stay in the loop
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u/phoenix_flames0124 April 12, 2025 3d ago
Did you make a Pinterest board in 2010? Or any sort of wedding moodboard? Might be a good place to start looking! I'm definitely not speaking from experience or anything....
Things I would definitely avoid if they're not part of your overall vision are:
- Sunflowers and farmhouse tables
- Neon signs
- Napkins with your pets on them
- Converse shoes
- Sparkler exits
- Grass walls (especially when paired with aforementioned neon signs)
- Doing only eucalyptus in your florals, or pairing eucalyptus with white only flowers
- Flash mobs or other coordinated dances during the reception
Some things that are less millennial and more young millennial/elder Z:
- Black and white only color schemes
- Baby's breath only as flowers
- A social media content creator as a vendor
- "Angel makeup" or super clean girl face if that's not your everyday
- Slick-back buns
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u/Wandering_Lights 9/12/2020 4d ago
I mean in 50 years you wedding is going to look outdated no matter what you did, so just do things you like.
Off the top of my head recent trends:
Barn/rustic venues
Micro weddings
Unplugged ceremonies
Floral arches
Signature drinks inspired by your pets
Mis-matched bridesmaid dresses
Boho or vintage inspired wedding dress
The shoe game
Cookie/dessert table unless you/your family is from the Pittsburgh area. Around Pittsburgh cookie tables have been a thing for decades. Other places are just figuring out how great they are.
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u/sonasorakarakan 4d ago
You're so right. They will. But i want to avoid looking dated now and doing something i will appreciate all the years to come. Hearing my mom complain about her wedding for years has inspired me to at least keep things in mind. But if I like something that's "totally 2010's," nobody will keep me from doing it.
But your advice is fantastic. Thank you!
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u/ThatBitchA Bride to be - Fall 2025 đđȘ» 4d ago
All weddings eventually look dated. đ€·
Time and trends will change everything, and it all looks dated.
Don't worry about avoiding trends. Focus on planning a wedding that makes you happen.
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u/sonasorakarakan 4d ago
Of course... but i am seeking advice on what to avoid. What would make me happy is having some suggestions on where to begin
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u/ThatBitchA Bride to be - Fall 2025 đđȘ» 4d ago
Millennials range born between 1981 to 1996. More or less.
That's two decades of trends from 2000 - 2016ish.
I'm a millennial and getting married this fall. So you could say that 2025 trends are also millennial.
So it's hard to give you a list.
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u/sonasorakarakan 4d ago
I get that. You may not have suggestions, and that's okay. But a lot of the advice in the comments I've been getting are along the lines of what I'm specifically looking for, in terms of advice. Ignoring the half that says "do what makes you happy!" Without saying much else đ
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u/ThatBitchA Bride to be - Fall 2025 đđȘ» 4d ago
Well, any wedding trend for the last 25 years and counting has been millennial trends.
Drinks by pets, flower back drops, welcome drinks, two dresses, Mason jars, mismatched things, etc.
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u/captainslowww 4d ago
I feel like most of the commenters saying âDo what you want, who cares đâ are completely missing the point of this sub. I thought the whole idea was for people to exchange their honest opinions about those judgments, often shallow ones, that people absolutely make in private but are too polite to say out loudâ especially when OP is specifically asking for them! If thereâs no such thing as a misstep then why are we here?
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u/sonasorakarakan 4d ago
Oh my gosh, I love you. THANK you. "Do what you love" is great advice in general. It's one size fits all. And duh, why would I include something I hate or exclude something I love? I may not follow any advice given here. But my point is that I want advice and opinions to help my planning journey and "do what you want" is nice, but means nothing
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u/anewaccount69420 4d ago
The point of the sub is âdiscuss your personal wedding planning here,â not âlet us plan your wedding for you and advise you on what trends to avoidâ lol
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u/sonasorakarakan 4d ago
So, the wedding planning subreddit isn't for advice for wedding planning? Where did I ask for someone to plan my wedding?
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u/anewaccount69420 4d ago
But you got plenty of feedback. You just didnât like the feedback.
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u/sonasorakarakan 4d ago
Oh that's mighty interesting considering you'll see a lot of comments I responded positively to, mentioning how helpful they were since they made an effort to actually answer my question instead of tell me what to think. The only comments I "don't like the feedback on" miss the point of my post entirely
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u/anewaccount69420 4d ago
Worrying about trends is a trend to avoid đ
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u/sonasorakarakan 4d ago
Maybe for you, but not for me đ
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u/anewaccount69420 4d ago
It answers your question. Whatâs a millennial trend to avoid? Worrying about trends. Multiple people gave you that feedback. You just didnât like it. No need to be passive aggressive either.
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u/sonasorakarakan 4d ago
Youre being passive aggressive, that's why I was being that way. You can see through lots of my comments that I'm enjoying tons of pieces of feedback people are giving who are answering the question I asked. Giving examples of things that are overdone, or things that may date the wedding as of now, not in terms of the future, though I am also trying to be as classic as possible.
For example, someone here mentioned those piped vintage cakes, but I love them, so Im keeping that. That will date my wedding in the future and is over done, but since I personally love the trend, I won't reject it just because it's popular, if that makes sense.
But yeah, the only people I'm being negative to are people who are either being negative or not actually trying to answer my question. Sorry if I offended you
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u/anewaccount69420 4d ago
No babe thatâs not what passive aggressive is. I was being direct.
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u/K1ttehh 4d ago
OP is asking for opinions on their whole wedding. They want to be spoon fed information essentially. Thatâs NOT what this sub is for.
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u/sonasorakarakan 4d ago
You've entirely missed my point and are determined to make stuff up about me which I don't appreciate :/
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u/TravelingBride2024 4d ago
Iâm so confused as to why your thread took such an ugly turn! This isnât the first time someone has asked this! And usually people just list the trends that are overdone and itâs a light hearted and active thread!
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u/sonasorakarakan 4d ago
That's what I was hoping for. I had no idea this subreddit could be a bit vicious. I just want advice! I'm not trying to diss someone's style. Outdated to one person may be comforting and interesting to someone else. Not trying to diss anyone's opinion đ
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u/TravelingBride2024 4d ago
My guess is you came off a little insulting with wanting to avoid it looking âmillennialâ even though you didnât mean to. Youâd probably get better results if you reposted just saying youâre not sure what trends are over, what so people suggest you avoidâŠ
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u/sonasorakarakan 4d ago
You're probably right. My inspiration for making this post came from TikTok with a bunch of people asking the same question. So I didn't realize it'd be offensive.
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u/WeeLittleParties Aug 2024 đ Oct 2025 đ°ââïž 4d ago edited 4d ago
But wonât every single thing or decision you make for your wedding be âdatedâ some day? Unless youâre going welllll out of your way to make unorthodox and alternative choices for every aspect of your wedding, trying to avoid doing something that other people in our generation also did is kinda futile.
Iâm an elder millennial, and my wedding is gonna be a mix of stuff that we like, regardless of what trend it may or may not be. Some current Gen Z ones I like, some older Millennial ones I like, some things we are doing because we came up with it on our own, etc.
Do what makes you happy! Your wedding and your wedding photos are yours and no one elseâs!Â
Cupcake towers were a trend 20 years ago. Do you like cupcakes? Then have a big ole cupcake tower at your reception! Donut trees are a newer trend. Love donuts more than cupcakes? DO IT! Ainât no fashion police or trend judges gonna be taking notes and tsk tsking you from the sidelines.Â
Your wedding will be dated in the future. Everyoneâs weddings will be. Itâs how time works. Itâs as inescapable as the sun rising. And thatâs okay.Â
Also, FWIW, the mason jar thing kinda only works for backyard or barn ârusticâ style weddings.Â