Let’s face it, Portland, Oregon for all of its rich and storied history is a quirky city full of quirky folks who love to mark a special occasion in their own unique way – and Portland wedding trends are no exception! According to Portland wedding photographer, Taylor of Taylor and Madye Photography, 2019 has been a year of “breaking away from the obligation of old traditions such as large wedding parties, garter tosses, and receiving lines and instead, doing something new and fun that creates a wedding that is unique and personalized. The name of the game is doing what you feel reflects YOU. No stress, more fun!”
Taylor Tunes, Event Director here at the Victorian Belle Mansion agrees! “Wedding trends, especially for summer 2019 are fun, rather than formal! We’re seeing garden parties, picnic concepts, lawn games, and “movies in the park” ideas in place of the old traditions. Today, a couple can throw an event that is reflective of their lives together and the activities they enjoy. Just because you are throwing a wedding, does not mean you require a white gown, fancy wedding cake, and first dances. We love throwing events that are as unique as the couple getting married!”
We reached out to a few more of our favorite contacts in the local wedding and special event industry to find out what that means as far as the trends they’ve been seeing throughout 2019. Here’s what they had to say:
Bridal Makeup Trends
Professional Portland-based makeup artist, Brittany Blanchard, who provides hair, makeup, and lash services to local brides says it’s all about natural, authentic beauty:
“The biggest 2019 trend I’ve noticed is brides wanting more natural wedding makeup looks as well as relaxed hairstyles. Brides want to look and feel like themselves. This year I have gotten a lot of bridal makeup requests for bronzed and glowy looks, with more focus on fresh skin than anything else.”
Wedding Photography Trends
Taylor of Taylor and Madye Photography explains that “Couples are choosing to have a wedding that reflects who they are rather than sticking with traditions that don’t resonate with them. Whether that be entering the reception alongside a couple of llamas or bucking the traditional wedding day timeline entirely and having a large cocktail party that casually happens to turn into a ceremony, couples are ready to have FUN and stop stressing about fulfilling these sometimes outdated ceremonial traditions that just don’t hold true to them.”
Wedding Music Trends
Justin Babbitt, AKA DJ Paradox explains, “Music trends have busted wide open over the last 5 years and we are playing less and less traditional wedding and love songs. We do get couples that really like EDM or Hip Hop for example and want us to use our expertise to incorporate their unique flavor while still appealing to the tastes of their guests. Sometimes, the bride and groom will have us play a Hip Hop-inspired cocktail set or acoustic covers of their favorite EDM songs. I put together a couple of these modern cocktail and dinner playlists on our Spotify account, for example. [Modern Cocktail Songs; Modern Dinner Songs]
Wedding Menu Trends
The Executive Chef at the Victorian Belle, Carl Henderson III sees a trend toward healthy, light wedding fare, “Everybody is really watching what they eat, not just the calories but the quality, freshness, and flavor of the ingredients. As a result, a lot of couples are going extremely healthy and casual for their wedding and reception menus. Salad cups, charcuterie, fresh skewers, wraps filled with greens, and super grains, and entrees that are light and healthy are all popular requests.
Couples also frequently want their guests to be able to mingle and enjoy each other’s company with lighter fare and appetizers as opposed to formal, sit down dining. DIY trends are also making an appearance with ‘loaded’ or ‘build your own’ pasta and salad bars. Plated meals are always extraordinary and elegant, but they are also limiting in many ways. With DIY bars, wedding and reception guests can eat what they like, and less food goes to waste!”
Wedding Beverage and Bar Trends
Taylor Tunes sees this trend toward healthy choices at the Victorian Belle with fewer weddings and receptions including hard alcohol. She says instead, “couples [are] choosing Italian soda bars or bubble tea bars! We love the versatility this offers, and guests still get the experience of going to a bar and picking their beverage. Your wedding drink budget should never prevent you from throwing a great wedding. Many couples think they have to do things a ‘certain way’ because of tradition or the way things have ‘always been done’, but that’s just not the case anymore!”
