As we move into another new year, we also take time to look back on the past year. While we continue to work with many wonderful couples, we see that trends change as the years go by. Last year was no exception. Here are the top new trends we saw in 2024 for central Wisconsin weddings.
About 90% of our couples choose to have their ceremony here on the property. On Friday the ceremony area is set up either inside or outside, depending on the weather and the couples preference. In some cases, the ceremony officiant may not be comfortable leading rehearsal. That is where we step in. We help with getting the bridal party down the aisle, and can also lead rehearsal. This reduces the stress level of both the couple and the officiant.
When we first started hosting weddings in 206, after rehearsal on Friday, everyone would leave for dinner offsite. Now many couples choose to have their rehearsal dinners here at the barn. We have a large, separate space downstairs that can accommodate this event. Last year it was common to have 40-50 guests for the dinner. This way the bridal party's plus one could attend, along with additional family and friends.
A few years ago the average bridal party size was twelve. Now the size seems to be getting larger, up to 20 people. To accommodate the larger bridal party, some couples are choosing to have a sweetheart table, where just the bride and groom are the head table. The rest of the bridal party would sit in front of them. This is a nice option for both a larger bridal party and if they have significant others and/or families.
Dress styles have changed as well. Many Brides will now choose the color for her bridesmaid dresses, but lets the girls choose their own style. This works well, so they are comfortable in what they are wearing on the big day. Groomsmen clothing has become simpler. We still see the full tux sometimes, but we also see dress shirts and even jeans. All styles seem to fit well with this atmosphere.
When you think of a typical wedding dessert, it used to be a large tiered cake. Then it was cupcakes. Now we are seeing a wide variety of desserts. Cupcakes still seem to be pretty popular, but we also see cheesecake, pie, cookies, and even ice cream - perfect for those summer weddings. We do not require a licensed baker so some couples enlist their family to do the baking. Some weddings have a variety of desserts - cupcakes, as well as some cookies or chocolate treats. This seems to appease everyone's sweet tooth. Just keep in mind, the more variety you offer, the more each guest may want to take as they want to try each kind.
We highly recommend having late night food at each wedding. Pizza seems to always be the most popular choice as two pizzerias deliver right to the barn. If you have some helpers, late night nachos/tacos have gone over very well. It is different than the standard pizza and gives the guests the opportunity to choose their own toppings. If you have any leftover, it is easy to save and reuse. It does take a bit more work, so be prepared to delegate the tasks of making sure the meat is warm enough, toppings are put into serving dishes and everything is set up.
As with everything, what may be a trend last year, may not be this year. It will be fun to see what sticks around and the new ideas that develop. We enjoy staying connected with our couples throughout the planning process and provide tips, just like these.