The beauty of modern wedding style is that it works at literally any venue—from hotels to barns to beaches. We’ve curated a collection of our favorite modern weddings from all over the world to provide you with endless design ideas. Browse through ceremony aisles, tablescapes, and dance floor details, and hire the vendors behind the modern weddings you love.
Modern weddings are increasingly popular among couples planning an epic celebration in the near future. These weddings vary in size from intimate to expansive, which can make creating your own modern wedding even easier for you and your partner.
Typically streamlined affairs that integrate a minimalist aesthetic, modern weddings are ideal for couples who love minimalism, chicness, and all that comes with that particular aesthetic. Finding modern wedding décor, dresses, and venues that complement this theme can help you and your partner to create a memorable and beautiful wedding that suits your personal tastes and that will appeal to your invited guests.
This guide to modern weddings will provide guidance and help in finding the right modern wedding venues, decor, dresses, and invitations for your upcoming event. With our directory of real weddings, you can also learn more information about everything from officiants who can host your ceremony to all the little (but very important) details you need to make your modern wedding extra special.
Whether you are planning an intimate modern wedding or a gala-style event with lots of guests, our directory and the information within it can provide you with the right inspiration. By looking through real-life weddings, which can be filtered by location or style, it’s easy to take note of everything you’re loving about each event. From there, you can start creating the wedding of your dreams that fits your and your partner’s budget and style.
So, what exactly makes a wedding modern? In general, eliminating outdated wedding traditions and creating streamlined ceremonies and decorations are some of the hallmarks of modern weddings. Here are some key elements of incorporating a modern aesthetic into your wedding:
In many cases, you can find inspiration for your modern wedding decor and other elements of your wedding by checking out real-life weddings via our directory. This can help you begin to create your own modern wedding and to choose the best venues for your upcoming ceremony and reception.
Finding the best modern wedding ideas for your once-in-a-lifetime event can be challenging. With the help of our directory, you can search for vendors, venues, and draw inspiration for modern wedding ideas from real-life weddings. Whether you are looking for a concept for your modern wedding decor or an example of modern wedding invitations wording to adapt and incorporate into your own unique wedding invites, you can quickly and easily find inspiration.
Crafting your own mood board (a popular choice among celebrity brides!) can also allow you to capture the look, feel, and style of your favorite modern weddings. From elegant and modern wedding venues to the most stunning modern wedding dresses, the entries on your mood board can allow you to create a cohesive look for your upcoming nuptials.
Working with a professional planner can also provide some much-needed help in managing all the moving parts of modern weddings. Wedding planners can help you to create truly personalized wedding ceremonies and receptions to reflect your love for each other.
Some of the most important design elements to keep in mind when planning your modern wedding include the following:
Planning modern and minimalist weddings can allow you to enjoy an elegant and beautiful wedding that will charm your guests and will reflect your own unique aesthetic. From modern wedding decor to the perfect officiants, finding the perfect elements for your event can allow you to plan the wedding of your dreams.
Following the latest trends in modern weddings can allow you to find the perfect ideas for wedding invitations, seasonal weddings, décor and many other aspects of your ideal ceremony and reception. You can also stay current with the most popular changes in how modern weddings are planned to ensure that your wedding includes the best modern wedding ideas. Your wedding planner is another great source of guidance and information on bringing your ideas to life and can provide you with assistance in the following areas:
Your wedding planner can assist you in finding modern wedding readings, songs, and even in finding the perfect modern wedding rings for your incredibly special day. By working with a knowledgeable professional, you can locate the perfect modern wedding venues and vendors to make your wedding an unforgettable experience.
Hotels, industrial event spaces, and museums are among the most popular venues for modern and minimalist weddings. Your venue will often influence the way in which you implement your theme. If you are considering an art-inspired event, for instance, art museums should be at the top of your list of modern wedding venues. Some of the most popular modern wedding venues include:
Hotels and event spaces: These modern wedding venues offer all the amenities you need to make your wedding a success. While you may need to apply your own modern wedding decor to some areas of the venue, opting for a hotel or meeting space can take much of the work out of preparing these modern wedding venues for your ceremony and reception. Unique architectural details can be a real bonus when choosing venues for modern weddings locally or around the globe.
Industrial venues for modern weddings: Vaulted ceilings and wide-open indoor spaces are characteristic of industrial wedding venues. Keep in mind that there could be some acoustical challenges that might come with these modern wedding venues, which presents a challenge when it comes to guests hearing your modern wedding readings or modern wedding songs. Working with your band or music professional can help you come up with simple solutions to give everyone in attendance the opportunity to hear the modern wedding songs and readings you have carefully selected for your ceremony.
Art and natural history museums: The clean lines and elegant atmosphere of art museums can make them the perfect venue for exchanging your modern wedding rings in the presence of your friends and family. If you are interested in science, a natural history museum could also provide the perfect location for your upcoming wedding.
Craft breweries: Some craft breweries double as modern wedding venues too. These locations can provide a comfortable and elegant setting for modern weddings and include all the facilities you will need for your ceremony and reception.
Lodges: If you have your heart set on a wedding in the mountains or in the desert, lodges offer the elegant backdrop that is so essential to the aesthetic of modern weddings. These scenic locations can also provide opportunities for photographs that will showcase the beauty of nature and your and your partner’s love for each other.
Outdoor weddings: One key to keeping outdoor venues modern and elegant is to focus on decor. Whether you are planning a beach wedding or a garden wedding, the natural beauty of the area will set off your modern theme and will usually require small (but incredibly significant) touches to create the perfect look. Consider black and white designs and more avant-garde furnishings to update the venue and to create a modern look for every aspect of your outdoor wedding.
Checking out the latest bridal collections can help you find modern wedding dresses that suit your own unique style. Some of the most important features of modern wedding dresses include clean lines and structured styles that are form-fitting and elegant. Shorter dresses and simple dresses for modern weddings are also extremely popular and can create a unique look for your upcoming ceremony and reception.
The timing of your wedding will also make a difference in your choice of attire. Modern wedding dresses for spring or summer weddings might be lighter and better suited for warmer climates. Meanwhile, fall or winter wedding dresses might feature sleeves or other accessories to keep you warm. Overall, however, feather-trimmed dresses, puff sleeves, tiered dresses, and wedding jumpsuits are all popular choices for modern wedding dresses in a wide array of venues.
Hair designs for modern weddings should complement the dress and other attire chosen for the ceremony and reception. Many modern wedding hair designs are elegant updos or simple loose arrangements that will suit the dress as well as the setting and the overall look and feel of your event.
Your choice of modern wedding rings will depend on the preferences of you and your partner. You can sometimes match modern wedding rings to planned attire. It may make more sense, however, to decide on the modern wedding rings you like best, regardless of your overall event aesthetic.
When planning your modern wedding decor, the core principles of simplicity and minimalist design should guide your decisions for the following elements:
Your modern wedding invites are often the first communication your wedding guests receive about your upcoming wedding plans. Making sure that this modern wedding invitation reflects the overall look and feel of your wedding can give your invited friends and family members an idea of what to expect when they arrive on the big day. Formal and modern wedding invitations wording can indicate the proper attire for guests planning to attend your wedding too. By creating a modern wedding invitation that includes all necessary information and that conveys the right tone, you can make things easier on your guests and yourself when planning the perfect wedding day.
The right typography and fonts can showcase your modern wedding invitations wording and can align your unique style with the overall aesthetic of your event. Consider minimalist-style fonts and more clean background images when creating your modern wedding invitation. This can allow your modern wedding invites to create the most positive impression on your guests and will serve as a treasured keepsake from your day.
Monochromatic invitations are a popular choice for modern weddings too. Black and white can create an ultra-chic look for your invitation. You can also opt for geometric patterns or more architectural looks that feature clean lines and elegant designs. These color schemes and themes are popular options for modern wedding invitations in both printed and digital formats.
Paperless wedding invites are a solid option for modern weddings. Even if you’re planning on sending physical invitations, you can limit the amount of paper you use by including any additional information on a custom wedding website. Here are some other very real benefits of making your modern wedding invites digital:
The cost of modern weddings generally depends on the venue you choose, your geographical area, your wedding vendors, and the number of guests you plan to invite. Although costs vary by state and venue, the estimated average cost of a wedding was about $30,000 in 2020.
Choosing modern wedding venues that are close to home can often save you money on transportation and other expenses. The state where you’re getting married will also have an impact on the cost of your modern wedding. For example, modern weddings in California typically require a larger investment in the venue than comparable weddings in other states.
Deciding on the number of guests you want to invite will also have an impact on the cost of your modern wedding. Larger modern weddings typically cost more in catering and may require larger venues and increased costs for modern wedding decor and rentals.
You may be able to reduce costs for modern wedding invitations by sending at least some of these important details digitally (via a wedding website, for example). Paperless modern wedding invites can cut down on the cost of printing and postage, which can allow you to save money for other aspects of your wedding plans.
Wedding dresses can also be a major expense for modern weddings. While the average cost of a wedding dress is estimated at $1,631, some top-end minimalist and modern wedding dresses can cost tens of thousands more. On top of that, tailored, structured, or tiered wedding dresses tend to be at the higher end of the price spectrum. If you want a simple and elegant white dress, however, the minimalist approach taken for modern weddings can often reduce the price you will pay for this element of wedding fashion.
While your wedding flowers are unlikely to be a major expense, you may pay a slightly higher price for some types of elegant modern flowers. For example, orchids and some lilies may be more expensive than more common flowers. Additionally, you may save money by choosing flowers that are in season and popular during the month of your modern wedding.
The choices you and your partner make about venues, wedding sizes, vendors, and other elements of your wedding will have a real impact on the amount you will spend for this major life event. Keep these in mind when starting your planning and budgeting process.
Planning modern weddings can be challenging, but it’s easy to find the vendors who can guarantee bringing your vision to life. You can start curating your ideas by looking through our directory, which includes photos, videos, and important information from real-life weddings that can provide the perfect inspiration for your upcoming ceremony and reception. With all of this inspiration, you can build your mood board, reach out to trusted professionals, and start to truly envision your perfect wedding day.