8 Micro-Wedding Trends in Charlotte During COVID for Small Weddings
Here at OMJ, we have been especially busy this wedding season. We specialize in custom and ready wear suiting, and despite a global pandemic many couples are still tying the knot, although many are doing so a little bit differently. Planning a wedding in Charlotte during COVID-19? We have got you covered, as we recently reached out to some of our wedding industry professional friends to share how Charlotte couples are adapting their wedding plans to still hold meaningful celebrations at a fraction of the size. We hope this will be helpful, and best of of luck!
For more information on our wedding suiting program and pricing, check out our wedding page.
{Vendor Credits: Host + Planning: @ellisandcote; Photographer: @erikapackett; Design + Floral: @bloomingbranchcreative; Venue: @the_andrews_farm; Bride's Attire: @lovelybrideclt; Groom's Attire: @omjclothing; Hair + Make-Up: @calistottartistry; Jewelry: @thegoldencarrotshop; Stationery + Paper: @amcreativestudio; Ceremony Art: @hilary_siber; Cocktails: @theoldfashionedmobilebarnc; Dessert: @kingofpopsclt; Rentals + Draping: @partyreflections; AV + Lighting: @partyreflectionspro; Model: @leandracreativeco}
1. Weddings are moving to backyards for control and customization.
“Backyard weddings are great for a number of reasons,” shared Erin Kelly, owner of The Old Fashioned Mobile Bar. “First of all - they do not face the fear of being canceled. There is a level of control, which can bring a lot of peace-of-mind to the couple.
Backyard weddings are also special because it is personal. All the extraneous items have been cut -- and only the meaningful touches remain. We are seeing a lot of customized craft cocktails to honor a grandfather that could not travel to the event - and sending those ingredients to the grandfather so he can partake while he watches on Zoom.
Also - everything can be customized to their needs. Some venues have strict hours or procedures. In the backyard, everything is up to the couple. We're seeing an uptick in wanting champagne and beer before the ceremony to welcome folks to the event. At the end of the day, the wedding is about the couple getting married. I think backyard weddings have helped get back to the root of what is most important -- celebrating their love for one another.”
{Vendor Credits: See earlier.}
2. Couples are splurging on higher-end rentals since the guest list is cut.
Chairs, tables and linen rentals are some of the most expensive items at a wedding. So when your guest list suddenly goes from 150 to 12, you have room in the budget to go for the wow-factor rentals.
More couples are splurging on upholstered chairs, or choosing table linens that normally would be outside of the budget on a larger-scale wedding.
{Vendor Credits: Dress: @lovelybrideclt; Designer: @loversxsociety; MakeUp/Hair: @looklovebeauty; Photography/Video: @connectionphotography; Venue:; @northcornerhavenweddings; Florals/Fan: @merakiblommor; Models: @haileynewmann & @devanpolk; Custom Suit: @omjclothing}
3. Brides are gravitating towards effortless gowns to match their venues.
“We are noticing our brides are loving gowns that are unique but timeless,” shared ReAnne Moyer, owner of Lovely Bride Charlotte.
“Whether it’s a micro-wedding or elopement, brides ultimately want to look and feel their best in a gown that also fits the vibe of their venue, regardless of the number of guests allowed to be in attendance. For our destination wedding brides, they are often looking for a gown that feels effortlessly romantic.”
{Vendor Credits: See earlier.}
4. Grooms are picking more unique suits outside of the black-and-white tux (and buying matching masks!)
Our Co-Founder, Bradley Rhyne weighed in on this one!
“Without a doubt more of our grooms are selecting unconventional wedding tuxes or suits during COVID. For us, it’s been a joy to help couples re-route their original plans into something that lends to the personality of the day. Men are able to prioritize more budget towards the suit, and less formal gatherings allow for more freedom on how to interpret a wedding-look."
"In today's landscape there are even less suiting options for the grooms and their groomsmen. In fact, many times we see what the grooms wears is hardly even considered. The options are either renting something, or buying something custom that often comes with a large price tag. We worked really hard to have an accessible price point and something for all budgets. Brides often spend so much time picking out the right dress, they should be standing beside a groom that looks great too. This is a special day for the guys to, and grooms don't want to look back on their wedding pictures 10 years from now and realize they mailed it in on their wedding day attire.
"We’ve also helped couples design and execute wedding masks, something that would have sounded completely foreign six months ago. Couples are passing out masks to all 20 people at their wedding to keep things looking put-together. We can easily design a matching groom’s suit and wedding mask.”
For more information on wedding suiting , visit our wedding page.
{Vendor Credits: Photography: @erikapackett ; Planning/Design/Floral: @bloomingbranchcreative ; Rentals: @oldsouthcollection; Bridal Gown: @eleanorsbridal; Hair and Make-Up: @theposhpaletteartistry; Rings: @rawbyoliviamar; Earrings: @clay_and_feather; Bride's Shoes: @anthropologie; Groom's Suit: @omjclothing; Paper: @ruthiekellar.studio; Cake: @craftcakesclt; Model: @laurenbick}
5. Brides are looking for sun-kissed makeup and wearing their hair down.
“Brides have gravitated towards us for their micro weddings and elopements because with a less elaborate day, they feel the need to look more like themselves but photo-ready,” shared Kristine Heiman, owner of The Posh Palette Artistry.
“They definitely have a much more carefree approach to how they look. The makeup is much fresher but where looks are really changing is hair. Hair is free and down, or textured and in a soft updo with lots of face-framing pieces to help embody the whimsical feel they are going for. With all the stress 2020 bride and grooms have had to face, they want their micro weddings and elopements to be fun and are literally letting their hair down!”
{Vendor Credits: See earlier.}
6. Couples are cutting out tradition and incorporating what they love into their big day.
“More couples are able to choose what they really want to do - how they want to spend their day and what is most important to them,” shared photographer Erika Packett.
“Often when a couple reaches out saying that COVID has changed their plans, the response is, "We're so relieved to have a smaller wedding, and this feels more like us." And then we get to approach planning their wedding day from a "What do you enjoy doing, and how do you want to feel on your day?" mindset, instead of the traditional, "This is a wedding so you have to do x,y,z." mindset.”
{Vendor Credits: Venue + Food + Drink: @alchemyc3lab; Creative Design + Photography: @dani_nicole_photography; Videography: @childress_media; Wedding Dress: @lovelybrideclt; Designer: @vagabond_bridal; Earrings: @craftbymeg; Bridal Shoes: @lulusweddings; Bridal Shoes Artist: @kentyoungstrom; Suit: @omjclothing; Hair + Makeup: @beautyasylum @michellediannesalon; Models: @itsangelfaithh @camduceus; Floral Design: @bookoutblooms; Rentals: @oldsouthcollection @_unspokendesigns_ @csspecialevents; Cake: @sweetitisclt; Paper Design + Goods: @eoletters}
7. Smaller receptions mean more floral design focus on the ceremony.
“Since the pandemic, couples are primarily ordering flower ceremony pieces,” said Ashley Pittman of Book Out Blooms.
"Not needing table centerpieces for a dozen tables allows for the focus to return to the ceremony. Go for a full-scale flower arch (Princess Beatrice did this for her micro-wedding) or pick avant-garde designs to highlight the alter."
{Vendor Credits: See earlier.}
8. Couples are wearing accessories that can be worn many times.
“Re-wearing an accessory from a special day recreates those memories made,” shared Meghan Patrick, owner of Craft By Meg. “Your partner will love seeing you wear something tied to your wedding and then you can both enjoy those happy memories together!
I’d encourage any bride or groom to take advantage of this time and find a maker to create something special for your day!”
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For more information on our wedding suiting program and pricing, check out our wedding page.
OMJ is an award winning clothing and lifestyle brand founded and created in Charlotte, NC in 2013 and has a retail store in Southend's Design Center of the Carolinas in between Jeni's Ice Cream and Superica.
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