Wedding season is upon us, and it seems as though they are less traditional than they used to be.

That's according to Dawn Schmidt, who is a wedding coordinator at the Niverville Heritage Centre. She says weddings are a lot smaller than they used to be. “Years ago we invited extended family, but if you're not close to extended family nowadays, you don't invite them. You only invite people you want to have there, in that way I think it has changed.” 

Wedding Coordinator Dawn Schmidt from the Niverville Heritage Centre.

Schmidt says engagements tend to be longer because venues and photographers can book up years in advance. As far as the location of the ceremony, Schmidt says only about a quarter of couples are getting married in a church.

With style, Schmidt says it varies. “Some are black tie, charming outdoor, shabby chic, and really popular right now is the rustic look or a vintage theme.”

Schmidt adds weddings are expensive, and an average wedding will cost between $25,000 and $30,000, depending on what the bride picks.

Photographer Ariana Tennyson, recently received recognition for her work by Wedding Bells magazine as one of the top 30 most inspiring photographers in Canada for 2016. She says the biggest change in wedding trends right now is that there aren't any rules. “I feel like before there were a lot of guidelines to follow, and now I feel like there's a lot more room to move.”

Local Photographer Ariana Tennyson. (Photo credit: Ariana Tennyson)Tennyson says couples are more creative with their photos, and the location of their photo shoot. “I feel like couples that are hiring me are looking for relaxed, candid, and intimate shots. It's okay to have your photos taken in a forest or meadow, and not necessarily in the most beautiful building.”

With that in mind, Tennyson says most couples are choosing to have alternative venues. “I am shooting some ceremonies in churches, but most of my weddings are happening outside at peoples homes, or if they find a beautiful location, like a park. I've shot quite a few weddings at cabins by the lake, which is gorgeous.”

Tennyson says this year for wedding themes anything goes, from really classy to shabby chic.

Wendy Heier from Heier Designs Florist in Steinbach says the trend in flowers is that anything goes. “It's all across the board, meaning there is no set trend. Each bride tends to pick unique flowers suited to their own uniqueness. A few years ago there was a trend in burlap, but that isn't the case now.”

Wedding Coordinator Dawn Schmidt from Niverville Heritage Centre notes, the bride and groom should just relax and enjoy the day. “Anything that might go wrong can't be planned, just enjoy yourself and let the day flow the way it does. If anything goes wrong, so be it, that's what life does.”