Outdated Wedding Trends You'll Want To Skip For Your 2025 Nuptials

Once upon a Pinterest board, mason jars were the height of sophistication, chalkboard signs whispered sweet nothings at every corner, and burlap reigned as a tablescape supreme. But times (and tastes) have changed. This also goes for the dozens of traditions of yesteryear that you once envisioned on your special day, which you may want to reconsider.

If you're planning your 2025 "I do's" and want a celebration that feels modern, magical, and unmistakably you, it's time to bid a fond farewell to some trends that have officially overstayed their welcome. Think of this as your gentle nudge to unpin that glittery table runner and reconsider the Great Gatsby-themed reception. You could even wear pants to your wedding (and look good doing it). 

New Jersey wedding planner and founder of Rothweiler Event Design, Danielle Rothweiler, weighs in on the trends that you should say goodbye to before saying "I do."

Ah, the garter toss. That moment when a groom dives under a bride's dress — sometimes to a drumroll, often to the collective cringe of grandma and the bridal party — and emerges triumphantly with a lacy little relic. But was that cringe actually warranted? Well, yes. Danielle Rothweiler exclusively tells Women that garter tosses are "completely out and they have been for some time (thankfully)." She adds, "Honestly, looking back, I wonder why it was ever a trend to begin with!"

Though there is a debate as to where and when the cringey wedding tradition originated, Kimberly Chrisman-Campbell, a fashion historian and author, told Vogue in December 2024 that the tradition likely originated in the burlesque scene, as several silent film stars and entertainers dazzled World War II soldiers by tossing garters. Vogue also noted that the garter toss went on to "signify the bride's deflowering." Cringey. These days? It feels more like a slightly awkward intermission in your love story. Not only is it a bit of a tonal mismatch with the heartfelt vows you exchanged earlier that day, but it can also feel outdated, overly suggestive, and unnecessarily performative. Plus, no one really knows what to do with the garter after catching it — hang it from their rearview mirror? Frame it? Rothweiler says that even bouquet tosses are past their heyday and are being replaced with anniversary dances. The takeaway? Stop tossing things to your guests.

Once the gold standard of good manners, the receiving line was your big chance to shake 187 hands, accept 52 compliments about your dress, and smile so hard your cheeks filed for workers' comp. Positioned between ceremony and cocktails, this tradition was meant to ensure every guest got a moment with the newlyweds and their VIPs. Thankfully, according to exclusive insight from Danielle Rothweiler, this tradition is showing up less and less, but she notes that some parents still ask about it.

Rothweiler notes, "[The absence of a receiving line] allows the guests to go directly to the cocktail hour after the ceremony and for the couple to do anything, including taking more pictures, having time alone together, doing a room reveal, and actually enjoying the cocktail hour."

Couples today are opting for more organic ways to mingle — roaming the reception, sharing toasts, sneaking in selfies, and letting hugs happen naturally instead of assembly-line style. Besides, you didn't rent that dreamy floral arch just to stand beside it, shaking hands like you're running for office. Do everyone a favor, and ditch the receiving line.

Wedding favors were once charming little send-offs meant to tell guests, "Thanks for coming! Here's a monogrammed shot glass you'll forget in a drawer." Unless you're giving out gold coins or warm cookies for the ride home, chances are your well-intentioned tokens will not be lovingly cherished; they'll be politely ignored. Danielle Rothweiler tells Women that couples have been replacing the souvenirs with cards that ask attendees for donations. Rothweiler explained that this allows "the couple to put that money that would have been used for favors and instead use it as a charitable donation."

Couples are also opting for experiences that their guests will actually remember. Some are opting for the 360 Photo Booth, where guests can be silly and videos can be sent quickly and easily. Others are going for attractions like food trucks, and even live illustrators who provide drawn portraits for guests on site.

There was a time when weddings were choreographed down to the color swatch. Every napkin, boutonniere, and bridesmaid dress was painstakingly chosen to match, but let's face it, when everything is perfectly symmetrical, things can start to feel a little ... wedding catalog. Uniformity had its moment, and trends may be cyclical, but weddings today are less about rigid coordination and more about joyful contrast by playing with texture, tone, and personality.

Modern couples are embracing the beautiful mess of real life: mismatched bridesmaid gowns in complementary hues, handpicked florals that don't look like clones, and décor that feels collected, not copied. Because guess what? Your friends aren't background dancers — they're the supporting cast in your rom-com, and each one deserves a look that fits their vibe and makes them feel beautiful.

So go ahead and mix that velvet with linen, pair sage with rust, and let Aunt Peggy wear her statement earrings. Your wedding shouldn't look like it was poured from a mold. It should feel like you.