Top 3 Wedding Trends for 2016 – Are You Ready?

The year 2016 promises to be an exciting time for brides and grooms across the U.S., as well as right here in the DC Metro area. Whether it’s shunning cookie-cutter looks for a more personal approach, bringing a little bit of home to a destination wedding, or shifting away from the more traditional round-table approach, the weddings of 2016 are sure to be stunning, one-of-a-kind, and a fantastic way to celebrate such a milestone moment.

Here are the top 3 wedding trends for 2016:

From Pinterest to personal

Over the last several years, the event and party planners at Planet DJ Productions have noticed that a growing number of young couples (particularly brides) turned to social media as a source for inspiration. The #1 social media network for brides-to-be to find the ideal wedding styles and concepts has long been Pinterest.

However, 2016 suggests a shift away from that approach. It appears that the Pinterest-inspired wedding theme has become dated, and this year, couples want to showcase who they are, in an environment that doesn’t look contrived or, well, taken right from a Pinterest board.

That’s not to say that Pinterest and other social sites will no longer be used to help design your wedding day. Rather, couples getting married in 2016 are more likely to ensure their own style and touch is added to the look of the ceremony. This includes even turning to friends and family members for ideas on what they think would make for a good wedding “look.”

A destination wedding that brings you home again

While Planet DJ Productions is well-known for putting on some of the best weddings throughout the mid-Atlantic region, we also frequently participate in destination weddings.

Destinations weddings are equally exciting and scary, because there are many elements you’re just not sure of. Planning a wedding from thousands of miles away can leave a couple filled with anxiety (which is why we work hard to help ease the process along).

In 2016, we expect to continue to see destination weddings grow in popularity, but with a twist. Many people plan a destination wedding because they’re looking to think outside the box. They want a ceremony that is completely different than what they’d get if they were to host their ceremony in Washington, D.C. or Virginia.

However, 2016’s destination weddings are sure to bring a little touch of home to a far away place. Couples will increasingly look for ways to bring in elements of places that hold special memories to them, no matter where the actual wedding is held.

For example, a couple who was engaged on the front porch of a home might look to bring in a bench that looks just like the bench on that same front porch. The idea is that you can have guests feel like they’re in Virginia, for example, or whatever spot is close to your heart, while still enjoying the majesty of your exotic destination.

It’s all in the shapes

When it comes to wedding receptions, the norm for years has been to rent large, round tables for your guests to sit at. But 2016 is going to shake things up. Couples will move away from these round tables, because they often feel too much like a conference event. Rather, these couples will rent more modernized wedding décor, such as either very long, rectangular tables, or a mix of long tables surrounded by smaller square and round tables.

What’s the point of this? Well, when designed properly, these tables will create a more intimate vibe.

Bonus wedding trend – the barn

For the last few years, weddings held in barns have been a tremendously popular trend. Expect to see that trend continue well into 2016. What’s with this popular wedding trend? Well, it allows couples to create a relaxed setting while putting their own spin on rustic chic.

Stay on top of 2016s best wedding trends with Planet DJ Productions

At Planet DJ Productions, we help you design the wedding of your dreams, while making it easy for you to plan for the big day without the stress typically associated with the planning.

From our wedding DJs to our videography services and beyond, we’re sure to have everything you need to make your 2016 wedding one to remember. Contact us today to learn how we can help you create the weddings of your dreams. 

How to Make Your Special Events Glow – Literally and Figuratively

As a leader in event planning and entertainment throughout Washington D.C., Virginia, and the mid-Atlantic area, we’ve seen what it takes to make a great event even greater. It takes a special touch and eye toward detail. It takes knowing how to wow a crowd without overwhelming them.

It takes simplistic innovations.

At the crux of any successful event is the perfect lighting. If your event is overly lit, it won’t feel welcoming or magical. If it’s not lit enough, you risk alienating your guests. And while much time, money, and effort can (and likely should) go into such lighting aspects as bar washes, spotlighting, texture lighting and more, there is a different type of “lighting” that might make your wedding, celebration, or milestone event a truly unique experience.

It’s all about the glow.

Bringing the glow to your wedding or other celebration

While most people are at least somewhat familiar with glow sticks, the glow industry has expanded to include nearly every type of glow product, all or any of which might work for your upcoming event.

Glow mouth pieces are extremely popular with younger kids, but can make for some unforgettable photographs, even at the most formal of weddings.

Glow balls help bring interactive entertainment to your party. Turn out the lights and let your guests toss the glow ball around, from one end of the dance floor to another.

Glow wearables for your guests

Glow necklaces, bracelets, wristbands, glasses (yes, glow glasses) and even glow bunny ears all make for a great way to inject light-hearted humor to your event. Children, adults, and even grandparents can’t help but smile when they see themselves shine in various colors.

Getting even more intense with your glow products

Depending on the type of event you’re hosting, you might want to step up your glow game a couple of notches.

What, exactly, do we mean? Well, by now you might have discovered that there is no limit to the type of glow product that can be made or imagined. Sure, it all begins with the glow stick, and we strongly encourage you to add those sticks to your glow-light arsenal.

However, if you’re looking to be even more unique than others, then we recommend you take a look at something as fun, interactive and, well, ingenious, as glow golfing.

Imagine that: setting up a tiny putting green at your corporate or wedding party, lit by a line of glow sticks. You’d use glow tees and glow ball to light your way, and a few sticks around your target hole to help you with your shot.

Glow golf is just one example of the things you can do with glow products. And you don’t have to wait for someone else to come up with a specific product (like glow golf balls) to get creative with your glow lights.

You can use your glow lights in so many ways:
    
    * As centerpieces
    * As a replacement for tossing rice (just be careful!)
    * Inside mason jars, alongside (or in place) of candles
    * Strung across the rafters
    * Use small bracelets as a way to roll-up your guests’ silverware

Tap into the potential of glow lights with Planet DJ Productions

We are proponents of getting creative and thinking outside the box when it comes to planning your big wedding or celebration. But we also know how important it is to be careful with your planning. We’ve seen it time and time again: folks like an idea and go over the top.

We strongly suggest you tastefully introduce glow lights into your event. If you add too many glow lights, you’ll risk disturbing the overall ambiance of the setting.

How do know how many glow lights is the right amount? That’s where Planet DJ Productions comes into play. Our wedding and party planners will help you design the best party for you and your guests, including helping you decide how many glow lights could and should work for your needs.

Contact us today to learn more about how you can add a little glow to your important event.