Top Wedding Trends for 2023

Ideas and inspiration for your 2023 wedding

Trendy or timeless? 

When it comes to a once-in-a-lifetime event, like your wedding, it can be hard deciding whether to run with the trends or stick to timeless. Photos are forever, afterall. 

Luckily, it doesn’t have to be one or the other. Finding one or two trendy elements to blend seamlessly into your design plans can make for a timeless, yet unique, event that you’ll be proud to look back on!

We sat down with Christina Chanel with Clink & Co. Designs to discuss top trends as we head into the 2023 wedding season. Clink & Co. Designs is one of the top event coordination, planning & design, and styling companies in Michigan. With Christina at the helm, they are poised for a spectacular 2023!

Top Wedding Trends

Marquis Letters

Beautiful lights, custom letters, romantic backdrop–what more could you want in a photo op? Not only do they make for the perfect focal point at any party, but they’re super simple to customize, creating a unique design experience that is certain to give your guests that wow factor.

Custom Backdrops

Creating a custom backdrop for your sweetheart table or your photo booth is a great way to add in a taste of uniqueness without going over the top. You may opt for a simple, chic design like greenery and twinkle lights, or choose a general saying like “Better Together”, or make it truly custom with the bride and groom’s name. Both make for an elegant backdrop that will look absolutely beautiful in photos!

Balloon Garlands & Arches

Step aside children’s birthday parties, it’s the balloon’s time to shine. No longer tacky or immature, balloons are making a comeback and in the most elegant way possible. Perfect for the entryway, photo booth, or backdrop, a balloon garland or arch makes for a beautiful focal point that will leave an impression!

Neon Signs

Neon signs are one of the less expensive ways to make your space look highly customized. You can use a generic saying or have a custom sign created specifically for your event. Either way, it’s a super fun way to add a unique touch on traditional wedding decor!

360 Photo Booths

You remember those enclosed photo booths from the 2000’s, right? Those are on their way out, my friend. You can now rent a 360 degree photo booth that doubles as a unique guest experience and a fun way to get pictures of the night! Stand on the platform and dance, sing, or make out, and let the camera work its magic!

Flower Walls

Want to make a huge impression with a magical, glamorous, show-stopping centerpiece? Then the flower wall is for you. Whether you go with greenery, flowers, real, or silk, it will make for that perfect Instagram-worthy photo we are all dying to capture. Your guests will love it and so will you!

Which Will You Choose?

Even if you prefer the timeless look of a classic wedding style, you can integrate trendy aspects to create a memorable, unique, and personal experience for you and your guests.

Not sure what to do or how to start? That’s where an event planner, coordinator and designer comes in! Christina Chanel at Clink & Co. Designs is ready to turn your Pinterest inspo into the wedding of your dreams! You can check out their work on Instagram, @clinkandco_designs, or contact them on their website.

For more wedding tips, tricks, hacks, and inspiration, check out our podcast on Youtube, Throw A Bash with Shawn + Kenny!

Modern Wedding Ideas for the Non-Traditional Couple

A roundup of the top non-traditional trends for 2023

Cake-cutting, garland toss, a speech from the best man–there are certain elements we’ve come to expect from a wedding. And while there’s nothing wrong with going the traditional route, some couples are looking for something fresh and new. Whether you’re non-religious or just trying to make your wedding feel more like you, it’s okay to want something different! 

There is no status quo. This is your day, your experience, your memory. Make it exactly what you want! From the ceremony to the last dance, every moment of your wedding is an opportunity to create a unique experience for you and your guests. 

If you missed our last post, you can check out our list of top design trends for 2023 here (insert link to post “Top Wedding Trends for 2023”)! 

Non-Traditional Ceremony

It’s not often that couples are getting married in churches anymore, instead opting for a venue that can service both the ceremony and reception. While some couples may opt for a religious ceremony, many are not! And without certain religious elements or the traditional unity candle, the ceremony presents a unique opportunity for some personal touches. 

  • Tie a knot
  • Handfasting
  • Plant a tree
  • Time capsule

Many couples are also foregoing the long-winded ceremony for something a little more short and sweet. We’re all ready to party, after all!

Ambient Cocktail Hour

Classic love songs are taking a backseat to low-key, more ambient “chill” music. Music is subjective, so use this as an opportunity to create something personal to you as a couple!

Since the pandemic had us all chilling in sweatpants for two years, many couples are favoring a more formal vibe, opting for a black-tie after party.

A Not-So-Grand Entrance

Cocktail hour is over and everyone has had a drink or two. At this point, everyone is ready to eat and start dancing, and many couples don’t want to be the center of attention now that the ceremony is finished. Some are electing for a simple introduction for just the bride and groom, or foregoing the formality all together.

If you still want to introduce your bridal party, we recommend keeping it short with only one or two songs to cover all intros.

Formal Dances

To help move the night along, some couples are choosing to do their first dance and family dances right after their entrance, with some electing not to do them at all. 

While bridal party dances are a thing of the past, many brides still want that iconic dance with their dad. However, with unique family dynamics, you may opt to do all your family dances together on the dance floor!

If you want to forego the dances all together, consider doing a Fast Photo Op! The DJ will play a song and you get a picture with each table before the song is finished. It’s fun, interactive, and ensures you get a photo with all of your guests! 

Toasts & Cake-Cutting

Afraid your Best Man is going to make you cringe or your drunk uncle might snatch the microphone? Then you may want to ditch the traditional toast part of the night. Do a staggered toast or have them at the rehearsal dinner instead!

Many couples are ditching the traditional wedding cake for a more informal dessert option like cupcakes or a full dessert bar. For those that still want the iconic cake-cutting picture, they are keeping it low-key with a quick snap by the photographer without a big announcement. 

Intimate Last Dance

It’s the end of the night, you’re both exhausted but elated, and you want to take one last moment to enjoy your wedding night as newlyweds. A beautiful and intimate way to top off the night is with a solo last dance–and we do mean solo! Have the DJ click play, and everyone but you two leaves the room. Don’t want to be totally alone? That’s okay, make it your own and soak in those last moments of the happiest day of your life!

Grand Exit

Sparklers, phone flashlights, smoke machines–while most couples don’t want a big flashy entrance, they do want a grand and magical exit! Think instagram-worthy and elegant! 

Pro tip: have a staged exit before the night is officially over! As the night goes on, people start to go home and your exit photo may not have many people in it. Once your staged exit is over, head back inside to party the night away!

Make It Your Own

Your wedding is a celebration of you and every element of your wedding should reflect the uniqueness you bring to this world! Whether you choose traditional, trendy, or a mix of both, remember this day is for you.

We know there are so many aspects to your wedding day that it can feel daunting to work through planning it all. At Bash Entertainment, we have an online planning portal to help take away some of the stress. Work with our team of DJs with decades of experience to make your wedding your own.

For more helpful wedding tips, tricks, and hacks, check out our podcast Throw A Bash with Shawn + Kenny on Youtube!

The ‘Do-Not-Play’ List Wedding Guide

How to keep your guests dancing all night long

I cringed when the DJ played “We Are Family” by Sister Sledge as the last song at my wedding. It felt so cheesy and impersonal! Unfortunately, no one told me a ‘Do-Not-Play’ list was just as important as a ‘Must-Have” playlist. 

To help you avoid your own wedding music mishap, we created the perfect guide for creating your own ‘Do-Not-Play’ list to ensure you and your DJ are on the same page.

Most Common on the ‘Do-Not-Play’ List

We’ve taken our decades of wedding DJ experience and compiled a list of the top contenders for everyone’s wedding song blacklist. While we certainly agree with most, we also want to give you a peek behind the curtain to see why DJs use them in the first place. 

Line Dances

The days of the Chicken Dance and Cotton Eye Joe are over, my friends. It’s time to move on. Cheesy group dances just aren’t what they once were. Think about songs you jam out to on a road trip or in the gym–those are the songs people want to hear! I’ve never seen anyone bust out a 200-lb squat listening to “Macarena”. 

While we agree line dances are a ghost of weddings past, they can be used as a tool. It’s a great icebreaker at the beginning of a reception or for guests who may have two left feet. You and your DJ may even decide on a “play only if requested” protocol! This is a great alternative to axing them altogether.

Classic Wedding Songs

Love ‘em or hate ‘em, they’ve been a staple for many years–and for many DJs they still are! While “YMCA” and “Love Shack” aren’t total bangers, “Sweet Caroline” and “Don’t Stop Believin’” are nearly guaranteed to bring out everyone’s worst singing voice. But if it’s just not your style, let your DJ know!

Explicit Lyrics

The topic of explicit songs is an extremely important conversation to have with your DJ. Do you only want to play the radio-edit versions of popular, but explicit, songs? Or do you want to play the original? 

Our suggestion is typically to err on the side of minimally explicit, especially if your grandma or niece is still on the dance floor. However, some popularly requested songs just don’t hit the same when every other word is bleeped out. In these instances, we recommend a lyrical curfew. No explicit lyrics before 10pm unless the bride specifically requests it.

Country Music

No matter where you live, you can’t escape it. And whether you hate bro-country, classic, bluegrass, or all of the above, you definitely need to establish this boundary with your DJ. 

There can be a time and place for them, though. Most DJs will deploy various country songs for different reasons–cocktail hour, for a slow dance, or to get ALL the ladies dancing with Shaniah Twain’s “Man, I Feel Like A Woman”. Again, establishing this expectation before your big day will save you a headache.

Be Specific

A good DJ reads the crowd, and while cheesy line dances and slow country songs are abhorrent to some, they can be used tactfully and with good taste!

Bottom line, when giving your DJ input, avoid blanket statements like “no country music” or “no line dances”. Instead, list specific songs that are explicitly off-limits. If you need help, ask your DJ for a list of 100 popular wedding songs. Cross off the ones you absolutely hate and circle the ones you love! 

Music is subjective and any good DJ worth their salt focuses on creating a great experience for their client and their guests. While it is your wedding day, it’s just not the same if you’re the only one on the dance floor. This list will give them a solid start in gauging your taste in music to keep everyone dancing all night long.

We want you to have the party of your dreams! To help you get there, we’ve released several podcast episodes to help guide you. Check out our podcast “Throw A Bash with Shawn + Kenny” on Youtube for the latest tips and tricks for all things party entertainment!

6 Important Questions to Ask When Hiring a DJ

6 QUESTIONS to ask your DJ

How to vet potential DJs to make sure your party is a blast

Whether you are hosting a corporate event or planning the wedding of the decade, you’ve got to nail down solid entertainment. Your DJ sets the tone for your entire event and entertainment is what people remember most about every party, for better or for worse. 

To help you, we’ve compiled a list of questions to ask your potential DJ to make sure you’re hiring the right person and your party is a blast!

What experience do you have?

How long have they been a DJ? What kind of events have they worked at? What venues have they performed at? Are they an experienced emcee?

Hosting big events, especially weddings, can get expensive and you may start looking for ways to cut costs. While it may seem like a good way to save money, skimping on your DJ or hiring Cousin Joe with his killer Spotify playlist probably isn’t the best idea. 

Will you also be emcee? Is it included in your pricing?

While it’s not common that a wedding DJ will break out their emcee services, we are definitely seeing it more and more. Confirm that your potential DJ will also be the emcee and that the price is included in the package you’re interested in. You don’t want to be blindsided with an extra charge, or worse, realize the morning of your wedding day that you don’t have an emcee!

Are you on social media? Do you have a website?

Use their socials and website as an additional way to vet them! Look at their posted videos and other content. Is their style coming through? Do they match the vibe you’re going for? What are other people saying about them?

Very rarely will you have the chance to see a potential DJ perform live, but with the power of the internet, you basically can! 

Do you practice different mixing techniques?

The era of DJs sitting back and pressing play is long gone. People’s attention spans are short and they often don’t even want to listen to a whole song (thanks a lot TikTok!). So make sure a potential DJ is experienced in mixing.

Another question to ask is whether or not they take requests–and if they’re able to quickly mix them off the cuff during the party!

What is your backup plan?

You have your beautiful venue and delicious food, then the music starts, and a speaker is busted… it’s every bride’s worst nightmare! Make sure your DJ has a backup plan–and a backup plan for their backup plan.

What is your COVID-19 rescheduling policy?

The last 2+ years have been rough, and luckily it seems we are coming out the other side, but if we’ve learned anything it’s that we can never be too prepared. Ask for your DJ’s COVID-19 rescheduling policy, just in case, and sleep better knowing you’ll have the event of your dreams one way or another!

Hiring the right DJ is crucial, but getting answers to these questions will put you on the right track. Once you have them, decide what is most important to you and your event, and select the DJ that best meets your requirements! 

For more information, tips, and tricks on hosting the best party of the year, subscribe to our Youtube channel to hear our latest episodes of Throw a Bash with Shawn & Kenny!