Tag: Weddings

January 7, 2026

2026 Wedding Trends in Baton Rouge: What Couples Are Planning Now

Wedding planning for 2026 is already well underway, and couples are approaching their celebrations differently than in years past. The focus has shifted toward flexibility, comfort, and intentional design choices that reflect how the day feels rather than just how it looks.

From weather-ready planning to softer color palettes and documentary-style photography, 2026 wedding trends reflect a desire for weddings that feel personal, relaxed, and well-thought-out. Below, we break down the top trends couples are embracing as they plan for 2026 weddings in South Louisiana.

2026 Wedding Trends at a Glance

In 2026, weddings are prioritizing indoor and outdoor flexibility, guest comfort, intentional design, and real moments over overly staged details. Couples are choosing softer color palettes, textural florals, documentary-style photography, simplified timelines, and customizable experiences that work with Louisiana weather. The overall trend favors meaningful celebrations that feel effortless, personal, and well planned.

Weather-Ready Wedding Planning

One of the biggest wedding trends for 2026 is planning with the weather in mind rather than hoping for perfect conditions. In Louisiana, the weather can change quickly, and couples are choosing venues and timelines that can adapt easily.

Common weather-ready planning choices include:

  • Built-in indoor ceremony backups
  • Seamless transitions between spaces
  • Shorter outdoor segments paired with indoor receptions

This shift reflects a growing desire for peace of mind and flexibility.

Indoor and Outdoor Hybrid Wedding Celebrations

Fully outdoor weddings are becoming less common in 2026. Couples are opting for indoor and outdoor hybrid celebrations that balance atmosphere and comfort.

Popular approaches include:

  • Outdoor ceremonies when conditions allow
  • Indoor receptions with climate control
  • Outdoor spaces reserved for photos

This setup offers flexibility without sacrificing experience.

 

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Guest-Driven Wedding Concepts

Guest experience is shaping nearly every wedding decision in 2026. Couples are designing their day around comfort, flow, and ease.

Key guest-focused trends include:

  • Shorter ceremonies
  • Fewer room flips
  • Clear, intuitive event layouts

Comfortable seating, climate-controlled spaces, and efficient timelines matter more than ever.

2026 Wedding Trends at a Glance

Color palettes for 2026 weddings are softer, warmer, and more layered. Couples are moving away from high-contrast trends and choosing tones that feel timeless and calm.

Popular 2026 wedding colors include:

  • Warm taupe and stone
  • Soft clay and muted terracotta
  • Olive, moss, and eucalyptus green
  • Champagne, ivory, and brushed gold accents

These palettes photograph beautifully indoors and outdoors and translate well across seasons.

Wedding Floral Design Trends

Floral design in 2026 is about texture and movement rather than volume. Couples are choosing florals that enhance the space rather than overwhelm it.

Trending floral approaches include:

  • Seasonal greenery and locally inspired blooms
  • Fewer arrangements with higher impact
  • Organic shapes with natural movement
  • Florals that complement architecture and surroundings

This trend supports a more intentional, elevated aesthetic.

Elaborate Drapery and Linen-Based Signage

One of the most noticeable design shifts for 2026 is the move toward layered, luxurious drapery. Backdrops are leaning less floral-heavy and more fabric-focused, using soft linens and flowing layers to create depth and warmth.

This trend extends to signage as well. Welcome signs, ceremony signs, and seating displays are increasingly being printed directly onto linen and hung, replacing oversized rigid boards.

Local backdrop companies like Luxe Magnolia are expanding their drapery inventory to meet growing demand, signaling that fabric-forward design will be a defining look for the year.

Wedding Photography Trends for 2026

Photography trends for 2026 are moving toward authenticity. Couples are prioritizing real moments over heavily posed images.

Key photography trends include:

  • Documentary-style coverage
  • Candid moments and natural interactions
  • True-to-life editing
  • Relaxed timelines that allow moments to unfold

This trend pairs naturally with simplified schedules and experienced coordination.

Personalized Wedding Details Without Overcomplication

Customization remains important, but couples are being more selective. Instead of personalizing everything, they are focusing on the elements that matter most.

Common personalization choices include:

  • Signature cocktails
  • Custom menus
  • Meaningful ceremony layouts
  • Music selections tied to personal stories

The emphasis is on thoughtful personalization rather than excess.

2026 Wedding Food and Beverage Trends

Food and drink continue to play a central role in the guest experience. Couples are leaning into elevated but approachable menus.

Trending choices include:

  • Locally inspired dishes
  • Signature drinks instead of oversized bar menus
  • Fewer courses with higher quality

The focus is on food that feels intentional and memorable.

Rehearsal Brunches and Brunch Weddings

Rehearsal dinners are evolving in 2026. Many couples are opting for rehearsal brunches instead of traditional evening events, giving everyone more time to rest before the wedding day.

This trend also aligns with the rise of brunch weddings, which offer:

  • Shorter, more relaxed timelines
  • A lighter, daytime atmosphere
  • Unique menu opportunities
  • Less pressure late the night before the ceremony

Brunch-forward celebrations are becoming a popular alternative for couples prioritizing comfort and energy.

Wedding Lighting Trends

Lighting is playing a larger role in 2026 wedding design. Couples are using lighting to create atmosphere rather than relying solely on décor.

Popular lighting trends include:

  • Soft uplighting
  • Warm bistro or café lighting
  • Candle-inspired accents
  • Lighting that transitions the mood from ceremony to reception

Lighting helps transform both indoor and outdoor spaces while maintaining comfort.

Simplified Wedding Weekends

Many couples are scaling back multi-event wedding weekends. Instead, they are focusing their energy on one main celebration.

This trend includes:

  • Fewer pre-wedding events
  • More time built into the reception
  • Less rushing between locations

Quality moments are replacing packed schedules.

As 2026 wedding trends shift toward intention and personalization, couples are prioritizing venues with experienced teams that understand how to navigate unpredictable weather, keep timelines smooth, and create seamless guest experiences. Venues like Oak Lodge and Parc 73 exemplify this approach, offering flexible spaces and customizable options that adapt to couples’ needs. Ultimately, today’s couples want celebrations that feel relaxed, comfortable, and meaningful, choosing partners and all-inclusive venues that simplify planning and bring together flexibility, coordination, and thoughtful design to reflect their vision.

 

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June 22, 2021

4 Reasons Why You Should Consider Booking Your Rehearsal Dinner at Your Wedding Site or Reception Venue

4 Reasons Why You Should Consider Booking Your Rehearsal Dinner at Your Wedding Site or Reception Venue

Congrats, you’re getting married! There are so many things to take care of and a lot to plan. You need to pick out your invitations, put together a guest list, break it to your fiance that you guys have to make second cousins the invitation cut off point, figure out where you’re going to get married…and don’t forget about the rehearsal dinner. However, here’s a wedding hack you may not have considered. What about having the rehearsal dinner at the same place as your wedding site or your reception venue? If you think that “Wedding Law” states “During the ceremony Thou must play Pachelbel’s Canon in D and Thou shalt only have thy rehearsal dinner at a local restaurant,” you can shake things up a little. You know, it is your wedding after all. In fact, it may be a bit smarter to have your rehearsal dinner at the same place you’re getting married or planning the reception. Let’s take a look at the advantages.

  1. You Can Save Money

    2. Many venues may offer you a combination deal if you book both events at the same place. With all the expenses around planning a wedding, saving money is an excellent way to go. Think of it like this, that’s more money you could put toward your honeymoon.

  2. It’s Convenient for You and Your Guests

    3. No additional maps and extra coordination and no surprises. Both you and your guests will appreciate having all the events in one place so there is less travel time, no one gets lost on the way and you remove a little bit of stress from your big day.

  3. Working with Your Wedding Coordinator Makes it Easier

    4. Your wedding coordinator is there to help make sure all of your wishes are met, you stay within budget and everything goes off without a hitch. You’re already working closely with him or her and this person most likely has a good handle on your thoughts and wishes for the big event. Extending these ideas through to the rehearsal dinner should be a piece of (wedding) cake.

  4. Carry Over Your Theme

    5. If you have a themed wedding–rustic farmhouse, vintage, modern, etc.–it’s easy and economical to use some of the same decorations and aesthetics at your rehearsal dinner, wedding and reception. Having two events (or all) at the same place helps make carrying your theme through easier. Your wedding coordinator can help with this, too!

While it has been a tradition to have your rehearsal dinner at a different venue, the times are changing, and more and more people are booking them at the same place to save money, add convenience and carry over their theme. If you have questions about booking either your wedding or rehearsal dinner or both, give us a call. We’d be happy to talk to you about the advantages and how we can enhance your big day.

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May 24, 2021

Tips for RSVP Etiquette

Tips for RSVP Etiquette

You have so much to worry about when it comes to planning your wedding and it can be pretty stressful to make sure you haven’t missed a thing. When it comes to sending RSVP cards, this can make planning your wedding even more stressful.

You’ve planned the seating chart, but you need to know who is coming and so do your caterers. Here are several tips to consider when working through RSVP cards.

Assemble Your Guest List

More than likely, you have quite a few guests that you’d like to attend your big day. After you’ve assembled your list, make sure you send out your invitations at least six to eight weeks before the wedding.

Also, make a note of people’s locations. If you have a guest coming from a distance, they’ll need time to make arrangements. The earlier you get your RSVPs out to them, the easier it will be for them to find accommodations.

Establish an RSVP Reply Date

There are few things to consider before you make your RSVP invitations. First, you’ll need to confirm with your vendors and venue coordinators the date you’re thinking so they can have a final headcount, check availability, and plan accordingly.

Often, your cake decorator and florist will also need a final headcount so they can plan the amount of dessert and floral arrangements required.

Guests should reply no less than two weeks before the reception and if you are planning a destination wedding, make sure to get them the invites at least 2-3 months in advance.

Match Your RSVP Cards to Your Wedding Scheme

Planning a wedding doesn’t have to all be stressful. One of the most fun parts is designing the invitations. There’s probably a good chance you have something in mind that you want to see come to life. Do you want your scheme to be elegant, earthy, bold, or fun? Whatever you choose, make sure to incorporate that look into your invitations.

If you’re planning a summer wedding, a great scheme helps people remember wedding dates as many people are attending other weddings during this season.

If you need a little inspiration, look to wedding stationery kits that will inspire your invitations and envelopes. You can find these kits online or at a local craft or stationery store.

What Exactly Do You Include on the RSVP Card

Chances are you’ve seen many RSVP cards, but when it comes down to you putting one together, you probably are drawing a blank as to all that goes into one.

  • Make sure RSVP stands out in big, bold letters. Put a design around it. Make it pop.
  • Include the date and time of the ceremony.
  • Provide an option to attend or decline in some fashion.
  • Include a choice of entrees to choose from.
  • Include details about dress code, parking, and directions.
  • You may even want to include your phone number or email address.
Pre-Stamp the Envelopes

Class it up for your guests. Pre-stamp the envelopes to make it a lot easier to get their RSVP in the mail early. It also takes the hassle out of tracking a stamp down. To make it even easier, write your address on the envelope. The key is making it easy easy easy.

What to do When a Guest Fails to RSVP

These are busy times we’re living in and sometimes we can be so rushed that people don’t fill out an RSVP correctly, or even worse, totally forget to send it out at all.

Before you think the worst, give your invitees a grace period after the RSVP date. Typically around seven days after the requested RSVP date.

If you don’t hear anything after that grace period, feel free to give them a call or send them an email. Tell them you need to know so you can inform your vendors or that you need to prepare the final guest list. Don’t let your nerves get the best of you. Be gracious.

As you can tell, there is a great deal of thought that goes into RSVP invitations. With a bit of planning and understanding of timing, sending them out and getting a response should go without any trouble or confusion.

If you’re looking for a venue, please don’t hesitate to call. We’ve helped hundreds of people have the wedding of their dreams and we’d be happy to do the same for you.

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