Unique Wedding Trends in 2025
Weddings in 2025? They’re more intentional, more personal, and way more fun than ever before. If you’re planning your big day and wondering what’s trending (or how to make your wedding feel like you), you’re in the right place.
We’ve photographed weddings across Texas and surrounding states, and if there’s one thing we’ve learned—it’s that no two weddings should ever feel the same. So here’s a peek into the creative, heartfelt, and totally unique ways couples are making 2025 weddings unforgettable, from the perspective of a San Antonio wedding photographer couple who’s seen it all.
Small Guest List, Big Feels
The Micro-Wedding Era is Here to Stay
Forget the pressure to invite your third cousin's neighbor’s dog walker. 2025 is about quality over quantity. Micro-weddings—ceremonies with under 50 guests—are becoming the go-to for couples who want a more meaningful, less chaotic experience.
We recently photographed a wedding at a garden oasis just outside downtown San Antonio. The couple had only 28 guests, but every moment felt personal. There were no rushed timelines or awkward introductions—just genuine connection and so much time to soak it all in.
Why we love it:
You get to actually talk to every guest
Your budget stretches further (hello, epic food and florals)
Your photos feel more emotional and real
Color Is Back—and It’s Bolder Than Ever
No More Beige Everything (Unless Beige Is Your Thing)
We’re seeing couples ditch the all-neutral palettes for something way more personal. Think emerald green, burnt sienna, mustard yellow, and even bold cobalt accents.
One of our couples used rust and marigold florals against the backdrop of their garden reception in the Hill Country. It popped in every photo, and guests kept talking about how warm and welcoming everything felt.
Try this in San Antonio:
Accent terracotta pots and textiles (shoutout to our Southwest roots)
Mix-and-match bridesmaid dresses for added texture and personality
Photos That Feel Like a Memory
Documentary > Posed Perfection
We’ll say it louder for the people in the back: you don’t need to be a model to look amazing in your wedding photos. You just need a photographer who knows how to capture you being you.
Our approach is journalistic, which means we spend less time telling you where to put your hands and more time catching those tiny, powerful moments—like when your partner thinks no one’s watching and wipes away a tear during your vows.
In fact, one of our all-time favorite photos happened when a bride laughed so hard during her first-dance and the lighting was perfect. Not traditionally “perfect,” but it was perfect—for her.
Hot tip:
Ask your photographer about their approach to candids. If you want photos that feel, not just look, good—you’re going to want someone who sees the in-between moments.
Weddings as Weekend Experiences
The Party Starts Before the Aisle
More and more couples are turning their wedding day into an entire wedding weekend. Welcome dinners at local taco joints, group hikes the morning after, even post-wedding pool parties.
One couple turned their Austin wedding into a full-on celebration, starting with a welcome dinner on Friday night and ending with a late-night karaoke hangout after their reception. It was legendary.
Ideas for a wedding weekend in San Antonio:
Welcome drinks on the River Walk
Pre-wedding brunch at Bakery Lorraine
Day-after taco crawl through Southtown
Elopements, But Make Them Luxe
Scaling Down Doesn’t Mean Scaling Back
Elopements in 2025 are intimate, yes—but they’re also elevated. Think: exchanging vows at a secluded overlook, then having a private chef prepare a candlelit dinner under the stars.
We recently photographed an elopement at a Hill Country venue just outside Boerne. The couple exchanged vows the Hill Country, with just the two of them, and the venue cat (which reminded the bride of her furry feline who had just passed away recently). Afterward, she mentioned how having the cat brought a sense of calmness to her. They cut their cake then shared a quiet dinner for two under the stars. No rush, no audience—just love, intention, and a night that felt like it belonged entirely to them.
Where to elope in the Hill Country:
Private rentals with epic views in Fredericksburg
A Tech-Forward, Still-Heartfelt Approach
Yes, You Can QR Code Your Seating Chart
Tech is sneaking into weddings in some pretty helpful ways. Digital RSVPs, virtual guestbooks, even AI-powered planning tools are making the experience smoother—and sometimes even more fun.
We’ve seen:
Drones capturing overhead ceremony shots
Live-streamed ceremonies for out-of-town guests
QR codes linking to Spotify playlists or drink menus
Instant previews of photos on an iPad display during dinner hour (yep, we can do that)
Just a tip:
Let tech make your day easier, but don’t let it take over the emotion. The best moments happen offline.
Mixing Traditions to Make Your Own
Weddings That Reflect You
One of the most beautiful shifts in 2025 is how many couples are blending their backgrounds, cultures, and beliefs to create something that feels personal.
We've photographed bilingual ceremonies, Jewish unity rituals, and a Catholic ceremony followed by a Nigerian infused reception dinner and each one was deeply meaningful.
Don’t be afraid to honor your roots while starting your own traditions. Whether it’s a lasso ceremony, personalized vows, or dancing down the aisle to your favorite ‘90s jam—it’s your day.
Eco-Friendly Is the New Luxury
Sustainable Celebrations Are In
Couples are embracing conscious wedding planning—and it’s not just about reusable straws. We’re talking:
Local, in-season florals
Renting or thrifting decor
Digital invites
Zero-waste catering and composting stations
One couple we worked with used all thrifted glassware, which guests could take home as favors. It looked incredible and left no waste.
In San Antonio, try:
Wildflower bouquets from local farms
Vintage rentals from SueBee Vintage Rentals
Eco-conscious catering from Pharm Table or Tim the Girl
Your Day, Your Way (With a Photo Team Who Gets You)
The biggest trend of 2025? Authenticity. Your wedding doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s—and honestly, it shouldn’t.
Whether you’re planning a two-day bash in the heart of San Antonio or an intimate vow exchange in the Hill Country, we’re here to capture it all—the joyful, the tearful, the beautifully you.
As experienced San Antonio wedding photographers, we’re not just behind the camera. We’re your calm in the chaos, your timeline whisperers, your impromptu veil fluffers, and your biggest fans.
Planning your 2025 wedding?
Let’s talk about how to tell your story.
www.walstonphoto.com/contact
Bonus Ideas for 2025 Couples:
Add a vintage getaway car to your timeline for some movie-magic photos
Host your reception at a brewery or art gallery for a fun twist
Create a custom ceremony playlist (and share it with guests after the wedding!)
Include your pets in the ceremony—we’ll bring the WUUF treats and patience
