Wedding trends: Rustic is out, barn venues will spruce up

Since the dawn of Pinterest, weddings have cycled through various trends. It seemed trendiness was taking the place of timelessness. 

While we shouldn't expect engaged couples to quit using Pinterest, Fred Jacob, owner of the Pink Bride, and Kristy Myers, owner of Margaret Claires Weddings and Events, agree that timeless elegance is returning to the wedding scene. 

Couples are getting married older

In the more than 30 years since Jacob started the Pink Bride magazine and bridal show, he has seen the average bride's age rise from early 20s, post-college graduation to 30 years old. 

The tradition of the bride's parents paying for the wedding is practically non-existent in weddings today. Jacob said the bride is independent and couples work together on the planning of their wedding. Male attendance at the Pink Bride event has increased from approximately 1 percent to at least 5 percent and will continue to rise, Jacob said.

Rustic weddings are out 

The number of farm land or barn venues has increased significantly in the last three years, in part because older couples are more aware of their spending. Their parents had unused land or a barn, offered to host the wedding there and realized it worked. Spruce it up a little and they're in business. Cue an abundance of rustic weddings. 

More:Reinvented farm provides idyllic setting for wedding venue, special occasions

Now, with the shift back toward elegance, Myers said the barns are here to stay. Barn weddings will take on a more formal feeling with the rest of the wedding style.

"People are moving away from hay bales, stumps and mason jars," she said. "It's more candle light, chandeliers and greenery draping with whiskey barrels."

More formal means a longer engagement

The bigger and nicer the wedding, the more money spent. To save money for the elegant wedding, couple are staying engaged for one and a half to two years to save money, Myers said. She regularly makes bookings for 2020 weddings. 

More:How local seamstress creates 'Cinderella moment' for Knoxville brides

The details 

Attire: Long sleeved dresses, cathedral length trains and veils will be everywhere Myers said. Men will wear more formal full suits. Completely matching bridesmaids will be rare, with most brides letting her bridesmaids select a dress herself. 

Cake: Cupcakes are disappearing. Elaborate bridal cakes are coming back, with fun popcorn, candy or snack bars adding a fun touch.

Food: Barbecue is on its way out, with more formal buffet dinners (an entree and two sides) will come back.

Invitations: For now, paper invitations are sent by mail. But Myers attributes that to the grandparents' needs. This is the last generation of paper RSVPs, regardless of formality.

Decor: Out with the mason jars and in with the candles. Candlelight will be huge at weddings in the coming years, along with greenery hanging from ceilings. 

Super future: Virtual mirrors for wedding dress shopping. Myers said they're coming!