We've all seen our fair share of pretentious, Portlandia-worthy weddings. There's often too much focus on the glamour of the wedding and not enough on the marriage. 2016 brings a breath of fresh air to the industry with its "anti-trend" attitude. Get out of the mindset of modeling your Big Day after unattainable fads on Pinterest boards. This year, get personal—give your guests even more insight into who you are. Take a peek at our wedding "anti-trends" for ways to showcase your you-nique personality as a couple.
Symbolic Decor
Floral arrangements and tulle draping may always be staples, but it doesn't hurt to explore other decor ideas. Try highlighting your relationship by choosing to decorate with accoutrements that represent a cherished memory.
If you're the newlyweds who got engaged on a romantic camping trip in Trapper's Creek, opt for vintage Coleman lanterns for lighting, creative feather centerpieces inspired by fly-fishing lures and color-coordinated enamel dishware. You want your guests to feel that they were a part of that moment in time.
Comfort Food
Trade in your 100 percent organic, allergy-aware, farm-to-table theme for a more down-to-earth menu that tells a story about you and your partner.
Remember all those late-night grilled cheese and tomato sandwiches you'd make together every Friday night? Or maybe Polynesian is your thing—there's nothing wrong with serving up that hefty loco-moco you always eat together. Instead of an artisanally decorated cake, how about opting for a "deconstructed" cake that is reminiscent of how creatively challenged you are at cake decorating. Share a piece of those memories at your wedding reception!
Complete Immersion
Wedding photography has come a long way from contrived poses in Polaroids to #heavilyfiltered Instagram posts. Expand on the drone and GoPro POV-wedding trends introduced in 2013 and take it a step further by jumping on the Periscope bandwagon. Now those unable to attend will feel like they're a part of the experience in real time.
Dual Purpose Venue
There's nothing more nerve-racking than reciting vows in front of a stadium-seated audience followed by an awkward transition from ceremony to reception. Instead, the ceremony and reception can be in one place where food follows right after the vows. There's no more need to appoint that loud-mouth relative to direct the herd from one place to another.
Try an eclectic reception-style seating arrangement that combines various table shapes and seating styles. This will help make your Big Day less of a tense theater production and more of an intimate gathering.
Joshua Genuino is the special content art director at Alaska Dispatch News. Originally from Southern California's fashion and creative circuit, he moved to Anchorage in 2013 for a much-needed change of pace.
This article appeared in the February 2016 issue of 61°North, a publication of ADN's special content department. Contact 61°North editor Jamie Gonzales at jgonzales@alaskadispatch.com.