Couples know that weddings are costly. Many turn into spectacular extravaganzas and celebrations of love, where partners indulge their every whim.

However, today’s couples are rewriting the script. While they want to splurge, they don’t want their investments to be ephemeral. Instead, they would like it if they could take some of their special memories with them, well beyond the last dance.

But how are they doing this? What are the new and emerging trends surrounding the rise of the wedding with long-lasting investments? And how are couples extending the benefits of all their wedding spending beyond the big day itself?

 

Fake Flowers

According to Prestige Botanicals, many couples are opting to buy fake wedding flowers. These look like the real thing but last essentially forever.

“Couples love fake wedding flowers because of how real they look, but also because they won’t wilt and die. People spend thousands on floral arrangements for weddings, but almost all of it goes to waste, meaning that once the big day is over, there’s really not much else couples can use them for. Sometimes, it is possible to take them home, but they wilt quickly.”

Fake flowers don’t suffer from these problems. Some are outright fake–that is, made of non-biological materials, like plastic and vinyl. Meanwhile, others are real flowers that have undergone some sort of preservation process to keep them in a high-quality condition. The most common tactic is desiccation, or drying the flowers out. However, it is also possible to freeze-dry them in some cases, though this makes them very delicate. 

Fake flowers are useful because they provide sentimental value. Once the wedding is over, they provide something beautiful to put in the lounge or kitchen area.

 

Furniture Instead Of Throwaway Décor

Couples are also exploring the use of furniture over throwaway décor. The idea here is to buy items for the wedding that can later be used in your home. 

For example, instead of the usual flimsy chairs and disposable table settings, couples are purchasing more durable and stylish options and offering it to wedding guests to use for one day online. 

“This concept is fairly new,” explains Prestige Botanicals. “But it is also something that is gaining traction rapidly as couples get their heads around it. Usually, people bring gifts to the wedding to help the couple kickstart their lives together, but furniture doesn’t always fall into this category. As such, it’s often worth using décor and table settings at the wedding and then transferring them to the house afterward for sake-keeping.”

Again, the concept here is to swap short-term pleasures for long-term assets. If couples are going to invest in their weddings–as many do–they want something to show for it once the big day is over.

 

Custom Signage That Lives On

It’s a similar sort of thing for custom signage. Couples want “Mr & Mr” neon lights to glow brightly at their weddings but also in their new family homes. 

The personalization of custom signage is driving much of this trend. Couples love the idea that they can adjust and alter signage to meet their requirements, giving them something that’s a hybrid memento for their wedding and home. 

The upfront costs of making something nice are high. However, these signs or plaques can last a lifetime and remind the couple where they came from, and where they’re headed. 

 

Multi-Use Wedding Wardrobe

Even more controversially, some couples are putting together multi-use wedding wardrobes. The idea here is to buy wedding clothes that they can use for multiple occasions in the future, too. 

“This idea is gaining traction because of the price of wedding dresses and other forms of attire online used for, perhaps, one day,” says Prestige Botanicals. “Couples don’t want to rent, but they feel justified spending more money if they think that they can use the clothes repeatedly in the future.” 

For example, some marriers choose tailored but plain suits that they can wear to work or functions in the future. Being cut to perfection, these look great while providing plenty of mobility and versatility. 

Many marriers are also purchasing non-conventional dresses with a view to restyling them in the future. A nip here and a tuck there can transform how they feel, making them less bridal and perhaps more professional or social. 

A wardrobe that keeps on giving after the “I dos” seemed like a pipe dream only a few years ago. However, it is now a practical financial consideration for many couples wanting to tie the knot. 

 

Potted Plants

Another approach to florals is to use potted plants. Again, these are beautiful on the day, but the couple can also use them in their window boxes, landscaping, and wider garden areas. 

Potted plants tend to be highly robust and long-lived. Many last for a decade or more after purchase, while the hardware itself can continue indefinitely. 

They can also give off beautiful aromas. Adding lavender to the wedding venue in the form of potted plants could completely change the atmosphere, making people feel more engaged and relaxed. 

“The potted plant wedding décor idea is a stroke of genius for couples looking for beauty that lasts,” Prestige Botanicals explains. “It’s a way to do most of the landscaping and garden shopping upfront and celebrate it with everyone before using it at the new family home.”

 

Guest Books 

Finally, couples are investing in their guest books and turning them into coffee table adornments for their new home. If they ever want to experience a little nostalgia, they can simply pick them up and start peeling through the pages. 

What’s nice about guestbooks is how people leave their marks. Couples see these books as keepsakes, reminding them of the happy delays before and how they affected their lives from that point onwards. 

Ultimately, these trends show how couples are becoming smarter in their wedding purchases. Many are now looking for opportunities to invest in items that last long-term, allowing them to build beautiful new homes.