In years past, it's fair to say wedding planning followed a predicable template, and when guests received an invitation in the mail, they had a pretty good idea of what to expect. But that was before the wedding industry was derailed by a global pandemic [1] and hundreds of thousands of couples were left scrambling to modify their plans to meet strict guidelines or postpone their big day [2] altogether.

Fast forward to the end of lockdown — the wedding industry is gearing up for a major boom with as many as 550,000 couples [3] planning to say "I do" in the UK alone. But don't expect these celebrations to follow the same old format, according to experts. "The events of the past year have had many couples rethinking tradition and getting even more creative when it comes to executing their vision, which is exciting for all involved. There's really no one-size-fits-all approach," designer Preston Bailey told POPSUGAR.

So what does the "new normal" look like for weddings? We asked the top experts in the industry to share a few trends they believe will go the long haul. From carefully curated guest lists to weekday ceremonies, this promises to be a season unlike any other.

Individual Bites Served in Interesting Ways

"Prior to the pandemic, we were doing small containers on a theme to hold our hors d'oeuvres, but the containers were permanently attached to the tray. When COVID hit, personalised containers became a 'must have' for clients who were now concerned about following the 'no touch' guidelines. We made them detachable and added a bit of whimsy to their functionality, and they became a runaway hit. Drinks, savoury items, and sweets in special themed packaging, as well as stand-up dinner station ideas, are here to stay." — Peter Callahan, founder of Peter Callahan Catering and Events [4]

A Greater Focus on the Guests' Experience

"The biggest trend we have seen is that couples are truly focused on the guests' experience. They are acutely aware of what a traumatic year this has been for all invited, as well as how much everyone missed each other and the experience of socialising, and this has made them even more generous than they have been in years past. Couples are less obsessed with it being 'their day' and looking for unique ways to provide something memorable, fun, and magical for their friends and families. We are seeing clients make a concerted effort to toast their guests lovingly, carefully attend to seating charts, and have the various alcohol brands that they know certain guests are partial to. It's a renaissance of gracious hospitality, and I love it!" — Marcy Blum, celebrity wedding planner, Marcy Blum Associates [5]

Quality Over Quantity

"COVID has really put a spotlight on what's important, and a lot of couples are choosing to curate everything from the guest list to the celebration itself, focusing on who and what matters most. We have learned that life is precious, and a lot of my clients are celebrating the end of the pandemic by going for the best they possibly can with a 'life is short and we are worth it' attitude. I see this trend continuing with more intimate weddings and suggest couples really think about what elements make them happiest, be it the cake, flowers, venue, photos, or something else. Once you identify these elements, focus on quality, not quantity, and try to get the best you can within your budget." — Sylvia Weinstock, cake artist and founder of Sylvia Weinstock Cakes [6]

Outdoor Ceremonies With Big Statements

"I have seen a few trends emerge from the pandemic. First, outdoor weddings are in high demand, and after waiting so long to celebrate, couples are looking to go as big as possible. Think impactful floral statements, fun surprises, and a real sense of celebration. Finally, as so many couples have had to push their wedding date, 2021-2022 has filled up. This has some couples opting for weekday weddings, which allow them to marry at their dream venue and is more cost effective as well." — Preston Bailey, designer and founder of Preston Bailey Designs [7]

Weekday Weddings

"With many popular weekend wedding dates booked through this fall and into 2022, couples will continue to explore weekday options as it's more likely that their desired vendor team has availability during the week. With increased flexibility and availability of wedding pros on weekdays, we anticipate weekday weddings will continue to be a popular option for many years to come. Plus, weekday weddings are great for vendors in addition to couples, as they allow wedding pros to book additional clientele who they may not have been able to accommodate with a weekend wedding date. As for guests, they've been incredibly understanding throughout the pandemic and have approached their loved ones with empathy in regards to the changes they've had to make while postponing and replanning their wedding." — Kristen Maxwell Cooper, editor in chief, The Knot [8]

Bespoke and Meaningful Touches

"Now more than ever, brides are looking to personalise everything about their wedding day, making it unique with various special touches. We have had brides incorporate bespoke details such as their new initials, a crest, or a favourite flower. My advice is to allow plenty of time for the dress process, because then you can really be imaginative incorporating subtle but special features. It's such an enjoyable experience, so allow enough time to enjoy every minute." — Phillipa Lepely, couture wedding dress designer, Phillipa Lepely Designs [9]

Less-Formal Suiting

"Prior to the pandemic, grooms' outfits were morning suits or a simple grey or black tux. Now that we are coming from the other side, a lot of couples are rethinking tradition and opting to really embrace their individuality. This has translated into grooms taking a much more fun and laid-back approach to their wedding outfits with many of my clients opting to wear more interesting colours and fabrics with textures and patterns, even linens and linen blends, which have become popular for weddings. I see the trend of individual style over standard 'wedding wear' sticking and think we will be seeing a lot more options for people who want to wear suits in this area in the years to come." — John Peter Baker, designer and stylist at John Peter Baker Designs [10]

Authentic and Intimate Moments

"Over the last year, many of us we were robbed of intimacy and physical human connections, so couples are really emphasising the importance of having those authentic moments between people captured on film — and they want to look good. As any of us have been sitting around in loungewear for the past year, wedding stylists are in high demand as couples want to look as fashionable as possible. Finally, destination weddings are back — and in huge numbers. Now that travel restrictions are being lifted, there is a huge trend of having weddings take place in European destinations as well as the Caribbean and the western parts of the United States, and mostly at venues that are large and airy and embrace the outdoors. I cannot wait to photograph all these weddings, as they all look to be so great." — Christian Oth, photographer Christian Oth Studio [11]

Natural (Looking) Glowy Skin

"Before the pandemic, brides wanted a very matte finish on their wedding day. Coming out of lockdown, we are seeing a lot of requests for a natural (or dewy) finish, thanks to the fresh, glowing skin we have seen all over social media the past year. This gladdens my heart as it looks great on the day and better in photographs! The key to acing a dewy complexion without looking shiny is to stock up on two-ply tissues, which are brilliant for absorbing excess shine and sweat — just blot gently, don't rub!" — Joy Adenuga [12], makeup artist and founder of By Joy Adenuga

Hair Colour That Looks Effortless

"Coming out of lockdown, we've gone for it when it comes to colour! We all want to feel brighter and bolder, and this is especially true when it comes to brides. The techniques have a natural, more undone look so that the colours appear lived-in with a beautiful blend and extra attention on the face frame. Whether it's a brunette, copper, or blonde, we're loving honey, toffee, marmalade — the choice of tones is warm all the way. For brides, I always recommend multitonal colour; this will really showcase the hair on the day, whether it's up or down, and it will really capture in photos." — Harriet Muldoon, colourist at Larry King Salon [13]

Prewedding Injectables With a Focus on Radiance

"Before COVID, people were able to pamper themselves with injectables whenever they pleased. During lockdown, the trend shifted to optimising skin health with targeted medical-grade skin care. I've seen a huge surge in popularity for Profhilo [14], the 'injectable moisturiser'. As a highly concentrated hyaluronic acid, Profhilo triggers an increase in collagen and elastin production in the skin. The result? Improved suppleness, hydration, and radiance. Lifted skin with a beautiful dewy glow. This is a game changer and is sure to be on every bride's prewedding bucket list long after lockdown has been lifted." — Dr Bibi Ghalaie, MBBS, cosmetic physician, and medical director of The Doctor Bibi Clinic [15]