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What Is The Anti-Bride Movement?

July 15, 2023 | kailey

Image by Kelly Ginn Photography. See more of this real wedding here.

If you’ve found yourself scrolling through wedding TikTok, odd are you’ve heard about the Anti-Bride movement. It’s rocking the wedding world, and we’re extremely excited about it. At Junebug Weddings, we’re forever celebrating those one-of-a-kind weddings that challenge tradition. We’re talking about couples creating a day that’s tailored specifically to them. And now we’re finally seeing a wedding “trend” doing the same. 

This movement is about thinking outside the conventional planning box and creating a celebration that embraces uniqueness and authentically represents a couple’s love. If this sounds like you, keep scrolling for inspiration that’ll help you pull off your vision

What is The Anti-Bride Movement? 

The Anti-Bride movement is taking the wedding world by storm and for good reason. We believe this trend may very well be the new ‘normal,’ and it makes us excited for the future of weddings. This widely embraced and increasingly popular movement is all about modern couples who are boldly ditching conventional expectations. They’re customizing every detail—from their wedding size to fashion choices—to reflect their unique personalities, leaving tradition behind.

How To Incorporate The Anti-Bride Trend Into Your Wedding

Having an anti-bride nuptial is going to look different for everyone. It could mean going for a far-away elopement instead of a large local bash. Or maybe you’ll ditch those traditional wedding trends that just don’t resonate with you. Perhaps it’ll include rocking a colorful suit or wedding dress

The Anti-Bride trend is all about expressing your true colors and doing things your way. And while the possibilities are endless, we’ll dive into a few big ways you can host an anti-bride wedding. 

Wedding Size  

This trend gives couples the freedom to choose their wedding size based on what feels right. You no longer have to feel obligated to invite everyone and their mother. You’re now encouraged to narrow down your guest list, only including those you can’t envision your day without. This could mean choosing a party-of-two elopement or a micro wedding. Regardless, it’s your day, and you get to call the shots on how big or small you want it to be.

Wedding Venue

With an anti-bride mindset, finding a wedding venue is much more exciting. You get to pick the ‘I do’ space that speaks to you rather than out of obligation. The best part? You’re no longer expected to stick to traditional venues–if you don’t want to, of course. You can get more creative, transforming unconventional locations into dreamy wedding spaces. We’re talking about local restaurants, bars, arcades, or even bowling alleys.

Wedding Fashion 

As we’ve said, there are no rules when it comes to planning an anti-bride wedding. And that’s true regarding every detail, including fashion. Traditionally couples were expected to wear a classic white wedding dress or a black and white tux. But that’s no longer the case. 

Couples are encouraged to assemble outfits that are comfortable and show off their unique sense of style. And lucky for modern-day couples, non-traditional wedding day attire couldn’t be easier to hunt down. Designers and online boutiques provide endless fashion options for those looking to create the perfect anti-bride look. Think short wedding dresses, pantsuits, colorful tuxes, etc. 

Anti-Bride Wedding Inspiration 

If you’re on the hunt for some anti-bride weddings to use as inspiration, we’ve got you covered. Here’s a handful of our favorites, all planned by couples and vendors that weren’t afraid to ditch common wedding norms. 

1. This Las Vegas Elopement Was Complete With Tattoos, Killer Fashion, & Portraits on The Strip

2. Retro Editorial-Inspired Bar Marco Wedding Shoot

Images by Linnea Marie.

3. Edgy Yet Tropical Trace Brewing Wedding Inspiration

4. Electric Flower Power Inspired Las Vegas Wedding

5. Wes Anderson Garden Party Backyard Wedding

Image by Sage E Imagery.

6. This Funky Disco El Cosmico Wedding Will Have You Ready To Party

Images by Lauren Apel.

7. Polynesian-Inspired Intimate Tantalus Mountains Elopement

Images by Candice Marie.

8. Unique And Urban Milan Elopement

Images by Paola Lattarini.

9. Dark And Modern Neutral Palette Wedding Inspiration Shoot

10. Gorgeously Edgy Micro Wedding Planned In 48 Hours

Images by Epic Love Story.

Maybe your wild wedding dreams consist of saying ‘I do’ with a mountaintop elopement or a no-fuss courthouse wedding. Perhaps it’s a moody affair where you’ll rock a stunning black wedding dress. The beauty of the anti-bride movement is that there are no rules. It’s all about celebrating uniqueness. And if you’re on the hunt for some inspiration to discover your own epic wedding style, kickstart your planning journey by checking out our guide for how to plan a unique wedding.

Image by Chelsea Abram Photography. See more of this real wedding here.

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Monochromatic Flower-Filled Four Seasons Ko Olina Wedding

July 14, 2023 | justine

Lauren and Michael dreamed of tying the knot in a picturesque outdoor setting, surrounded by breathtaking waterfront views. That’s why they decided to trade a traditional affair for a  destination wedding infused with natural beauty. To bring their vision to life, they chose a classic color palette, lavish arrangements, and elegant gold decor. Their wedding at the Four Seasons Ko Olina was the epitome of tropical luxury, capturing the essence of paradise in every detail.

Their talented vendor team worked their magic and transformed the resort’s lawn into a stunning ceremony space. To add an extra pop of personality, they decorated the aisle with beautiful flowers and a lush arch. Against the panoramic ocean views and tropical landscape, it became the ultimate romantic setting for exchanging vows. At the reception, guests were treated to opulent centerpieces and installations, along with golden furniture and accents. 

The combination of gilded touches against an all-white setting exuded elegance and glam. And we love every detail! If you’ve ever dreamed of an oceanside soiree, these breathtaking photos by Derek Wong Photography will make you want to pack your bags and head to Hawaii.

The Couple:

Lauren and Michael

The Wedding:

Four Seasons Ko Olina, Hawaii, United States

How Their Flower-Filled Four Seasons Ko Olina Wedding Came To Be

We chose the Four Seasons because we wanted everything to be outside with a beautiful backdrop, so this was a no-brainer! Our vision was to create something timeless, elegant, and memorable. I am detail-oriented, so to me, it was the flowers, the stationery, and the decor. All of those small items help create a thoroughly memorable event. Flowers were critical since they helped create the atmosphere, so Sue with Su-V Expressions went above and beyond with full, lush flower arrangements and brought in two custom-made cherry blossom trees to go over our head table. Our guests kept bringing up how beautiful our flowers were weeks later, and that’s exactly what we wanted.

Having A Local Planner Gave Them Peace Of Mind

Our planner, Gabby with Bella Weddings, was professional and ensured I stayed calm through the entire planning and day-of process. She made sure that everything I asked for turned out exactly how I wanted. She was always relaxed, which helped us stay relaxed and stress-free. Since this was a destination wedding, it felt great knowing we had someone we could trust at our location to get everything done and organized.

Setting The Hawaiian Vibe Through Live Music

We wanted to add a touch of Hawaii by including Kamuela during cocktail hour to sing traditional Hawaiian music, bringing in hula dancers to accompany him. For the reception, we wanted a live band to bring the energy and be able to interact with the crowd, and the Island Kings Band did just that! Both were the best musicians we could have asked for and really set the vibe. They both had amazing vocals that sounded like recordings but had the benefit of being live and able to engage our guests in their music.

Combining Vision, Preparation, and Execution for an Extraordinary Four Seasons Ko Olina Wedding

Truly it was a perfect day, and everything was spectacular, from the flowers, the musicians, the rental decor, the weather, our photographer, our planner, and how it all came together to create the most special and memorable evening for ourselves and our guests. Walking out to see how everything came together so perfectly so we could relax and enjoy our special day together, knowing that our vision turned out even better than we imagined. Get started early and make checklists and a running list of things you’ve already completed. Planning can get hectic, and easy to forget what you’ve already done and what is left to do. Giving yourself enough time and staying organized is crucial.

The Wedding Team:

Photography – Derek Wong Photography
Event Planning – Bella Weddings
Ceremony + Reception Venue – Four Seasons Ko Olina
Floral Design – Su-V Expressions
Live Music – The Island Kings Band
Cocktail Hour Live Musician – Kamuela Kahoano
Ceremony String Trio – Mana Music
Cocktail Hour Hula Dancers – Kahiapo Talent
Invitation Design – The Inviting Pear
Makeup Artist + Hair Styling – Cheryl Hazelgrove 
Wedding Dress – Reem Acra
Reception Dress – Carolina Herrera
Bridal Accessories – Manolo Blahnik
Groom’s Apparel – Zegna
Groom’s Accessories – Prada
Rentals – Aloha Artisans + Pacific Party Rentals + The Wedding Linen Company 

 

Congratulations to Lauren and Michael on their monochromatic flower-filled Four Seasons Ko Olina wedding. And a big thank you to Junebug member Derek Wong Photography for capturing every exquisite detail and memorable moment. To see more of his talent, take a look at his profile in our directory of the world’s best wedding photographers.

If you’re planning a beach wedding, whether it’s on a remote island or a nearby paradise, or if you simply love everything tropical, we’ve got some amazing ideas to inspire your big day. Check out our list of tropical wedding ideas for the perfect touches to make your wedding magical.

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Best Places to Buy Wedding Guest Dresses Online

July 13, 2023 | riley

Image by By Darius. Keep scrolling to see the best places to buy wedding guest dresses online

One of the best parts about attending a wedding (aside from witnessing a couple’s love story, of course), is the opportunity to get dressed up. Who doesn’t love to look and feel their best and celebrate love with their friends and family? We know that finding the perfect outfit to wear should be easy in theory, but it can end up feeling like quite a daunting task. Spending all afternoon at the mall? No, thank you! That’s why we’re doing some shopping for you and rounding up some of the best places to buy wedding guest dresses online. From affordable options under $100 to sustainable pieces to dresses that will show up on your doorstep in no time, it’s time to get online shopping.

Best Places to Buy Wedding Guest Dresses Online

Lulus

If you have countless weddings to attend in the upcoming months, the last thing you want to do is spend a lot of money on dresses. That’s why we’re such big fans of Lulus. They have countless options for weddings of every kind–from beach to garden to black tie. And the best part? They’re typically under $100!

Nordstrom

There’s nothing that Nordstrom really doesn’t carry–including wedding guest dresses. With some of your favorite brands (including Reformation, ASTR the Label, and House of CB), there’s something for every occasion. They also have stores all across the United States, making trying dresses on and any necessary customer service a piece of cake.

Revolve

Revolve has taken the fashion industry by storm, and it’s not hard to see why. With dresses within every budget, you’re sure to find exactly what you’re looking for. In fact, you’re probably going to love it so much that you’ll do all of your shopping there from here on out. And because returns are super easy with the site, you’ve got nothing to lose.

Anthropologie

BHLDN is arguably one of the most well-known wedding brands out there, so it’s no surprise that Anthropologie–the team behind BHLDN–is one of the top places to shop for wedding guest dresses. With an array of options, picking just one dress is going to be difficult. They also happen to have great dresses that can double as a bridesmaid dress and a wedding guest dress (who doesn’t want to get more bang for their buck?).

Reformation

With so many fast fashion options out there, it’s hard to find reputable companies that are both cute and sustainable. Luckily, Reformation is making it possible for you to show up in style to weddings, all while still helping the Earth. Their goal is to source 100% of their fabrics from recycled, regenerative, or renewable materials by 2025. Not to mention they care about water impact, energy input, land use, price, and more. And the best part? You don’t have to sacrifice style.

Amazon

Sometimes you just need a dress in a pinch. We’ve all been in a situation where we take a look at our closets and realize we hate everything we own, leaving us running around like crazy trying to find an option the week of the wedding. Thanks to Prime, you can get thousands of wedding guest dresses from Amazon delivered to your front porch in a matter of a day or two. Returns are also a piece of cake if you end up not liking the dress you choose.

These wedding guest dresses are just scratching the surface. If you’re looking to dive into shopping even further (without leaving your couch), be sure to check up our roundup of wedding guest dresses for every season–summer, spring, winter, and fall. Oh, and did we mention we’ve also got styles for every type of wedding? You can see those here. Happy shopping!

Image by Wade Muir

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