In January we were delighted to welcome Flo to our team for a week of work experience. Flo is currently studying hospitality and tourism in Cannes and doing an apprenticeship at a hotel called La bastide de l’Oliveraie. As part of Flo’s commitment to learn more about other aspects of hospitality industry, she asked if she could join us to learn more about the wedding and events industry.

We had a fun week and accomplished a lot, showing Flo how to look after client enquiries, we conducted a venue visit, unpacked new stock in the warehouse and Flo did some marketing assignments. As part of the marketing, we asked Flo if she’s like to write a blog post and she took up the challenge!

Thank you Flo, we loved having you. Ginny and the VVH Team x

Youthful creativity and cutting-edge technology are transforming the wedding industry, from how couples plan and invite guests to the way they celebrate their big day. So, what’s new, and how is technology shaping these unforgettable moments?

Sustainability and Technology

The Role of AI in Wedding Planning :

AI’s ability to personalize and streamline planning is undeniable, but its growing use in creating wedding inspiration is sparking mixed reactions in the industry. We’ve seen a growing trend of wedding planners and suppliers using AI-generated inspiration and wedding pictures. While these tools can create stunning visuals and concepts in seconds, they risk overshadowing the effort, talent, and craftsmanship of the incredible teams that bring real weddings to life. The artistry of floral arrangements, the precision of a photographer’s lens, and the personal touch of a custom gown can’t truly be replicated by an algorithm. Although AI can certainly spark ideas, the heart of a wedding remains in the hands of skilled professionals.

While AI can help couples perfect the details of their big day, another priority for Gen Z couples is ensuring that their celebrations are environmentally friendly. Couples are increasingly opting for locally sourced food; they are also using AI to help caterers provide a more personalised and efficient catering services at weddings. AI can analyse guests’ dietary preferences and recommend menu items that are suitable for them, as well as analysing food waste data to optimise catering services and reduce waste. This generation isn’t just planning a wedding, they’re planning with a purpose, blending celebration with environmental responsibility.

When you’re planning your wedding, everyone needs inspiration, 41% of Gen Z couples are using TikTok for wedding purpose, this represents a huge jump from 11% of all engaged couples in 2021, which not only suggests a preference for digital expression, but also highlights how social media platforms profoundly shape the narrative of modern weddings.

While AI offers incredible benefits, it can sometimes diminish the individual and personal magic of a wedding. As couples are embracing technology, we’ve found that 7% of couples are using AI for music playlists and 5% turning to generative content for speeches, invitations and even vows.

For tech-savvy couples some are opting for high-tech wedding rings that can monitor your heartbeat, BP, temperature as well as receiving notifications of incoming calls, emails, and messages and even make cashless payments. And if you’re looking to capture special moments in unique ways, some are requesting their florist to leave a spot in their bouquet for a mini camera to capture walking down the aisle, guests’ faces, the parental handoff and wedding vows.

Sustainable Love: How Weddings Are Going Green :
Sustainability is no longer a niche consideration; it’s a priority for many Gen Z couples. Upcycled decor and paper free invitations are up by 10% since 2022, with some couples turning to AI to simplify the process of designing the perfect invitation. Using AI to customize invitations that match the couple’s style by analysing their social media profiles to create personalised invitations with elements such as their favourite colour, fonts and themes.

The Grand Exit is a very special and memorable moment in every wedding, but it’s not always the most eco-friendly way of celebrating. Traditional paper confetti causes a litter headache for the venue and can harm wildlife, making it unsustainable in today’s world. Nowadays, there is a 7% increase in the use of plant based, biodegradable confetti and real petals.

Fun ways for the guests to take part :
Bringing a touch of nostalgia to modern weddings, couples are handing out disposable cameras to their guests. These candid shots capture special moments from a unique perspective, blending raw authenticity with 90s charm, giving the wedding photos a personal, entertaining and fun-loving feel. And instead of the classic guest book, couples are deciding on audio books and vintage rotary phones to allow guests to record heartfelt messages throughout the night, a unique and thoughtful way for your loved ones to share personalised messages and moments from your special day. These trends highlight a shift toward celebrations that prioritize meaning, creativity, and individuality, paving the way for a new era in the wedding industry.