Field Notes

Many couples are opting for flowers from local farms as a more sustainable way to customize the look of their weddings.

Dress codes, color palettes and shopping guides: Wardrobe guidance for some weddings is getting increasingly specific.

The farm-to-table concept has been around for a while, but some couples expect more than simply fresh cuisine at their wedding. They want to be fully immersed in the farm experience.

To delight their guests, couples are booking musical headliners to give surprise performances at their weddings.

For some, undergoing a cosmetic procedure or two is an essential component of wedding prep.

With the cost of weddings on the rise, some couples are skipping big celebrations and prioritizing travel instead.

Move over stilettos and slingbacks, there’s a new bridal shoe trend in town: the cowboy boot. Brides are pairing them with relaxed silhouetted dresses for an elegant western look.

Some couples choose to turn away from traditional engagements and opt for joint proposals, no surprise needed.

The bachelorette party is getting a spa makeover, with many brides-to-be now opting for more tranquil settings.

The model Emily Ratajkowski’s “divorce rings” are part of a trend for jewelry that signals a new beginning after a marriage ends.

Some couples are going above and beyond to personalize their weddings, with bespoke party favors and custom experiences for guests.

First comes wedding cake. Then game-day margaritas.

Along with the emotional turmoil, there are logistics to navigate. Here are tips on what to do next from people who have been through it.

Brides and grooms are hiring content creators to film, edit footage and produce Instagram and TikTok posts with music, transitions and behind-the-scenes moments.

Why are receptions (and Instagram) increasingly filled with table-long confections?

Some brides and grooms are addressing the age-old dilemma of “who’s going to watch the kids?” by hiring babysitters for guests’ little ones.

Some newlyweds are seeking some rest and relaxation after the festivities — with 25 of their nearest and dearest.

Traveling? Completing manual labor? Mindful of safety? There are alternative rings for that.

For brides who want to feel glamorous at every moment on their wedding day, ornate robes embellished with feathers, lace and sequins are a go-to option for pre-wedding looks.

Brides — and grooms — are clamoring to incorporate pearls into their wedding looks in modern ways.

Picking a wedding venue can be a daunting process. But for some couples who met as college students, marrying at their alma maters is the clear choice.

A wedding is incomplete for some couples without their canine companions — whether on the dance floor, down the aisle or in the dressing room.

For many couples, working with businesses that share their values and support people from diverse backgrounds is an important part of the planning process.

Social media is giving a lift to the centuries-old practice of looking to the stars to decide on the exact time, date and location of a couple’s big day.

Beaded and bedazzled, fancy and frilly, lacy and Lycra-fitted — bridal bikinis are here. Brides are embracing swimwear for after parties, honeymoons and even ceremonies.

Some brides are bucking tradition and trading tiaras, sashes and bar hopping in major cities with their friends in favor of a more subdued celebration, alone.

To celebrate the rite of passage, some women are opting for a mid-wedding haircut.

Across the country, more couples are seeking out film photographers to shoot their weddings.

Some couples are forgoing certain traditions — like groomsmen and bridesmaids — in favor of more inclusivity. As one person planning a wedding said: “That’s just being a good host.”

Wedding planners and sustainability experts weighed in on how to consume mindfully while planning the wedding of your dreams.

Couples looking to add a personal touch to their weddings are reimagining jewels passed down through generations and recasting them into new creations.

The Celtic ritual has become a popular commitment ceremony for some polyamorous couples.

“Stag and does” are a largely rural Ontario tradition that help engaged couples raise money for their nuptials — and give neighbors a good reason to party.

Relationship coaches are now helping single people navigate texting.

The two-stone bauble has been the ring of choice for celebrities like Ariana Grande, Megan Fox and Kylie Jenner.

Contests that offer to cover all or some wedding costs can seem to have few downsides. But experts and sweepstakes winners say there are things to look out for.

As one jeweler put it, many of her L.G.B.T.Q. clients want “the opposite of what a diamond is supposed to stand for.” Sapphires, opals and other nontraditional stones have in turn grown more coveted.

From “desert chic” to “beach formal,” many couples are selecting distinctive themes for their weddings and are asking their guests to look the part.

For those who crave efficiency, some websites tackle wedding planning with an add-to-cart approach.

Couples who want to savor as much of a wedding day as possible are organizing chauffeured excursions to see sights, bar hop and shop with their guests.

As pickleball rides a wave of popularity, couples are marrying on courts, hosting games at their receptions and finding other ways to incorporate the sport into their nuptials.

“You can find a dress that makes you feel beautiful on a budget — you can save thousands of dollars,” said one bride. “You just have to be willing to do a little digging.”

Though requesting monetary gifts has become more accepted at weddings, experts say there is a right — and a wrong — way to ask for cash.

At a time when they have become a popular accessory for celebrities to carry, books are also gaining appeal as a takeaway for wedding guests.

Facing a shortage of prime times, more couples are marrying earlier in the day at weddings that some are finding easier to book and less expensive to host.

As couples seek to plan nuptials that feel more personal, many are eschewing tradition. But this may be the most visible break yet.

The proposal party offers newly engaged couples a chance to celebrate — immediately — with friends and family.

Multiday wedding celebrations packed with events are becoming more popular as couples look to make up lost time with loved ones during the pandemic.

From counterfeit gowns to stolen gifts, here are four common fraudulent schemes and tips for how to prevent them.

Products and services to help a groom look his best on the big day.

These days, everything but the spouse is available on loan.

After much holdover, nuptials are back on for 2022 and invites are piling up. But just because you’re ready to get out and celebrate doesn’t mean your wallet is.

When wedding planning paused, wedding expos died down. Now, all the food-sampling, photographer-shopping and tango-learning is back — in more pandemic-friendly form.

The insects, which surface every 17 years, have invaded outdoor weddings in several states and the District of Columbia. They’re expected to be gone by early July.

The Sweet Hearts chapel, a new small events space, offers couples an affordable, all-inclusive experience.

For many couples who had scaled-down, virtual ceremonies, this year is all about the second celebration — an in-person reception with family and friends.

The pandemic not only delayed weddings, it changed what couples put on their gift wish lists. Out with the crystal decanter and in with the barbecue grill.

From talent shows to trivia quizzes, here are a few creative ways to keep guests entertained and engaged, while observing health and safety protocols whatever your state’s restrictions are.

From virtual reality ceremonies to robot bartenders, here are a few high-tech options to help couples celebrate (even while socially distanced).

From heating lamps to snow machines, here are some must-have items and creative ideas for couples braving the colder weather.

Pet attendant services take care of everything your furry friend needs (grooming, feedings, walks and more) before, during and after your wedding day.

The Rev. Roxanne Birchfield, a celebrity wedding officiant, will tell you one thing for sure: marriage is not a fairy tale but it is absolutely a thing of hope.

Experts share tips on how to adjust the wording of wedding invitations when hosting an intimate ceremony or celebration.

These gadgets will help you improve the production quality and create memorable experiences for you and your digital guests.

Experts weigh in on how to freeze your cake and have some other suggestions for commemorative treats to savor on your one-year anniversary.

For some couples who postponed their engagement shoots because of the coronavirus, artists have stepped in to create custom illustrations and portraits.

Bridal boutiques across the country are offering virtual shopping experiences where brides, grooms and wedding parties can try on and purchase their wedding attire online.

With their clients in lockdown, some photographers are turning to virtual photo shoots for weddings and engagements.

The coronavirus has forced couples to reschedule or plan quarantine-approved celebrations. Experts share some how-to tips for navigating alternative plans.

As some married couples seek to join their identities, while also acknowledging they are equals, they are combining surnames or are creating entirely new ones.

Hiding a bulky engagement ring box can be tricky before the big ask. Here are a few products and tips for keeping the ring concealed.

Want to protect yourself in the event of a wedding mishap, severe weather conditions or a vendor incident? Here’s what to consider before getting wedding insurance.

Monique Proctor, who changed her name to DJ Smiles Davis 11 years ago, talks about playlists, fees and her favorite wedding moments.

Experts share advice on what to consider before you book a room block for your wedding.

Wedding retailers and businesses offer discounts, some up to half off, on wedding dresses, accessories, gifts and more for your wedding party.

Not just for brides anymore, grooms are getting in on the pre-wedding celebrations with more subdued parties. They are not to be mistaken for something they make movies about.

A save-the-date card is not a subpoena. You are allowed to skip being in the bridal party, attending a shower or bachelor/bachelorette party and even the wedding itself.

Etiquette experts and professional card writers offer advice for making the process easier and even go a little faster.

Sure you could have drinks and dancing at your reception, or, you could have Connect 4, KerPlunk and cornhole competitions to get the party started.

Wearing custom tuxedo shirts and sneakers, the Wedding Hashers race to join the wedding photo shoots.