"Exploring Wedding Trends in Japan: A Look Back at the Styles from 2015 to 2020!"

2021.01.08 published

Wedding Scene Trends Changing Over Time ♡

Just like fashion trends, there are trends in the wedding scene as well.

When we look at the big-sleeved wedding dresses from the Showa era or performances where couples appear on gondolas, we can feel the passage of time. Similarly, in a few years, looking back at today's weddings, we might think, "Oh, I remember that!" ♡

Every year, a variety of new ideas are emerging! ♩

@macherie_dressbouquet

In this article from marry, we will introduce plenty of wedding ideas that became popular from 2015 to 2020.

Future brides might feel surprised to realize, "I thought this was a classic, but it was a recent idea!"

Past brides are likely to feel nostalgic, thinking, "Now that you mention it, everyone was imitating that!" ♡

Wedding Ideas that Emerged & Became Popular in **2015**

① Flower Crown

Flower crowns made of artificial flowers worn with down hairstyles became a massive trend ♡ They have now become a standard for brides. Initially, designs that tied with ribbons at the back were mainstream ♩

@h.k_happy_wedding

② Kururinpa

The hairstyle "kururinpa," which involves twisting the hair, emerged, and more and more people started incorporating it into self-made arrangements and bridal hairstyles!

③ Red String

The item for photography inspired by the legend of the red thread, red string. This DIY item is made by threading thin wire through thick yarn, featuring various designs, such as LOVE, hearts, longevity, and Mickey Mouse.

@st.wedding0811

④ Designed Marriage Registration

Gorgeous marriage registrations designed with characters and illustrations became immensely popular, instead of the standard ones issued by municipalities ♡

@shococo.wd

⑤ Paper Napkin Flowers

Flowers made from paper napkins, known as "pepanapu flowers," became popular as decoration materials for love objects and photo panels. Some brides even dyed their napkins in their favorite colors using paints.

@ka_wedding_04

⑥ Naked Cake

The naked cake, which has become a staple design, also made its appearance during this time! The exposed sponge without whipped cream is casual and fresh, leading to its explosive popularity.

⑦ High Sofa for the Top Table

High sofas instead of tables for the top table started gaining popularity among brides who wanted a natural and cute wedding!

@rin_9200

⑧ Photo Props

Photo props are used during wedding photo shoots. DIY colorful and vibrant photo props became a trend ♩ Various designs emerged, including lips and mustaches, and flowers.

@changmii_wedding

⑨ Love Story Dish

A love story reflects the journey from the day the couple met until the wedding day, either written on boards or plates. It became a stylish new wedding item ♡

@th8mt

⑩ Ribbon Garland

The classic garland. During pre-wedding shoots and weddings, everyone's taking photos with a garland tied with ribbons became a trend ♡ Flower garlands and "We Got Married" garlands for pre-wedding shoots were also popular.

@min_no_arukikata

⑪ Doll Cake Topper

Custom-designed doll cake toppers for the bride and groom became popular! Nowadays, various designs can be purchased online. There was also a trend of taking pre-wedding photos in the same pose as the cake topper ♡

@choco_yukamaru

⑫ Charismatic Bride

More brides began creating their bride accounts on Instagram in 2015. With fewer accounts back then, everyone followed charismatic brides who had intricately planned weddings for inspiration ♡

⑬ Ring Balloon

Using large diamond engagement ring balloons as photography props became popular. Ideas for proposal shots and using them creatively with perspective emerged ♡

⑭ Rapunzel Hair

More brides began coordinating their down hairstyles and lavender dresses inspired by Rapunzel, the protagonist of Disney's 2011 film "Tangled." The number of women who named Rapunzel as their favorite Disney princess grew significantly.

@lucy_wedding

The hairstyle inspired by Rapunzel, which became explosively popular, established itself as "down styles."

There is even a group called the "Japanese Down Style Association."

@mr_____.wed

⑮ Wave Wave

The wavy hairstyle created with a straight iron, known as "wave wave," became incredibly popular.

Unlike tightly curled hair created by curling irons, wave wave hair gives a subtle and fluffy impression and has become a staple bridal hairstyle for natural weddings.

Although straight bridal hair started to trend in 2019, many brides still opt for wave wave hairstyles, regardless of whether their hair is up or down. ♡

Wedding Ideas that Emerged & Became Popular in **2016**

① Baby's Breath Bouquet

Bouquets made solely from baby's breath became a massive trend among brides opting for natural weddings! Baby's breath, which was previously used as a secondary flower, has now become popular and standard ♡

@asu_0423

② Ring Photo Frame

The ring photo frame from Francfranc, modeled after engagement rings, became a hit thanks to its introduction on marry, even selling out at one point!

It can serve as a photo prop for pre-wedding shoots, a reception sign on the big day, and a photo frame after the wedding—a triple use item!

@nsy_wd0512

③ Embroidered Ring Pillow

An embroidered ring pillow with the couple's hands has emerged as a casual and adorable design that gained popularity among brides in natural weddings.

@marica_wedding

④ Vera Wang

The iconic dress brand from New York, Vera Wang, saw a rise in popularity as future brides flocked to try on dresses. The popularity of designs like ballerina and Hailey surged ♡

@erinaweddingstory

⑤ Acrylic Parenting Appreciation Certificates

A new DIY wedding idea using acrylic boards emerged with certificates of appreciation for parents. Brides began inserting dried flowers and fruits into acrylic boards and writing messages with white markers ♩

@batakosan0407

⑥ Today's Wedding Ceremony Image

The trend of posting "Today's Wedding Ceremony Image" on social media emerged, inspired by marry's post, and became popular among bride-to-be's ♡ Many would add "Today, a wedding" to their favorite photos and post them on the morning of their wedding, accompanied by "Here we go♡".

@sapphosugawara

⑦ Lying Shot

The lying shot, where brides wear wedding dresses or color dresses and lie down, gained popularity for being incredibly cute ♡ It became a standard pose for pre-wedding shoots.

@bride28am

⑧ Jenny Packham Acacia

Hair accessories from the UK high brand "Jenny Packham" gained immense popularity as coveted headpieces ♩ With silver, gold, and crystal options, silver was especially favored!

@mai_wedding0312

⑨ Marquee Light

The popular imported decorative item, marquee lights featuring lightbulbs within alphabet objects, became a staple wedding item. While nowadays they can be purchased at affordable stores, back then, ready-made products were hard to come by, leading most brides to create their own.

@mmmmx326

⑩ Wedding TBT

The trend of posting wedding memories on Instagram on Thursday nights with the hashtag "#wedding TBT" became popular among past brides ♡ As Thursday night rolled around, everyone would post their favorite photos and reminisce about their weddings.

⑪ Fruit Liquor Making

The traditional table round of candle service or photo rounds was innovated with a new fruit liquor-making experience. It became popular as a guest participation activity where guests added fruits ♡

@hal9000marriage

⑫ Love Object

Love objects created with paper napkin flowers ♡ They added a vibrant presence to pre-wedding photography and photo rounds. Various colorful designs and those adorned with artificial flowers became available.

@tmoo814

⑬ Rainbow Dress

The colorful pastel rainbow dress became incredibly popular ♡ Many brides were enamored with "THE HANY" creation Chantal. Many other brands began releasing rainbow dresses as well.

@cano.bride

⑭ Caricature

Warm and stylish caricature welcome boards became popular. The slightly casual chic vibe captured the hearts of brides ♡ Many ordered illustrations from artists discovered on Instagram.

@chao.wedding

⑮ Blackboard Photo Booth

The blackboard-style photo booths from abroad ♩ Writing English phrases and illustrations in white paint on black fabric or faux paper and displaying them in the welcome space or behind the top table became trendy. The sense of accomplishment from this large DIY is exceptional! Nowadays, more rental item shops offering this service have emerged.

@os.im_wedding

⑯ English Cake Toppers

The trend of choosing English phrase cake toppers started around this time and has become common among brides. Simple designs give off a chic, international feel! ♡

@asu_0423

⑰ Denim Bustier

A denim bustier was chosen by brides for pre-wedding shoots and second parties! They enjoyed a casual style by layering it over their wedding dresses ♡ Grooms also coordinated with denim bow ties ♩

⑱ Flower Wall

Flower walls made by attaching artificial flowers with ribbons or twine emerged as a new decorative item ♡ They are still used in photo booths and behind top tables today ♩

⑲ Giant Flower

Large paper flowers known as giant flowers became popular ♡ They create a fairy-like atmosphere when held and became a trend as decorative and pre-wedding items.

@yupipi_wedding

⑳ Face-Hiding Shot

The face-hiding shot where brides cover their faces with the wedding bouquet gained popularity as a trendy pose ♡ Many brides include it in their shot lists as a must-have solo shot.

Wedding Ideas that Emerged & Became Popular in **2017**

① Wreath Bouquet

Round wreath bouquets appeared as an evolved version of wedding bouquets. They became a standard among brides for turning their color change bouquets during natural weddings. ♡

@lva__wd

② Fruit Cake with Slices

Cakes decorated with sliced fruits became a hit with their brand-new appearance, catching everyone's attention with "So cute!" ♡ When marry introduced it, the Instagram tags were zero, but now they have surpassed 1,000!

③ Colored Drip Cake

Color dripping became a staple wedding cake performance starting around this period. Many couples are increasingly incorporating it as their first joint project apart from cutting the cake. ♡

@hitomi.2017wedding

④ Proposal Ring

Proposal rings for engagement have slowly gained recognition among men, catering to modern brides who want to choose their favorite designs for their engagement rings.

⑤ Thank You for Marrying Me

A cute idea of surprising a partner with a message plate saying "Thank You for Making Me Your Wife" during a meal out or an anniversary became popular on SNS ♡

@atan041228

⑥ Twig Accessories

Lovely twig accessories that can be handmade with pearls, beads, and wire became popular among brides experimenting with DIY. ♡

@wd_styk

⑦ Yorisohi Guardian

The couple's guardian amulet from Nogi Shrine in Tokyo, inspired by hakama and white wedding kimonos, emerged as a must-have item for couples doing traditional pre-weddings.

@nat_wedding

⑧ Chiffon Ribbon

Bridal hairstyles featuring large chiffon ribbons adorning ponytails appeared! Their impact and cuteness led to many brides imitating them during their capes and color change ♡ It's popular to place flowers in the center.

@s.e.0805.wedding

⑨ Confetti Shower

Replacing traditional flower showers, guests launch confetti-filled crackers, bringing a colorful party-like atmosphere, which has become a standard shower performance.

@keiko_marry

⑩ Welcome Trunk

Brides began incorporating welcome trunks filled with their favorite items as a cute way to display their welcome space! Initially, many had cute themes with stuffed animals and flowers but now, more antique-style welcome trunks have gained traction.

@eri_wedding0512

⑪ Herbarium

Interiors made from preserved flowers soaked in special oil, herbarium ♡ Initially, there were very few places selling these, leading to a competitive atmosphere. Now, many types of herbarium are available.

⑫ Favor Tote

The tote bag favor, born from brides' dissatisfaction with paper favor bags that were not very stylish, became popular! It was a revolutionary item that guests could use after the event, creating joy among brides who want to delight their guests ♡

@a.bride9

⑬ Costco Bear

The large bear sold at Costco, Costco Bear. Placing the Costco bear on the top table during the couple's recess became a cute buzz on SNS. The number of couples visiting Costco specifically for the bear has risen ♡

@t.kana_wedding._.g

⑭ Wedding Tapestry

Large canvas fabric featuring vows was used as a marriage certificate instead of a formal one, becoming ideal for casual wedding ceremonies, spreading among couples opting for human ceremonies ♩

@chihiro_wedding1022

⑮ Separate Dress

Casual separate wedding dresses became popular as pre-wedding attire or second-party dresses ♡ Trend-savvy brides were all choosing separate dresses ♩

@marurin.105

Wedding Ideas that Emerged & Became Popular in **2018**

① Escort Cards

Originating from overseas weddings without seating charts, the escort card serves to inform guests of their table numbers. Although still rare in Japan, more brides are incorporating them along with small gifts like keychains or candies ♡

@yuu5781

② Hexagonal Glass Ring Pillow

DIY ideas for natural ring pillows emerged, made using hexagonal glass boxes filled with dried flowers ♡ Many brides purchase these glass boxes from a store called "Malaika."

@yuih_wd

③ Dry Flowers with Traditional Wear

Pairing dried or preserved flower bouquets and hair accessories with traditional Japanese clothing became a trend, coordinating to evoke a delicate charm. A more adult-chic representation of traditional pre-weddings has increased ♡

@yt20150316

④ Protea and Pampas Grass

Unique blooms like protea and pampas grass exploded in popularity, influenced by overseas bohemian weddings ♡ Many stylish brides carried bouquets featuring protea.

Due to a rise in brides favoring an unprecedented rustic atmosphere, pampas grass appeared more frequently in venue floral decorations.

@yurinco.0807

⑤ Star-Motif Accessories

Star-motif items from coveted overseas accessory brands like "Jennifer Bear" and "Maria Elena" became popular ♡ The number of rental shops for imported accessories significantly increased.

@marurin.105

⑥ Closing Kiss

The romantic closing kiss as a final ceremony performance began trending ♡ This act, where the couple kisses just before the doors close, was a long-standing tradition abroad, but has only recently gained popularity in Japan.

⑦ Colorful Tile

Writing on Moroccan or colorful tiles to use as seating cards made its debut overseas and quickly gained popularity in Japan, making a chic tile seating card choice among numerous brides.

⑧ Calligraphy

Interest in calligraphy surged in wedding scenes in 2018. Brides often had guest names written on colorful tiles, agate, or included quotes on their welcome boards. Many brides started attending calligraphy classes.

⑨ Box Flower

Circles of flowers arranged in box-shaped containers became popular as welcome items, especially among hotel wedding brides ♡

@nao_0111_0422

⑩ Korean Photos

Romantic and grand Korean photos began to gain popularity ♡ Once just a desire, more couples now actually travel to Korea for pre-wedding photos. Increasingly, brides are looking to Korean brides for simple hairstyles and bouquets for inspiration.

⑪ Swag Board

The swag board combines swags of flowers with the welcome board. It has become a popular design among brides opting for natural and rustic weddings, with many choosing to DIY ♩

@yuih_wd

⑫ Imported Dresses

Imported dresses from brands like "Tempari London," such as "BIBI," gained popularity for being different from traditional gowns ♡ The number of dress salons specialized in imported dresses continued to increase, broadening brides' choices.

⑬ Color Change from White to White

With the rising popularity of imported dresses, many brides began to change colors from one wedding dress to another.

The previous tradition of changing into colored dresses or Niou-bura became a thing of the past, leading to a shift toward more freedom in color changes.

@ikik_wd_0428

⑭ Traditional Wear x Down Styles

Until now, traditional hairstyles were expected to be up-styles only, but down-styled hairstyles paired with traditional attire emerged!

This innovative combination gained attention.

⑮ Rustic Wedding Photo

Traditionally, bright locations like parks and beaches were favored spots for pre-wedding shoots, but rustic wedding photos taken at coastlines or rocky areas while wearing slender imported dresses began to gain traction.

A rise in brides reaching for sophisticated and chic yet distinct pre-wedding photos has been noticeable ♡

@191214_wd

Wedding Ideas that Emerged & Became Popular in **2019**

① Anthurium

The heart-shaped leaves of the "anthurium" became a trending plant in 2019. Although it carried a strong resort vibe, it was also used in rustic and natural settings ♡

② Calla Lily

The long and slender calla lily gained immense popularity for stylish arrangements. It was commonly associated with sophisticated adult brides.

@ikik_wd_0428

③ Anemone

The flower "anemone" received a lot of likes whenever it was introduced on marry's Instagram ♡ It was widely used in bouquets and table arrangements.

Anemone-only bridal hair became popular.

The pic shared on marry's Instagram drew huge reactions from brides, expressing how "cute!" it was.

@mmeg_1020wd

④ Lunaria

The mysterious plant "lunaria" became slightly popular for its translucent appearance when dried, resembling Kapis shells. It can be cute whether bundled alone or added to a bouquet ♡

⑤ Crystal Chip Ring Pillow

The regular glass case ring pillows from Malaika remained popular, but a trend emerged in 2019 where crystal chips were included inside. Being easy to make and transparent, this item fits the wedding theme quite well ♩

⑥ Ring Plate

Following the popularity of agate in 2018, ring plates also garnered attention. Many put calligraphy on agate or resin, completing a chic look ♡

@tiffany_co_

⑦ Brush Stroke

The style "brush stroke," which utilizes hand-painted brushwork, gained traction. The back of acrylic welcome boards featured brush strokes, and "brush stroke cakes" adorned with brush stroke chocolate plates also became trendy. ♡

@yn_0525wd

⑧ Jute Bag

Using jute bags as favor bags became popular. They are easier to use than tote bags, offering depth, and can even be personalized by adding embroidery at Muji ♡

@ka1019wedding

⑨ Resin Place Cards

Resin place cards suspended flower designs as they dried gained traction, leading many to create unique versions in various shapes ♡

@ykmnmk0512

⑩ Silk Ribbon

"Silk ribbon," a staple item in overseas weddings, garnered popularity in Japan in 2019 ♡ The soft hues were well-used for decorating paper items and tying bouquets.

⑪ Paddle Brush

Paddle brushes became extremely popular as wedding favors and for appreciation gifts during receptions and entertainment (thanks to AVEDA) ♡

With name engravings on the back, they added a touch of uniqueness. ♩

⑫ Russeur Free Cup

The "Russeur Free Cup" from In the Mood also gained popularity as wedding favors ♡ Many brides used them as place cards, having names written directly on wooden boxes.

⑬ Meal Heden Frame

Ikea's "Meal Heden Frame" was widely used to display photos in welcome spaces ♡ They could be purchased for just ¥1,999.

@yuih_wd

⑭ Brass Frame

Brass photo frames became popular for table numbers and marriage certificates (they also served as decorative photo frames, of course). ♡

The simple gold design made them versatile and greatly appreciated.

⑮ Daiso's Embossed Paper

The embossed paper launched at Daiso, a ¥100 shop, became a hit with its thickness and affordability, becoming highly useful for wedding DIY projects.

The trend of tearing it around the edges and painting them gold became widespread. ♩

⑯ Hatsuko Endo

Hatsuko Endo dresses became wildly popular ♡ Many brides who preferred elegant and sophisticated designs for hotel weddings gravitated towards them.

The particularly rich color variations of the original brand "A by Hatsuko Endo" were sought after for changing dresses ♡

@hm_wedding_1214

⑰ Gold Leaf

Wedding ideas incorporating gold leaf—such as gold leaf hair and gold leaf cakes—became trendy.

Gold leaf hairstyles originated from graduation hairstyles but spread into bridal scenes, especially among trend-conscious brides.

⑱ Sleek Hair

While the wavy "wave wave" hairstyles once dominated popularity, the emergence of sleek, straightforward hairstyles without waves began to expand in 2019.

A gradual increase in brides desiring a classical and elegant bride appearance occurred.

⑲ Marunouchi Pre-Wedding

After five years of construction on the Marunouchi side of Tokyo Station, its completion in December 2017 began a new era for pre-wedding photography.

Previously, local hotel couples primarily captured photos in the area, but now it's common to see numerous couples taking pre-wedding photos on weekends.

@romin_wedding

Wedding Ideas that Emerged & Became Popular in **2020**

① Bubble Balloons

Round, transparent balloons containing flowers made their debut, gaining popularity as unknown balloon gifts on Instagram ♡

② One-Bundle Arrangement

The "one-bundle arrangement," with tight ponytails held together to the tips, gained popularity across both Western and traditional attire.

Bundling hair strands, ribbons, or leather cords created a polished look favored by brides aiming for a sophisticated style.

③ Super Tight Hair

After a long period of fluffy hairstyles being trendy, brides began embracing the opposite with extremely tight hairstyles.

The presence of brides created a noticeable impact when styled with fashionable accessories or bouquets.

@nn.wd2020

④ Artificial Flower Bouquets

In addition to fresh, dried, and preserved flower bouquets, the popularity of artificial flower bouquets increased.

Many individuals emerged as homemade craftspersons selling their artificial bouquets ♡

@macherie_dressbouquet

⑤ Mask Cases

The COVID-19 pandemic led to the introduction of infection control items within wedding scenes in 2020.

Many brides thoughtfully prepared mask cases as amenities to help ease guests' worries.

⑥ Alcohol Hand Gel

Similarly, the idea of providing alcohol hand gels as small gifts or escort items emerged as an infection prevention method.

Every Era of Weddings Is Wonderful ♡

We have introduced wedding ideas that emerged and gained popularity from 2015 to 2020.

There are so many ideas that remain timeless, as well as those that evoke a sense of nostalgia.

At marry, we will continue to share beautiful wedding items and moving performances while generating wonderful ideas and information.

May we deliver as many "kyun♡" moments as possible to brides in Japan!

@haruno45