One of the most common questions we hear from couples is: “How do we make our wedding feel current without it looking dated in a few years?” It’s a great question — and an important one. With trends constantly evolving and inspiration everywhere, it’s easy to feel pulled in a dozen different directions. The key isn’t choosing between timeless or trendy. It’s learning how to blend the two in a way that feels intentional and true to you and creating your unique wedding design.

When done thoughtfully, mixing classic wedding design with trend-forward moments creates a wedding that feels elevated, personal, and effortlessly stylish — not trendy for the sake of it, and definitely not stuck in the past. The goal is a celebration that feels exciting now and just as beautiful when you look back on it years from today. Here’s how to strike that balance and design a wedding that stands the test of time while still feeling fresh and modern.

Start With a Timeless Foundation To Hone In On Your Wedding Design

Every great design starts with a strong base. Think of this as the pieces that will stand the test of time — the elements that ground your wedding visually.

Timeless foundations often include:

• Neutral or classic color palettes
• Clean table linens and place settings
• Elegant typography
• Natural materials like stone, wood, and linen

By anchoring your design in classic elements, you create a canvas that allows trendier details to shine without overwhelming the overall look.

Use Trends as Accents, Not the Main Event

Trends are fun — and they absolutely have a place in wedding design. The key is using them intentionally.

Instead of building your entire wedding around a trend, incorporate it in smaller, impactful ways:

• Statement escort displays or seating charts
• Fashion-forward color moments
• Unique bar designs or lounge furniture
• Trendy floral styles paired with classic arrangements

This approach keeps your wedding feeling modern without relying too heavily on any one moment.

Let Your Venue Lead the Way For Your Wedding Design

Your venue plays a huge role in determining what timeless and trendy looks like for your wedding.

A historic estate or vineyard naturally lends itself to classic design, while a modern venue can handle bolder, more contemporary details. When your design works with the venue instead of against it, everything feels more cohesive.

This is where having a planner with a design eye makes all the difference — we help translate trends in a way that feels appropriate for your space.

Balance Old and New Through Texture

One of our favorite ways to blend timeless and trendy design is through texture.

Classic elements like crisp linens or traditional tableware pair beautifully with:

• Hand-dyed napkins
• Mixed materials in signage
• Modern lighting installations
• Layered textiles and unexpected finishes

Texture adds depth and interest while keeping the overall look elevated and intentional.

Choose Trends That Actually Feel Like You

Not every trend needs to make an appearance — and that’s a good thing.

The most successful designs are rooted in the couple’s personality, not what’s popular on social media at the moment. If a trend doesn’t feel authentic to you, it won’t feel right on your wedding day either.

We always encourage couples to choose trends that align with their style and skip the rest.

Trust Your Creative Team

Blending timeless and trendy design takes more than pulling inspiration from Pinterest. It requires a thoughtful approach, an understanding of scale and flow, and a team that knows how to edit ideas into a cohesive vision.

At Carly Saber Events, our full-service planning packages include design support, which means we help our couples curate a look that feels modern, elevated, and uniquely theirs — without sacrificing longevity or elegance.

Ready To Create Your Perfect Blend Of Wedding Design Elements? We’d Love To Help!

When timeless design and modern details come together thoughtfully, the result is a wedding that feels elevated, personal, and enduring. Trends will always come and go, but strong design — rooted in intention and guided by experience — is what allows your wedding to feel current and classic at the same time.

At Carly Saber Events, design is not an add-on or an afterthought. It’s woven into everything we do. All of our planning packages include design services, with the option to elevate your experience even further through our dedicated design package. From defining your aesthetic and refining your color palette to sourcing décor, collaborating with creative partners, and ensuring every detail feels cohesive, we guide you through the entire design process with clarity and confidence.

Our goal is to help you create a wedding that feels like you — not overly trendy, not overly traditional, but a beautiful blend of both. If you’re planning a celebration in Sonoma, Napa, or beyond and want a planning team that understands how to balance timeless style with thoughtful, modern design, we’d love to help bring your vision to life. Head over to our contact form to inquire with us and see if we are the best fit for you!