10 Wedding Design Truths from 300 Style Quiz Responses
Weddings have always been a canvas for dreams. But in the age of Instagram, Pinterest, and TikTok, it’s easy to lose sight of what really matters. We’re told to find a vibe, curate a moment, design for the grid. But if we look past the filters, something beautiful is happening: brides are coming back to the heart of it all.
Based on over 300 wedding style quiz responses from couples across the country, we’re seeing a hopeful trend—one that’s less about perfection and more about presence. Less about orchestration, more about orchestration of feeling. The main thing is still the main thing. And that’s good news for everyone.
Whether you’re a newly engaged couple just starting your planning journey, or a wedding vendor trying to meet the moment with deeper intention—here’s what today’s bride really wants.
1. It has to feel like something.
85% of brides chose “what the wedding feels like” over “what it looks like.”
This is the headline, the heartbeat, the foundation. Aesthetic still matters—but only when it serves the experience. Brides aren’t chasing Pinterest boards; they’re chasing a feeling.
The F&Q Approach: We begin every planning journey by helping you articulate the feeling you want your wedding to evoke. From our initial mood-mapping to every design decision that follows, emotion comes first—always.
2. Lighting is the new floral centerpiece.
The top thing brides notice when entering a space? Lighting. Followed closely by mood and scent.
Lighting isn’t just functional—it’s emotional. It tells people when to exhale, when to feel moved, when to celebrate. Combined with music and scent, it creates a multi-sensory signature that lingers.
The F&Q Approach: We treat lighting as part of the emotional architecture of your wedding. From candle placement to ambient glow, we layer light intentionally to guide the mood across the entire celebration.

3. Florals are shifting from pretty to poetic.
Brides love romantic, garden-style florals—but the words they use most are sculptural, intentional, and artfully composed.
The bouquet isn’t just a bouquet anymore—it’s a chapter of the story. Movement matters. So does asymmetry, imperfection, and breath.
The F&Q Approach: We work closely with floral designers to create arrangements that speak to your love story. Expect poetic form, thoughtful asymmetry, and flowers that feel like you—not just look beautiful.
4. She wants guests to say “wow”—but softly.
Nearly half of all brides said they want guests to “say wow—softly.”
This isn’t about spectacle. It’s about intimacy, reverence, and that sacred feeling when a space just feels right. It’s not a scream—it’s a whisper that lands in the heart.
The F&Q Approach: We design with restraint, layering sensory elements that invite presence, not performance. The result? A setting that quietly stuns.

Photo Credit: EFEGE
5. Music is the memory-maker.
45% of brides want a playlist built from their own love story.
The trend is not toward orchestras or cover bands—it’s toward curated soundtracks that feel personal, cinematic, and emotionally immersive.
The F&Q Approach: We help shape your soundtrack—from ceremony cues to the late-night set—so your music reflects your rhythm, your history, your heart.


Photo Credit: EFEGE
6. Tradition isn’t dead—it’s just curated.
“A few thoughtful nods” was the top answer to “What role do traditions play in your vision?”
Today’s bride isn’t rejecting tradition out of rebellion. She’s choosing selectively, honoring with intention, and letting go of anything that doesn’t feel aligned. The bouquet toss? Maybe. A moment of silence for a late grandparent? Absolutely. It’s reverence without rigidity.
The F&Q Approach: We create space for meaningful conversations around tradition—what resonates, what doesn’t, and what deserves a new spin. Then we help you weave those choices into your day with grace and intentionality.
7. Design is emotional, not just visual.
Descriptive aesthetics like “earthy,” “romantic,” and “sophisticated with a sense of heritage” dominated the quiz—not concrete styles.
The visuals are serving something deeper. Nostalgia. Intimacy. Warmth. That’s where design lives now.
The F&Q Approach: We translate your emotional language into design direction. Through collaborative moodboarding, sensory cues, and detailed styling, we build a visual world that reflects your most authentic self.
8. Guest experience is everything.
Guest experience came in just behind location as the top wedding splurge.
The days of passive guesting are over. Brides are designing weekends—not just weddings. They care about how their people feel from start to finish.
The F&Q Approach: We design weddings as immersive experiences—from pacing the timeline to guiding the flow of the weekend. Every detail is considered to ensure your guests feel welcomed, seen, and part of something unforgettable.



9. Dinner is a love language.
Brides want menus that are rich, meaningful, and memory-driven—not performative.
They’re choosing family-style over fine dining. Comfort food over complicated plates. Dinners that feel like dinner parties.
The F&Q Approach: We collaborate with you and your culinary team to craft menus that complement the overall design, while weaving in personal favorites, nostalgic dishes, and flavors unique to the setting. Whether it’s a shared plate that reminds you of home or a regional ingredient that grounds the moment in place, we believe dinner should feel as thoughtful as the rest of your celebration.

10. Intention is the new luxury.
The most unforgettable weddings aren’t the most elaborate.
They’re the most felt.
What we’re seeing from today’s brides isn’t a rejection of beauty—it’s a return to why beauty matters. It’s about designing weddings that feel like slow dinners, handwritten notes, weekend escapes, or your favorite song on vinyl. Weddings where every detail is felt, not just seen.
At Fox & Quinn, we layer every detail with meaning. Through intentional planning, refined styling, and emotional storytelling, we help you create a celebration that reflects who you are—deeply and beautifully.
Because the best weddings aren’t trending. They’re telling.
Shall we begin?
Not sure where to start?
[Take the Fox & Quinn Style Quiz]
Discover your sensory wedding aesthetic and start designing a day that’s as personal as it is beautiful.
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