How to Actually Use This Trend in Your Wedding

It might be the season for traveling—and, more grievously, the season for sunless tanner disasters—but summer also heralds the height of wedding season. And whether you’re tying the knot yourself this year or are happily single and attending these weddings for the free cake, there’s one trend, in particular, you’ll be seeing more of. Per a recent Zola survey, which looked at over 550 couples getting married in 2018, 46 percent of them will be using either gold or rose gold to decorate their upcoming nuptials. Looks like the warm metallics trend is far from over.

“I think trends like rose gold are limitless in their possibilities because we’ve all been wanting a blush alternative; something that won’t overpower the rest of the design choices,” explains Emily Gaikowski, the owner and creative director of Heartthrob Weddings and Events, of our collective fascination with this shiny hue.

Wondering how to include or mix metallics in your wedding, or just looking for a bit of inspo for your Pinterest board? We spoke to various experts in the weddings industry, from photographers to event planners, to get the scoop on fun and unexpected ways to use gold and rose gold.

In the tablescape

“Introduce the luster and glow of gold in tablescapes with the accent of a gorgeous charger [or] a gold-rimmed goblet. Define the setting with low mirrored troughs of white pavé blooms to reflect the glow of tall candelabras running the length of the table.” —Marc Eliot, founder and chief creative director of swoop

“Ask your venue if they have gold flatware or gold charger plates—layer different hues and textures of [the] metal for a super modern look that will make your tables really pop. Add even more gold to your tablescape by including it in your centerpieces. These gold lanterns [pictured above] add height and instant ambiance; you can also save money by using them as decor down the aisle at the ceremony, then reuse them on the dinner tables.” —Jennifer Spector, director of brand at Zola

“My favorite way to see gold is in a beautifully layered centerpiece or table setting. Gold rimmed champagne glasses, place settings, candle holders, or place cards are all great ways to add a classic element to a wedding.” —Dawn Roscoe, Dawn E. Roscoe Photography

In clothes

“One of my favorite weddings of the year so far took place at a beautiful zoo in Palm Springs, and the couple had a lovely palette with teal, light corals, and some olive and mint desert tones. The bride wore a gorgeous gown that was dipped in rose gold sequins, [which] made for a beautiful and surprising touch. It looked incredible against the desert backdrop and incorporated something fun [with] sequins that fit really well with the whimsical feel of their wedding.” —Emily Gaikowski, owner and creative director of Heartthrob Weddings and Events

“Gold hair accessories are more popular than ever; the reason why they are becoming so popular is that they pair perfectly with any hair type and skin complexion. [Gold looks] best with ivory, off-white, and champagne-colored dresses.” —Sarah Brown, Sarah Brooke Photography

“One of my favorite trends right now is seeing more brides steering away from a traditional bridal look, in favor of a more modern approach. Gold has definitely been making its debut from decor to the dress. I’m excited to see more brides take this route.” —

, Amber Gress Photography

In the cake

“You can do gold foil brush strokes or stripes or even metallic frosting covering an entire layer. And don’t forget about accents, like a cake topper or cakestands à la Meghan and Harry.” —Jennifer Spector

“One of my favorite places to incorporate a hint of gold is on a wedding cake. There is nothing that makes a cake more striking or regal than adding some touches of gold leaf in a really tasteful way.” —Leah Weinberg, owner of Color Pop Events

In the decor

“If you’re getting married at a blank canvas type of venue where you need to rent all of the dinnerware and decor, you’ll probably need to rent chairs, too. And there are endless chair options to choose from. Instead of going with black or white, make a statement with a rose gold finish.” —Jennifer Spector

“Love the rose gold and gold trend but want to do something different [from] the other weddings you’ve seen? Try hanging floral installations at your ceremony, or centerpieces at your reception. They are totally unexpected and allow your guests to see each other across the table!” —Izzy Hudgins, Izzy Hudgins Photography

See more wedding inspo to obsess over:

The Next Big Trend in Wedding Florals Is Not What You’d Expect 23 Fresh Floral Ideas for the Ultimate Summer Wedding Tablescape A Chic Wedding DIY That Will Save You So Much Money

Learn to love your inbox again—sign up for Domino’s daily email.