Weddings in 2025 are all about depth – of color, emotion and experience. At the heart of Virginia’s countryside, Burlington Weddings and Events provided the perfect backdrop for this styled shoot. Hali and I explored the year’s most captivating wedding trends: jewel-toned palettes, immersive vignettes, and intentional design with the florals and decor.

Color Palette: Moody Jewel Tones Make a Statement

We are in the thick of Spring wedding season right now. Our couples have us soaking up all those delicate pastels and the upward trending butter yellow. For this styled shoot, we wanted the rich, dramatic hues to stand out and add instant personality. Our design embraced deep emerald, ruby red, sapphire blue, and touches of amethyst. The jewel tones created a moody-yet-romantic palette that felt both regal and inviting. These colors popped beautifully against the wood grain and natural elegance of Burlington’s estate setting.

Immersive Guest Experiences

Modern couples are crafting weddings that feel more like personal journeys than formal events. This shoot leaned into that concept by designing spaces that invited guests to interact and engage. Think freshly cut fruit along the guest seats, scented votive and tapered candles, velvet soft drapes and table runners, curated lounge areas, twinkling installations, and personalized welcome moments. Every touchpoint – from ceremony to grand exit – should be designed to be felt, remembered and shared.

Fashion: Regal with an Edge

As wedding planners, we proudly celebrate love in all of it’s forms. Timeless elegance was met with bold, innovative energy. Our beautiful gender-fluid models were styled by Radiant Reflection and dressed in fashion-forward wedding attire from Brocade Bridal and Urban Set Bride. An unique narrative merged the past and the present with inclusivity – including removable sleeves, tailored blazers, and heirloom jewelry. As they posed and worked the venue space, our models perfectly embodied the bold elegance that today’s couples are leaning into.

Florals: Lush, Layered and Dramatic

Florals by Heidi Catherine‘s arrangements were built to impress. Overflowing bouquets and installations of spray roses, snapdragons, peonies, sea holly, and anthurium in saturated jewel tones filled the staircase and tablescape. Layered textures and trailing ruscus vines added a sense of movement and depth. After the styled shoot, we collected the loose stems and small bouquets were delivered to a womens’ shelter in Richmond for Valentine’s Day weekend. Our hearts were blooming with the love and kindness the vendors brought to the day.

Multi-faceted Tablescapes: Elevated Drama Meets Intimacy

Against Burlington’s classic architecture, our tablescape blended old-world charm with modern flair. Velvet and printed linens, gold-rimmed chargers, and antique styled lamps set the tone. Fresh-cut peaches and apricots were interspersed with cinnamon scented votive candles. We love featuring custom calligraphy and gemstone-inspired stationary from invitation suites to escort cards. Don’t forget the cake table, made with love by Flour House RVA. It truly was it’s own vignette and a treasure to devour. These details embody the luxe yet personal feel we are seeing couple’s lean into.

Photography: Cinematic and Story-Driven

We chose a photography style that felt like a story all of it’s own – focusing on light, emotion, and candid moments. The venue’s grand staircase, opulent backbar, sun-drenched suites, and garden pathways gave us the perfect vignettes to highlight both fashion and feeling. Special thanks to Joanna Hartsook Photography and Tyler Bray Wedding Photography for donating their incredible talent to this styled shoot. We also wouldn’t have gotten those stunning backdrops or perfect settings without the creativity of Wedding Lighting Co. and Party Perfect.

Final Thoughts

This styled shoot was a love letter to 2025’s most compelling trends: rich colors, immersive design and bold authenticity. Set against the timeless beauty of Burlington Weddings and Events, it reminds us that weddings are no longer just events. Your wedding is a collection of moments to be experienced, deeply personal and intentionally crafted. Let us know if you want to collaborate with us so we can bring your vision to life, whether it’s this year’s trends, next year, or beyond.