Best of 2024: Our Top Designs, Destinations, & Dreams for the New Year
As the year draws to a close, we take a moment to reflect on the unforgettable memories that defined 2024. From heartwarming celebrations where couples exchanged vows and embarked on new journeys together, to lively dinner parties that brought friends and family closer, these cherished moments remind us of all the joy this year held.
At Allison Event Design, we spent the year expanding our team, exploring new places, and curating top-notch designs to help make even more couples’ dreams come true. Now, we’re wrapping up the season by paying homage to all of this year’s greatness and highlighting our top designs, destinations, and 2025 wedding and event manifestations.
Over-the-top Designs
2024 was a year defined by meaningful gatherings and heartfelt connections. As we reflect on the most memorable trends and celebrations, one thing stands true: regardless of the occasion, each design was thoughtfully created with each couple in mind and fully embraced each and every love story. Here are some of our favorite elements that made this year so special:
Welcoming Weekends: So long are the single-ceremony days! This year was filled with expansive weekend activities for guests to soak up all of the love and entertainment that wedding weekends have to offer. From inviting welcoming parties to the final sendoffs, most couples opted for a multi-day celebration that still didn’t quite feel long enough.
Dinner Parties, Galore!: Dinner parties and social soirées were just too fun to not partake in - so, we even hosted a few of our own this year! Our FAM night at May River Manor and Sip & Soirées at Brims on the Bluff and the Perry Lane Hotel brought us closer together with our friends, family, and incredible vendors that help us create magic for our couples.
Tented Receptions: These open-air setups provided the perfect blend of elegance and intimacy, creating beautiful spaces for meaningful connections to flourish. From sailcloth draping and garden themes to clear-tops and modern touches, each design turned out SO different even though the infrastructure and setup was similar.
Custom Creations: No stone was left unturned this year when it came to custom creations. We dreamed up so many designs that fully embraced each couple’s uniqueness for designs that were one-of-a-kind - just like them. From personalized keepsakes, bespoke stationary, elaborate drone shows, striking table settings, & more, no two events were alike.
As we look forward to what the New Year has to offer, we’re already dreaming up inspirational designs for 2025. Here’s what we expect to see on the horizon:
Residential Comfort: Some of the emerging trends that we are closing out 2024 and jumping on board with in 2025 is a residential feel to our elegant garden parties - think floral, wallpapered bar backs and custom, tufted lounge sections. Elevated in every sense of the word!
Dramatic Draping: We’re predicting that draping is going to be huge in 2025. Not just the typical draping to cover an ugly space or creating a dramatic entrance, but also layers of draping covering the ends of tables and swags of drape in the ceilings that feels organic.
Color, Color, & More Color: And like we said in years past, we are loving that more and more color is coming back into play. Celebrations aren’t about playing it safe, but experimenting with layering of colors, patterns and textures instead. We are very excited to see the combinations that will come out in 2025.
Each New Year acts as a fresh slate for inspiration to run wild. We can’t wait to see what’s in store. Here’s to a year full of creativity, innovation, and even more awe-inspiring designs!
East-to-West Coast Destinations
As wedding planners, we’re always on the lookout for the most stunning and unique venues—whether close to home or across the globe—where couples can celebrate their big day. This year, our travels took us from the charming landscapes of New England to the vibrant hotspots of the Carolinas, discovering top locations that suit every style and occasion. 2024 was truly unforgettable for dream wedding destinations. Here are our some of our favorites:
New England: A trip up north was exactly what we needed to find venues with coastal views and rich historical charm. Castle Hill Inn, The Bohlin, and The Chanler topped our Rhode Island list for couples that want a touch of extra glamor and class for their day. Meanwhile, in Boston, standout locations like The Four Seasons and The Newbury brought a perfect blend of luxury and sophistication.
Highlands, NC: Switching up the terrain from New England, we traveled to the mountains of North Carolina to explore venues that highlighted all of the rustic features that the surrounding outdoors had to offer. Locations like Old Edwards Inn and Spa, Flat Mountain Farm, and Lonesome Valley were ideal for hosting guests during a wedding weekend.
Charleston, SC: Next, we embraced all of the charm that the south has to offer by exploring the quaint city of Charleston. Venues like Parcel 32, Williams Aiken House, Lowndes Grove, Auberge Resorts Collection, The Dunlin and Cannon Green all had something unique to offer.
Scottsdale, AZ: Finally, we headed out west for a magical surprise proposal. Nestled at the base of the iconic Camelback Mountain, the intimate courtyard at the Royal Palms Resort & Spa provided a breathtaking backdrop for the momentous occasion. With close friends and family in attendance, it was the perfect setting to pop the question in unforgettable style.
A new year means new places and we cannot wait to see where 2025 takes us! Here are our top locations on our dream wedding destination itinerary:
As most of our couples love being connected to nature in some way, we are so excited to continue to explore New England and re-ignite Allison’s connection to
home. From the Berkshire’s and Upstate NY to Maine - there are so many emerging luxury venues that we can’t wait to support. Places like Oheka Castle, Wheatleigh Hotel, Wyndhurst Manor & Club.
Beyond home, we are looking towards Virginia and Maryland, and looking to revisit the Pippin Hill Farm and Vineyard, along with seeing and exploring new places like the Inn at Perry Cabin, The Clifton Inn and Keswick Hall.
Truly, our love for travel and discovering what the world has to offer knows no bounds. With every adventure, our appreciation for the beauty, diversity, and culture of new locations deepens, and our list of destinations grows endlessly by the day.
New Year, New Dreams, Unforgettable Moments
As wedding planners, we get the fortunate opportunity to experience so much love and celebration, each and every year. 2024 was no different. From coordinating logistics and working with couples to envision their special day to putting each piece into action when the day finally comes, we’re met with countless moments that we’ll never forget.
“This year has been so incredible to work with some really great couples, families and vendors. We love that we’ve helped create and shape some really wonderful memories and get to continue to do that with not only new clients but also continue to build relationships with some of our legacy clients for 2025. We are so excited to continue to grow, expand and uplevel in everything we do.” - Allison Newton
“As we look back on this amazing year, we express our gratitude to our amazing clients we now consider family. Your love story, your vision, and your celebration were nothing short of inspiring, and we are so thankful for the trust you placed in us to help make your day unforgettable. We cannot wait to see what 2025 brings.” – Tara Davis
Start Your 2025 Planning
If 2025 is YOUR year to be the bride, groom, or host, then planning starts now! Let’s tie the knot together. Connect with us today.
