Normally a $300 billion industry, the wedding business came to a complete stop in 2020 due to the coronavirus outbreak. Brides and grooms feared they have no choice but to postpone or cancel entirely for the year. But as more people get vaccinated and come out of self-isolation, the need for human connection is stronger than ever. We wouldn’t be surprised if this year held the record for most weddings across the country. If you plan on getting married in the near future, have you ever considered the latest trend of cannabis weddings?

 The state of COVID-19 might change the way we gather for weddings, funerals, sporting events, movie screenings—you name it. As we’re already seeing in places like New York City and San Francisco, local governments are mandating “health passes” to enter indoor settings like gyms, theaters, and restaurants. Most brides will admit that planning and hosting a wedding is anything but stress-free (even before the pandemic) but we know at least one way to take the edge off on that special day. Cannabis weddings are becoming more mainstream as partygoers would rather smoke than consume alcohol. Keep reading to learn more about this unique trend…

Instead of Alcohol, Hosts Serve Cannabis

While it’s more traditional for couples to serve alcohol or arrange an open bar at their wedding, some choose cannabis as their mind-altering substance of choice. Simply put: cannabis weddings are weddings during which marijuana is consumed, either smoked or eaten in the form of edibles, by the guests and happy couple. This is a genius way to cater to guests who need to drive later on in the night or live a more sober lifestyle without alcohol. It’s also less likely that guests will experience a massive hangover the next day.

Couples Who’ve Hosted Cannabis Weddings

Take Michelle Casanova, for example. This California bride says she wanted to “take a huge bong rip in my wedding dress,” and she did just that on in October 2018 with groom Jason by her side. According to The Guardian, “The 34-year-old Texan walked down the aisle holding a bouquet of sunflowers and weed leaves. Guests were served slices of a THC-infused cake and treated to a dab bar where they could take hits of potent, concentrated cannabis oil via a vaporizer.”

Michelle also hired budtenders for the night to hand out rolled joints. The wedding started with a Sativa to get the crowd pumped up before the ceremony. Up next, she served hybrids to mellow out her guests after the service, followed by indica strains once the party wound down. Sounds phenomenal, don’t you think?

Moving a little more inland, we have a Colorado-based couple who chose marijuana as their wedding theme. The bride, dressed in a gorgeous white dress, took a massive hit from her white bong.  Dusty and Clara Higgins served edibles at their June 2017 wedding and decorated their tables with floral marijuana varieties. 

For this couple, marijuana meant so much more than a simple party favor—it’s actually how their relationship blossomed! Clara worked at a bar years ago when a handsome stranger, now her husband, offered her a joint mid-shift. Now, Clara makes a living as a marijuana influencer on Instagram.

Are Cannabis Weddings Legal?

That depends on where you live. For brides Michelle and Clara, both lived in states with recreational cannabis at the time of their wedding. We can assume that cannabis weddings are legal in the following states (and any states that have legalized in 2021, like New York).

  • Washington
  • Oregon
  • California
  • Nevada
  • Colorado
  • Illinois
  • Michigan
  • Maine
  • Vermont
  • Massachusetts
  • Alaska

Make It a Night You’ll Never Forget

Dear brides, this is *your* big day. Sure, you have a groom, but we’re willing to bet that he’ll go along with anything you say for your wedding. “Happy wife, happy life,” ya’ know? So, if it’s cannabis that you want, make it happen! You could start with a budtender the same way you’d hire a bartender. Leave it to the experts to put a fantastic cannabis menu together for you.

Foods and Drinks That Pair with Cannabis

Like Michelle, you could start the celebration with a Sativa and gradually turn down the party with an indica by the time the caterers serve dessert. Imagine sinking your teeth into a double fudge cake with cream cheese frosting and whipped cream on top. As for the drinks, have you heard of canna-cocktails? These alcohol-free “mocktails” include single servings of THC and/or CBD that are mixed with juice and garnishes.

Work Around Your Budget

If money were no issue, we’d all have Taylor Swift or Drake perform at our wedding with lions and tigers and bears, oh my! It’s easy to get so carried away with Pinterest boards that brides forget about their budget. Many cannabis businesses offer wedding packages for 4/20-friendly brides starting at around $1,000. And remember, the higher quality of weed, the higher the price tag. Still, cannabis weddings seem like the more affordable option compared to an open bar. You can set your price by selecting which strains you’d like the feature on your big day. Strains with higher percentages of THC and CBD would likely cost more, so it just depends on high you’d like your guests to get throughout the night,