It’s more likely than you think. Vape weddings were a short-lived online trend a couple of years back. Seared into my brain are images of bridal parties in idyllic floral gardens, surrounded by clouds of smoke. The fad raised important questions around smoking and vaping at weddings, as well as highlighting how anything goes at your wedding. After all, it’s your day. 

Vape weddings involve couples incorporating vape clouds in their photography, creating smoke effects on the dancefloor, maybe having vape-themed photo booths, and the like. The polarising trend aimed at giving traditional wedding approaches an edgy and artistic twist. It’s not limited to the couple; sometimes the entire wedding party or guests participate in vaping, making it a group activity. 

Couples are always looking for ways to stand out and make their wedding personal and memorable. And though unique, I wasn’t surprised to see a sudden rise in vape weddings and photos. Whether it’s a groom blowing smoke rings against a dark background or a bride dreamily standing amongst wispy vapour clouds, the trend is an unconventional way for couples to make a statement.

As vaping grew mainstream, so did the wedding trend. New technologies are finding their way into wedding days, from drones capturing cinematic overhead shots to LED dance floors that sync to music. Vape weddings were simply another modern expression. The trend might have faded, but it’s left behind many questions about whether a wedding is about a genuine connection or curating a striking visual for social media. 

The vape wedding is a controversial one. For many, the trend crosses a line. Smoking has long been discouraged at social events, especially indoors. Some guests mightn’t have consented to inhaling the vapour, or even being in the presence of it. It might be triggering. Some guests might be uncomfortable or irritated. And the symbolism of thick clouds during a ceremony or reception might feel incongruent with the themes of purity and renewal we often tie to weddings. 

Critics also pointed to the influence such events might have on younger guests and online followers. Images of beautiful brides and stylish grooms elegantly exhaling vapour could easily glamorise vaping to impressionable audiences. At a time when public health campaigns were pushing back against the normalisation of nicotine and vape culture, these weddings risked undoing that progress.

The aesthetic backlash cannot be ignored either. What some saw as artistic, others saw as cheap and even trashy. Some think that vape weddings are an attempt to look edgy for socials at the cost of elegance. The vape wedding trend had a short online life. In retrospect, maybe it’s a case study in how easily a desire for uniqueness can clash with social values and taste.

Beyond the aesthetics and the trend, the ethics of smoking or vaping at a wedding deserve serious reflection. Weddings are shared spaces where the wellbeing of all guests should be considered, not just the couple’s creative expression. Introducing smoking or vaping means exposing others, often including children, older adults, or people with respiratory conditions.

There’s also the symbolic layer. Weddings are rituals that celebrate commitment, renewal, and care for another person. Incorporating a habit long associated with addiction and harm can feel contradictory to those values. Couples may view vaping as harmless or modern, but normalising nicotine use in a celebratory, public context subtly communicates acceptance.

You’ll need to check three things before deciding whether you can smoke at a wedding: the venue rules, the couple’s wishes, and the comfort of other guests. Most venues only allow smoking or vaping in clearly marked outdoor areas and may fine the couple if guests ignore these rules, so lighting up indoors or near entrances is usually off the table.

Even if the venue permits it, the couple might prefer a smoke-free atmosphere for health, aesthetic, or ethical reasons, and their boundaries should take priority on their wedding day.

As technology advances, so does the way couples redefine what it means to celebrate love. If vape weddings were the expression of one era’s tech obsession, what’s next? Maybe hologram officiants, AI-written vows, or eco-friendly ceremony livestreams replacing destination weddings.

For some couples, the vape wedding is an act of rebellion against expectations. For others, it’s just a playful photo idea. Perhaps the real takeaway isn’t about vaping at all, but about how weddings have changed in the digital age. From smoke machines to social media filters, we’re constantly trying to look a certain way. Love isn’t smoke and mirrors; it’s about the people standing through the haze.