Cigarettes Are Making a Trendy Comeback at Modern Weddings

A stand with menthol Vogue cigarettes brought back from Abu Dhabi welcomed guests at a winter wedding in the historic Cabra Castle, reflecting a wider trend of smoking making a social comeback. Young celebrities and Hollywood stars are increasingly photographed with cigarettes in hand or mouth, signaling a social comeback for smoking among younger demographics, according to a recent report by The Journal. Performers like Charli XCX, Kylie Jenner, Connor Storrie, and Hudson Williams have all been routinely captured by cameras smoking, a trend that mirrors a broader cultural shift observed by pop-culture writers.

The Rise of Cigarette Platters at Modern Weddings

Couples are moving away from traditional cookie-cutter celebrations and opting for immersive experiences, which increasingly feature cigarette platters or designated cigarette stands for guests. Premium Irish wedding planner Sandra Scharlach of Infusion Weddings noted in her interview with The Journal that she has observed an uptick in couples incorporating cigarette trays into their big days.

Scharlach pointed out that Mary-Kate Olsen helped kick off the trend of the so-called cigarette wedding by providing bowls of cigarettes for guests at her 2015 marriage to Olivier Sarkozy. For modern couples planning upscale celebrations at historic venues like Cabra Castle or Mount Juliet Manor House, providing cigarettes and vintage items like second-hand fur coats offers a distinct, rebellious party atmosphere that breaks away from conventional wedding formulas. She added regarding the castle setting: I’ve never been to a wedding in a castle, so I was like, feck it, let’s go all in.

Luxury Appeal and the Shift Toward Experiential Receptions

The high retail price of cigarettes contributes to an unintended luxury appeal that parallels other expensive social habits, according to cultural commentary cited by The Journal. For social smokers, a cigarette functions as a sensory accessory alongside a glass of wine, appearing less juvenile to some attendees than brightly colored plastic vapes.

Wedding planners report that modern celebrations are prioritizing guest experience over rigid schedules, replacing standard top tables and routine entertainment with house DJs and late-night party setups. As couples compete to design memorable events, interactive elements like menthol Vogue cigarette stands brought back from international travel have become unexpected conversation starters that keep guests socializing outdoors late into the evening. Sandra Scharlach noted regarding the shift: Instead of having that boring wedding DJ who plays Sweet Caroline or whatever, maybe to really get a house DJ and do a little bit of a party vibe two hours after, because that is what the couple like to do. She also remarked: It was a little bit more for Americans because it’s actually more bold – I think cigarettes are quite out, as I heard in the United States. Such trends emerge as celebrity ‘cool girls’ including Alexa Chung, Charli XCX, Anya Taylor-Joy, and Mary-Kate Olsen are frequently spotted smoking while embodying the aesthetic of the ‘cool’ wedding.