Couples marrying in 2020 will place a greater emphasis on intentional and deeply meaningful personalization, as well as on creating an inclusive experience for attendees, according to a study just released by wedding vendor site The Knot. To-be-weds are also putting sustainability at the forefront of their festivities through creatively upcycling decor, jewelry and attire details.
In addition, couples are considering the full culinary experience along with any guest dietary restrictions, opting to craft food and beverage menus that are fully inclusive for all guests to nosh on happily throughout the event, The Knot says.
“Along with their designers and planners, couples continue to think creatively and deliberately as they plan a wedding that thoughtfully reflects their unique love story," said Knot editor in chief Kristen Maxwell Cooper. "These couples are also focused on finding sustainable ways to host celebrations, repurposing decor, and not letting food or florals go to waste.”
The Knot lists the top wedding trends for 2020 as:
1. Eco-Conscious Couples Seek Sustainability in Wedding Details.
Sustainable weddings are on the rise. While some couples are committing to zero waste or a reduced carbon footprint as they plan their celebrations, others are creatively “upcycling” elements such as decor, jewelry and florals through their vendors and rentals. Couples are asking caterers and bartenders to provide reusable drink stirrers and straws and avoid one-time use plastics; they ask decorators to install photo-worthy backdrops and gently used lounge furniture for guests to enjoy.
A lighter version of this trend includes repurposing florals and decor from ceremony to reception by taking items such as lanterns and arrangements from the aisle and repurposing them as centerpieces or table decor at the reception, as well as sourcing local food and choosing stationery with less elaborate designs and soy-based inks for invitations and signage.
Couples can further cut down on their carbon footprint (and costs) by asking guests to RSVP on their wedding website, versus an additional card accompanying their invitations.
2. Couples Craft Inclusive Menus and Present Food with Interactive Elements.
Menus will check all the boxes in 2020—whether couples have guests who are vegetarian, gluten-free or suffer from a nut allergy, couples have all their guests’ dietary needs covered.
Creative menus with a variety of customizable offerings allow every guest to enjoy the culinary experience regardless of dietary restrictions. Couples are hiring mixologists to craft mocktails to accompany alcohol drinks. In addition to having a menu that can be enjoyed by all, couples are also thinking of ways to turn foodservice into a more interactive culinary moment, such as conveyor belts doling out appetizers or dessert stations that freeze hand-picked flavored creams on-site using liquid nitrogen.
3. Guests are Serving Themselves at the Bar.
Self-service drink stations with wall-mounted dispensers all dressed up and margarita bars with a range of mix-ins allow guests to serve and garnish their own drinks throughout the night. It’s one less bartender and one more personalized choice that also serves as a photo-worthy moment for guests.
4. Lighting Makes Celebrations Shine.
Bold lighting helps set the wedding vibe. From bold LED cocktail bar fronts, which enable couples to customize their hues, to tube-lighting draped on ceiling beams and the creation of a visually interesting statement, there’s no shortage of ways to make celebrations shine using lighting, the study says. Case in point: Couples who want to create a warm, homey feeling in outdoor tents and reception venues are leveraging decorative hanging lights not just with chandeliers but with basket lights.
5. From the Decor to the Drinks, Floral Makes Bold Statements.
Florals are going beyond the bouquet as couples use edible blooms in salads, ice cubes and water infusions as well as on top of desserts and drinks. Couples are also exploring floral textures and shapes for a monochromatic look. By grouping like-colored stems (e.g., burgundy dahlias, roses, ranunculus and scabiosa), couples are leveraging a single color in a range of textures to make a wow-worthy installation above the bar or reception tables.
6. Live Entertainment and Experiences: The Amenity Basket Upgrade.
Instead of just treating guests to hair spray and mints in the restroom, couples are stationing magicians, interactive make-your-own scent bars, and champagne stations in lounges just outside the restrooms to ensure the party doesn’t stop, even when guests leave the dance floor. These entertaining services are often quirky and unexpected—and give guests something to talk about for years to come.
7. Couples Use Wedding Fashion to Showcase Personality and Attire Preferences, Favoring More Fluidity in Fashion Choices.
Couples are seeking fashion that fits their personal style. The Knot is seeing engaged couples explore attire outside of convention: rocking jumpsuits; opting for pops of color; exploring textures; and taking nods from recent runway trends with showstopping embellishments, exaggerated sleeves and bold ballgowns. Couples are thinking beyond black and white, stepping out in vibrant hues and thoughtful details such as bold footwear that matches their significant other’s choice of shoe; donning colored attire with cultural or personal significance; or twinning in “‘til death do us part” custom leather jackets to showcase personality.
8. Barrettes and Combs Are Having a Moment.
Veils aren’t going anywhere, but tiaras have given way to the latest in hair jewelry—barrettes and combs, The Knot says. These accessories are often adorned in pearls, rhinestones and colorful enamels.
9. Wedding Registries Will Last a Lifetime.
Couples are using their registry to share more about their future moments to inspire registry asks, such as flights to Europe or New Zealand to explore where “Lord of the Rings” or “Game of Thrones” was filmed, or walking tours in New York to check out scenes and mementos from “Friends” and “Seinfeld.”
10. Creating the Unplugged Honeymoon.
While the majority of couples (93 percent) rely on their smartphone to plan their wedding, when it comes to their ceremony, nearly one in three (29 percent) ask guests to limit the use of their phones—a trend that continues to gain momentum. Couples are now opting to follow their own rules, unplugging for their entire wedding day as well as on their honeymoon.
