It’s a new year (and a new decade, depending on whom you ask) so let’s talk about some 2020 wedding trends to incorporate into your wedding! It’s time to move away from some of the things that we’ve been doing for the past decade and bring on some fresh ideas. (Mason jars, you’re done. Please go home.)

Bold colors

When it comes to color, pastels are out and bold is in. Think about doing bright colors for your florals that will really pop in photos. Bridesmaid dresses are going to move into jewel tones instead of muted shades.

Choose your favorite color and go ALL IN on it. If you love emerald green, choose emerald green bridesmaid dresses, and decor elements, and linens, and stationery pieces. Do a lot of greenery for your centerpieces and ceremony decor. Do it up big!

Pantone’s Color of the Year for 2020 is Classic Blue, which is somewhere between Royal Blue and Navy Blue. It’s very rich and saturated. We might not see a ton of it in 2020 because it can take a year for the “Color of the Year” to make its way into wedding design. But 2019’s color was Living Coral, which was also very bright. 

Color blocking, where you have two contrasting colors playing off of each other, is also going to be popular in 2020. You can really make a statement with color blocking.

TL;DR here’s the video

Roaring ‘20s Throwback

Because we’re embarking on the 2020s, you can expect to see some throwback to the 1920s, the “Roaring Twenties.” Think Art Deco, Gilded Age, Great Gatsby-type decor.

Art deco is very much about geometrics and metallics. It’s very elegant, with a lot of black and white mixed with gold. Shimmery fabrics and faux fur can also be expected to make a comeback. When it comes to bridal dresses, satin with beadwork is going to be huge.

If you look at red carpet recaps from this year’s Golden Globes, you’ll see both the Art Deco and the bold color trends playing out. The wedding industry takes its cues from the fashion industry. What we’re seeing now on the runway and the red carpet is what we’ll be seeing in weddings for the next couple of years.

Art deco and architectural elements can also be brought into decor and desserts. Think of wedding cakes that look like skyscrapers, or lighting displays with metallic geometric holders. (More on that later.)

Sustainability

Last year I did an entire series on sustainability because it is becoming more and more necessary. You can find tons of suggestions in those earlier posts on sustainable stationery, florals, catering, and more.

Single-use anything is out. No single-use plastics. No single-use florals. Reuse and repurpose as much as possible. Ceremony decor can be transitioned to the reception. Escort card displays can become centerpieces. Centerpieces become take-home favors or are donated to local hospitals.

Local and seasonal are the watch-words for food and florals. The more local something is, the lower its carbon footprint is because it doesn’t have to be shipped in. You can get roses at any time of year, but if they have to come from South America because it’s winter in North America, that’s not sustainable.

When it comes to invitations, recycled paper and soy-based inks will be more readily available. Or some couples will opt to eliminate paper altogether and have a strictly web-based invitation and RSVP.

Donations to charitable organizations can be made in place of providing take-home favors. Do good while generating less waste.

Personalized Food and Beverages 

Weddings have always been reasonably personalized, but let’s take it to the next level. What’s your favorite food? Serve it at your wedding! Whether it’s popcorn, sushi, or grilled cheese, there’s a way to incorporate all your favorites.

Interactive food stations will be popular. Think of a build-your-own sundae bar or baked potato station. Made-to-order grilled cheese or pizza can be another fun option.

If you and your fiancé are from different cultures, incorporate some of your favorite cultural foods into the menu. More attention will be put on allergen-free and vegetarian or vegan options. Having a vegetarian option has been de rigueur for years now, but they haven’t always been the most interesting foods. Couples are now going to raise the bar on non-meat-based entrees and appetizers.

Going beyond gluten-free, couples might also want to include soy-free, dairy-free, or egg-free options. You would be amazed at what chefs and pastry chefs can do without those classic ingredients!

Mocktails are also becoming more popular. In addition to your signature cocktails, your bartender can create an alcohol-free drink that is beautiful and festive and won’t make your non-drinkers feel like they’re relegated to drinking soft drinks or water.

Also think about going with variety in your desserts. Instead of one large cake to feed everyone, have a dessert buffet with things to please everyone. Chocolate tarts, cream puffs, cookies, fruit dipped in chocolate, candy, mini pies...the list can go on and on!

Live Entertainment

Live entertainment in the form of music has been going on for ages, whether it’s a string quartet for the ceremony or a full big band for the reception. But now we’re ready to up the ante with different types of live entertainment.

Couples are hiring magicians, tarot card readers, live poets who craft a poem for your guests on the spot. My personal favorite is live artists who paint a scene from your ceremony or reception throughout the night, as it’s actually happening! Your guests can watch their progress, and you get an amazing piece of artwork to hang in your home.

Also consider some sort of VR (virtual reality) station or a Champagne lounge where a sommelier pours specialty Champagne and talks about the wines and how they’re made.

Think about what you like to do as a couple, and then incorporate that into your wedding!

Lighting

Neon is going to be big in 2020. It plays into the pops of bold color that we’re going to see. Think of neon signage for your bar or photo booth. It can be your names or wedding hashtag, and you can re-use it in your home later.

Glow-in-the-dark decals are a fun surprise, and a glow stick grand exit (instead of a sparkler exit) is a fire-safe and colorful way to send off the newlyweds at the end of the night.

Geometrics can come into play here as well. Think of chandeliers or other pendant lights that have an architectural or geometric design to them. Put fun light bulbs in different colors in them to bring up the playfulness.

Iridescent bulbs and holographic details (like ceremony or photo booth backdrops or invitation design) will signal to your guests that this is not going to be your ordinary wedding!