The Top 6 Wedding Trends in 2020

Weddings used to be a fairly traditional, predictable affair. That isn’t always the case now. Personalization is more popular than ever, and it will continue to be one of the biggest wedding trends in 2020.

That means brides and grooms will continue to add personal touches to their big day, but wedding trends pop up every year that are worth sharing. Here are six of our favorites that can be personalized for your wedding day.

1.    Eco-Friendly Soirees

Lavender Wedding Toss: Blue Mountain Lavender

Arguably the biggest wedding trend is all about going green, and we don’t necessarily mean the flowers, although it is a wedding trend in its own right. Instead, we’re talking about ways to make the wedding ceremony and reception more environmentally-friendly.

Many brides and grooms who commit to this trend go zero waste for their big day, while others simply look for ways to reduce their carbon footprint. That might include doing things like repurposing decor after the big day, sourcing locally grown food and using glassware, which means skipping the plastic water bottles.

It also means hiring vendors that are committed to sustainability. It’s the best way to reduce your carbon footprint, and it’s the easiest because your vendors think about sustainability so you don’t have to.

2.    Immersive Entertainment Experiences

Clockwise: The Dancing Fire Entertainment, Liz Banfield, Offbeat Bride

What you can expect during cocktail hour and during the reception is changing. Guests can still expect to hold a little bubbly in their hands, and they can still expect to do a little dancing, but a big wedding venue trend is wow-worthy entertainment experiences.

Think aerialists, fire breathers, and jazz bands. Mystical spirituality is having a moment too, which means many brides and grooms are choosing to decorate with crystals and smudge sticks, but it also means entertaining guests with tarot card readers and fortune-tellers.

3.    Floral Arrangements With Dried Naturals

Photo via Essense Designs

Flowers can take up a big chunk of your budget. They can have a huge impact on the environment too. Sourcing out-of-season flowers and shipping in flowers from other states, and even other countries, isn’t sustainable. It’s no wonder a big wedding trend in flowers is using dried naturals.

Dried naturals include things like pampas grass, eucalyptus, lavender, and dried herbs. They can be incorporated into bouquets, boutonnieres, and centerpieces. They are DIY-friendly, because they can be made weeks or months ahead of the big day, and because they’re dried, they can be enjoyed long after the wedding is over.

4.    Micro Weddings

Photo: Alison Conklin via Green Wedding Shoes

When planning a wedding, an emerging trend is the micro wedding. It isn’t for everyone, but it’s gaining in popularity as wedding costs continue to climb.

You would rightly assume that micro weddings mean keeping the guest list small. Micro weddings have fewer than 50 guests, with most micro weddings entertaining fewer than 20. By keeping the guest list small, the bride and groom can plan the perfect day without having to make compromises. Guests are often treated to upscale menus and bespoke touches.

The micro wedding trend also includes shorter celebrations. Brides and grooms in some areas are able to rent their dream venue, but instead of breaking the budget with a full-day rental, they’re able to rent the space for just a few hours to complete their ceremony, cut a small cake, and have their first dance.

5.    Untraditional Timelines

Traditional weddings have a predictable timeline. You can expect the ceremony to take place in the afternoon, with dinner and dancing to follow. Brides and grooms are increasingly choosing unexpected timelines.

The wedding weekend trend will always be popular, as weekend weddings are easier for guests to attend, but they aren’t just for the afternoons and evenings anymore. Some brides and grooms are choosing brunch weddings, while others are choosing to have the party first, while scheduling their ceremony at night as the culmination of the big day.

Sunday weddings are increasing in popularity because brides and grooms can save a lot of money, but nothing compares to what you can save if you choose to schedule your ceremony for a weekday.

6.    Contemporary Wedding Style

Clockwise: Sebastein Boudot, Berta, Hairpieces via BHLDN

Jumpsuit Perhaps nowhere else can trends be seen more clearly than in what brides and grooms are choosing to wear at their weddings. In 2020, contemporary style is going to be popular. That includes brides dropping the veil in favor of capes or getting in on the wedding jumpsuit trend. When it comes to suits, many grooms are opting for shades of navy and cobalt instead of classic black or gray.

A big wedding accessories trend includes barrettes and hair combs, and especially headbands, as they’re having a huge moment right now.

No one says you have to follow the latest wedding trends. Your wedding day is all about you! However, by looking in on the latest trends, you may be inspired to personalize them for your big day.