Australian Wedding Trends

from The International Wedding Trend Report 2020

The Business of Weddings

"We can't wait for 2020! For weddings themselves, cocktail weddings and luncheon weddings are rising in popularity with our readers. A lunchtime wedding giving couples just that bit longer to celebrate with their guests, or sneak off and spend the night reflecting on a momentous day. We're also seeing plenty of nuptials occur in backyards!

Colour-wise, we're seeing two distinct colour palettes. All neutrals but not all white! Think creams coupled with dirty browns, lattes, and earthy tones. Couple this with details like shells and feathers for something really organic. The other colour palette coming through is jewel tones. Couples aren't limiting themselves to marsala, instead including beautiful emerald green, deep indigos and violets.

For flowers, we're seeing many floral arrangements using dried and preserved flowers as well as dramatic long stem bouquets. For the ceremony itself, there is an increase in couples marrying prior to their "official" wedding day, or having their "official celebrant" attend just for legals, while a good friend performs the actual ceremony on the day.

Eco-friendly weddings continue to be huge, with couples carefully looking at t heir wedding details. They're choosing second- hand gowns, DIY favours and locally sourced it ems on their wedding menu. In terms of attire it?s all about the glamour and the colour. Beautiful coloured suits are trending, alongside velvet pieces and lush fabrics for the groom. For the bride, we?re seeing plenty of beautiful sequinned sparkling gowns that are utter showstoppers."

Dorothy Polka, Editor, Polka Dot Bride

In 2020 the top wedding trends will be: - Moving the indoors to the outdoors and incorporating open-air marquees with stunning fairy light installations to reflect the night sky. Bringing decor from inside the house like sofas, chunky coffee tables, eclectic seating options, long tables, rugs, and cushions will all be featured in out door weddings in 2020.

- Food and Drinks will continue to be personalised with a move towards incorporating more vegan and vegetarian items on the menu as couples recognise the move to being fully inclusive at their event. There will be a continued move to grazing platters, buffets or dedicated food stations. We will see customised cocktail menus and drink options being featured.

- We will see Outdoor Weddings incorporating a range of freeform customisable marquees that allow each couple to create their own unique space to celebrate with their guests. This creates a unique palette for couples and their designers to personalise the space with bespoke lighting, decor, and design elements to suit the customised space. - Vibe and atmosphere are going to the be the focus of the entire wedding experience and couples are focusing on the details from the textures of chairs, linens, and napkins to the colour of glassware, flatware, and cutlery. I see an increased focus on lighting to achieve the vibe and atmosphere the clients are seeking.

- Statement veils, princess style gowns and the unique none traditional gowns with the options of incorporating more than one look are in for 2020. The elegant even regal designs that are simple, unique and have the wow factor are exactly what's on offer from designers leading into 2020.

- Engagement and Wedding Rings in 2020 is moving towards collaboration rather then one person selecting or designing the rings. This approach sees couples sitting down and researching, designing and experience the process together creating a significant meaning and understanding about the importance these rings mean to each other.

- Flowers in 2020 see a continued move towards informal, relaxed and bespoke creations that are unstructured with natural and colourful blooms with lots of natural fragrance and lots of textured foliage. We will see a bolder, stronger and deeper colour palette emerging in 2020.

Michelle Anderson, Director, Complete the Look

Top Australian locations to get wed

"We're seeing a lot of couples head to the seaside town, and much loved holiday destination- Byron Bay for their weddings. The spot providing amazing scenery, and that relaxed holiday vibe. A beautiful escape from the hustle and bustle of the city."

Dorothy Polka, Editor, Polka Dot Bride

"In my region, couples are selecting locations that are secret, private, personalised and off the radar and loving the variety available to say 'I do": The rolling hills throughout the Australian Hinterland provide access to couples for secret, private, secluded and unique weddings. These venues offer spectacular blank canvas spaces t hat open up unlimit ed capacity for personalisat ion. My top- secret locat ions include

- Maleny & Yandina - Sunshine Coast

- Toowoomba

- Helensvale - Gold Coast

- Ballarat - Victoria

- Bathurst - New South Wales

The above locations are my top recommendations because they provide couples with unique, private and secluded blank canvas venues. These locations have picturesque surroundings, wide-open spaces and the venues themselves provide the unlimited potential to create any couple's dream wedding from scratch with access to world- class suppliers and produce.."

Michelle Anderson, Director, Complete the Look

What's Out for 2020

- Traditional Weddings Cakes are slowly fading out in 2020, closely followed by the tradition of cutting the cake.

- Sleeveless and heavily laced wedding gowns will also be seen less this year as more princess, clean and sleeved gowns enter the market.

- The structured bridal bouquet and package wedding flowers is slowly being replaced by customised unstructured floral designs and creations.

- Two-toned colour schemes are also on their way out with couples focusing on the fine details of texture, vibe, appearance and the overall message.

- Uniformity in decor is also a trend on its way out with couples focused on the experience and catering for a wider audience that calls for eclectic design and out of the box thinking.

- Inviting large numbers of guests and spreading their budget is also on the way out with couples focused on creating amazing events with lavish trimmings for their nearest and dearest.

Michelle Anderson, Director, Complete the Look

We're seeing fewer balloon garlands as we head into 2020, in fact, we're noticing an increase in paired back styling that is almost minimal, but so curated. There are less grand garlands and enormous floral displays, and more simple, almost architectural details.

A table of blooms placed in single bud vases, one amazing lighting installation, a cake one with just one beautiful sugar flower inst ead of twenty.

Colour wise, marsala and blush pink might have finally had their day, couples opting for differing jewel tones or more neutral colour palett es in 2020.

Dorothy Polka, Editor, Polka Dot Bride

Trends that willcarry over in 2020

- Grazing platters and dedicated food stations are definitely going to continue to feature at weddings in 2020, as couples see the unique benefits and customisation opportunities that this style of catering has to offer their guests. This style of catering also offers guests the opportunity to mingle and creates a different atmosphere for traditional sit- down meals.

- Big Statement Pieces are going to continue being heavily featured throughout weddings as couples look for extravagant ways of expressing their unique personalities. We will be seeing large installations for centerpieces, lighting, balloons, oversized decor and experience pieces like fireworks. Couples are looking to create memories that will not be forgotten quickly.

- Sustainability and eco-conscious weddings are carrying on into 2020 with couples looking at limiting their environmental impact from the celebration. Couples will consider donating their floral arrangements to charities, organisations or offering them to couples who are utilising t he same venue. Reducing/removing any plastic/paper waste by using glass and flatware and using material napkins over disposable ones. Couples are also considering new ways to support the environment by supplying favors in the form of replanting tree projects or environmental organisation donations. Plant friendly events are moving forward in a big way.

- Sourcing local produce, products and florals to enhance their wedding day has been a growing trend of the last couple of years and it definitely not slowing down. Couples are investing in locally grown and operated businesses to create a sustainable community and it also has a positive impact on their budgets.

- Exquisite Lighting is also on the rise following its success this year, I see that personally designed lighting plans are going to be a massive influence at both indoor and outdoor weddings. This trend really supports the couple to elevate the whole atmosphere, appearance, and vibe of the event. Not to mention the stunning imagery opportunities.

- Videographers and film are on the rise and couples are seeing this as even more important then stills. With the unique opportunities that drones present in capturing unique and powerful footage. We will see a continued increase in couples sourcing film as their primary source of capturing their special day.

Michelle Anderson, Director, Complete the Look

We're going to continue to see the casual-eqsue details of neon signage, custom denim jackets, sparkling sneakers for reception and midnight soakers.

Reception dresses are commonplace now, that more relaxed, less formal look for the party continuing it's popularity.

We still love a cheese cake (wheels of cheese!) too, and festoon lighting, both continue to reign supreme for the new year.

In terms of florals, they continue to be very wild, very unstructured, and almost organic floral arrangements. Think just foraged and picked from the garden and the farm.

Dorothy Polka, Editor, Polka Dot Bride