If you’re planning a wedding this calendar year, you’ve never had it so good. These days, there are lots of new styles, technologies, and products to make your day special.

“Anything that’s unique is going to be popular in 2020,” says Sarah Godby, vice president of sales and marketing with Ritz Charles. “Not that people haven’t always wanted something different, but now they want something unique, artistic, and environmentally responsible, too.”

Here’s a look at some of those up-and-coming options to help you get started.

Cakes Go Boho

Look for a shift away from traditional floral-decorated wedding cakes with intricate piping in favor of sweets with a more bohemian influence. In the coming year, you’ll see confections sporting a combination of airbrushed designs, metallics, textured effects, and natural greenery.

Image by Leah Rife Photo

“Traditional has gone artistic,” Godby says. “It’s really building more of a picture than a decorated cake.”

One example Godby mentions is an all-white base color completely covered with black hand-painted flowers. Traditional florals will always be around, but they’re now smaller in scale and often paired with metallics for an updated look.

You’ll also see decorative touches that include edible flowers such as nasturtiums or vine-like wrapping created with rosemary. “People don’t think about herbs as something that can be used on a cake,” Godby says. “But now we put them in everything, whether it’s lavender, thyme, and lemon cakes or sage in a signature leaf. People love that natural green element and feel.”

Tiles and geometric prints are also inspiring frosting patterns. Godby notes one creation that resembled marble, complete with painted gray veining.

The ombre effect, all the rage several years ago, is making a comeback—with a twist. Instead of graduated shades and tints of one color, today’s bakers use the same technique with multiple hues. Often, these are muted tones, a hot palette for 2020. Metallics such as gold leaf, rose gold, and bronze are combined with different textures to add even more pizzazz to the ombre gradation.

Naked or semi-naked cakes will also receive a makeover. “We’re seeing a lot of those because they tie into that natural trend,” Godby says. “But I think we’ll start to see a few more embellishments on them because brides are going for that painted look.”

A Catered Affair

Image by Leah Rife Photo

Trying to decide if you should go with a plated dinner, family-style service, a buffet, or food stations? The Ritz Charles has observed two dining options gaining popularity: 1) a traditional sit-down meal with modern flavors and a more contemporary presentation, and 2) grazing tables.

“With grazing tables, guests can socialize,” Godby says. “There’s food all evening. I think that’s something guests enjoy.”

These spreads often include local cheeses and meats, along with healthier vegetables such as roasted Brussels sprouts and beets.

As people become increasingly eco-conscious and environmentally aware, Godby has noticed more clients asking where the Ritz Charles sources its food and what its recycling practices are. A recent wedding party requested that everything be compostable.

At The Willows at Westfield, formal, plated sit-down dinners and buffets are often requested, with hickory-smoked beef brisket and Alabama chicken being the most in-demand dishes among bridal clients. Prior to the meal, Miranda Kessler, catering sales manager for Crystal Catering at The Willows, finds more brides are opting for passed appetizers rather than the more traditional cheeses, fruits, and vegetables displayed on trays.

“People want servers to walk around with bite-sized hors d’oeuvres and offer them to guests,” Kessler says.

It’s not only a convenience for attendees, but this delivery method increases the variety of offerings circulating the room. Crowd-pleasing items on the menu include steak skewers, sweet potato crostini, and buffalo chicken spring rolls.

Godby and Kessler are both seeing an upsurge in the variety of dietary restrictions and special requests.

“It’s not just the standard vegetarian option or nut allergy, it’s everything,” Kessler says. “And gluten-free is becoming way more common.”

If you have a special drink in mind that you’d like to have served, you’re in luck. “The signature cocktail that was popular eight or 10 years ago has started to come back,” Godby says, “but now they are using herbs such as lavender, thyme, or a sage leaf as a garnish instead of an olive or an orange slice.”

Craft beer, gin, and vodka are falling out of favor at the bar. What’s in is darker liquors—bourbon and whiskey—and new spins on classic favorites like the Old Fashioned.

The bride and groom may have a traditional wedding cake that is reserved just for them, but guests will likely be served a selection of miniature desserts. “We are definitely seeing more doughnuts and dessert bars with different options,” Kessler says.

The most prominent single-serve treats are doughnuts, cupcakes, dessert shooters and bars, cookies, and slices of pie and cheesecake.

Set The Stage

“What’s on the horizon is more of a totally thematic and custom wedding,” says Scott Evans, owner and president of Evans Audio Visual and Wow-Factors Event Rental & Decor. “People are going to a one-of-a-kind wedding and they have very specific items that they want.”

When it comes to dressing the tabletops, Evans says gold flatware is a sought-after luxury accessory. “It’s one of those statement pieces,” he says. “Brides who want their weddings to stand out are going for gold or gold-trimmed flatware for its simple elegance.”

Glass chargers, customized with decals and edging details, and designer wine glasses in black, gold, pink, or amber also grace tables.

Especially in high-end weddings, you’ll spot terrariums filled with succulents and other living plants used to decorate the dining and bar areas. Terrariums can even be mounted on glass and suspended from the ceiling. “That’s a really cool decoration for tight spaces,” Evans says.

Unique lighting is another way to make the decor shine. Uplighting is being replaced by more specialized illumination such as texture lighting, which projects brightness through an image such as broken glass to create dimension and visual interest.

Massive chandeliers decorated in greenery contribute to a lush atmosphere in wedding and reception venues. Wow-Factors recently created a 12-foot-diameter chandelier wrapped in greenery with nine fixtures hanging at different heights. “I think a lot of people don’t realize that’s available here in Indianapolis,” Evans says. “Now, anything you can get in L.A., London, or New York, you can get here in Indianapolis.”

Evans says starlight LED surfaces will be the hottest trend in specialized flooring for 2020. “It looks like a night sky with stars moving on the dance floor,” he says. “It’s just a lot of fun.” Another innovative idea for the dance space is to cover a swimming pool in clear acrylic.

Low-lying fog is making a comeback  to create a dreamy environment at the reception. “The couple wants that first dance to be something super special,” Evans says.

He also sees dance floors fully wrapped in custom-printed decals, as well as murals or backdrops placed behind the band or the stage. “People are starting to get more and more into the art of their event,” Evans says.

Capture The Moment

“What I love is seeing couples choosing things that are really reflective of who they are as a couple and not necessarily following tradition,” says Leah Rife, owner of Leah Rife Photo. She’s noticed couples picking venues other than the traditional church—whether it’s a barn, a more industrial setting, or a library—based on what’s important to them.

Image by Heather Sherrill Photography.

That personalized experience is reflected in the photo shoots. One couple Rife recalls had a guitar at the ceremony as a nod to a family member who had passed. They even asked for a portrait featuring the instrument.

Rife has also observed changes in engagement sessions. These images focus on locations or activities important in the relationships. Couples are having photos taken at the sites of their first dates—where they had drinks or shared their first pizza together.

“Nobody used to do that for engagement photos,” she says. “It’s very informal, but it means something to them.” 

Including engagement pictures as part of the photography package allows the couple to get more comfortable in front of the camera before the big day. Rife notes that shots from engagement photo shoots are being displayed on save-the-date cards.

Videography, in conjunction with photography, is becoming more popular, in part because it includes audio input.

Image by Morning Light Film Co.

“We’re seeing more and more couples that understand the value of videography,” says  Josh Nichols of Morning Light Film Co.

“On your wedding day or rehearsal dinner, your family members and close friends are going to say very sentimental things about you. How we capture your day helps you truly remember the day how it was. I think that’s the value,” he adds.

Technology has really ramped up the offerings in videography. Using drone technology to obtain overhead views of the wedding is a fairly recent development that is growing in demand. Lydia Nichols is drone-certified, and Morning Light includes this type of footage in its higher-end packages.

“It’s almost expected now,” she says. But be advised: Not all venues allow drone videography. So, if you want it, be sure to confirm that it passes muster with the wedding facility.

Morning Light doesn’t yet offer it, but couples are choosing to go live on Facebook or Instagram to broadcast their ceremonies. Now, even non-attending guests can see the proceedings. And after all the work you put into planning, staging, and organizing your special day, you want as many people to see it as possible.

Don’t miss Indianapolis Monthly‘s FREE Winter Bridal Show on January 12, 2020 from 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

Sip champagne and enjoy light appetizers as you stroll through the ballroom of bridal vendors.

Brides, register here: 

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Fashion

From the very first glimpse of the bride, her wedding gown sets the tone for the entire event. It often dictates and influences all the other visual elements, from hair and makeup to flowers and even the cake. Finding just the right frock can be overwhelming with all styles and silhouettes on display in bridal boutiques. Anne-Marie Colling, marketing manager with Marie Gabriel Couture and Brides by Young, explains three ways to maximize eye-catching appeal.

A chic, classic, and timeless look can be achieved through simple elegance. Solid fabrics and minimal embellishments eliminate distractions, so guests can really see the flattering shape of the dress and tailoring details.

“We love that our brides understand that sometimes less is more,” Colling says. “Whether you have a very decorated venue and you want to stand out with the simplicity of your gown, or your everyday style is just more clean, we always love a good minimalistic dress.”

While strapless sweetheart bodices never go out of style, brides are exploring different options for necklines and sleeves. “One of the most popular requests right now is a long sleeve or off-the-shoulder look,” explains Colling. “An off-the-shoulder gown has a very feminine and romantic look to it. There are also many types of sleeve options, from full coverage to minimalist lace.”

Another feature that makes a bold statement is a long, elaborate train. It creates a wow factor not only from the front when you walk down the aisle, but also from the back.

“Brides have realized now that if they have a long train, it needs to be manageable and lightweight enough so that they can easily bustle it and dance the night away,” Colling says.

Initially, all eyes will be on the bride. But eventually guests will scan over to see what the groom and his party are wearing. You can’t go wrong with a simple black tux, but new hues, textures, and styles offer options to inject some color and personality into the men’s wardrobe.

“Tuxedos are going all over the place these days, but you can pretty much put 99 percent of your weddings into one of four buckets: blues, grays, traditionalists, and individualists,” says Tom Buczynski, vice president of retail operations for Louie’s Tux Shop.

Both grays and blues come in different shadings and look great in popular rustic settings like wedding barns. The traditional black-tie customers look right at home in more industrial and upscale venues.

“Suits are big for less formal weddings. Charcoal gray has been huge in this department because it goes with so many bridesmaids’ colors, especially the multi-color rainbow or jewel-tone trend.”
– Joann Ambriz, Formally Modern Tuxedo

“The individualist category is growing rapidly,” says Buczynski, pointing to “grooms who want something unique, whether it be velvets, paisleys, or jewel tones such as hunter green, plum, rose, or gold.”

Joann Ambriz, president of Formally Modern Tuxedo, is also seeing a range of styles, from formal and classic in full-dress ensembles to very colorful, contemporary coats.

“Suits are big for less formal weddings. Charcoal gray has been huge in this department because it goes with so many bridesmaids’ colors, especially the multi-color rainbow or jewel-tone trend,” says Ambriz. “The newest possible trend that I see—and I really like—is the groom wearing a black tux for the ceremony and then changing into a white or ivory dinner jacket or a jacket of coordinating theme color for the reception. That way, you still have the formality for the church and pictures, and you can have something fun for the reception.”

Featured photo courtesy Ian Borgerhoff Photography.Photos courtesy Stacy Able Photography, Formally Modern Tuxedo, and Louie’s Tux Shop.

Beauty

As the belle of the ball, you want to put your best face forward on your wedding day. Taking care of your skin leading up to the event and hiring a professional makeup artist to accentuate your best features can certainly help you achieve a fresh, glowing visage. Jennifer Carmack-Brilliant, director of marketing and communications with ClarityMD, has a suggested timeline to make sure your complexion is at its best when you tie the knot.

Six to eight months before the occasion, schedule a consultation to map out a personalized treatment plan focusing on the skincare goals you have for your special day. Begin a monthly facial routine and professional-grade skincare regimen at this point and have laser treatments to smooth out skin and reduce redness.

“ClarityMD offers Laser Genesis, a non-invasive laser treatment that can safely, discreetly, and effectively treat fine lines, wrinkles, large pores, uneven skin texture, diffuse redness, acne, and scars,” says Carmack-Brilliant.

Four to six weeks prior to your nuptials, you can incorporate hydrafacials for radiant skin. This is great a few days before the celebration, says Carmack-Brilliant. Additionally, Botox and injectable fillers can smooth out wrinkles.

Your now camera-ready canvas is fully prepped and ready for a special makeup application. Brenda Sotolongo, owner of Pro Soto Beauty Studios, sees 2019 makeup looks trending toward flawless-looking skin. The makeup artist, esthetician, and instructor says, “Mousse and illuminating foundations are light and dewy, providing a healthy, glowing skin tone. Brides have been asking for bronzing and peachy colors for the cheeks with a wash of highlighter to add glow to the upper cheek area.”

To bring out the eyes, Sotolongo recommends applying shades of rose gold, bronze, and champagne on the lids with well-defined eyeliner. “Brides like eyelash extensions or false lashes for the day of instead of mascara to prevent it from running due to sweating or crying,” she says.

Skincare shouldn’t be limited just to your face, though. Carmack-Brilliant recommends back facials to smooth and clear the body—especially if your gown is backless. Cool Sculpting treatments can help refine trouble areas and exercise-resistant fat to make you feel confident and beautiful in your dress. Other services to consider include tattoo removal, laser hair removal, and microblading.

Flowers

Fresh blossoms add organic beauty and texture to the overall look and theme in bouquets, reception centerpieces, garlands, and flower crowns. The colors are captivating, and the fragrances intoxicating. Colleen Sanders, owner of Bokay Florist, mentions some of the latest trends in floral arranging.

“We are seeing a lot of greenery in this year’s weddings. It is a strong emphasis in the bouquets, as well as the settings. For example, we have done a large number of floral/greenery chandeliers. Some are all greenery and some have beautiful accents of fresh floral. The look is very natural as well as soft and  romantic,” she says.

JP Parker Flowers also calls upon nature to produce its arrangements—in a very literal way. The florist sources blooms from its bountiful flower farm, located on owner Pam Parker’s family homestead near Franklin. In this pastoral environment, acres and acres of teeming sunflowers show their golden faces—cheerful, even on a cloudy day. The seasonal yield is about 300,000 sunflowers per year, which go into wedding bouquets, decorations, and farmers market bundles along with complementary flowers, greens, and other accents.

If vibrant yellows, reds, and oranges don’t fit your color scheme, JP Parker grows and acquires plenty of other varieties. During peony season, many shades of pink and white are abundant in the fields. These fit with a more muted palette, a frequent request for Sanders.

“We are also seeing a trend toward softer colors. This week we are creating a soft blue and white, and a dusty mauve with blush,” she says.

Photos courtesy Chloe Luka Photography and JP Parker Flowers.

Bling

Photo courtesy Moyer Fine Jewelers

No wedding look would be complete without the glitter and gleam of a girl’s best friend.That rock that’s been sitting alone on your left hand is ready to be accented and embellished by a wedding band or two…or five. Piling on multiple bands and wearing assorted metal colors, shapes, and stones can draw extra attention to your ring finger. It also allows for some flexibility in your everyday life after the event.

“The beautiful thing about stacking is that you can mix and match depending on your outfit and personal style,” says Lauren Bauer, marketing director for Moyer Fine Jewelers. “Choose from an array of basic diamond looks, geometric shapes, and ornate designs to accessorize your engagement ring and make your own dynamic look.”

When creating a combination of rings, you don’t have to stick with only one shade or hue of gold. You don’t even have to match the metal of your engagement ring. Mingle yellow, rose, and white golds to add interest. Colored gemstones between diamonds can also lend a unique twist to your stack.

Not sure how many rings to wear at once? “We recommend pairing your stacks in odd numbers. Whether you’re wearing three or five [including your engagement ring], make sure that you have variation of thicknesses and patterns. As long as you love the way your final combination looks, you’ve successfully mastered the stack,” says Bauer.

Once you’ve selected wedding bands for both the bride and groom, you can also look at jeweled accessory pieces such as earrings, bracelets,  tiaras, and cufflinks. A V-shaped diamond necklace, such as the ones shown above from Distinctive Diamonds, can accentuate the neckline of your gown and direct all eyes toward your face. A few sparkling touches like these will make you shine brightly on your big day. 

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