How Coronavirus Has Re-Shaped
2020 Wedding Trends

2020 has been a strange year, hasn’t it? The COVID-19 pandemic has touched all aspects of our lives and changed our day to day way of life in many different ways. If you are one of many couples who had planned on getting married this year, then it is also likely to have had a big impact on your wedding plans and the 2020 wedding trends.  So, let’s take a look at how Coronavirus has re-shaped 2020 wedding trends.

The New 2020 Wedding Trends

Back in January, I spoke on the topic of 2020 Wedding Trends at a conference in Myrtle Beach for the coming year about what they would look like.  Almost none of them has come to pass thanks to COVID-19! Let’s take a look at how Coronavirus has impacted 2020 wedding trends.

Fewer Traditional Weddings

One of my 2020 Wedding Trends predictions that turned out to be even more popular than I expected has been that there are fewer traditional weddings! However, many of those have been out of necessity rather than the couples’ first choice. As it became necessary to cancel big, traditional weddings many couples looked for new ways to get married. Some couples downsized to accommodate guest limit restrictions and social distancing. Because love won’t wait, others eloped to avoid postponing their big day. There have even been virtual weddings streamed online to their loved ones! Although in some cases the couples were just working with what was available, many still found the day enjoyable. That has, in turn, encouraged other couples to consider less traditional weddings in the future. I believe we will continue to see a drop in the number of large weddings in the coming year or so. As I said, truly, 91% of couples in 2020 are considering eloping.

No Contact Appointments With Brides

One trend that has emerged for ‘Corona Brides’ is the increase in no contact appointments with wedding vendors. This is something that has always been in play to some extent when it comes to elopements, with most arrangements being handled by phone or email. However, it has become more common with other vendors too in the wake of Coronavirus. Vendors are offering video consultations for venue tours and even dress shopping! Some providers are offering courtesy pickup of items to avoid any physical contact with customers. This has helped many corona brides to move forward with their wedding plans despite restrictions. It has also helped to keep many wedding vendors in business!

Weddings Are Downsizing

One trend that has emerged as a result of Coronavirus is that many weddings were forced to downsize. This was something that had already started to happen with more couples deciding to save money rather than have a big traditional wedding. However, it has definitely gathered more momentum in recent months. This is because of restrictions on group sizes, travel disruption, and health reasons. Not only have some states put heavy restrictions on the number of guest allowed to gather for celebrations, but there are lots of travel restrictions in place that stop people attending events in other states. Then, of course, those people with elderly, or immuno-compromised relatives also have to consider the safety of those people coming into contact with crowds of people. These factors have all contributed to downsizing becoming one of the most popular 2020 wedding trends.

Virtual Weddings

We have covered the rise in virtual weddings what have come to be known as #zoomweddings, in previous blog posts, but this is another one of the 2020 wedding trends that were a little unexpected! Couples who did not want to delay their marriage have taken advantage of virtual weddings or live streaming their ceremony to allow friends and family to participate online.

Elope Now – Party Later

Other couples who didn’t want to postpone their weddings have chosen an elope now – party later approach. They have arranged to elope together since it is easier for wedding vendors to accommodate a couple on their own rather than a whole wedding party while coronavirus restrictions are in place. The couple has then let their family know that they will host a larger celebration at a later date, like their first wedding anniversary, once it is determined safe to do so.