WEDDING BLOG

6 Wedding Themes That are Trending in 2020

July 17, 2020 | Junebug Weddings

As hard as it is to believe, 2020 is just around the corner! And do you know what that means? A whole new crop of incredible wedding themes, of course! Couples continue to get more and more creative each year, putting unique twists on old favorites and elevating current themes to fit a more modern look. From desert chic to tropical opulence (or “tropulence”), these six wedding themes will be everywhere in 2020.

Desert Chic

Desert chic is a perfect theme for boho brides who want to add elegance to a desert landscape. This theme is all about enhancing the natural surroundings with colors that either complement or make a bold statement to stand out. It’s a little less Southwest-inspired and more city-inspired but with a totally organic feel.

photos by Sarah Linda Photography, planning by Heartthrob Weddings and Events, venue:The Ruin Venue, floral design by Tropic of Flowers, wedding dress by Rue De Seine and LoversLand, rentals from Signature Party Rentals and Circa Vintage Rentals; see more from this wedding here!

photo by SambaJoy Photo & Art, planning by Wild Heart Events, venue: 29 Palms Inn, floral design by Idlewild Floral, rentals from Folklore Vintage Rentals; see more from this wedding here!

Moroccan

Moroccan has been trending for a very long time, and we’re not seeing it slowing down anytime soon! The best part of choosing a Moroccan theme (besides the fact that it’s stunning) is that you can really go all-out or keep it subtle. Maximalism is definitely haven’t a moment right now, which is ideal for Moroccan themes. But minimalist Moroccan is still very much a thing and is ideal for couples who want a theme without overwhelming their venue.

photos by Tali Photography, planning and venue: Villa Taj Marrakech, floral design by Catherine Villier, wedding dress by One Day Bridal, rentals from Maev Weddings; see more from this wedding here!

photos by Jordan Voth Photography, planning by Crosby & Jon, venue: Rancho Las Lomas, floral design by Soiree Floral Design, wedding dress by Galia Lahav, rentals from Archive Rentals; see more from this wedding here!

California Cool

California cool can mean so many different things to different people. So, for 2020 weddings, we’re seeing California cool as fresh and elegant. Elegant winery settings, all-white weddings attire and decor, and luxurious floral designs are all part of creating this look. So, it’s elegant without all the fuss.

photos by Anna’s Photography, planning by So Eventful, venue: Viansa Winery, wedding dress by Ines Di Santo, rentals from Encore Events; see more from this wedding here!

photos by Britt Crowe, planning and floral design by Hitched Planning + Floral, wedding dress by Anomalie; see more from this wedding here!

Wanderlust

When we say a “wanderlust” themed wedding, we don’t just mean adding travel-inspired decor. (That is, of course, a beautiful option that we still love!) The wanderlust theme for 2020 will be less about the decor and more about embracing an epic locale. Think weddings on cliffs, overlooking mountains, or in the heart of downtown city streets. These are the weddings that, when you see photos, instantly make you want to jump on a plane to anywhere. It speaks to the experiences-over-materials trend that’s growing in every aspect of life, and it’s definitely producing some seriously swoon-worthy weddings!

photos by Lighthouse Photography, planning by Santorini Glam Weddings, reception venue: Kamares Apartments, floral design by Betty Flowers Santorini, wedding dress by Grace Loves Lace, arch rental from Weddings & Whimsy; see more from this wedding here!

photos by Nisha Ravji Photography, ceremony venue: The Medici Fountain, reception venue: Ellsworth, floral design by L’Artisan Fleuriste, wedding dress by Grace Loves Lace, groom’s apparel by De Fursac; see more from this wedding here!

’70s Rock and Roll

Don’t worry, retro weddings are still very much a thing! But couples are adding a rock and roll edge to their ’70s-inspired weddings, and we are here for it! In addition to retro palettes, they are combining vintage and country decor, nudie and leather details, and classic elements to evoke this golden era of time and music.

photos by Sarah Murray Photography, venue: Buxton Hall, floral design by Springvine Design, wedding dress by Morgane Le Fay, bridal party jackets by Rusty Cuts, groom’s apparel by Union Western Clothing, rentals from East West Vintage and East Fork; see more from this wedding here!

photos by Hana Alsoudi Photography

Tropical Opulence aka Tropulence

You heard it here first: tropical opulence is going to be such a huge trend for weddings in 2020 that it needed its own word! So, what is tropulence exactly? It’s luxurious and lavish with a tropical twist. So, while the organic and natural feel of boho tropical weddings will never go out of style, tropical opulence takes it one step further with gold accents, lush florals, and luxurious textures.

photos by Button Up Photography

photos by Kathrin Krok Photography, Tracy Krapf, venue: Wolkenburg, floral design by Shabby Chic Events, wedding dress by Eddy K; see more from this wedding here!

Looking for more planning advice and decor inspiration? We’ve got all the best wedding planning articles right here!

Lush 65-Person Hollywood Mansion Wedding

July 17, 2020 | Junebug Weddings

dark blue dark pink kelly green

We are swooning over Ron and Blake’s lush, intimate Hollywood mansion wedding! Sometimes, we can’t say it better than the words of our couples and their vendor team, so here’s what their awesome photographer, Erin Marton Photography, sent us about their day:

Ron De Jesus and Blake Dore’s wedding was held at the famous Sowden House, a 6,000 square-foot neo-Mayan mansion designed by renowned architect, Lloyd Wright (son of Frank Lloyd Wright), in the heart of modern Hollywood. Blake and Ron wanted to pay homage to the space and let the home’s unique architectural details speak for themselves. They chose wild, forest-themed florals that were hand-picked by the couple’s florist. The food was also quite unique. “We wanted a fusion of Filipino-Canadian and Cajun-Creole flavors – not an easy feat!” Highlights of the menu included poutine topped with gumbo and ube ice cream sandwiches. The couple’s dog, Bowie, who they rescued last year, made a surprise appearance, stealing the show in a bespoke dog tux made in Paris. Their wedding focused on good food, good music, and appreciating the unique venue.

The Couple:

Ron & Blake

The Wedding:

The Sowden House, Los Angeles, CA

Our wedding was held at famous Sowden House, owned by our friends Jenny Landers and Dan Goldfarb. The Sowden House is a 6,000 square-foot neo-Mayan mansion designed by renowned architect, Lloyd Wright (son of Frank Lloyd Wright), located in the heart of modern Hollywood. Given the venue, wanted to pay homage to the space and let the home’s unique architectural details speak for themselves. We chose wild, forest-themed florals and asked guests to dress “snazzy and chic,” letting them decide how they’d want to dress based on the unique venue.

Instead of having a traditional ceremony, we actually got formally married the day before and instead treated guests to a speech / skit that followed the journey of our relationship, set to a soundtrack that our amazing DJ coordinated. Telling our guests the story of “us” on stage was definitely the most memorable part of that day.

Our menu was definitely unique and reflective of our respective ethnic backgrounds and hometowns. The food was a fusion of Filipino-Canadian (Ron) and Cajun-Creole (Blake) flavors, and highlights of the menu included poutine topped with gumbo, crawfish lumpia (a Filipino egg roll), pancit (Filipino noodles) with cajun spices, and ube ice cream sandwiches. It was definitely something we’ve never seen done before, and our chef did an amazing job interpreting the theme.

The Wedding Team:

Photography – Erin Marton Photography
Event Planning & Catering – GourMel Catering & Event Planning
Venue – The Sowden House
Floral Design – Royal Bee Flower Co.
DJ – DJ Buddy
Invitation Design – Shawn LeBlanc
Makeup Artist – Elide Samperio
Hair Styling – Pony Lee Musgraves and David Bailey
Wedding Suits – Indochino, Zara

Congratulations, Ron and Blake, and many thanks to Erin Marton Photography for sharing their day with Junebug! Loving these lush vibes? We think you’ll also be inspired by this jungle glam Playa del Carmen wedding!

10 Ways to Create a Cozy Wedding Reception

July 16, 2020 | Junebug Weddings

photo by Lauren Mihae Photography; see this real Junebug wedding here.

Intimate and micro weddings are a perfect opportunity to include the classic design elements of a traditional wedding—with a much smaller guest count. These small scale events feel naturally cozy, but take your intimate wedding reception to the next level with a few simple additions that will leave guests impressed with your thoughtful eye.

How to Create a Cozy Wedding Reception:

Lounge Seating
Coffee, Tea, or Hot Cocoa Bar
Candles and/or Twinkle Lights
Mixed Table and Floor Seating
Family-Style Dining
Layered Rugs
Lush Greenery
Pie for Dessert
Throw Blankets
Late-Night S’Mores

Once you set your hearts on a few of these ideas, be sure to coordinate with your planning team to incorporate them into your wedding reception decor.

photo by May Iosotaluno Photography; see more of this real wedding here.

Lounge Seating

Adding a lounge area to your reception space makes it easier for guests to converse away from the dance floor and music. Ask your photographer to capture a few portraits on the cute furniture for unique photos you’ll cherish.

Coffee, Tea, or Hot Cocoa Bar

Hosting a fall or winter wedding? Really love coffee? Warm up guests’ bellies and hearts with warm beverages. Junebug tip: You can support a small business by asking local coffee shops about their event pop-up offerings like this real couple did.

Shop Coffee Mugs to Keep for Your Home:

Candles and/or Twinkle Lights

The ambient light from candles and twinkle lights adds a touch of romance (okay, okay maybe it’s more than just a touch) and endless cozy vibes to any reception. Plus, you can totally reuse them after the big day.

photo by Lauren Mihae Photography; see this real Junebug wedding here.

Mixed Table and Floor Seating

If you’re planning to host a backyard wedding, consider mixed table and floor seating. Your guests will enjoy the opportunity to spread out and get comfortable. Make sure to provide plenty of floor pillows!

Family-Style Dining

Micro and intimate wedding receptions are the perfect opportunity to gather around a long, farm-style table and enjoy a delicious meal with your favorite people. Consider purchasing a dining set you love and can keep after the big day.

Shop Dining Sets to Keep for Your Home:

Layered Rugs

Layered rugs are a lovely way to warm up any reception space. This decoration technique might seem a bit overwhelming—to get just the right mix of patterns and layers—but hiring an expert planner can help you pull it off with ease!

Lush Greenery

Consider this cozy wedding reception idea when hunting for your venue. If you choose a space that’s already lush in landscape, you won’t have to add a thing!

photo by Map + Compass Photography; see more of this styled wedding shoot here.

Pie for Dessert

Our mouths are watering at the thought of freshly baked pie. Adding pie to your dessert menu can provide a perfect opportunity to pull out old family cookbooks and search for a recipe. A touch of sentimental value will make your day extra special.

Throw Blankets

There’s truly nothing sweeter than snuggling in a blanket with the one you love. Use chilly weather as an opportunity to cue snuggles. Include a throw blanket on each guest’s ceremony seat. Bonus: They make an awesome, purposeful favor to take home!

Shop Cozy Throw Blankets for Your Guests:

Late-Night S’Mores

If you have access to a campfire or fireplace at your venue, a s’mores bar can be the perfect last-night snack. You can even stock the bar with gluten free graham crackers and dairy free chocolate to accommodate any guests with food allergies.

We can’t wait to see how you incorporate these cozy wedding reception ideas into your big day. We’re here to help you plan your entire wedding, from the style of your sweetheart table to the ultimate wedding reception timeline. If you’re looking for even more inspiration for your wedding, check out how Junebug brides implemented these ideas—and more—on their special days.

photo by Melissa Marshall

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