Tips and Trends for 2020 (And Beyond)

Yes to the Dress 

“Brides want to feel unique; every week it feels like we have brides looking for different things, like plain elegance or comfortability. On the designer side, pockets are big. We are also seeing them use more colors than the traditional white, ivory or champagne. They have now added soft pinks, greys, nude colors and even black. I would also say we are seeing a rise in past generations’ looks coming back, such as off-the-shoulders and bows!” — Kayla Thompson of Melissa Ashley Brides

“Mauve is very popular right now for bridesmaids. We are also seeing a lot of off-the-shoulder looks. But I think, more than anything, brides are picking a color and then allowing their bridesmaids to pick styles that complement them and that they feel comfortable in. In Spring 2020, you will see a rise in orange and mustard colors as well as some new fabrics — velvet is making a comeback!” — Kayla Thompson of Melissa Ashley Brides

“Dessert should be the cherry on top of a beautiful, joyous day. Make it memorable! If you opt for a tiered cake, let it be a showpiece that captures your two personalities and the energy of that day. If mini pastries are more your style, have fun with flavors! Cocktail-inspired macarons are the perfect after-dinner treat, and tiny cake bites with PB n’ J nut-and-fruit profiles have countless pros (Cake! Portability! Nostalgia!).” — Afton Garrett-Edwards of Ellie’s Bakery

“As photojournalists, our default answer is more candid photography! We’ve noticed that whenever we have a bit of a lull or downtime before the ceremony, the knee-jerk reaction is to fill the time posing for pictures. I think it comes from that need to be productive that most of us have. Our advice: Just be. Be with your people, and the pictures will come. That said, creative, activity-based portraiture is something we rarely get enough time in the wedding schedule to really maximize. Getting married on a farm? Take a little extra time to wander through a cornfield together. Near a lake? Make a plan to take a short canoe ride during portrait time. We love couples who embrace the uniqueness of their day, maybe taking a walk in the rain if the weather didn’t cooperate. It’s all part of that unique wedding story.” — Katye and Joe Brier of the Happy Couple Photography

“I have a lot of brides who love messy, textured styles. Whether they’re up, down or half and half, they’re so into texture, and I love it! It has a more relaxed feel.”— Sarah Depault of Sarah Depault Beauty

“Ladies’ diamond eternity bands are very much in style, while for men, alternative metals like tungsten carbide and titanium remain hot.”
— Mark Eilers of Ross-Simons

“We typically ask the following questions to determine which option is more suitable: Is it an evening wedding? Is it outside or inside? What is the theme, i.e. rustic, elegant, boho? What will your partner be wearing? If your partner is a bride and the dress is very elegant, it’s hard to pull off a suit next to a very red-carpet dress — a tux provides an elevated level of formality. If there’s two grooms, we’ll ask if they want to match or just complement each other. We would never put one groom in a suit and one in a tux.” — Aldo Segama of Aldo’s House of Formals

“One tried-and-true trend is the rustic or woodsy feel. The use of dark woods, mason jars, wine barrels, harvest tables, white lace and burlap [for rustic and farm-style weddings] is a trend that we don’t see dying out anytime soon. Still, we have built many new items, including bars, card holders, food displays and tables to add to our expanding inventory. We have a little bit of something for everyone.” — Fred Tebeau of Quality Rental

“Our best advice to couples searching for a live band is to go out and see them before locking in the date. It is wise to book a band twelve months in advance — especially bands willing to learn songs for you! Take It to the Bridge will secure dates up to twenty-four months out.”— Greg Marcotte of Take It to The Bridge

“Trolleys and antique cars have always been the most popular vehicles, and I think they will continue to be a popular choice because of their classic look. However, there’s been an increase in demand for the Gronk Buses! Former Patriots player Rob Gronkowski owns two party buses — the 87 and the Yo Soy Fiesta — and we rent them for him. Couples have booked them for their weddings, rehearsal dinners and bachelor/ette parties, or even as a surprise for their die-hard sports-fan fiance!” — Meagan Mann of Rockstar Limo

“We are seeing brides willing to move in a less traditional direction with personal flowers. Floral rings are definitely something we are seeing more and more of. Also, instead of traditional wrist corsages, we have started to implement wrist cuff jewelry.” — Semia Dunne of Flowers by Semia

“Couples I’ve encountered are definitely interested in variety for their wedding — more options! With that being said, I’m seeing a trend in more fruit-flavored cupcakes. When I make a cupcake with fruit incorporated, I always choose fresh fruit, juice and zest because it translates to a stronger, fresher flavor. I think hummingbird is an underrated flavor. Most people don’t even know what hummingbird is, but once you taste it, you get it. It’s a spiced cake with pineapple, bananas and walnuts!” — Tara Quinn of QuinnSea Cupcakes

“Hand-done calligraphy from scratch will give your invitations a more prestigious feel as well as a personal touch. Each envelope is a piece of artwork. I have four calligraphy styles couples can choose from — old English, cursive, vertical Roman cursive and a new one, copper plate — and I’m happy to help them decide which fits their style best. It also helps when they can bring a photo of their invitations to the consultation for matching purposes.” – Lyn Smith Laplume of Lyn Laplume Calligraphy, 401-353-2616

“Hire a photographer you trust, then let them do their thing. Study their Instagram and website — if you like what you see, chances are you will be thrilled with your own images. Communicate why you love their work and avoid sending inspiration boards not reflective of their style. And remember, you will spend a majority of your wedding day with your photographer; someone with an even-tempered and gregarious personality will be a huge benefit.”— Katye and Joe Brier of the Happy Couple Photography

“As a ring that a new bride or groom will be wearing every single day for the rest of their lives, I suggest going with a wedding band that fits their personality. Whether that be lots of diamonds for a ‘blingy’ girl, or a ring with meteorite for a guy who is a big NASA fan. Also, you should select your wedding bands two to three months before the wedding, as some may need to be special ordered to fit.” — Mark Eilers of Ross-Simons

“To determine the number of rooms needed for a wedding block, I recommend couples go through their list of guests and try their best to determine who will be attending the wedding. Then determine how many will be driving two hours or more and flying in for the wedding — those are the guests that will typically stay over. In a destination location like Cape Cod, some people may want to take a vacation day before and/or after. You may want to send out e-mails and ask guests what their plans are.” – Linda Fish of the Fairfield by Marriott Cape Cod Hyannis

“Brides typically come in for waxing services three to five days in advance, depending on the events they may have planned for the week of the wedding. Brides that are on a regular waxing routine or who have booked an extended honeymoon may opt to come in as little as two days prior. Please note: If you have never waxed before, I strongly suggest scheduling a trial run a month before the wedding. Prior to booking waxing services, do some research. Not all professional waxers and waxes are created equal! Don’t be shy… Ask for referrals from friends and family, read up on salon reviews and inquire about waxing prerequisites/etiquette.” — Susan Ciosek of
the Wax Pot

“Couples this season are mix-and-matching to their hearts’ content, some choosing a smaller, two-tiered cake with accompanying mini pastries, while others are going for a ‘deconstructed’ display with individual cakes complementing one another. When it comes to tiered cakes, tall, sleek and modern is the way to go. The concrete buttercream look dressed up with big, colorful flowers like dahlias is one of my current favorites! The most popular cake flavor this past summer was easily coconut almond, paired with herbal and tea buttercreams and summer fruit jam fillings.”— Afton Garrett-Edwards of Ellie’s Bakery

“Everything is about expressing your individuality — so bucking trends may just be a trend. My goal is to hold a mirror up to clients and reflect them and their story back to their wedding guests. The best thing you can hear: ‘That wedding was so you — it couldn’t have been anyone else’s wedding.’ To that point, couples are really putting an emphasis on the guest experience. People want to offer a day (or weekend) that their guests will not forget. A wedding is a rollercoaster of emotions, so give your guests ‘all the feels.’”— Michael Marcoux of Michael Marcoux Events

“I always caution my couples not to blow the whole thing on the flights/hotel. You need to make sure to leave room in the budget for the things you want to see and do (and eat and drink) when you’re there. At the end of the day, what you’re going to remember are the experiences, so don’t short-change yourself on those.” — Ann Petronio of Annie’s Escapes

“I suggest brides reserve their block of rooms a year in advance, if possible. However, they can reach out to their hotels anytime to check availability and rates. The Fairfield by Marriott offers courtesy blocks, which means the couples are not financially responsible for rooms that are not picked up. There is a cutoff date of either thirty or forty-five days prior to the wedding, and any rooms not reserved at that time are put back into the hotel’s inventory of rooms. This makes it possible for couples not to pay penalties or deposits. We will hold a block of rooms with a minimum of ten rooms and will hold a block with as many as twenty to thirty. Once those rooms fill up, we will add to the block.” — Linda Fish of the Fairfield by Marriott Cape Cod Hyannis

“Rings with multiple colors of gold and metals are often overlooked. They can show your sense of style, and the colors allow them to go with anything. After all, you’ll be wearing these with everything!” — Mark Eilers of
Ross-Simons

“Recently, couples have been gravitating towards local Rhode Island favorites, such as clam cakes with chowder, raw bars, stuffies, etc. for the cocktail hour. Meanwhile, they generally choose plated dinners for their reception, typically with beef and seafood options. But, if someone’s incorporating a lot of seafood into their cocktail hour, then we suggest our organic chicken entrées paired with beef. We always advise our couples to select things that they love because a wedding is meant to showcase them as a couple and as individuals. Guests love to see those details in the food selections, as well!” — Casey Stamouli of Blackstone Caterers

“A good way to have a dessert display stand out is to have a cohesive theme throughout. It’s important for the couple to stick to something that’s a good representation of them. I think something personal is more meaningful than a particular color scheme. Most couples choose a small cutting cake and cupcakes all displayed on one stand with the cake on top.” – Tara Quinn of QuinnSea Cupcakes