South Asian Wedding Trends For 2020

Another year means another list of predictions for the latest wedding trends. And before you dive in, let me just preface this blog by saying that while wedding trends are good for inspiration, I am a HUGE proponent for skipping trends and doing whatever the f*** you want. Because let’s be honest, South Asian weddings come with enough pressure as it is. Don’t let following the latest trend add to that list. That being said, we still like to keep you updated jusssst in case you find a trend that you happen to love. 2019 was the year of pastel color schemes, smoke bombs at baraat, and my personal favorite – the bridal baraat (wish I had done this at my wedding). So what’s the deal with 2020 trends? In a word, they’re bold. Stronger colors, edgier clothes, funkier decor, and continued creativity in revamping the ceremonies themselves. If you’re looking for some inspiration on how to decorate, what to wear, or unique ways to personalize your event, check out some of this year’s trends below.

Bridal Fashion

Feathers, Ruffles & Tiers

Taking cues from the runways of some of South Asia’s most popular designers like Falguni and Shane Peacock, Amit Aggarwal, and Tarun Tahiliani, the styles that are predicted to dominate among brides this year include fun details like feathers, ruffles and tiers, and fashion forward Indowestern alternatives to the traditional lehnga. The floral pattern game remains strong, and you may even see more brides opting for the classic choice of a sari.

Pastel Meenakari Jewelry

Pastels may be transitioning out for outfits, but they’re popping up EVERYWHERE for jewelry. These Easter-colored jewelry sets contrast beautifully with the bolder outfit colors that brides are opting for in 2020.

Bandhani

This classic pattern is seeing a comeback in inventive ways – as the blouse of a bridal lehnga, the chaniya or sharara pants of a mehndi or sangeet outfit, dupattas to complement monochromatic and heavy bridalwear, and even paired with banarasi for a refreshed look for saris.

Choora Covers

Brides have found yet another way to amp up and personalize a part of your outfit that you may not have thought twice about in the past – and that’s a cover for your choora set. Get you and your partner’s name and wedding date embroidered on your cover, or have it made in a contrasting or matching color to your bridal outfit. Not only does it look amazing in your photos, but it serves as a wedding keepsake and something you can store your choora set in for years to come.

Bejeweled and Atypical Blouses

2020 is the year that blouses get a serious upgrade. Stand out with modern cuts, fancy necklines, and chic sleeves. Or if you really want to take it up a notch, think about a blouse with an embellished back.

High-Low Lehngas

We’ve seen the rise of the high-low dress in the states, but have you considered a high-low lehnga for your wedding? We think this a fun fashion-forward choice for an event like your mehndi – lots of room for your artist to decorate your feet without having to worry about staining your outfit or messing up your fresh mehndi.

Groomswear

Floral Churidaar

Because why should brides have all the fun? Floral churidaars for grooms are by no means a new design, but are becoming more and more popular with a range of Indian designers.

Mehndi

Don’t Forget the Soles

It may be a pain to actually get this design done (hello, it’s hard enough to sit still for the TOPS of feet let alone the bottom), but the pictures of mehndi stains on the soles of feet are so impressive and beautiful.

Phera #8

And It’s For A Good Cause

You read that right! Couples are throwing in an 8th Phera into their wedding ceremony to make a statement against female infanticide and as a vow to raise any daughters they may have no differently than they would raise a son. Introduced and promoted by various NGOs in India, the idea behind the 8th Phera is for the couple to raise awareness about female infanticide among their guests with the larger goal of discouraging finding out the gender of the child during pregnancy in order to allow women in India to have safer pregnancies. What’s great about the 8th Phera is that it’s an opportunity for couples to champion whatever cause is important and personal to them, whether it be violence against women, female infanticide, climate change, or animal cruelty.

Color Schemes

Bold Monochromatics

Forget the pastels and blush tones that ruled this past year – 2020 is all about the BOLD. Take, for instance, Pantone’s color of the year Classic Blue. Even if blue isn’t your thing, expect to see other bold monochromatics like Kelly Green and Aubergine take center stage. And don’t get it twisted ’cause monochromatic colors don’t equate to boring and plain, but colors that are full of personality and elegance.

Design Aesthetic

Classic, Meet Contemporary

Curious about what design elements flow well with bold colors like Classic Blue? Enter the “Grandmillennial” style where you see classic design features combined with a contemporary edge. Sure, this is a style that’s becoming more popular with interior decor than with special events. Let it inspire you and consider mixing and matching different decor items to make your event look dynamic. You can even throw in fun prints in unexpected places like pillows for your event lounge setup, linens on your event tables, or even the drapery at some of your events as a nice complement to whatever bold color you choose.

Flowers

Flowers have always reigned in South Asian weddings and in recent years it’s been more common to see a modern mandap of florals vs. traditional bulky set-ups. 2020 will continue in that direction, but with more of an emphasis on lush green foliage accented by pops of color instead of the other way around.

Event Features

Year after year weddings have upped the ante for unique and personalized vendors and details. Depending on the couple’s style and budget, we’ve seen everything from Vegas-style servers using their outfits as drink trays to the sweet and simple like cotton candy stations and coffee food trucks. 2020 will be no different as couples and families continue to find different ways to entertain and indulge their guests. Here are a couple of trends you can expect to see at weddings in the upcoming year as predicted by The Knot.

Interactive Entertainment

What’s the point of interactive entertainment? Not only is it more engaging and exciting way for your guests to participate and experience your wedding, these are also memorable moments that lean towards the biggest trend of all – doing everything for IG. Couples find tons of creative ways to do this – from magicians and sketch artists to even having a mehndi artist present at the Sangeet or the wedding reception.

Signature Drinks? How About Mixologists Instead

Signature drinks are one of are favorite wedding trend staples – but couples in 2020 may be taking it a step further by hiring mixologists to make more ‘wow’-worthy moments at the bar. And for those trying to save some money on bartenders? They’ll be opting for the still engaging self-service stations for their drinks instead.

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