2020 came with its fair share of surprises. At the turn of this next decade, no one could have forethought that things as we knew them would have to drastically change. Most events have had to be at the mercy of last-minute decisions, attendee cuts, and stricter health and safety regulations. It almost comes as a given that the hottest trends that rolled around at the end of 2019 came as a prevision of what was to come. Nevertheless, it is never a bad idea to embrace what may become the new normal with a renewed pair of eyes and a light-hearted disposition while looking back at this year.

The ideas that had been forecasted for 2020 hold a lot of charm and are exceptionally practical, putting the wishes of the lucky couple at the forefront rather than catering for the expectations of the guests. Foreign couples making Malta the location for their destination wedding has brought a fresh take to what can be summed up as an outmoded drill, paving the way to new-generation weddings for both the local and international intended.

A small and select guest list became a popular trend in wedding organisation. Not only reflective of the global pandemic, weddings have become all about the union and the couple. It is not uncommon for couples to heave a sigh of relief after the wedding celebration is over, flustering on whether their 500 or so guests have enjoyed themselves, forgetting it was a moment meant for their revelry. The common sense to invite the people you want to see and keeping the group together and close knit prevails. More than that, the notion of all together setting off to a new country and elope has taken off. All year round, Malta, secluded in the centre of the Mediterranean has afforded adventurous and enamoured couples the opportunity to be swept off their feet in this amorous Elysium.

This goes hand in hand with the vogue of customising your wedding so that it is uniquely ‘you’. There is no rule that excludes the fun activities of our childhood birthdays from our wedding day that could seemingly transport us back to innocent ‘old-school’ fun. Why not place table games or disposable cameras throughout the venue so that guests may take candid pictures or help them break the ice during the event? Set up a lounge area and a tarot reader? Or string a piñata from the ceiling for some animated and rewarding fun? (Maybe don’t fill it up with bees.)

Opulence and glamour have been dressed down, replaced by the casual unpretentiousness of a genuine feel-good atmosphere of laid-back and unceremonious choices. For instance, brides are opting for lighter, less embellished dresses and opting for something simple and sleeved, while grooms are doing away with the restrictive colours of their suits and jackets. Bouquets and flower arrangements are also taking on a less structured look, cascading into asymmetrical forms as if they have just been picked. Sometimes, this is altogether taken to the extreme of moving weddings to the outdoors and adding the whimsical but magical touch of bringing furniture and velvet-coloured textiles to the outdoors. Edible flowers have also become an agent to taste and are generously included with the trendy DIY cocktail stations and sweet jam pastries. Dessert tables now cater to evoke the rustic tastes of traditional gateaux and candies. Celebrating in Malta will provide the party with a hearty selection of stuffed dates, puddings, donuts, biskuttini tal-lewż, ħelwa tat-tork, perlini, ħelu tar-rand and imqaret. Translating the latter will not make the cut..

While these are all trends that make your wedding as Insta-worthy as can be, it is much more rewarding to have the photos taken by a talented photographer not look like your guests are a sea of smartphones but being in the moment. A small sign can act as a gentle reminder that you’d much rather have an unplugged ceremony. After officially tying the knot, you can safely announce to the guests that they are free to use their camera phones and make use of your wedding hashtag if you’ve decided to have one.

This year has brought with it many unexpected changes. While these trends are a reflection of the circumstances, they still offer a beautiful and valuable selection of alternatives. Ultimately, as this blog post highlights, it is all about the couple and what you decide. Take into account new regulations, but be free to make your own choices so that this day is memorable and reflective of your relationship and union.