Let’s recap, shall we? You postponed. You canceled. You cried. You laughed! You rescheduled. And you postponed. Again. Sooo, you changed your plans. You got creative. You focused on what mattered most. Your vows held more weight than you ever imagined they would. You proved resilient time after time and you inspired us more than ever before. And now we get to re-live the best moments through the most popular real weddings of 2020!
Our team at GWS was proud to share your stories—this year more than ever—and we did our best to guide you through all the unknowns, hoping to keep you inspired along the way.
We always look forward to our end-of-year wraps ups but 2020 certainly sheds a whole new light. Sure, everyone is ready for a fresh start, but there’s something special about 2020 couples that just can’t be denied.
Now without further ado, we’re excited to share the top 10 most popular weddings of the year! Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for sharing your love + light with us this year!
Cameron + Kellie’s dreamy wedding in Santorini featured a couple with killer style (her second look with the jumpsuit was jaw-dropping). And THEN they hit us with one of the most romantic dinner settings we’ve ever seen thanks to a massive amount of fairy lights!
photography: White On Black // venue name: Venetsanos Winery, Santorini, Greece // event design: Julia & Evita // planning: Julia & Evita // florals: RedBox Days
Back when it was still possible, Natalie + Jordan jetted off to Tulum for a destination infused with Moroccan inspiration and surrounded by tropical details. The mustard bridesmaids dresses were a hit—so was the surprise reception guest! We’re holding onto this one for memories of what was and hope for the destination celebrations to come.
photography: The Bold Americana // venue name: Nest Tulum, Tulum, Mexico // planning: Tailored Events Las Vegas // florals: Florklore Studio
A last-minute wedding cancellation in the spring caused Georgia + Andrew to make some tough decisions. Their florist had ordered over half of their flowers and couldn’t cancel. They weren’t able to host at their original venue and the guest list dwindled with the shutdowns. That’s when they decided to adjust their plans and hold a magical, backyard wedding.
photography: Ashlyn Cathey Photography // venue name: Private Residence, Augusta, Georgia, USA // planning: the Bride // florals: Waiting on Wildflowers
A pink wedding dress, a mid-century modern house, vibrant florals, and a stunning setting—this was the recipe for Sophie + Michael’s elopement in Joshua Tree + Palm Springs.
photography: Mary Costa Photography // venue name: Joshua Tree National Park, Joshua Tree, California, USA // florals: Shindig Chic
They planned a last-minute elopement and ditched a year’s worth of wedding plans! She borrowed a dress, said their vows at the entrance of a closed Seal Beach, and donned a cute Target dress for the reception. This was such a fun day that proved that the only thing that matters, in the end, is being with the one you love!
photography: Chrissy Gilmartin Photography // florals: Ky Flora // wedding dress: Daughters of Simone // bride’s shoes: DSW // catering: Super Mex // second dress: Target
In a first for GWS, we received a submission and published it that very day. Kelli + Omar’s wedding collided with protests surging around the country in response to the murder of George Floyd. Their love was the guiding light we needed. Kelli’s story of encountering tear gas on their wedding night and the moment Kelli feared for Omar’s life as he ushered his family to safety moved us all to action.
photography: Alyssa McElheny Photography // venue name: West End GR, Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA // event design: Kelli VanHarn // florals: Alyssa McElheny
Kristen + Will’s autumn wedding in Vermont was the hit that we were all HERE FOR. Was it her incredible pink + green floral dress? Or the magical Vermont setting? Maybe it was the bridesmaids in pretty fall tones or the way the light was just perfect for photographs. This one feels like it fell from the pages of a book—one we’d return to time and time again.
photography: Lindsay Hackney Photography // venue name: Marble House Project, Dorest, Vermont, USA // event design: Ehmann Events + Bride and Groom // planning: Ehmann Events // florals: Nectar and Root
Karli + Kevin wed on a dock with the bridal party observing the vows stationed on boats! There was SO much boho goodness on this day—the wedding dress, colorful bridesmaids, all the wildflowers, and dreamy lounges. This was one of the last large weddings we shared on GWS this year, and it was a good one.
photography: Marcella Laine // venue name: Lindor Home, Lake Sammamish, Washington, USA // event design: The Greatest Adventure Wed // planning: The Greatest Adventure Wed // florals: Petals by Piper
Lauren + Alex’s destination wedding in Tuscany was one of the first real weddings we shared of the year and here it is, finishing strong at number 2 on our list! We aren’t surprised because just LOOK at that reception table. The bride wore a sleek, modern gown and this intimate day was filled with ALL the magic.
photography: Jess Withey Photography // venue name: Locanda in Tuscany, Castiglione d’Orcia, Tuscany, Italy // event design: Italian Eye // planning: Italian Eye // florals: Design by Nature
And in a fitting end to 2020, the most popular wedding of the year was in fact not one wedding, but several. A beautiful piece that shared 16 couples’ stories of what it looks like to get married in the early onslaught of a pandemic. Stories of love + overcoming that we were honored to share.
photography: Jessi Lancaster // venue: The Gadsden House // floral: Roadside Blooms