The Best 2022 Wedding Trends
The Best 2022 Wedding Trends
Weekday Weddings
Cara from Mosaic Wedding Company notes that weekday weddings have become increasingly popular, a trend she expects to continue in the future. According to her, this shift is partly driven by international clients who don’t mind getting married during the week, and also take advantage of discounted venue rates. This approach can be especially helpful when it comes to budgeting for your special day.
Additionally, weekday weddings can benefit guests who need time to travel and relax before the event, allowing them to depart on the following weekend. Furthermore, Beaman from Insider predicts a surge in weekday weddings for 2022, citing that many venues are already fully booked or nearing capacity. The rise is largely attributed to couples who had to postpone their nuptials due to COVID-19 and have since rescheduled for next year.
Intimate Weddings & Destination Elopements
For those who crave something unconventional, an intimate wedding in a private backyard, public park, local beach, or other open spaces can be just as romantic and memorable as a traditional venue. According to Maggie Lord from Wedding Forward, this trend is gaining popularity among modern couples. By opting for an outdoor ceremony, couples can create a unique and personalized celebration that truly reflects their style and preferences.
Another significant shift in wedding trends is the growing focus on efficiency and experience. Gone are the days of large-scale weddings with hundreds of guests. Instead, many couples are choosing to elope, surrounded only by their closest loved ones, including a marriage officiant. This approach allows them to skip the post-wedding reception and head straight to their dream honeymoon, savoring every moment of this special time together.
Today’s newly engaged couples face unique financial challenges compared to previous generations. With the rising cost of living and decreased saving rates, many are forced to rethink traditional wedding expectations. This shift in perspective has led to a greater emphasis on experiential celebrations that prioritize the couple’s happiness and fulfillment over lavish displays of wealth.
Venue accessibility and features
When selecting a venue, most of Cara’s clients at Mosaic Wedding Company prioritize specific features that cater to their needs. Chief among these are accommodations for family members or the bridal party, as well as picturesque backdrops and amenities that enhance the overall experience. A mountain view is particularly sought after, not only by those visiting South Africa for the first time but also by locals who crave a change of scenery.
Additionally, having access to a pool or braai area for pre- or post-wedding events can be a major plus. By offering these conveniences, venues with accommodation can simplify logistics and create a seamless experience for guests attending multi-day celebrations.
Wedding Catering
As I’ve been observing, live food stations have gained immense popularity lately, and it’s a trend that’s been building momentum. The interactive experience of watching chefs prepare food has become a major drawcard for guests, who get to enjoy their meal in individual cups or bowls, ensuring both convenience and food safety.
This concept has also extended to food trucks, which are now commonly seen at pre- and post-wedding events, offering a relaxed atmosphere that’s distinct from the formal wedding celebration itself. According to event planner Ashley Tangerini of Mavinhouse Events, based in New England, couples are increasingly incorporating thoughtful, unique personal touches into their overall design to make their love story truly shine.
This might involve crafting a menu around their shared favourite foods or recreating dishes from their first date at a late-night food truck. Some couples have even gone as far as designing entire wedding menus inspired by the wine they savoured on their first kiss or the dish they prepared together in their home.
Eco-Friendly Weddings
As couples become increasingly aware of the environmental impact their special day can have, many are opting for more eco-friendly wedding options. Fortunately, the industry has responded with a plethora of sustainable choices. From locally sourced catering to biodegradable invitations, the possibilities are endless. If you’re committed to making your big day as green as possible, be sure to explore our comprehensive guide on eco-friendly weddings.
In planning your environmentally conscious wedding, start by seeking out a venue that boasts outdoor spaces. This not only reduces energy consumption but also allows you to harness the natural beauty of the area, minimizing the need for elaborate decor and florals.
Entertainment during pre-drinks and reception
In recent times, I’ve noticed that many of my clients, particularly those who had to postpone or got engaged during the COVID-19 pandemic, are seeking to make music and entertainment a show-stopping element at their wedding. They want their guests to have an unparalleled experience, with memories that will last a lifetime. This desire for exceptional entertainment has led to a surge in demand for live bands, saxophonists, and local music vibes, even for international weddings.
In fact, we’ve gone so far as to incorporate unexpected elements like table tennis to keep the party going! The options are endless, ranging from fire dancers to live painters – we can curate anything that will leave a lasting impression. Some of my colleagues share this enthusiasm, with Cara from Mosaic Wedding Company highlighting the importance of surprise and delight in wedding entertainment.
Lynn Easton of Easton Events agrees, noting that musical diversity is now more than ever a top priority, with guests clamoring for everything from string sections to pop-up boy bands. Xanath Banuelos from XB Destination Weddings & Events takes it a step further, suggesting that this trend will extend beyond music and into other forms of surprise entertainment – think fortune tellers and professional dancers – designed to immerse guests in the experience and leave them truly wowed.
Wedding themes and colour schemes
While some clients do opt for a specific theme, many more tend to focus on evoking a particular mood or atmosphere through their colour scheme. Cara notes that her clients often look for subtle hints of their chosen hue, from the bridesmaids’ dresses to the flowers adorning the tables. This desire for a romantic or mystical ambiance is prevalent, with lighting playing a crucial role in achieving this effect.
To create an enchanting atmosphere, she recommends incorporating plenty of fairy lights, lanterns, and candles. With COVID-era weddings prioritizing outdoor spaces or well-ventilated venues, Cara suggests that greenery and atmospheric lighting can transport guests to a whimsical forest setting. As for colour schemes, Maggie Lord’s 2022 predictions include Evergreen Fog, Soft Blue, Black and dark warm tones, and Bright and colourful palettes.
Bouquet Preservation
As the culmination of meticulous planning and design, it’s only natural that many brides want to hold onto their bridal bouquets forever. In 2022, a centuries-old tradition is experiencing a resurgence: bouquet preservation. Gone are the days of simple drying methods – today’s brides are seeking innovative ways to preserve their wedding flowers, such as pressing delicate petals, encapsulating blooms in epoxy resin or wax, or even commissioning custom paper flower art and watercolor paintings.
Artists are at the forefront of this creative revival, offering modern solutions for preserving and showcasing the beauty of these once-in-a-lifetime arrangements.
Wedding dresses and bridal party attire
In recent years, wedding dresses have taken on a more personal touch, with many brides opting for unique accessories such as hats, jackets, and boots. Another trend is the adoption of two-dress policies, where a bride wears a sleeker, more elegant dress for the ceremony and then changes into something shorter or more party-oriented for dancing. As someone who’s experienced this firsthand, I can attest to the liberating feeling that comes with breaking free from traditional wedding standards.
In fact, many brides around the world are now ignoring those standards altogether, opting instead for unconventional attire that reflects their individuality. Whether it’s a dress with a subtle tint or an outfit that’s more commonly seen at the Met Gala, there are no rules and no expectations – just the freedom to express oneself. Of course, this shift towards personalization has also led to the resurgence of certain styles from the past.
For instance, short wedding dresses were all the rage in the 1960s, and we’re expecting to see a similar trend emerge in 2022. The best part? These dresses are incredibly versatile, allowing brides to rewear them long after the big day is over. Some of the most popular wedding dress styles that have been gaining traction include bridal separates – also known as two-piece dresses – which offer the convenience of being able to transition between ceremony and reception with minimal effort.
Puff sleeves are another trend that’s making a comeback, bringing a touch of old-world romance to modern wedding attire. And then there’s the rise of corsets, which have become a popular way for brides to add an artistic flourish to their look. Whether you’re looking to make a statement or simply feel like the best version of yourself on your big day, these trends offer endless possibilities.
Stationery and wedding gifts
Despite the evolving nature of wedding trends, wedding websites remain a valuable tool for couples and their guests. One of the most significant advantages of having a wedding website is its ability to provide essential information to out-of-town guests or those who are not familiar with the area. In terms of day-of stationery, many clients are now opting for customized acrylic menus that serve as beautiful keepsakes.
On the other hand, there’s been a growing desire among some couples and their guests to prioritize eco-friendliness. This can be achieved through menus printed on recycled paper or a single large menu featuring the same meal options for all. In terms of font styles, modern fonts are gaining popularity over traditional cursive scripts. Furthermore, creative wording is becoming increasingly popular, with many clients choosing playful and fun phrases instead of formal language.
For instance, an invitation might read ‘Join us on December 31st to dance the night away’ rather than a more conventional ‘You are formally invited.’
