2022 Wedding Trend Forecast
Did 2021 fly by for you? Because it did for us. Truthfully, we’re looking forward to this new year. Which is why we’re going to be laying out all the 2022 wedding trends that we can’t stop thinking about. Let’s jump right in.
Wedding Trends: Changing The Type of Wedding
Tiny, Mini, Micro, Nano Weddings
Guest lists are getting smaller and smaller as couples aim for a more bespoke experience. Curating the guest list to just those who they truly want to celebrate with, rather than who their parents or grandparents want to be invited, is giving couples and guests a more personalized and special experience. We’ve put together a guide to help you plan a small or micro wedding.
Photo by Ivy Bee Weddings
Weekday Weddings
Weekday wedding started as a necessity for couples who were vying for dates with 2020 weddings that had been rescheduled. Now, though, couples are opting for weekday weddings for more than just convenience. They are often more affordable in terms of venue and other vendors, and offer a more casual atmosphere.
Courthouse Weddings
A lot of couples want to get married on their own - and not have to worry about waiting or planning a big to-do. The perfect option for these couples is a courthouse wedding as a way to save time, money and stress.
Non-Traditional Weddings
There’s never been a more appropriate time to part with tradition. You can expect to see 2022 wedding couples doing things their own way, whether it’s informal invites, skipping the bouquet toss or going for a less traditional flow of events.
Luxury Backyard Weddings
Backyard weddings are getting a leg-up this year. Couples are opting for a more luxurious, garden-party styled experience.
Photo by Brianne Hultzman Photography
Destination Weddings
Destination weddings are becoming increasingly popular as travel opens back up and couples are itching to travel. In fact, some top destinations, like Mexico, are seemingly fully booked for weekend weddings in 2022, according to Business Insider.
Want to learn more about getting married abroad? Check out our comprehensive destination wedding planning guide.
Wedding Trends: Guest Experience
Sober-Curious Weddings
Non-alcoholic beverage sales increased 33% over the last year as more companies focus on crafting high-end mocktails and non-alcoholic beer and wine. This has led to couples opting for options beyond beer, wine and spirits at their weddings. Because couples are also focusing on providing experiences, rather than just a party, to their wedding guests, having a sober-curious wedding isn’t considered a faux-pas.
Photo by We Are the Bowsers
Wedding Retreats
Speaking of experiences, multi-day wedding events are becoming more popular. This involves the couple planning a few days worth of fun events and gatherings, and going beyond the rehearsal dinner when it comes to guest events.
Party Later Receptions
If you were part of the “marry now, party later” club of 2020 and 2021, you might be in on this trend already. Also coined Sequel Weddings or Anni-receptions, these are full-blown parties held (ideally) on a couples’ one-year anniversary if they had to downsize due to the pandemic. Wedding consultant Mindy Weiss recommends still having a symbolic exchange of vows, even if you’re already legally wed. We agree!
Photo by The Big Chill
Gift Boxes
In 2022, it’s all about spoiling your best friends and closest loved ones. And, if you can swing it, the rest of your wedding guests, too. Our friends over at Peachbox say that the art of gifting should be, “convenient, exclusive and almost effortless.” A gorgeous gift box is sure to be a memorable part of any 2022 wedding.
Wedding Trends: Design & Style
Rented or Recycled Wedding Dresses
These days, a lot of folks want to show off their individuality when choosing a wedding gown. People also aren’t afraid to go bold and high-fashion. A high-fashion choice for a wedding gown can easily blow your budget. And all wear-once gowns can give eco-conscious couples a grimace. Rented and worn-before dresses are sure to be a big deal in 2022. Martha Stewart put together a guide on where to rent your wedding dress for some inspiration!
Cottagecore
Speaking of the dress, cottagecore is taking over as a style of choice for younger Millennials and Gen Zers. Wondering where to find these Bridgerton-esque dresses? Brides already found them for you, so you don’t have to hunt.
Photo by Bailey Batten Photography
Short Wedding Dresses
With couples focusing more on experiences than putting on airs, it also opens the door to non-traditional wedding attire, including short wedding dresses. Short and tea-length dresses have never been too far out of the ordinary, but it’s likely to see a larger number in the coming years.
Bright or Moody Colors
Muted is being replaced by moody, and pastel is being replaced by bright when it comes to wedding florals and design. These colors will show up everywhere from table linens to bouquets to wedding party attire. Bright hues are slated for spring and summer weddings, while you can expect to see dark and moody color palettes taking over fall and winter weddings.
Photo by Jesse Nichols Photography
White Bridesmaids Dresses
Gone are the days of the bride being the only one allowed to wear white to a wedding. While the average guest probably isn’t ready to don a white dress at a wedding, it won’t be uncommon to see the bridesmaids wearing ivory, champagne, or even true white.
Photo by Bonvicini Photography
Gold Wedding Dresses
If bridesmaids are in white, how will the bride stand out? You can go for a monochromatic color scheme with your girls, or you can follow one of the bigger 2022 wedding trends with a gold-accented wedding dress.
Photo from Uptown Indigo
Unique Wedding Backdrops
Wedding arches, arbors and backdrops have gotten a makeover in recent years, with a number of geometric shapes, enticing textures and and unique floral arrangements.
Photo by Hilary Koon Photography, LLC
Eco-Weddings
Couples are focusing more on sustainability when choosing decor, catering, attire and other vendors. Need some ideas for an eco-conscious wedding? One Fab Day has you covered with a list of “ways you can reduce the environment and ethical impact of your wedding.”
Photo by 1 of 13 Photography
In-Season Florals
Along the lines of sustainability, couples will be looking for local florals that are in-season when picking their bouquets and flower arrangements. In-season flowers and flowers sourced locally, can all help contribute to a more eco-friendly wedding mentioned above.
Photo by Morgan Franklin Creative
Alternative Seating
Wedding seating is no longer just a necessity. It’s an opportunity to add style, design and flair to your event. Deciding on seating at your wedding starts before the reception. Ceremony seating can be personalized beyond just standard theater seating. Non-traditional seating options can include semi-cicular arrangements, mismatched vintage chairs or even picnic-style seating.
Photo by Amanda Zabrocki Photgraphy
Wedding Trends: Vendors & Add-Ons
Supporting Local Businesses
Nothing showed us the importance and fragility of small businesses like the pandemic. In response to this, many couples will be supporting smaller, local businesses wherever they can for their 2022 weddings. Whether that means ordering wedding favors from a local creator instead of Amazon, or choosing a local restaurant to cater rather than a chain.
Photo by Dawn Marie Photography
Entertainment Upgrades
Again, 2022 is going to be all about experiences. That means you can expect to see more than just wedding bands and DJs. Specialty vendors might include dancers, mixologists, painters or even dueling pianos.
Wedding Live Streaming
Live stream weddings are here to stay. We know this because our 2022 spots continue to book up - but we’re not the only one with this prediction. Brides mentions live streaming your wedding is set to be the norm into the following years, as a way to ensure friends and family who cannot attend can still help you celebrate.
Photo by The Stewarts Roam Photography
Virtual Wedding Invitations
Another way to save money (and the planet) is to opt for virtual wedding invitations rather than traditional paper ones. Not only does this open up the door for bigger design statements, but you can also include a video invitation, link to your wedding live stream or links to accommodations.
2022 Wedding Trend Recap
If you’ve made it this far, you’re ready for your 2022 wedding. Whether you’re having a micro wedding, an eco-friendly wedding or a destination wedding, LoveStream can help make sure everyone can help you celebrate on your big day.
Grab some time for a free consultation with our team here, or browse our wedding live stream packages to get started and save your date.