While wedding trends are usually focused on styling, decore and fashion, this year, things are a bit different. The wedding trends of 2020 and 2021 were not planned by fashionistas and wedding planners but were born out of necessity. This year the trends of the past 2 years are evolving and we are seeing some very different trends that are set to continue to shake up the traditional wedding.
Covid 19 saw the global wedding industry grind to a halt, leaving brides and grooms hanging waiting for an opportunity to tie the knot. As various levels of lockdown and gatherings opened up around the world. Weddings took on many different shapes and guises, from grand, albeit local, elopements to backyard weddings. We have seen court weddings with after-parties happening months later, and intimate family weddings in the most unsuspecting locations. Couples give up the grand balls for the things that matter most. And we have seen traditions fly out the window.
All these changes are leading to the wedding scape looking more diverse and less traditional every day. We have put together a list of a few of our favourite wedding trends that and going to be a little more mainstream in 2022.
2022 Wedding trends
Unusual Entertainment
Most often the question around entertainment is band or DJ. However bridal couples are now looking to multiple forms of entertainment to provide a whole day experience for their guests to enjoy.
Some unique entertainment options you can expect to see in 2022 include.
- Roaming bands follow the bride down the aisle.
- A combination of unique bands during receptions and letting a DJ loose to party the night away.
- Adult playgrounds including, Beer Pong, Mini Golf, Lawn Darts and Petting Zoos. Next level photo/video/audio booths. Where you can show off a temporary tattoo of the bridal couple or maybe leave a message on a video or audio guestbook.
- Non-musical entertainment with such as fire dancing, circus acts, acrobatics and the list goes on.
While there will more than likely still be the traditional dance floors with live bands and DJ’s. Expect some more unusual wedding entertainment in the coming years.
Non-Traditional Wedding Parties Trend
While not a new trend, we have been seeing the odd, “Bro-Maid” or “Grooms Women” for a while. We have observed the size and look of a wedding party change and grow over the years. This trend is expected to take off over the next year. The past 2 years have highlighted the importance of our loved ones. For most people, this group of loved ones has taken on many forms. From a group of friends to a family of fur babies, and the grandparents who raised you to the neighbour who was the father you never had.
Don’t be surprised if you see a father and a stepfather walking a bride down the aisle together Many grooms are opting to have their father perform the role of Best Man. While page boys and flower girls are being replaced by beloved fur babies. There is also a growing trend of dropping bridal parties altogether, taking pressure off loved ones and allowing them to just enjoy the day.
Weekday Wedding Trend
While the wedding industry experienced perhaps the longest and most strict of lockdown regulations. Love has not been on lockdown. People have continued to meet, fall in love and decide to spend their lives together. While hundreds of couples lost their wedding dates and have had to postpone and reschedule again and again. Newly engaged couples are looking to book their desired dates. This has led to a shortage of wedding dates available at venues, birthing the growing trend of weekday weddings. People are taking advantage of public holidays Friday afternoons and just about any day that enables them to have their dream wedding.
Speciality Vendors
While there will always be a certain set of staple wedding vendors, such as venue, flowers, catering and officiate. Many bridal couples are opting to bring in some speciality vendors to mix things up a bit. Often these will complement or add to what a traditional vendor is doing. Here are some speciality vendors you might be seeing in the next few years.
- Speciality Bars, from craft bear to local distilleries, craft alcohol is here to stay and it is evolving all the time. Expect to see G&T Caravans, Whiskey and Cigar Lounges and live performances from mixologists.
- Live wedding painting is a thing and we love it. This is a growing trend and you get to leave your wedding with a, one off, custom painting of your special day.
- We touched on entertainment, but to add a few more to the list, expect to see a few comedians, dancers and even duelling pianos.
- Artisan food is a storm that is sweeping the wedding industry. Expect to see food trucks, ice cream carts, popcorn stands, build a burger, sushi made to order. This list could go on and on but you get the idea.
Sequel Weddings
While Covid has ground weddings to a halt, peoples lives have carried on. Especially those with a “5-year plan” people have still been getting married, just not having the party. Court weddings and small official ceremonies have been carried on. This has left a lot of married couples with a certificate but no photos, memories or honeymoon… Enter the Sequel Wedding.
These are taking on many different forms, from full elaborate weddings ceremonies, photoshoots and receptions to parties, where people just want to celebrate with their friends and family. We are all about celebrating and love the idea of taking a second shot at enjoying the day you never had.
Up-cycled Fashion
While thrifting and up-cycling fashion, in general, has been around for decades. This trend will be shifting to occasion-wear in the coming years. With vintage style becoming more on-trend and weddings getting more creative. We will see much more creative up-cycled wedding attire.
We will see a lot of sentiment influencing this trend with brides wanting to wear previous generations dresses. Customising and up-cycling to suit newer fashion trends.
Tech Focus Weddings
Wedding tech is another trend that has been growing for a while. We expect it to be a much more integrated part of not only the wedding but the planning, inviting and sharing. Here are a few ways you can expect to see tech being used.
- Save the dates are no longer being mailed or handed delivered but simply sent our via messaging apps such as Whatsapp.
- Wedding planning files are going digital with apps like Notion and the ever popular Pinterest taking over.
- Wedding invites are directing you to “wedsites” where where you can find all the details. As well as an RSVP form.
- Online wedding registries are also becoming more popular. With travel bans in place this allows family and friends around the world to buy wedding presents.
- Live streaming your wedding on youtube and other social media networks is also on the rise. Not only streaming but also interacting with remote guests on plattfroms such as Zoom
While 2022 weddings are probably going to look quite different. These new trends are leading to a much more guest centred mindset. Making the whole wedding day a more holistic experience for everyone involved, while allowing the bride and groom to have a more relaxed enjoyable day.
