9 Wedding Trends You Will Be Seeing in 2022
As Featured in Insider
Just like anything else, the wedding industry ebbs and flows with trends. Although most couples like to opt for a “timeless” or “classic” aesthetic for their wedding day, there are still trends that make their way into wedding days! As a wedding planner for the past four years, here are 10 wedding trends I think we will be seeing everywhere this year!
Dogs being included in the big day- It has always been popular to include furry friends in wedding day details, whether that be through cocktail napkins or naming a signature cocktail after them, etc. However, I have seen a rise in couple’s actually bringing their dogs to their wedding! With COVID last year, a lot of couples got pets during quarantine, and now those pets have become a big part of the family, and thus a part of the wedding day!
Click here to see some of our favorite ways dogs have been incorporated into the big day!
Cigar Rollers- Having a cigar roller at your wedding isn’t necessarily a new thing, but it has definitely picked up popularity this year! This has been the biggest request I have gotten from my couples this year, as far as cocktail hour entertainment goes!
Estate/Garden style weddings- We all know that barn/rustic style weddings have had a hold of the wedding industry for the past decade, but recently I have seen a shift out of the barn style into a more garden and estate style. I see a lot of venues popping up that resemble mansions or large estates, and couples are asking for garden inspired florals with lush greenery, large blooms, and more pastel color palettes!
Check out our most recent estate style wedding here!
Silk bridesmaids dresses- I think it is safe to say that we are finally out of the ugly bridesmaids dresses phase! A lot more couples have focused on finding chic and trendy styles for their bridesmaids dresses. One style of bridesmaids dress that has gained a lot of popularity recently is the silk slip dress. Expect to see these a lot more at weddings, not only on the bridesmaids, but on the wedding guests as well!
Here are some of our favorites!
Unexpected Guest Counts- It used to be a rule of thumb that 20% of the guests you invite will not attend your wedding, therefore giving couple’s wiggle room to invite more guests. However, COVID has made predicting guest counts quite difficult. Immediately following reduced restrictions, we saw a huge increase in guest counts. However, with new variants of the virus, along with each couple’s own mask/vaccine requirements, guest counts have started to dip again!
Unconventional ceremony seating- Traditionally at ceremonies, family and guests sit on the side of the person they have relations to. More recently, I have had a lot of families request to sit on the opposite side, so that they have a better view of that person’s face! It is such a special moment for parents to be able to watch their child’s face throughout the ceremony instead of the back of their head. Therefore, I think a lot of couples are going to do away with the traditional seating and have guests sit wherever they would like.
No More Garter/Bouquet Toss- This is a tradition that I have seen almost completely die out in the most recent year or so. Couples are no longer tossing bouquets into crowds of single ladies, or fishing for the garter in front of their parents and grandparents. If you are attending a wedding this upcoming year, don’t expect to see these traditions!
Disposable Cameras- Disposable cameras at weddings definitely had their moment in the late 90s-early 2000s. It was common to drop cameras at each guest table and have them take pictures throughout the reception. This trend kind of died off in the 2000s, but recently has been making a resurgence. A lot of celebrities, influencers, and social media users in general have been taking pictures with disposable or polaroid cameras, and including that dingy/imperfect effect to their photos. I see disposable cameras making a big comeback this year, not in place of a photographer, but in supplement to the photographer!
Check out our recent disposable camera inspired editorial shoot!
Fairy Lights- Fairy lights are the more romantic sibling of bistro lights, and are about to be everywhere at weddings! These lights offer a mystical and intimate aesthetic to weddings, especially outdoor weddings. I see a lot of couples requesting canopies made completely out of fairy lights, and I think this is a trend that will stick around for the next few years!
QR codes- With the rise of QR codes, a lot of couples have found ways to incorporate them into their wedding- not only for the convenience, but also for the budget. After the past year of “contactless” living, most guests, old and young, now know how to operate a QR code. A lot of couples will include a QR code on their invitation that links to their wedding website where guests can RSVP, instead of including a physical RSVP card. I have also seen some couples use QR codes in place of seating charts, guest books, menus, and even as a way for guests to contribute to “honeymoon funds” instead of bringing a wedding gift.