Value-oriented weddings have arrived.
The biggest wedding trends of 2022 will be a reflection of couples' values. "They're diving deep into crafting their celebrations to look like them, feel like them, smell like them, and be full of their favorite things and people," reflects Brooklyn-based event planner Jove Meyer.
Couples are leaving behind super formal, black-tie celebrations and exploring cocktail style parties, food truck parties, dance parties, everything outside of the typical wedding box," affirms Meyer.
"COVID led many couples to elope or marry at city hall or in their backyards or online and now they just want an epic dance party with friends, so the huge formal and typical weddings are being put aside and raging parties with personal touches are here to stay."
"This includes a menu planned around a couple's favorite foods or a late-night food truck that serves dishes from the first date." Some couples are crafting entire wedding menus around their love story, starting with the wine they enjoyed before their first kiss or the first dish they made together at home.
To accommodate this outdoor wedding essential, tented weddings with a functional twist will emerge as a 2022 wedding trend. "Raised observation decks are a new addition [to outdoor weddings]," explains Tim Sperry, president of Sperry Tents. "They provide expansive scenic lookouts of your destination geography for guests to enjoy… Plus, it's the perfect cocktail lingering spot for guests."Relaxed Luxury
The formality of even the most lavish weddings will be slightly pared down in the year ahead. "While the classic black-tie wedding will still be around, we will see more and more of a relaxed vibe coming into play at weddings," muses Amy Shey Jacobs, owner and creative director of Chandelier Events in New York. "Perhaps it's the outdoor influence or the attitude that, 'We're finally here!' My team expects more weddings with a relaxed luxury feel in 2022. This means there's less fuss about the traditions and more fun
Planner Tory Smith of Smith + James Events adds, “We love the ‘anti-trend’ trend. The whole industry is moving away from cookie-cutter weddings and we’re here for it. Out-of-the-box destinations, culinary surprises, and crescendo moments really do it for us.” “I actually love this smaller, more intimate wedding,” shares planner Annie Lee of Daughter of Design. “Selfishly for decorating purposes, we can do so much more interesting designs when we're setting 50 places rather than 250!”While there are definitely still white weddings, you might see a lot more hues in 2022. "Color in design seems like the outward manifestation of the joy we are all feeling as we start seeing the light at the end of the pandemic tunnel," notes Lori StephensonJaime Kostechko of Wild Heart Events adds, “We have always been a fan of color, but we are seeing some new combos that have our wheels turning!”
All eyes will be on the tablescapes at receptions this year. “The one trend I'm excited about and would like to see more of in 2022 is the curated focus of tabletop and less about the ceiling," says celebrity wedding planner Mindy Weiss. "The flowers, dishes, and details that sit in front of the guests throughout the event are sure to be appreciated!”“Vivid color and unexpected pattern—small, floral prints, country toiles, chinoiserie, and more—are coming to the table literally and figuratively," notes planner and designer David Star
