Wedding Trends for 2022
As the year draws to a close, we’re looking ahead to all the fun that 2022 is set to bring. Despite months of restrictions, it’s wonderful to see the resilience of couples and our industry gearing up for another great, albeit challenging, year! So as ever, we’re looking forward to all the trends, new and old, that are coming our way. From the looks to the entertainment, we’re getting ready for some amazing wedding trends in 2022 and beyond…
SUSTAINABILITY
Up first, Sustainability and the eco-conscious wedding. This wedding trend has been working it’s way up the list for the last couple of years, we’re seeing more and more eco-conscious couple endeavoring to have a wedding that’s spectacular, but also kind to the planet. And it’s a trend we can certainly get on board with! And the fun part of this wedding trend for 2022 is that there are many avenues to explore and you can be more sustainable in more areas than ever before…So let’s look into a few!
Food, glorious food! Consider the impact of a choice menu, think about food waste and ask your caterers what will be done with it, could you donate any to a local shelter perhaps? The rise of the vegan wedding is undeniable, could a vegan menu work for you and your guests, plant based is far more versatile these days and you don’t have to compromise on flavour!
The rental gown. Headlines were made when Carrie Symonds wore a rented Christos Costarellos gown earlier this year at her wedding to Boris Johnson and she’s not alone. A wedding dress can be a huge part of a wedding budget, and by hiring big savings can be made, not only that, the impact of a ‘wear only once’ item can be huge on the planet. By renting a dress and therefore adding a chapter to it’s long life, rather than just wearing once, you are making big steps in sustainability. Gents have been doing it for years, with rented suits being common place in the wedding world, so why not consider a rented designer gown!?
Conscious Florals. Flowers can be a big part of a wedding's carbon footprint. To reduce the impact on the planet, consider a florist who has a sustainability plan, top florist McQueens Flowers are leading the way in creating a sustainable floristry business that continues to deliver opulence and luxurious displays. (You can read about their sustainability success here). You can also consider using potted plants and avoiding the cut flowers altogether to help your wedding’s footprint. We’ve worked with potted flowers over the years and often double them up as décor and gifts, so it’s a win win!
Finally, shop small, shop local. Small businesses make up the wedding industry. Consider local suppliers before you book in those that will need to travel for miles. By doing so you’re helping the local economy and lowering the carbon emissions caused by long distance travelling!
ENTERTAINMENT
It’s no wonder that after almost two full years of restrictions, one of the top wedding trends of 2022 is all about the entertainment. Going BIG on the celebrations and making every wedding an experience for the guests. A huge part of what we do in our planning is encouraging our couples to really consider a sensory experience for their guests and what entertainment will tease every sense. Thinking about the visuals, the scents and the journey you can create within a wedding by engaging with all of the senses.
From drag queens and roaming bands, to dancers that lead your guests into the reception, to Heston-worthy theatrical food and drink displays that entice, we’re excited to continue entertaining our couples and their guests with a huge variety of performers and experiences throughout 2022!
NATURAL COLOUR PALETTES
Each year when we look at the top wedding trends for the next year and consider what’s coming our way, colour palettes take centre stage, and this year is no different. We’re excited to see nature inspired décor and colour palettes throughout 2022. The more natural look has been on it’s way but is coming to it’s peak in 2022.
We’re seeing beautiful neutrals paired with a nature inspired accent; picture burnt orange amongst pampas and canvas tones, or deep forest greens with softer neutrals. It will inspire texture, wild and loose florals and also fits perfectly with the top 2022 trend of sustainability.
SEQUEL WEDDINGS…CONTINUED!
The sequel wedding, a big 2021 trend, although an unintentional one. Couples embraced the sequel wedding, so much so that we’re seeing it being opted for as a preference in 2022. Intimate ceremonies and dinners are being booked, rather than being a compromise, and the sequel wedding, with bigger numbers, bigger celebrations and bigger parties are coming through. Splitting your wedding into two brilliant occasions that each bring a different tone, a different focus, but a shared goal of celebrating your personal story is actually a beautiful thing we have the pandemic to thank for. Togetherness and an appreciation for all of those around us is present now more than ever and the sequel wedding is a fabulous celebration of this newfound awareness. To begin your life as a married couple with an intimate gathering is a delightful experience. For that then to continue at a later date with all of your extended support network brings an electric atmosphere. We so look forward to helping couples create their two-part, sensational sequel weddings!
TWO PIECE BRIDALWEAR
I mean, who wouldn’t want to look like Amal in that Stella McCartney two-piece. Chic beyond belief. So it’s no wonder we’re predicting a rise in bridal separates. Hitched reported an 176% rise in the search for two piece wedding dresses this year, so we’re thinking this trend will be here for a while. And why shouldn’t it, with gorgeous designers such as Charlie Brear, Halfpenny and Catherine Deane making them look so darn good!
Our brides love a day-to-night transition and the bridal separate is the perfect tool for this. Changing up a look with a tweak to your bridal attire is so elegant, our brides have been using Halfpenny and Charlie Brear for years to create totally unique looks that can alter and adapt as their day goes on. Picture big dramatic gowns that are lost for the evening and reveal the finest satin skirt beneath the look, or even, just like Amal, an oh-so-elegant trouser and top look. Dreamy.
We love it, a change, a personal touch and a totally stunning bridal look. We can’t wait to see more in 2022.
So with that, we conclude our look into the top wedding trends for 2022. We’re excited to see them all come through in what is bound to be an amazing year of celebrations. Until then, happy planning!
V&C x