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Today I’m sharing with you wedding 2022 trend predictions, from ceremony style, to themes, to even color scheme, we are covering it all.  They’re in no particular order of importance, but some I definitely feel are more justified than others. 

As you think through what choices or themes you may want to incorporate into your planning this episode will be helpful for you.

Re-visiting 2021 Wedding Trends

First, let’s recap the trends I predicted for 2021 – If you want more on this, you can go back to Episode 7 in the podcast or visit the show notes at verveeventco.com/7

• Trend #1: Color – Bright, happy, and cheerful hues  
• #2 – More Couples Will Hire Wedding Planners 
•  #3 – Tents are the New Ballrooms
• #4 – Sunday is the New Saturday
• #5 – Unexpected and Mismatched Seating Arrangements
• #6 – More Comfortable Seating
• #7 – More Small Bites and Individual Serving
• #8 – Smaller Guest Count
• #9 – Bigger Budgets for the Little Things
• #10 – Live entertainment that’s not a band or DJ 

1.   2022 and 2023 Wedding Date trends: Weekday events

As you all probably already know by now, and as I mentioned earlier in the episode, Saturday is the most popular day to get married. Now, a lot of couples decided to reschedule their weddings due to COVID restrictions.   

So for 2022 and 2023, we have a backup of two or three years worth of weddings.  Consequently, weekend dates, ESPECIALLY in the summer, are gonna be uber-competitive  (and expensive) to book, if they’re not already booked.  

Because there are simply just not enough warm weekends to go around, we are going to see a lot more weekday (think Thursday and Friday) ceremonies and celebrations. 

However, there ARE pros to a weekday wedding. 

First, a weekday wedding can, according to some articles, cost almost a third less than a weekend wedding because some venues and vendors have lower rates on days that are traditionally less popular or harder to book. 

Second, a weekday wedding can potentially yield a lower guest count. Especially if you’re not necessarily worried about the number of people RSVPing, and know that the people you want to be there, will be. 

If your wedding is local to most of your guests, a weekday wedding may not be as much of a deterrent for people to attend. However, if you’re planning a destination wedding – meaning guests will have to travel at least 2 hours – then your guest count will still probably be lower than expected.

Finally, a fourth positive for having a weekday wedding is that many vendors will have more availability and flexibility during the week than on the weekends. 

I know a lot of people default to envisioning their wedding on the weekend. But based on your budget, preferred guest count, and vendor choices, maybe consider a weekday wedding, especially when looking at dates for 2022.

2. Bridgerton & Cottage Core Inspired 2022 Wedding Trends

When it comes to wedding trends, they’re often influenced by popular culture, the media, and are a reflection of interior design and fashion trends. Oftentimes TV shows and movies inspire couples on their wedding aesthetic. Because of this, popular shows will continue to inspire couples for their weddings. 

For those who have not watched it, Bridgerton is set in high society London, following Daphne Bridgerton as she seeks an eligible bachelor in the competitive marriage of Regency London.  Cue the handsome yet emotionally distant, smoking hot bachelor Duke of Hastings. Very Jane Austen meets Bridget Jones’ diary. 

Just to reiterate how popular this show was, according to the New York Times, “With a viewership of 82 million households, it became the most-watched series on Netflix, and remains the second most-watched series by total watch time on the platform.” 

The cottage core movement increased in popularity in 2021. Think romantic English countryside,dainty floral prints, lace doilies, events in fields, etc. Think Anthropologie but on a grander scale. 

On the flip side, if you wanted something more elegant, Bridgerton could also inspire weddings held in grand ballrooms or castles, venues with historic architecture.

With this ongoing pandemic, I still think couples will lean towards outdoor or tented weddings. This would work really well for weddings located next to beautifully manicured lawns, hedges, and fountains, etc.

Personally, I LOVE Jane Austen novels and read every single one.  But Bridgerton really reignited the Jane Austen pop fan culture, and made it more accessible since people could binge it on TV rather than read a novel.

SO, if you are a Jane Austen fanatic, and like the romantic and whimsical English aesthetic – whether the simpler cottage core style or the elegant ballroom settings, expect to see more Bridgerton-inspired weddings in 2022 and 2023.

 3. Floral Motifs as a 2022 Wedding Trend

Just like I mentioned earlier that the Cottage Core movement is gaining in popularity, I think more couples will incorporate floral motifs in their stationery and dress at their 2022 weddings For a couple of years now bridesmaids chose dresses in similar color palettes and even incorporating floral patterns as one of the options and I think it looks so sweet and will continue to become popular. 

In addition, as suppliers continue to experience floral shortages, and the increased price of flowers due to supply chain issues, couples will find other ways to incorporate flowers into their wedding day.

Thus, floral motifs will definitely be one of the 2022 wedding trends to look out for.

4. Bridgerton Inspired Wedding Fashion: Empire Waists and Puff Sleeves

Going along with the increased popularity of Bridgerton, you will not be surprised to hear that eBay has reported a “205% rise in searches for puff-sleeved wedding dresses”  as inspired by the ladies of Bridgerton.

I’ve also seen a log of dresses over the last few years with empire waists and square necklines with off the shoulder sleeves or puffy sleeves and capes or capelets that are reminiscent of the early 1800s, when Bridgerton was set. 

Finally, I think more brides will opt for dresses with sheer sleeves that are reminiscent of the time period. Think strapless corset top with nothing on the shoulders and then puffy or rounded sleeves.  Then, a sleeve going to their tips or just long elegant gloves. 

5. More Inclusivity and Moving Away from Gendered Wedding Roles

While this is not just a trend but rather a cultural shift for the better, I felt it was relevant to include as I recently talked about this in my Episode 42 called “Wedding Party Roles.”  

With society’s changing attitude towards gender identity, there has been a dramatic shift away from traditional wedding roles of only “bridesmaids” and “groomsmen,” quite frankly because more and more weddings are no longer just a bride and groom and the couple has special people on both sides that aren’t always the same gender as they are.

Like I mentioned before with the Bridgerton-inspired weddings, weddings reflect the attitudes of society and what’s happening in social media.  Increased acceptance of members of the LGBTQ + community has prompted an important dialogue of support towards a person regardless of their pronouns or sexual orientation. 

I predict that more wedding vendors and venues will use language that’s more inclusive in the coming years, not just for 2022. Instead of calling it a “bridal suite,” they’ll call it a “getting ready suite” or “wedding suite.” 

In addition, more couples will have members of the wedding party fill non-traditional roles. I’ve seen flower grandmas and flower men (which can be adorably sweet or hilarious, depending on the direction you want to take it in), in addition to the roles that I talked about in Episode 42, which were bridesmen, groomswomen, etc.

6. Sustainable and Ecologically Friendly weddings 

While this is not a trend but rather a cultural shift for the better, I felt it was relevant to include as I recently talked about this in my Episode 42 called “Wedding Party Roles.”  

With society’s changing attitude towards gender identity, there has been a dramatic shift away from traditional wedding roles of only “bridesmaids” and “groomsmen,” quite frankly because more and more weddings are no longer just a bride and groom and the couple has special people on both sides that aren’t always the same gender as they are.

Like I mentioned before with the Bridgerton-inspired weddings, weddings reflect the attitudes of society and what’s happening in social media.  Increased acceptance of members of the LGBTQ + community has prompted an important dialogue of support towards a person regardless of their pronouns or sexual orientation. 

I predict that more wedding vendors and venues will use language that’s more inclusive in the coming years, not just for 2022. Instead of calling it a “bridal suite,” they’ll call it a “getting ready suite” or “wedding suite.” 

In addition, more couples will have members of the wedding party fill non-tradtional roles. I’ve seen flower grandmas and flower men (which can be adorably sweet or hilarious, depending on the direction you want to take it in), in addition to the roles that I talked about in Episode 42, which were bridesmen, groomswomen, etc. 

7. Periwinkle Hues

To be more specific, the shade Very Peri by the Pantone Color Institute. 

If you’re not familiar with Pantone, they are THE source for color in the design world, including textiles, graphics, and fashion. Basically every color is assigned a Pantone color code. So, when I have a client that says, “I want grass green used in my invitations,” I know exactly what shade of green she means because we look at the Pantone color swatches. This can then be translated to the digital world.  Like if she wanted a necktie to match the invitations, all the different designers know what exact shade of green we mean. 

In order to pick the color, members of the institute look at many elements in our society, including movies, entertainment, and fashion to see what colors seem to be growing in popularity, while also reflecting the current mood of society as a whole. 

As you’ll see, it’s a very rich violet. You might hear this and think, “Umm, no I don’t think purple is the color.” But this past summer, the bridesmaids dress I wore to my friend’s wedding where I was the maid of honor, you guessed it – was Periwinkle! 

Also this summer, for Caleb and Eddie’s wedding, our color palette was a mix of sorbet colors.  Peach, a darker lilac, and green  were all an homage to their school colors.

Third, last spring I designed a photo shoot that was inspired by the lavender fields of Provence. 

I think Pantone is pretty spot on with their prediction. I wouldn’t be surprised if more and more couples incorporate a shade similar to Very Peri in their 2022  wedding. 

8.  Colorful Weddings Over White Weddings

While we’re on the subject of color, I do think that couples will continue to incorporate color into their weddings more. I talked about this in last year’s episode when I predicted the 2021 wedding trends, as well.  Couples are going to embrace using color in their weddings – bright, pastel, and rich bold colors – whatever it is. 

As a society, we’re craving joy and happiness, which can be evoked with lighter and brighter colors. 

Also, couples are bucking tradition in many ways, such as having weddings on weekdays and bridesmen, so they will do the same with their wedding colors. Thus, colorful weddings will continue to be one of the 2022 wedding trends that I will embrace with my couples. 

9. Sequel Weddings: 2022 Wedding Trends

One last thing I wanted to mention, was the sequel wedding.   What was seen over the dreaded pandemic was many legally getting married, but holding out for a big celebration until a more open time period. Another reason getting a venue/dates/catering is going to be tough to book.  Just something to keep in mind. 

10. Local “Destination” Weddings

This final one may be confusing, but with international travel still unsure in other parts of the world, couples will decide to bring their exotic environments stateside so guests don’t have to travel as much.

They’ll bring in cuisines and entertainment, textiles, and other elements from exotic destinations and create it at home for their wedding guests. 

I think this will be a bridge for couples wanting to start the next chapter of their lives. But doing so in a safe way that’s less risky since things are still changing.

Conclusion: 2022 Wedding Trends 

If you have questions about any of this, I would love to know. I can even do a deep-dive into one of these topics if you think it’s helpful.