2022 Wedding Trends

Rented Dresses

Carrie Symonds made headlines when she married Boris Johnson - predominantly for her rented wedding dress . She wore a  Christos Costarellos-designed ivory tulle and silk gown that retails at £2,870 but was rented for just £45.

Carrie joined a wedding dress revolution that will continue strong into 2022 with brides choosing to hire one or more outfits for their wedding, meaning they can afford designers they may not be able to purchase and can change up outfits across the day without guilt.

It's long been a tradition for grooms to rent their suits and budget and eco-conscious brides are now taking up the mantle. You can hire a high-end designer gown for a fraction of the cost of buying, you don't need the waiting time you would for a dress to be made-to-order and dry-cleaning costs are included!

I highly recommend Oxfordshire based bridal The Little Bridal Boutique in Thame who have a selection of worn once wedding dresses, sample and ex-display stock.

https://www.thelittlebridalboutique.co.uk/

Bows

Bows are back (although, did they ever really go away?)! We're talking big ones, little ones, and everything in between. Whether they adorn your wedding dress, hair accessories, shoes, tablescapes or cake tables.

Two Piece Dresses

Elegant and contemporary, two-piece dresses can be easily transformed throughout the day with the addition of an overskirt for the ceremony and a change to trousers to dance the night away at the reception. Their versatility makes for effortless and endless possibilities, and their re-wearability is a major plus for sustainable brides.

Many new season collections include mix-and-match two-pieces made for civil ceremonies, like  Alexandra Grecco's new made-to-order, size-inclusive line Poppy  and  Jesus Peiro's  Amalia collection.  Catherine Deane has been leading the way in bridal separates for years, as have Charlie Brear   and Pronovias.

Pearls

Pearls are the hottest 2022 trend!

Traditionally, pearls are worn by a bride as their something borrowed from a family member. This can be in the form of pearl earrings or a delicate necklace. Instead, consider adorning pearls to a delicate bridal cape, veil or headband for a modern alternative.  

If you’re looking for a more subtle approach to wearing pearls, consider including them in your bridal nails. Adding tiny pearl beads to your French manicure or nude nails creates a pretty, contemporary look without detracting from the rest of your wedding outfit.  

Unusual Entertainment

Couples are grasping the opportunity to do weddings differently and they are running with it! They want to concentrate a lot on music, to provide the dancefloors that we've all missed - and are looking at other entertainment options, with one of my couples booking a flash mob and another having axe throwing as part of their drink’s reception.

You'll see couples turning their receptions into a multi-sensory experience with different scents for each area of the wedding, champagne towers, canape stations with unusual ingredients, circus performers and magicians. Guests will be able to get temporary tattoos of the couple's faces and jump into unexpected photobooths before taking to the dancefloor.

Instead of just a DJ, expect to see a live band, saxophonist, steel drums, roaming bands before the DJ does his late-night set. If couples are really into dancing, a silent disco might even follow that.

'Flavour with Meaning' Cakes

Couples are selecting cake flavours that they really connect with, as opposed to just picking things off a menu. Flavours could be things that remind them of their first date, take them back to childhood memories, or are connected to a favourite holiday destination.

It’s no longer about it just being a cake, it’s about sharing their special memories in cake form with their guests.

Picture rhubarb and custard or apple crumble macaron favours to remind you of nostalgic treats; Sicilian lemon or Irish stout cake that brings back memories of a holiday; pink Champagne buttercream to commemorate what you drank at your engagement; or an elevated chocolate masterpiece of the first dessert you cooked for your partner. It's an extra layer of personalisation that rounds off the whole wedding experience.

Fairytale Lighting

How you light the indoor and/or outdoor spaces at your wedding reception sets the tone and mood for the entire evening. I am seeing all sorts of dreamy, unique and statement lighting options in 2022, all of which create a magical, movie-worthy vibe - take your pick from exposed bulbs, festoon and string light installations, mix-and-match vintage chandeliers and classic fairy lights.

Lighting colours can be changed creating a different vibe for the day and evening part of the wedding.

That Event Company are my go-to for all lighting requirements. 

https://www.that-event.com/

Unique Reception Table Layouts

In an effort to keep people safe, wedding planners and venue coordinators created some very unconventional table plans and room layouts during the pandemic, some of which turned out better than they could ever have imagined! As a result, I’m seeing lots of creative layouts emerging for 2022, I have always been lover of mixing styles up and having both round and long tables.

Square table groupings, infinity shapes, U shapes, T shapes, single-length dining tables and double-width long tables will all be popular. If you've got the space, and your guest list allows, these unusual layouts give your dining space a cool, contemporary feel.

Hanging Florals 

Hanging floral centrepieces  add instant drama, make a massive impact visually and they  really add the wow factor to a reception. So different from the usual table arrangements or centrepiece ideas,  this trend of hanging fresh floral and foliage  installations, garlands, and chandeliers is  the stuff wedding dreams are made of.

While pastel hues will always be in style, this year couples want punchier and bolder florals. Brides have been locked in the house during this pandemic, giving them plenty of time to scour social media to get inspired by weddings from around the globe that are packed with bold and bright colours.  

One easy way to differentiate your overall wedding look is to opt for a unique colour scheme and incorporate it into your florals . For 2022, soft greens and blues will be paired with bold colours. I love the use of unexpected colour pairings which will create a unique look and really personalise weddings. 

Bridgerton-Inspired Weddings

The UK's obsession with Bridgerton shows no sign of abating as 2022 is set to welcome the hotly-anticipated second series. This Regency period fascination will find its way subtly into weddings, with touches and splashes of Regency Blue - a signature shade from the times that used the newly invented Prussian Blue pigment.

Think quintessentially English with lace, trailing wisteria, handwritten notes and literary quotes and afternoon tea with vintage china tablescapes.