The topic of weddings has been somewhat taboo over the past two years, with many long-awaited nuptials cancelled due to ongoing Covid restrictions and almost all engaged couples’ plans thrown into complete disarray. But in 2022, things are looking much brighter for anyone who has been preparing to walk down the aisle, with venue closures no more and limits to guest list numbers finally a thing of the past, too.
Whether you’ve recently said ‘yes’ or are re-planning a wedding celebration that previously had to be put on hold, there are a whole host of new trends to watch out for in 2022, and all of them offer some great inspiration if you’re stuck on ideas for the big day. Which means wedding planning just got more exciting than ever, and although the process might be stressful, there’s plenty of fun to be had while doing it, too.
If you’re looking to create an opulent feel at your wedding, then we’ve got you covered, and from the theme to the entertainment, the wedding rings to the cake, these are the top trends to take note of for 2022.
Bespoke his and hers wedding rings
According to high-end British jeweller Flawless Fine Jewellery, in 2022, we’ll see a move away from traditional and off-the-shelf wedding rings as we go all out in the pursuit of luxury. A leading supplier of wedding rings in Hatton Garden, London – which is widely considered to be the home of diamonds and jewellery in the UK and Europe – the jeweller predicts that, this year, we’ll be taking more time and giving more attention to choosing our wedding rings than ever before, and having them specially designed to make them more personal.
At Flawless, each and every ring is made to order via an expert team of gemologists, designers and goldsmiths who can bring even the most extravagant of custom ideas to life, so if you’re considering working with your spouse to be to dream up something truly unique and different, then look no further.
Two-piece wedding outfits
Wedding dress shopping has always been one of the highlights of wedding planning for brides, but as two-piece wedding dresses and co-ord sets begin to dominate, it just got even more exciting. As well as looking simply breath-taking when worn combined, a huge benefit of separates is that they can be mixed and matched with other garments throughout the day to suit the current mood – for example, while a beautiful white lace top and skirt will see you through the ceremony in all their dreamy glory, later in the evening, you can swap the skirt out for something a little lighter and more dance-floor friendly.
While wedding dresses are typically worn only once – on the big day itself – another great thing about separates and co-ord sets is that you’ll be able to wear them again long after the occasion by incorporating them into other outfits, offering great versatility and making them a great choice for sustainability-minded brides. If you’ve invested in some show-stopping designer pieces you simply can’t bear to relegate to the back of your wardrobe forever, then now you don’t need to.
Earthy, nature-inspired themes
Greenery and foliage have been experiencing a moment when it comes to wedding celebrations over recent years, and in 2022, we’ll see our appetite for rustic set-ups accelerate even further. Taking inspiration from the natural environment around us, we’ll see rich, earthy tones replace traditional tones of creams, pinks and blues and eclipsing modern monochromes, too – with ambers, rusts, emerald greens and chocolate browns taking centre stage.
These will be particularly popular choices for autumnal weddings, with bouquets and table settings comprising caffe latte roses and Japanese Wabara Ioli roses and natural accents and elements comprising linen, terracotta and of course, lots and lots more foliage.
Alternative entertainment
There’s nothing like a classic band or a lively DJ set to get your wedding guests up on the dance floor, but in 2022, we’ll be looking for alternative means of entertaining our guests to really make our wedding celebration an occasion to remember.
Where once planning a wedding meant adhering to a set of rules and traditions, today, we’re throwing caution to the wind and doing things our way – and rightly so. So, if stand up comedy, circus performers or flash mobs are more your vibe, then don’t hold back.
To inject an air of luxury, swap party tunes for a sophisticated jazz saxophonist, bring in a roulette wheel and some casino tables, or allow a fire eater to wow your guests for a day nobody will forget in a hurry.
Bridgerton inspired weddings
The first series of Netflix’s much-loved period drama, Bridgerton, was a big hit during last year’s lockdowns, offering a welcome dose of escapism when we needed it the most. Now, as we await the hotly-anticipated second series, it seems our love for this regency period romance knows no bounds – so much so, that it is set to become one of the top wedding inspirations for the year ahead.
Thankfully, this doesn’t have to mean getting dressed up in period costume – but it does mean adding a few literary-inspired flourishes to a quintessentially English occasion. Think trailing wisteria table décor, afternoon tea served on vintage china and plenty of lace and ruffles.
