Haven’t you heard? 2022 is set to have over 2.6 million weddings in the U.S.—a record 40-year-high—which means there’s a whole lot of couples curious about wedding trends and ideas for their milestone day.
What’s In
Themed Parties
“Now that we’re all double-vaxxed, weddings are doubling down on both fun and tradition. But rehearsal dinners and welcome parties are all about fun, with themes that are all about fun and humor and whimsy: the circus, outdoor bonfires in the woods, masquerades with a point of view, even a rhinestone rodeo.” -Bronson van Wyck, Van Wyck & Van Wyck
“We’ve gotten so many requests for “themed” weddings or welcome parties—think Monte Cristo, disco nights, Old Hollywood. These are just a few. It feels like clients want an entire concept from start to finish, but executed in a way that doesn’t feel trite but rather modern and fun. We have actually really loved this and welcomed any non-traditional viewpoints on celebration.” -Francie Dorman and Britt Cole, 42 North
Photo: Jose Villa
Hanging Florals
“We are seeing a huge demand for hanging florals and also large floral installations where they are suspended above tables or even move from floor to ceiling along the full length of the table.” -Tara Fay
Photo: Courtesy of Bryan Rafanelli
Art-Inspired Design
“The entire room becomes part of the experience. Clients are thinking about custom ways to fill (or add to) empty spaces, creating complex signature graphic or artistic branding into their details. For example, we contracted an artist to paint the couple through his abstract style. While we prominently hung the painting, we also incorporated the artwork in other ways, from the small scale of food to-go boxes to an oversized rendering on a custom dance floor.” -Mindy Weiss
The Long Wedding Weekend
“Our clients want to stretch their wedding weekend out with different kinds of events throughout three to four days, from a large welcome party, a rehearsal dinner, and something active to do during the day, whether it’s a red robin tennis tournament or a group hike/walk/run, all sprinkled into the long wedding weekend. And why not end your wedding weekend with a ‘detox to retox’ event or a day party to send your guests off?” -Bryan Rafanelli
Twinkle Light Ceilings
“They were beautiful in time, but rather than drawing design upward, we’re metaphorically in the moment, drawing attention to the tables and dance floors—to the present!” -Mindy Weiss
Overly Packed Welcome Bags
“As we all try to be more sustainably conscious, couples are now offering a simple yet thoughtful treat or gift for guests to enjoy, perhaps a nod to the wedding location. This also means less ‘stuff’ for guests to travel home with.” -Stefanie Cove