Shall we say it? During the last couple of years (yes, it’s almost been two years), COVID-19 has thrown a wrench into the plans of brides and wedding planners around the globe. Wedinsights.com reported 96% of weddings had to be modified in some capacity due to the pandemic. Believe it or not, some positivity has come from this: more intimate micro weddings, a generally lower cost to hosting a wedding, and less all-around planning. With that said, there are always the cons too. Having to stay on top of government regulations can feel like a full-time job. And then there’s the possibility of having – once again – alter the number of guests allowed to attend, or postpone your wedding all together.

Before you throw in the towel and run off to the courthouse, read on for what’s trending for weddings in 2022, and grab some insights on how to bring magic to your day (with COVID or not)!

Backyard Weddings

This last year we’ve seen a decrease in destination weddings and an increase in bringing your wedding straight to the backyard. This is primarily due to the pandemic, the rollout of vaccinations, and the closing of borders. As new COVID variants continue to rise, most couples are still factoring health and safety into their plans. Especially as we’ve seen so many unfortunate couples lose their venue deposits as they’re forced to reschedule their special day.

Backyard weddings are versatile: you can start setting up weeks in advance and take as long as you want to take down after the big day. If you’re worried about not having a big enough kitchen to feed your guests, simply schedule a food truck to park in the driveway! And, if you’re worried about being too loud, invite the neighbors!

Wedding Dresses

What does the future hold for wedding dresses? Well, we see a lot more brides choosing to rent their wedding dress or choose to purchase second hand. If you’re unsure if renting a gown is right for you, consider reading brides.com for their pros and cons. In addition, two-piece gowns are making their way down the aisle: these dual gowns started making their mark within the last year or two, and we believe they’re here to stay. One-shoulder gowns are proving to remain popular for both the bride and bridesmaids. Long-sleeve wedding gowns are a timeless staple that we don’t see leaving the runways in the near future. Lastly, we are seeing more and more sparkle gowns leaving a lasting impression with guest-goers.

Wedding Arches

Tacky plastic wedding arches are being replaced. Instead, couples are opting for metal round arches, gold floral hexagons, or arches made from fallen branches. Whichever you decide to choose, put some effort into making it perfect. Add the extra flowers, and wind the extra twine. After all, this arch will be the backdrop to a good portion of your wedding pictures!

Color Trends in 2022

What colors are trending for weddings in 2022? Move over flamingo pink, and pave the way for a much darker color palette. According to wedgewoodweddings.com, we’re going to see much more dark and moody, modern black, along with metallic and sand and tan colors. If you’ve seen any recent wedding photography, you would notice that photographers are opting to use moodier presets, capturing a more mysterious look. This, mixed with black and metallic bridesmaid dresses, make a bold statement that’s hard to miss!

QR Code RSVP

QR codes are the way to the future. Because of COVID-19, you’ll most likely be asked for your QR code when attending major events, when out for dinner. We think it’s safe to say that the majority of people now know how to use a QR code, and we predict that wedding couples will be using this to their advantage. Easily remove the hustle and bustle of organizing the responses to your RSVPs by simply sending your cards with a QR code. Your potential guests can simply scan the code to accept or decline. You can even take it one step further by allowing your guests to use the QR to choose their meal or inform you of any dietary restrictions.

Bridal Subscription Boxes

There’s fitness subscription boxes, seasonal subscription boxes, and even subscription boxes for your dog! So, it’s no surprise that bridal subscription boxes are taking the market by storm. Brides.com even goes as far as naming the best overall bridal box. These boxes work great as a bridal gift or can be purchased by the bride herself. Just in case the engagement ring wasn’t enough, these boxes are normally packed with everything you can imagine to let the world know you are a bride-to-be! You name it: t-shirts, coffee mugs, and big-brimmed hats!

Dried Flower Bouquet

They say nothing lasts forever; we say that’s not true! More brides are choosing dried flowers for wedding décor and to add to their bouquets. These centerpieces can go home with the guests as a timeless memento of the couple’s special day, and the bride can take hers home too! The bouquet can act as a focus piece up on the wall, preserved in a shadow box or pressed into your guestbook. We don’t see these dried flower bouquets going anywhere, anytime soon.

Trends come and go, but we hope this read helped you prepare for the most recent up to date wedding trends. And, to any newly engaged couples, congratulations!

Did we miss any 2022 wedding trends? Share them with us in the comments below!