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20 Gorgeous Wedding Trends For 2022

20 Gorgeous Wedding Trends For 2022


Nikita Thorne Guides for Brides
Nikita Thorne Updated:
8th of March 2023

Getting married in 2022? Wanting your wedding to be on-trend and in style? From pretty purples to Pearlcore and mixed bridal parties, here are our top 20 wedding trends that you can include in your wedding day.

Pretty Purples

Bride with bridesmaids wearing purple bridesmaids dresses
Image from Unsplash

The Pantone Colour of the Year usually dictates what one of the most popular wedding colours will be. For 2022, this has been announced as Very Peri. A soft purple tone, this colour has been chosen as it displays a "carefree confidence and a daring curiosity". We LOVE that sentiment! Whether you include purple flowers in your bouquet or choose purple for your bridesmaids' dresses, we are expecting to see lots of daring and carefree couples using purple tones in their weddings in 2022. 

Sequel Weddings

Lorraine Pascales second wedding day to Dennis at The Gherkin London - Image by The Curries

TV Chef Lorraine Pascale and Dennis O'Brien's Sequel Wedding at The Gherkin. Image by The Curries.

The last couple of years have been... umm... interesting. But, not without love! For many couples, love conquered all earlier in the year and in 2020 with many celebrating their micro-weddings while strict restrictions were in place. We expect to see lots of sequel weddings (also known as anni-ceptions) in 2022 where couples will celebrate their union more fully in a reception with their wider friends and family. Even celebs have hopped on this trend with Lorraine Pascale holding her second wedding at The Gherkin in London.

These celebrations may include a blessing performed by a celebrant, a religious leader or even a loved one followed by a BIG reception and party to celebrate your union. We even think some newly-engaged couples will opt for this option in 2022 by choosing a more intimate ceremony and meal with their closest loved ones followed by a grand reception later.

Bridgerton Grandeur

Photo by Sarah Surette Image of Bride and Groom in Bridgerton inspired styled shoot

Image by Sarah Surette Photography via Pinterest

Bridgerton stole our hearts in 2021 and we expect to see some romantic, Bridgerton inspired weddings in 2022; especially with Season 2 of the show dropping on Netflix on the 25th March. These weddings will certainly be the talk of the Ton, featuring gorgeous country house wedding venues, elegant decor, showstopping floral displays, grand wedding cakes, pretty pastel tones and of course, that signature Bridgerton blue.

Balloon Sleeves

Sierra gown in blush pink by Evie Young Bridal.

Image courtesy of Evie Young Bridal. Stocked at Anna McDonald Bridal Gallery

They are back! Over the last year, we have seen a real resurgence of balloon sleeves on wedding dresses. This style has evolved to be an elegant, statement feature on bridal gowns that has taken off in 2021 and set to carry on in 2022. Balloon sleeves give a soft, angelic vibe to any bride's style, check out the example we've found from Evie Young's collection, stocked at Anna McDonald Bridal Gallery in Thame. Stunning doesn't even cover it!

Adventurous Gift Lists

Image courtesy of Prezola

It's your wedding day, so your guests are going to want to give you a present, not only to congratulate you, but to thank you for the invite. That often involves setting up a gift list. Fear not though! Gone are the boring, traditional gift lists where guests give you tupperware and towels. In 2022, couples will be getting adventurous with their wedding gifts! With many gift list sites like Prezola allowing couples to list exactly what they want for their wedding, whether it be an experience, a honeymoon fund, homeware or charity gifting; the skies the limit.

Celestial Weddings

Celestial bridal gown designed by Willowby by Watters
Image courtesy of Willowby by Watters

Astrology and star signs have really become a trend in fashion during 2021 and we expect to see this take form in weddings in 2022 with a celestial-themed day. Couples will take inspiration from their star signs to choose their ideal wedding date. Plus, motifs of the moon, stars, star sign constellations and planets for their wedding decor. Think jewel tones combined with metallic features for the most whimsical and heavenly wedding day that was written in the stars.

Pearlcore

Bride wearing pearl earrings and necklace
Image from Unsplash

Embracing the iridescent, we expect to see a rise in the new trend that is Pearlcore. According to Pinterest, there has been a real rise in pearl themed searches, including a 185% increase in the phrase 'pearl wedding decorations'. We are expecting to see more pearls in all things weddings, from a rise in pearl bridal veils and jewellery, the use of pearls in engagement rings, to pearlescent details on wedding cakes and even pearl beading on gowns. We are super excited to see all the creative ways couples embrace this new trend.

Weekday Weddings

Bride and bride embrace on the beach on their wedding day
Image by Rachel Movitz Photography

With so many weddings needing to be postponed in 20/21 and an already unprecedented amount of weddings due to take place in 2022, the weekday wedding is already starting to take off. There is so much demand for venues and suppliers on the most popular weekend dates, we are expecting to see many more couples opting to get married during the week to get their preferred venue and secure as many of their first-choice wedding suppliers as possible.

Pantsuits

COuple marrying at The OLd Marylebone Town Hall in London, bride wears a white pantsuit.

Image by Elena Popa at The Old Marylebone Town Hall, London

Did you see them? The fashion-forward brides (and bridesmaids) who nailed the pantsuit look? We sure did and we are still in awe! Who says you have to wear a dress on your wedding day? There are some incredibly gorgeous white suits and jumpsuits out there that are a great option for all budgets! The bridal pantsuit and jumpsuit style is here to stay in 2022 with the rise of micro-weddings really pushing this look into a trend in 2021.

Signature Wedding Scents

Wedding perfume for signature scent
Image from Unsplash

Couples are really wanting to make their weddings as memorable as possible, some are even adding multi-sensory elements for guests including scents. Having a signature wedding scent, whether that is an aromatherapy scented candle or room fragranced with a certain perfume or even a scent bottled and given as a favour, there are so many ways you can mark your wedding day with a signature scent.

This is a trend that even royalty has hopped onto. When William and Kate got married in 2011, Kate lit Jo Malone's Orange Blossom candle to scent Westminster Abbey. 

Sten Dos

Friends on a Sten do

In this day and age, couples tend to be together for longer before the question is popped. That means many more joint friends of mixed genders. In 2022, we are expecting to see many more couples celebrating their final days before getting married - together! The Sten / Hag Do is an up and coming trend where couples will plan a joint hen and stag occasion or separate events that aren't just reserved for one gender. We absolutely love this trend and think it's a great idea to involve everyone you love in your celebrations no matter their gender.

Want the best of both worlds? Some couples are choosing to stick to tradition and have their hen and stag dos separately, but join the groups in the final hours of the event to party together!

Vintage Inspiration

Kitty Spencer lace wedding ceremony gown

Image by German Larkin

We are seeing elements of vintage style returning to the fashion forefront. Many couples are turning to vintage jewellery or taking inspiration from past fashions when searching for their wedding outfits. One example can be seen in Kitty Spencer's Victorian Inspired wedding dress designed by Dolce & Gabbana. Her high-neck, long-sleeve, all-over lace wedding dress looked sensational. Paris Hilton wore a similar style at her wedding too! Paris's Oscar De La Renta gown featured the same high-neck and sleeves but with applique detailing in the lace.

Pre-loved Fashion and Decor

Pre-loved wedding dress
Image from Unsplash

From second-hand wedding dresses to vintage veils and heirloom jewellery, we are seeing a real increase in couples choosing to reuse or purchase pre-loved fashion and decor items for their wedding. With many more couples being more environmentally conscious with their wedding planning choices, it's easy to see why this is becoming a trend and we think it's here to stay!

Fur Babies

Bride and groom kiss holding their dog on their wedding day. Image by Camera Hannah
Image by Camera Hannah

Dog-friendly wedding venues are going to be in high demand as we see many more couples involving their furry friends in their wedding day. With so many households adopting a fur baby during lockdowns in 20/21, it's only natural for couples to want to involve them in their big day. They too are a member of the family! Plus, who wouldn't want this level of cuteness in their wedding photos?

Rustic Food Vans

Wedding guest orders from Paella wedding food caterers
Image courtesy of Vamos Paella

Anyone for freshly wood fired pizza? Perhaps you would love paella or a horsebox bar or even an ice cream van to surprise your guests with a sweet treat. With many couples having to move their larger receptions and celebration due to the pandemic, we are seeing a big increase in a variety of food options being available to their guests rather than a traditional 3-course meal. Rustic food vans offering a wide variety of meals and drink options are a really popular choice. Whether you are going for one catering company that can offer a number of different styles or hiring several different food vans, this is a really exciting way to make your big bash memorable and it's so on-trend!

The Great Outdoors

Outdoor wedding reception fairylights santorini. Image by White on Black Studio via Pinterest

Image by White on Black Studio found via Pinterest

Many couples are planning on having a grand outdoor celebration in 2022. Considering we've all been cooped up inside for the last 2 years, we really can't blame you! By the great outdoors, we really mean outdoors! We are talking outdoor ceremonies, outdoor dining and even outdoor dancefloors. Of course, you can't trust the British weather, even in the summer - but while we always recommend putting your Plan B, wet weather alternative, in place - for some couples, there is nothing more romantic than having their first dance in the rain!

Statement Suits

Interability couple. Groom is in a wheelchair and bride walks beside him. Both are wearing bride colours and the groom is in a statement jacket.
Image by Ellie Cooper Photography

After 2 years of being held back by Covid, couples are really wanting to go all out on their wedding day and part of that involves showcasing your true fashion style. For menswear, we are expecting to see some statement suits in 2022.  With many couples adding pops of colour to their special day, a statement jacket or bright details on suits will become even more popular. And, we absolutely love them!

Floating Wedding Cakes

Saltcote Place Wedding Venue
Image by Viola's World Weddings

Have you noticed the floating wedding cakes that have been all over Pinterest? We absolutely love them! Cake designers are getting more and more creative with their work and this gravity-defying creation is perfect! This cake was featured in a styled shoot at Saltcote Place and we've been obsessed ever since we laid eyes on it. Utter perfection!

Putting on a Show

Circus Performer at Wedding
Image from Unsplash

Couples will be thinking beyond simply choosing between a wedding DJ or live band in 2022. They'll be choosing their music options and putting on a show to remember with additional entertainment to really spoil their guests. After all, if the pandemic hasn't given us all an excuse to really celebrate, then what has? Think Live Artists, painting the couple's first dance during the reception, drag queens, circus acts, magicians - the list goes on!

Mixed Wedding Parties

Group of Attendants for Gay Wedding in White suits. Image by Melia Lucida found on pinterest

Image by Melia Lucida. Found on Pinterest.

And finally, in 2022 we'll be seeing more couples throwing the rulebook out the window when it comes to their wedding parties. We'll be seeing mixed parties with couples either combining their chosen party members together to form one great wedding team or featuring all genders in their individual parties and creating a more inclusive environment with gender-neutral titles. Who says you can only have Bridesmaids or Groomsmen? We'll be seeing more Groomswomen, Bridesmen and Attendants as well as Best People and Persons of Honour this coming year!

Ready to start planning your special day? Sign up for your Guides for Brides Wedding Planner for all the tools you need to make organising your special day a breeze.

Nikita Thorne Guides for Brides

About the author


Nikita Thorne

Nikita is a wedding planning expert and newlywed having tied the knot in 2023. She is the host of Guides for Brides - The Wedding Podcast and regularly speaks at wedding industry conferences and national wedding shows to inform and inspire couples who are planning their big days. She keeps on top of the latest wedding trends in design and fashion and loves to see the new innovative ideas from wedding professionals across the country. If you need practical planning advice, Nikita has been through the entire wedding planning process, so is your best contact!

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