Happy 2022! We’re so excited to see what this new year has in store for us, as we meet new clients, work with amazing vendors, and execute our couples’ dream wedding days.
We’ve rounded up this year’s hottest wedding trends and we know you’re going to love it. Cascading floral canopies, luxe guest fashion, and specialty bars are a few of the top trends ‘22 couples are loving. Check out our full breakdown below and let us know your favorite in the comments..
Color Palette
Color Of The Year
The reason we include the color of the year is largely due to the influence that interior design has on weddings - the similarities between a wedding and a home are many. Both environments involve the need to feel welcomed, relaxed, and free to enjoy yourself. Both should inspire you, paving the way to fresh ideas and new connections.
Benjamin Moore - October Mist
The perfect blend of foggy green and silver, this shade is stunning for elegant linens, gowns, and design details.
Pantone - Periwinkle
Be on the lookout for blends of this soft, yet powerful purple. Weave pops of peri into your bouquet, bridal style, napkins, invites, and anywhere guests wouldn’t normally expect an inspiring twist.
Sherwin Williams - Evergreen Fog
Sage green was the moment in 2021, but evergreen fog is taking its place with an upscale refresh. This shade exudes elegance, effortless beauty, and a peaceful bliss. Colors truly influence our emotions SO much, so why not design with soothing shades to promote a stress-free experience that’s reminiscent of a spa-day.
Mint Tip: Layer shades of the same color in your table scape or florals for added depth and interest.
Color Trends
Morgan Amanda Photography, Weddings with Barbara, Creative Designs AF
Popular Shades: soft blue, mustard, deep pink, lilac, peach, white, silver and green
Look out for weddings that mix these specific shades: pulled directly from favorite blooms paired with punchy pops and a foggy base of faded sage green, white, and silver. For a timeless approach, table settings will likely display silver over gold through flatware and decor accents.
Natural & Effortless
This year is ALL about nature, pulling textures and elements straight from your locale’s backdrop. Think natural shades of wood and rattan matched with your choice of mood: bright and colorful or dark and earthy.
A Colorful Palette
Couples are going all out with a colorful design that wows - picture jewel toned florals, candles, and lights that create a fresh guest experience. This palette is theatrical in essence and romantic in execution - let your imagination run wild.
A Black & White Affair
The perfect way to set the mood? Decorate with class and elegance by sticking to a strict color scheme. You’re sure to witness the beloved B&W trend this year, as more couples choose a simple palette to let their love shine. Paired with elegant all-white florals or bohemian touches, this trend leans more timeless than “so last year.”
Design
Themed Weddings
“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
Mint Tip: To apply this ‘22 trend, take your favorite movie, tv show, era, or style and base your dream day around 3-5 main components (e.g. color palette, fashion, values, dining, and entertainment). Build your day around a theme to guide your decision-making process with ease.
Play With Patterns
Whether you opt for embroidered linens or a patterned seating chart backdrop, this trend ties vintage glamour into high-end design pieces.
Britain Inspired
Bridgerton-esque table scapes are all the rage lately and we don’t see this going out of style for awhile. What’s not to love about a table spilling over with florals, tapered candles, and exquisite place settings? Picture a table fit for high-tea, complete with a fluffy gown to match the aesthetic.
Artistic Touches
Tell a story with custom details, hand painted to perfection. The wedding industry is full of talented artists who can incorporate personalized imagery into key features for your day.
Al Fresco Dining
Inside Weddings
This year’s reception inspiration stems from open-air dining, ideal for a safe celebration. Take advantage of your venue’s natural backdrop for an effortless affair.
‘70s Style
Disco ball dance parties are still in and stronger than ever - so lookout for more 70s influence in 2022. Corduroy suits, bold colors, and pressed florals are a few vintage elements making an appearance this year.
Intimate In Numbers
Big weddings are back and they’re better, but that doesn’t mean couples’ values have changed. Even with a large guest count, this year’s weddings are designed with intimate ideas in mind - cozy lounge seating and personalized touches both create an intimate guest experience without paring down your guest list.
Cake Arches
Let your cake take center stage with a show stopping design that’s picture perfect. Whether metallic and modern, or wooden and round, this trend adapts to fit any aesthetic.
Mint Tip: If you’re planning on framing your cake, let your cake designer/baker know in advance so they can design with the arch in mind. Let them know of any textures, colors, or design ideas you’ll incorporate to ensure a cohesive final look.
Creative Reception Layouts
Opposed to traditional square layouts, this year’s dining setups promote creativity and innovation. Think from an aerial point of view for a layout that’s anything but boring.
Laid Back Dining
While glamorous receptions are 2022’s middle name, it’s not the only dining trend we’re loving. Many couples are designing with their guests in mind, which means relaxed family occasions that feel indicative of the couple’s personality. We expect to see dining designs that reflect the beauty of nature and the feeling of home this year.
Mint Tip: To save money, consider pairing a sunrise ceremony with a reception brunch or lunch, instead of dinner. Weddings are about what YOU want, so don’t be afraid to do something different.
Venue
Avonne Photography, Ritchie Hill
Destination Elopements
To avoid planning altogether, many couples are jetting off for an intimate elopement in the most picturesque locations. Surrounded by their closest friends and family, a destination elopement is the perfect way to cut straight to your honeymoon and still celebrate in style.
Garden Backyard Vibe
This year’s ultimate venue inspiration? A backyard setting with a secret garden appeal. Think water backdrops, ivy covered estates, and manicured gardens full of fresh flowers.
Destination Inspired Without The Destination
Even if you’re not planning a destination wedding, you can take inspo from this top trend within the U.S. Many couples are opting for a private estate locale that feels a million miles away, without leaving the country.
Mint Tip: We’d recommend browsing options through Airbnb stays, vacation rentals, or family residences for a destination inspired fête.
Values
Samantha Grigg Photography, Blushing Hair & Makeup
Big Weddings
Micro-weddings are a thing of the past and people are celebrating BIG this year. We’re talking full glam, lively entertainment, and captivating table scapes.
Full Wedding Weekend
Instead of the traditional one-day wedding event, many couples are taking full advantage of their time and planning a wedding that lasts all weekend. For out-of-town guests, an overnight trip can turn into a weekend-long vacation. From Friday festivities all the way through a Sunday sendoff, a weekend celebration guarantees:
less small talk and deeper connections
more time with your loved ones
a relaxing weekend that stretches out your plans instead of condensing them
a memorable trip for everyone
more time for creative ideas and plans
This trend is increasing in popularity, but it doesn’t have to break the bank. Consider paring down your guest list, offering food trucks, and hooking up a portable speaker for the more relaxed activities - all elements that promote this trend’s emphasis on connection and enjoyment.
Virtual Invites
Love You Wedding
If you haven’t already, you’ll definitely notice more couples opting for virtual invitations this year. This is a great economical and sustainable option, especially for a larger guest list. Instead of scrambling to find everyone’s address, stamp envelopes, and ship them out in time, virtual invites are emailed out with the click of a button! (There are so many cute options online too, so you don’t have to sacrifice style.)
Weekday Affairs
If you’ve never heard of a weekday wedding before, we bet you will this year! Many couples are choosing to wed on Thursday, Friday or even Sunday to save money on a venue and other amenities. We’re expecting to see a lot of flexibility this year, even more than in 2021.
Cash Gifts
Unlike the past, cash wedding gifts are becoming more acceptable for couples to request. Many brides and grooms are opting for cash gifts for sustainable and logistical purposes. This trend encourages digital gifts in advance, reducing the cleanup at the end of the night.
Eco-Friendly Touches
Due to the nature of weddings, many details can end up producing a lot of waste. To prevent this, many couples are opting for eco-friendly and sustainable touches. Before purchasing decor items, consider whether you can recycle or resell them after the wedding.
Local Business Impact
We’re predicting 2022 designs infused with intentionality - this means shopping small for items like stationery, cake design, and even catering. It’s time to give back to locals, while incorporating a handmade touch that’s one-of-a-kind.
Ditching Tradition
The true beauty of a wedding lies in the unique touches chosen by each couple. This involves everything from highlighted events to bridal style. This year, more couples are altering or ditching traditions altogether, including bouquet/garter toss, first dance, parent dances, and even toasts! 2022’s top tradition trend? Rehearsal dinner toasts: the perfect way to enjoy uninterrupted dance floor fun on your big day.
Style
Experiment With Style
After the craziness of the past couple years, guests are ready to glam up, go out, and party all night. We’re excited to see new and unexpected looks this year, influenced by black-tie elegance.
Wear What You Want
This year’s style motto: wear what you want! More brides are dressing in silky floral patterns, pastel colors, and embroidered lace. Choose a gown that makes you feel beautiful, comfortable, and most like yourself no matter what color or style.
Vintage Jewels
This top trend features a touch of sentimental romance. Instead of shelling out part of your budget on new jewels, side with 2022 brides’ top choice, by donning vintage family gems.
Bows
YAH Photography, Uptown Funk You Do, Willow Floral Boutique
A blend between southern elegance and Carrie Bradshaw flair, this trend is at the top of our list! Bow back details, hair bows, and even napkin bow folds are leading the way in 2022. Picture uniform bows in satin and tulle, draping down to complete the perfect look.
The LWD
A bridal twist on the LBD, the little white dress is well-known for city hall elopements and modern dance floor moments. This year: it’s expanding to formal aisle occasions for the perfect heel spotlight.
Pearls
If Holly Golightly has taught us anything, it’s that pearls are always a good idea. Adorn yourself in this classic gem for an on-trend look that feels timeless. We’re excited to see how ‘22 brides modernize this trend through their bridal style.
Rented Gowns
For a sustainable dress option, consider renting from a local boutique for a fraction of the price. Even if you’ve already purchased your gown, many bridal shops allow you to rent out your dress and earn a percentage each time.
Florals
Taylor Ann Photography, Ribald Events
Cascading Florals
No matter what florals you fancy, try this trend to create an ethereal visual experience. Mirror your dance floor or dining tables with a show stopping floral canopy that complements the space: it’s sure to impress.
Mint Tip: In 2022, decorate from ceiling to floor, with a design that naturally draws the eye up. As guests enter your space, they’ll take a visual journey through hanging florals and lights to a tabletop designed with intention.
Baby’s Breath
This versatile bloom is 2022’s top choice for stunning arrangements - grounded ceremony arches, floating reception clouds, and overflowing tabletop garlands are just a few ways this flower is coming back to life. For a light and airy look, tie this trend into a colorful design of pinks, peaches, and blues. To dress it up, opt for a black and white palette to really let your baby’s breath pop.
Alternative Florals
This trend follows in the footsteps of the famed bohemian beauty: pampas grass. Full, fluffy florals are back again this year, but this time they’re showing off in an array of bright colors. Many couples are choosing dyed & dried blooms in cobalt, blush, mauve, rust, lime, and lavender hues.
Food & Drink
Specialty Bars
Put a twist on the classic open bar with a few specialty options. This trend combines a couple’s favorites with elements from their wedding design. For example:
Sangria bar for winter nuptials
Beer bar for a brewery I-Do
Wine bar for a vineyard celebration
Choose a few of your all-time favs and feature those drinks at their own special bar!
Mock-tails
We know what you’re thinking, but no - not everyone drinks at weddings. Consider offering a few mock-tails for added variety (you’ll save a few bucks too if you choose a partial bar over a full bar)!
Individual Servings
Cocktail hour just got a whole lot cuter. This appetizer trend offers large individual servings for guests instead of bite-size options. Consider late-night snack styled bites, like KFC mini chicken buckets, Auntie Anne pretzels, and yummy sliders.
Vendors
Demi Mabry Photography, Gina Strumpf Live Painting
Interactive Entertainment
Selling Sunset’s Christine Quinn did it first: Cirque Du Soleil performers, zoo animals, and more take any event to a whole new level. (If you’ve seen the show, you know). We’re excited to see this year’s creative entertainment come to life through interactive vendors: comedians, bouncy houses, magicians.. you name it!
Live Painters
Take it from us: a live painter is even better in reality than you think. These talented artists work with couples to create a custom piece that’s unrepeatable. They capture a ceremony kiss, first dance, or any moment you want immortalized through paint. The latest trend? Up-close portrait paintings where the focus is on you.
Disposable Cameras
Film photography or Vogue inspired photos are the current favorite when it comes to weddings, but not all photographers offer film options. More couples are encouraging guests to capture the night through their eyes: with disposable cameras! This trend gives couples the chance to witness those in-between moments they may have missed and hold onto those memories forever.
Fresh Photo Perspective
We have a soft spot for beautiful drone footage, but have you seen drone photography? To capture your day from unique angles, look for a photographer with drone experience - this photo trend is all about capturing your day in a new way.
Beauty
Monochromatic Glam
The category is still SKIN - glowing, natural, dewy skin creates the perfect base for wedding day makeup. However, we’re seeing more of a glamorous approach this year - a taupe smoky eye, highlighted cheekbones, and the perfect blush shade create a sunny and romantic look that meets this year’s bridal beauty goals.