Photos above, from left to right: Wedding planning & decoration: Event’L - Location: Antica Dimora del Turco - Photographer: Lux Visual Storytellers - Catering: Casa Molon - Flowers: Magia Di Fiori - Wedding planning: My Magical Wedding / Photographer: Kristel Zanol - Wedding dress: Be-Angeled - Wedding suit: Sculpt & Victory - Flowers: Rock & Roses - Makeup & hairstyle: Els Eeckhout from Hairaffair and Collart & Willems - Location: Kasteeldomein Saint-Hubert / Photographer: Lux Visual Storytellers - Wedding dress: JPC Collection - Flowers: Delfleur
1. From micro weddings...
Due to COVID, there is division in the wedding sector. On the one hand, ‘micro weddings’ and a ‘return to small but nice’ are definitely trending. On the other hand, after the recent COVID waves, there is also an absolute ‘urge to party’, with a return to the ‘Roaring 20s’ era. Micro versus large, in other words.
Wedding planner Liesje van Haaster of Event'L confirms this trend: “It is no longer a must to invite every client or colleague to your wedding. Couples are increasingly choosing to celebrate ‘en petit comité’.” Thanks to the pandemic, quite a few couples have discovered the charms of an intimate celebration; by inviting only their closest family members and best friends, the bride and groom can spend more time with each guest. Budgets are not necessarily shrinking proportionally, because often the bride and groom spend a relatively larger portion of their budget on their micro wedding for their venue, catering, or flowers
2. ...and the Roaring 20s
Other couples and families, on the other hand, are sparing no expense to be able to fully enjoy their party and guests again after COVID. Personalizing a party is therefore very much ‘in’ next year. A wedding should tell the couple's ‘story’; the style, personality, and love story of the bride and groom are given a prominent place in the mood board, from which the theme and wedding styling are built.
Wedding planner Sophie Ickmans of Art of Events explains: "An oyster bar, cigar bar, perfume station in the restrooms, spreading your own ‘signature scent’ with candles and fragrance sticks... wish lists often include the most exquisite items. Original worldly corners are also popular, such as a seating area with typical Moroccan tea and cookies."
3. Wedding dresses: minimalist or glamour
We also see this duality reflected in the wedding dresses of 2022. Two completely different types of wedding dresses are hugely popular this season: the more ‘minimalist’ creations and the ‘glamour’ dresses. Just as certain couples tend to prefer an intimate wedding after COVID, while others prefer an over the top wedding, so to speak. Wedding planner Isabelle Ghosez of Be Your Guest: “Minimalist dresses are characterized by an elegant look and a sober cut. Glamorous dresses are dresses with lots of sequins, glitter, and ribbons. They give a kind of red carpet effect, a strong ‘Cannes Film Festival’ look.” As a bride, you are guaranteed to shine in both on your special day!
4. The longer, the better
Another emerging trend for 2022 is spreading smaller gatherings or ‘wedding events’ over a longer period of time. Couples are looking to make up for having to miss their loved ones and friends for so long. ‘The longer, the better’, you might say. A full wedding weekend instead of just one wedding day is really trending. Couples have had to postpone so much that they are more likely to choose to spend as much time as possible with their guests. Wedding planner Liesje from Event'L confirms this trend: “Brides and grooms often want to plan a whole weekend or make it a complete experience to make up for what they have missed in recent times.”
5. Depth, details, and experience
Couples are also increasingly trying to reach an extra level in terms of depth. They search for the most inspiring locations, actively involve their guests in a very personal ceremony, go for the perfect wedding styling, and consciously reflect on every moment, every detail, and every experience.
Brides and grooms are also looking for unique forms of entertainment. They want to surprise their guests. For example, a live band, silent disco, or a musician are a nice addition to the more traditional DJ. Sophie from Art of Events also confirms that ‘experience’ is playing an increasingly important role in the parties her team organizes: "You can see this in what we call ‘peripheral entertainment’: many weddings now have a real ‘line-up’ of artists. Various artists liven up the party during the ceremony, reception, dinner, and dance party. Everything revolves around the comfort of the guests and their experience, such as valet parking, nanny service, etc."
Or how about a bouncy castle for adults or a creative photo booth setup?
6. Eccentric invitations
In 2022, eccentric colors, materials, and designs will be the trend when it comes to wedding announcements. Experts predict the rise of flashy, colorful invitations. Wedding planner Liesje from Event'L: “Velvet invitations with gold foil printing, for example, are extremely popular. Velvet is making a comeback, both in invitations and decorations. In addition to invitations in velvet, invitations in leather are also gaining popularity.”
7. Sustainability at its best
The eco-friendly or sustainable cachet of a wedding party also continues to rise in the couple's list of priorities. Couples often ask caterers for increasingly challenging projects, such as making a vegan wedding cake—a task that caterers are happy to take on. Brides and grooms also like to have their flower decorations made from local and seasonal products, to give nature a helping hand. And under the motto ‘Support your local’, couples are increasingly turning to local bridal fashion and jewelry designers.
8. Elopements
An ‘elopement’ is getting married without your friends and family knowing and without asking anyone's permission. Elopements already rose in popularity during the first COVID lockdown, when couples had to adapt to the very limited list of guests they were allowed to invite. They therefore turned more often to the format of a very intimate private celebration, attended either by the couple alone or by just a handful of people, such as a few witnesses or close family members. Romantic elopements abroad are becoming increasingly popular. And vice versa, because many foreign couples are also finding their way to our country for their elopement, to Bruges for example.
9. Destination weddings
According to wedding planner Isabelle from Be Your Guest, larger ‘destination weddings’ are also set to become very popular in 2022: "Weddings abroad have become increasingly common recently, especially in Italy, Spain, and Greece—but perhaps most of all in the south of France. People currently feel the need to leave the dark period of the past two years behind them and are intensely searching for light.“ Liesje from Event'L adds: ”Destination weddings are indeed ‘hot’, for both smaller and larger groups of guests. Couples who prefer intimate weddings are also often looking for sufficient wedding appeal, as evidenced, for example, by a beautiful ceremony arch on the beach."
10. Fairy lights, like in a fairy tale world
In 2022, fairy lights will be hugely popular. These small lights and lamps create a magical, dreamy atmosphere at any wedding. Just think of Christmas lights and the cozy atmosphere they create during the festive season. These fairy lights are guaranteed to have the same effect at your wedding. PS: Fairy lights are also great for your photos!
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