2021 and 2022 Wedding Trends
The ways we can gather and celebrate weddings has changed,
and wedding trends are changing right along with it.
Photography by Jolaika | From the 2020 Portfolio Builder hosted by Stone House Creative and Feast & Festivities
As a result, the way we think about the atmosphere of our weddings has changed. It’s probably one of the only things that I’m grateful to Covid for — with all the shifts in wedding planning, engaged people moved their focus from their original wedding plans towards “how can I make my intimate wedding the best it can be?” and that has resulted in some seriously good ambiance.
And when it comes to “wedding trends,” this looks a lot more like throwing out the rule book and ignoring what everyone else is doing, and instead focusing on how we want ourselves and our guests to feel and experience our weddings.
So while I normally talk about decor and style predictions, colours that I’m loving, and similar details when I talk about wedding trends, today I’m shifting the focus of the trend conversation towards how we can make our celebrations feel the most amazing, once we’re able to really be back together again.
1) Creative Floor Plans
You may be looking at hosting a smaller-than-anticipated guest list in your larger-than-necessary venue. That doesn’t mean that you need to cancel with your venue and seek out something else. I’d encourage you to view it as an opportunity to get creative!
1) Incorporate lounges to make the space feel intimate and give people options.
Think about your guests and how you want them to experience your wedding. Not everyone likes to dance or listen to loud music — give them a quiet nook to sit and catch up with people they haven’t seen in a while! Image below by Blush Wed Photo with planning + design @petitepearlevents .
2) Creatively Separate the areas of your reception with billowy draping.
Notice how the drapery behind the cake below (Southern Posies) ensures that the cake itself becomes a focal point? Whatever you want the focal point of your reception to be, consider how you can play with the floor plan to give it more attention.
3) Create a canopy for your dinner tables.
Lighting, floral, drapery — there are plenty of options to do something cool and unique here. Take a look at the image above, designed by Always Yours Events. She used drapery to create a dreamy canopy effect with a slight beachy vibe, all within the confines of a typical ballroom. This is the perfect example that, though you may need to reduce your guest count, you can still keep your booking at your now too-large venue, while creating an incredible ambiance!
4) Of course, play with the table shapes and layout themselves!
The more space you have, the more variety in table shapes you can fit. Long, round, square — have some fun!
2) Less “typical” Bridal ATtire
the vibe of your wedding might be changed from how you pictured it — or maybe you’re just not a pouffy dress kind of girl. just because you’re having a wedding, don’t feel like you HAVE to dress a certain way — make your attire work for you. whatever your case, consider a little white (or not white) outfit that’s more to your taste.
My go-to recommendation for something like this is BHLDN. Below are a few of my faves, featuring mix and match separates including sweaters and skirts, jumpsuits, blazers and killer pants. You could also shop locally — a lot of boutiques will carry options that could be perfect for the ambiance of your wedding. Here in Winnipeg, Mad About Style does a white collection every spring/summer that always has gorgeous pieces with a slightly more laid-back, feminine vibe.
3) Live Music
I don’t really know what else needs to be said here: I’m forecasting More live music for 2021 and 2022 weddings, because it really contributes to the ambiance more than anything else.
To further personalize your event, the great thing about live music is that it’s very customizable to the ambiance that you want to create. Looking for a Top 40s dance party? Hit up Big City All Star Band. Want to keep things a little more casual, with an acoustic guitar and folk singer? I always love it when I’m setting up at the same time as Keith Macpherson is doing a sound check (pictured above from one of our August 2020 weddings). Winnipeg is also home to Luminous String Quartet, who are some of my faves to create a unique ceremony ambiance. Karen composes and arranges major hits into pieces for her string quartet, and they’re amazing. Give em a listen on Spotify.
4) straying from tradition and Doing things Your Way
Colour palette. style. forgoing traditions for tradition’s sake.
We’re seeing fewer cake cutting photo ops, fewer bouquet tosses, fewer corsages…if it doesn’t hold importance to you, then don’t spend another moment thinking about it (or another dollar on it).
Here’s some wise advice from Janelle of Lavenders Flowers:
“I knew I wanted our wedding to represent us for who we were in November of 2019, not worrying about what we may like or not like 20 years from now. Sure, future Janelle may or may not regret wearing a hat and having a rainbow color story, but who cares? Could you imagine what wedding my 10-year-old self would have dreamed up?!
My best wedding planning advice is to let go of the pressure to be or look a certain way and start having fun! Focus on what you DO want and ask yourself why certain things are important to you, write them down, then stick with it like a road map to your final destination. After all, it’s your day; make it something you're excited (not stressed) about!”
Forget about what’s “timeless.” In 10 years, will you care? No. So just do it the way you want. Use that vibrant colour palette that you love but scares you. Choose the dress that speaks to you when you twirl in it rather than going for something classic.
And speaking of non-traditional bridal attire…check out that Maison Corazon separates look from a shoot I styled back in the summer. Gorgeous, right? Photo by Esther Funk Photography.
5) Design Details
I said I wasn’t going to talk about the details much…but I had to throw a few things in. Here are some design and decor trends that I’m following and loving:
1) Leather Details
Like the placemat and sweet little name tag in the image above from Fete Collection, I’m finding myself OBSESSED with leather details and finding places to bring it into my designs. I have this idea for a leather envelope…not sure how functional that one is 😂 A much easier addition would be a camel leather chair in your lounge, rentable from Trend Decor here in Winnipeg.
2) Warm Colour Palettes
I used to be a cool tone girl. I loved pastels and lighter tones and have mostly decorated my home with them, but more and more I am finding myself drawn to warm tones, so much so that I included this is in last year’s trend round-up as well (like the bouquet below by Texture Florals — and note that it’s not JUST bright oranges…it’s just warm overall). Candles are a great place to bring this in — check out the toffee taper candles below and tell me you don’t love that touch of warmth!
3) Elaborately Floral-Ized Wedding Cakes
Whether the cake itself is simple or pretty heavily decorated, it deserves to be even more of a focal point than it already is. I’ve been loving seeing cakes be given a major floral treatment — maybe a ring around the cake (like the one below that I designed around a Jenna Rae Cakes confection), or ground-based florals that form the base of the cake table, or even a floral tier!
4) Monochromatic Colour usage
Now, you all know that I will dig into as much colour as you let me. But if you’re a little wary, a monochromatic look is the perfect way to have some fun without needing to be brave. Look at this monochromatic design below from Ashley Fox Designs — it’s simply different shades of the same pink hue. Playing with different levels of the same colour really allows the various elements to soar and I love how the texture is elevated here.
LOOKING FOR A WEDDING FLORAL AND EVENT DESIGNER IN WINNIPEG?
Getting married in 2022? Appointments to plan your dream florals are now available. Click the button below to get started!
Flowers are the best way to make a statement at your wedding. Whether you already have a specific vision or want me to dream up something custom just for you, reach out to Stone House Creative for stunning bridal bouquets, truly unique ceremony backdrops, and beautiful floral centrepieces to create the perfect ambiance for your wedding!
