The Ring
Whether your heart is set on the traditional “set” or you prefer to think outside of the ring box, ring trends in 2022 span a wide range of styles and even colors. According to The Knot, engagement ring trends include oval solitaires, two- and three-stone engagement rings, emerald engagement rings, vintage rings or vintage-inspired engagement settings, and rose cut diamonds.
From Our Local Expert
Trent Thomas, President and Graduate Gemologist at Loring & Co. Fine Jewelers said:
The first rule of engagement rings: there are no rules. The new generation is buying rings that reflect their personal style.
Fancy shapes tend to rule the day and are set in various nontraditional ways like East to West and brushed recycled gold. Our favorite mix of old-meets-new must be this gypsy-set round by Fred Leighton.
The Dress
When researching trends for wedding dresses for 2022, one word was prevalent: romantic. With the hit series Bridgerton, an overarching theme for apparel, especially wedding apparel has shown a focus on romantic details. Puffed sleeves are trending, along with corset-style bodices and textured or heavily embroidered fabrics.
According to Brides magazine, bridal fashion week predicted the same romantic trends for spring 2022. Floral motifs dominated with three-dimensional floral appliques and gowns full of florals, sequins and beading. Two-piece dresses and shorter wedding dresses were seen on the runway, along with high necklines and the return of ruffles.
The Registry
Ring, check. Dress, check. Time to register for gifts! According to the Knot, perhaps the biggest 2022 wedding registry trend is the push toward all-in-one registry tools. Thanks to universal tools like The Knot Registry, there’s no need to direct guests to multiple sites when all gift requests can be on one, shoppable list.
From Our Local Expert
Dana Garding, who owns Lawren*s Gifts with her husband Martin, said:
Brides today enjoy having fun with their bridal selections. Many brides are mixing designs in both their fine and everyday china patterns. They are adding chargers and accent salad plates.
Another fun trend in the tabletop is colored glassware, stemmed and stemless wine glasses, bar ware, decanters and even cake stands. Lawren*s carries Estell colored glass with an array of fun colors to add that modern touch to your entertaining.
People are a bit more casual with their dining as well and brides love the look of melamine serving pieces for more casual occasions. The warmth of wood in serving pieces is also making a comeback and can add the texture to a table or buffet.
From Our Local Expert
Kimberly Walker, owner of Walker’s Market, said:
Wedding trends are always evolving. We have noticed that many brides are gravitating towards traditional Southern trends when they are registering. Many brides we have talked to seem to be interested in their family’s silver and china again, which is a wonderful thing to hear.
Brides are loving table settings and wanting to set a beautiful tablescape both formally and informally. We have seen a resurgence in this when we go to Market. At Walker’s Market, we have chosen many items to help our brides set the perfect table. We have a vast array of placemats, napkins, napkin rings, and more to make a great table setting. We have expanded to include melamine and ceramic dinnerware, which can be used for any occasion.
When a bride registers at Walker’s Market we want her to find fun items she will be excited to unwrap. We are carrying great kitchen items with a modern flair for the younger brides. Our advice to any bride is to register for anything and everything you may want, no matter the price point.
Since opening our doors in 2016, we have watched Huntsville grow in so many ways. After many requests, we made the decision to offer a registry and bridal gifts. It is a natural fit for us to bring our kitchen and entertaining accessories to our upcoming brides. We want your registry to go as smoothly as possible. We offer appointments for our brides to come in and work with us individually to make sure you have everything you need to start your life as newlyweds.
When you register for your wedding, always remember to shop local. Many people prefer to pick out gifts in person rather than online. Some of us (like myself) aren’t very tech savvy.
The Venue
From Our Local Expert
Cheyenne Zavatsky, Manager of Hospitality Services at the Huntsville Botanical Garden said:
Recent wedding trends have been influenced by the nuances and limitations of the current state of the industry. Some of the trends we have seen here at the Huntsville Botanical Garden include micro weddings that focus on more intimate gatherings and monochromatic floral decor given the floral shortages. Then there are the ever-so-popular social media savvy aspects, like unique table numbers, welcome signs, bar signage, custom dance floors, and photo backdrops. Wedding styles are unique to each couple, but if we had to choose a prevailing style, it would be the evolution of photo backdrops! From grand balloon displays to lush floral walls to arches adorned with custom cutout names and clever neon phrases, interactive photo booths and immersive social media photo ops are what’s popular! Our team advises couples to: set expectations and goals; know your limits, including those of your venue, budget, and time; and hire the right team to help you meet your goals and expectations. With a strong foundation, you’ll be excited to see all your hard work pay off!”
From Our Local Expert
Emma Lansdell, park manager at Monte Sano State Park said:
In 2022 we seem to be stepping further away from greenery and more towards brighter floral decorations for both the ceremony and reception. The balloon garlands and arches are following us into 2022 as well, and we love to see them set up in our lodge! I think it adds a unique, more modern, touch to the traditional exposed stone and wood beams inside and outside the lodge.
I have really enjoyed seeing the “mix and match” bridesmaid dresses, not only different styles but different colors too. I love the idea all around, it really makes a statement and shows off your personality.
One of my favorite trends that is sticking around is the type of food service our brides are choosing. We have had countless taco bars, nacho bars, and BBQ bars lately. They all have a personal touch from one event to the next, getting to make your spread unique!
The Makeup
The pandemic affected so many facets of life. For many women working from home, makeup became less of a day-to-day need. “There wasn’t too much of a reason to go full glam so I think a lot of people embraced their natural beauty and got used to seeing themselves without a full face of makeup,” said Alexandria Gilleo of Bridal By Alexandria in Fishkill, New York. “Because of this, [we’re] seeing a more natural yet enhanced look on brides.”
From Our Local Expert
Nancy Finnegan, MUA said:
This year more than ever we are seeing a return to the classic bride. We aren’t seeing heavy contour, bold brows or matte lips. Brides, especially in the winter are going for a fresh, light, dewy look that allows the skin to look healthy and luminous. Emphasis on the eyes with false lashes paired with a clean eye is very classic bridal.
The Food
Guests come to weddings for the hope, the joy but also for the food. “In 2022, couples are infusing their menus with both cultural and sentimental dishes, like food from the restaurant where they had their first date or a favorite childhood dish,” said Kim Forrest, in her article 2022 Wedding Trends That Are Actually Doable.
According to Jen Avey of Destination Weddings Travel Group, couples aren’t only offering signature cocktails, but including a signature mocktail on their drink menu – making sure that guests who don’t drink are included in the fun.
Brides are replacing bold looks with soft romantic hues of pinks instead of champagnes and browns. Nude lips with a hint of pink are the perfect bridal look.
The first advice I give brides is to schedule a trial for sure! If there are time constraints that don’t allow one, then we need to Facetime or schedule a phone meeting. It is important for me and the bride to understand why she has hired me, what her vision is and how my experience can guide her. She is the main attraction, but she also has a bridal party that is part of her wedding day vision, so they should get on the books for makeup as well to complete the unified look the bride has in mind. Moms definitely need to schedule makeup as well, because this is a big day for them and they’ll be in a lot of the photos.
As a professional Makeup Artist, I view products differently than a consumer purchasing for themselves. There are always going to be trendy and new products coming out. I tend to not pay much attention to that (although I do stay educated on them) because I know my go-to’s that work seasonally and with skin type. I do plug in a few trendy products here and there, but they’re still going to have quality and be subtle. I tend to stick to what colors, formulas and styles flatter the face, plus compliment the wedding dress and ambiance of the setting.
The Lashes
From Our Local Expert
Ericka Edwards, Founder of Lash Belle said:
In 2022, the brides want natural beauty! Therefore, the low-key and natural look remains strong. This year, we will see more brides opt for hybrid lashes and semi-permanent microbladed brows which are the perfect combination to create fluffier lashes and brows.
Prevalent styles trending this year will feature glitter, crystal embellishments and “salt and pepper” eyes. According to Pinterest, inquiries for white eyelashes have increased over the last quarter. It is noted that colored eyelashes give you a high contrast look that is subtle yet bold.
At Lash Belle, we understand how important this moment is for you and we want you to walk away feeling not only beautiful but confident that you will look your best. My advice to brides is to always schedule a consultation (patch test) with your lash artist at least four weeks prior to your big day. Doing so helps to eliminate any risks of eye irritation or dissatisfaction with your experience.
Flowers/Décor
From Our Local Experts
Mark Kimbrough and Ron Cooper, owners of In Bloom said:
In Bloom is still seeing the current flower trends to be neutral tones with hints of color. We do have several weddings this year that are adding pops of coral, salmon and persimmon. Spring and summer weddings will continue to be mainly neutral, but we do see a few brides avoiding all the gray foliage like eucalyptus that has been popular over the past several years. Late summer and fall weddings normally add deep hues of the upcoming autumn season. A return of gold and brass containers has been on the horizon for awhile and we expect that to continue. Old is new again! Taper candles are also becoming more prevalent which adds a romantic glow to the reception. As with every other component of weddings, the supply chain sometimes doesn’t cooperate. We can normally provide the color and style for our brides, but the actual bloom might vary depending on supply and demand. Most flowers are grown around the world, but we do buy local when available. We encourage our brides to plan early and be flexible with flower selections.
From Our Local Expert
Stephanie Kennedy-Mell, who owns Church Street Family of restaurants with her husband Matt contributed:
The world has faced nearly two years of disruption and uncertainty, cautious optimism and unexpected challenges – CateringInsight.com
We have definitely experienced our highest level of uncertainty these past two years, with events on the books cancelling at the last-minute planning has been a challenge. We have found that the key to catering, especially in 2020 and beyond, is to be flexible. Caterers need to be in constant contact, you need to be able to adapt to your customers’ needs and wants more than ever and remember this is their special day so it must be perfect!
We are so excited to be a preferred caterer at our amazing local venues here in Huntsville, and with the addition of our own unique places, we have a lot to offer, and with the number of events increasing in the coming months, we are looking forward to the future!
From Our Local Expert
Ashley Ramirez, owner of Mason Dixon Bakery & Bistro said:
For 2022 and 2023, we are seeing more couples choose to offer either a plated meal, or family style dining option over a buffet! This creates a slightly more elegant and formal setting for your day. With a plated meal, each guest selects their entree prior to the wedding. If you do not want to go through the hassle of having guests choose their entree in advance, consider choosing a family style meal instead. With this dining option, each guest table receives a sampling of every item from the menu to pass and share. We personally love the family style dining option as it allows for the variety of a buffet, with a more intimate feel. It is also an efficient way to serve the meal and allows guests to receive their food quickly.
Sustainability
Though bigger weddings may be back, sustainability is on the minds of many couples in 2022. “A focus on the environment is being echoed in our couples’ desire to have a smaller footprint; whether, through sustainable catering, digital RSVPs or a desire to utilize local vendors,” said Nora Sheils of Bridal Bliss in Lake Oswego, Ore. Save the Dates and even invitations are going digital.
And according to Amy Shack Egan of Modern Rebel & Co., charitable favors are a way to share those values with guests and reduce waste. “Couples are increasingly excited to give back through their events,” Shack Egan says. “We’re seeing couples donate a set dollar amount per guest toward a non-profit they care about—it feels good and makes a difference!” Other couples are opting for eco-friendly favors, like food, seed packets or succulents.
Focus on Technology
During the pandemic, couples who were forced to shrink their guest lists utilized live streaming technology to include loved ones who weren’t able to attend. And while most gathering restrictions have been lifted, live streaming is here to stay, according to Forrest. “There’s definitely a rise in new streaming companies and videographers are now adding this service to their current packages,” said Natasha Celestin of Just4U Wedding Coordination and More in Fort Worth, Texas. “Pre-COVID, guests had two choices when it came to accepting an invitation—yes or no. Now couples can offer their family and friends a great alternative to attend their wedding.”
Online RSVPs are also rising in popularity. “About eight out of 10 of my clients are opting for their guests to RSVP via their wedding website,” says Gina Geiler of Gina Marie Weddings & Events in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. “They still have an RSVP card and then direct their guests to their website. I also have guests who are getting custom QR codes for guests to scan [to] take them to their websites.”
