As the first “normal” wedding season in years ramps up this spring and summer, we’re seeing the pandemic creating lasting impacts on wedding sizes and formats. The 200-person weddings of the “before” times are no longer de rigueur and instead we’re seeing couples embrace intimate, unique and non-traditional celebrations, even as restrictions lift. From trendy table décor and new ceremony styles to creative catering ideas and of-the-moment menu options, here are the top 10 wedding trends we’re predicting for 2022. —Donna Wadsworth
off-peak parties. Couples across the country are rushing to rebook nuptials that were postponed or cancelled due to COVID-19 over the last two years. As a result, popular event venues are sold-out months in advance with long waiting lists for prime-time evenings, weekends, and holidays. In response to this surge in demand, many brides and grooms are opting to get hitched during off-peak hours to save money and snag a reservation during their ideal wedding season. If your dream venue isn’t available on your preferred date, there’s no reason you can’t plan a wedding during the week or in the morning as an alternate option.
fabulous florals. Flowers are having a serious moment this year as couples embrace natural botanicals and over-the-top floral accents as part of their event décor. We love the look of living green walls, lush floral archways, and boho-chic dried flower arrangements that feature a mix of unique textures and monochromatic colours. For a totally on-trend floral statement, swap out conventional table arrangements for a large-scale installation suspended in the air over the action. Edible flowers will also be a big trend in 2022 as these beautiful and delicious blooms are popular garnishes and ingredients for cakes, salads, cocktails and more.
refined service. After almost two years of pandemic-related restrictions on in-person restaurant experiences, many couples are yearning for the sophisticated experience of fine dining and are requesting elegant sit-down meals for their special day. In 2022, we expect to see more demand for polished plated dinners rather than help-yourself service styles like casual buffets, grazing platters, family-style menus, and informal barbecues.
paperless stationery. More and more couples are choosing to go paperless for their wedding stationery, especially since there are now a wide variety of online options for designing beautiful engagement announcements, save-the-dates, custom wedding invitations, and ‘Thank You’ cards. Setting up a wedding website and distributing important event details digitally allows you to correspond quickly and efficiently with your guests, especially if there are last-minute venue changes or updated health and safety guidelines that need to be communicated in real-time. Eco-conscious virtual cards are not only more convenient, they’re also cheaper and help to reduce paper waste.
vibrant colours. Subdued colour schemes and muted pastels are making way for bright and bold hues in 2022. When contemplating your table linens, florals, bridal party fashions, and other event décor, don’t be afraid to go bold and make a statement with a rich and saturated colour palette that pops on camera and in person. Tropical technicolour and joyful neon hues are on trend for spring and summer weddings while dramatic darks, moody jewel tones and glittering metallics look fabulous for fall and winter celebrations.
internationally inspired cocktails. Foreign travel remains challenging in 2022, which means many of us are craving a taste of the exotic. Consider serving globally inspired libations infused with far-flung flavours at your wedding bar to transport guests to exciting overseas destinations – if only for the night. An Italian Aperol Spritz, a Brazilian Caipirinha, and a Chilean Pisco Sour are all easy-drinking citrus-forward cocktails that pack a delicious international punch.
health-conscious options. Now more than ever before, wedding planners are requesting nutritious menu options to appeal to their increasingly wellness-focused guests. While parties and celebrations are typically a time to indulge, there’s a rising demand for healthy alternatives – think zero-proof mocktails, plant-based vegan dishes, and allergy-conscious substitutions. Catering clients are not only invested in what’s on their plate, but where the ingredients come from. Our team prioritizes working with regional suppliers and local farmers to source organic and sustainable ingredients as much as possible.
pre-ceremony cocktails. Betrothed couples won’t be afraid to turn the typical wedding timeline upside-down in 2022. A lot of brides and grooms are now choosing to host their cocktail reception before the ceremony, which gives the bridal party and wedding guests a chance to loosen up, mingle and have a small bite to eat ahead of the main event. Serving a glass of sparkling and a handful of passed canapés before you exchange your vows will keep guests satiated and ensure their attention is focused on your vows—rather than their hunger—during the ceremony.
meaningful menus. Couples are eschewing standardized three-course menus for personal food and drink choices that tell a story. We love working with clients to design bespoke menus that reflect their unique tastes and personalities. You’ll notice wedding menus are starting to feature nostalgic family recipes, culturally unique dishes, first-date meals, and other thematic eats inspired by the couple’s favourite restaurants or vacation destinations. These special touches make the meal more meaningful and help guests connect with a couples’ unique love story.
individual servings. Health and safety will continue to be a top priority for the events industry in 2022. Wedding vendors across the city have been coming up with creative solutions to keep guest safety front-of-mind throughout the pandemic, and we’ve altered our service style and menu options to increase social distancing and reduce shared touchpoints while still delivering a refined dining experience. This year, you’ll continue to see the trend of single-serving menu items like elevated appetizers and miniature desserts wrapped in beautiful individual packages. We love personal charcuterie cones, packaged popcorn bags, individual cheese boards, and dessert flights featuring bite-sized sweets!
Savoury City Catering owner Donna Wadsworth has seen it all in her decades of experience running catering companies and working as a chef across Canada and internationally. To create perfectly orchestrated events, Donna lives by the motto “fail to prepare then prepare to fail,” paired with a meticulous attention to detail and the ability to perfectly envision the flow of an event from beginning to end.
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