As guests become more comfortable traveling and navigating any restrictions, Lindsay Buzaid of L. Scott Events says, “People are ready to travel! I’m a little biased as a destination wedding planner, but 100% of my clients are getting married in destinations outside their home state or country. They want to make a long weekend or even a full week out of their wedding celebration with friends and family.” Cole adds, “Demand for exotic domestic destinations is soaring, and we will be encouraging longer and longer lead times for committing to a date and asking your friends and family to mark the weekend.”

With destination events, Buzaid also advises couples to check their contracts for clauses regarding postponing due to Covid.

Planner Lyndsey Hamilton, of her namesake events company, assures us that wedding weekends still span four days, from Thursday to Sunday, but each day will have more of a meaningful component to a couple’s marriage story. “There is still the traditional welcome event on day one, an intimate ceremony and dinner on day two, and the cocktail party—or another dinner—and dancing on the third night,” Hamilton shares. “Finally, the farewell brunch brings everyone together again on day four.” Brides often recall how quickly the wedding day passes, and this new 

format allows the pressure to diffuse and the couple to be as present as possible.

With grandmillennial style remaining popular, the Cotswolds-chic aesthetic will continue for weddings. “Layered design, incorporating rich palettes, patterns, and whimsical illustrations will continue to make a splash in 2022,” Cole assures us. “American interior design is currently celebrating classic British style, and our event environments will follow suit.”

The traditional color palette of all-white with hints of green, gold, or blue is still great, but who doesn’t love being surprised by an elegant array of colorful shades? “I’m seeing fewer requests for traditional, muted palettes and more interest in brighter pops of color,” Buzaid assures us. “Clients want something unique that can differentiate their wedding. Our clients are investing in custom tabletop elements like linens, napkins, and placemats they can keep after the wedding.”

Next year, we’ll see more attention-grabbing floral moments, which is no surprise after restaurants and storefronts have upgraded their floral game to attract customers in the past year. “There has certainly been an increase to ‘the floral budget,’ with many couples wanting a show-stopping floral arch or large overhead installation, often placed above dining tables or dangling over the dance floor,” U.K.-based planner Natalie Hewitt says.

The celebratory element of a wedding will get more of an emphasis in the coming year. “We’re seeing a larger focus on the party elements of the event—getting guests to the dance floor faster,” Buzaid says. From the newlyweds’ entrance into the reception, people will be on their feet and ready to bust a move. Get ready for some weddings to prioritize dancing so much, as to leave room between dinner courses for a few hit songs.

In conclusion, wear comfortable shoes to weddings next year because you’ll be partying long after the reception too. “Almost everyone is opting for an additional after-party!”

Couples are moving toward putting on a show for their guests. “Some of our events we’ve planned have featured live sketch artists drawing guests, French Renaissance stilt walkers serving as ushers, a magician making tequila appear during dinner, and drag queens entertaining guests throughout the night,” Hewitt says. “No idea seems to be off-limits.”