Presentation by Luxury Las Vegas Wedding Planner Andrea Eppolito. Video by Stephen Salazar.

Welcome to the 2022 Wedding Trend Report

I stand for what is next, not what is now. As such, I have always delighted in setting trends rather than following them. This year I was invited back to the Wedding MBA to present on the upcoming trends of 2022. My presentation, The Big Reveal, is now available for viewing on YouTube.

What can you expect to see this year in the world of weddings? I predict that we will see the following:

• Extreme Sizing: While we will continue to see smaller, micro-weddings, we will see a return in larger weddings with an extensive guest list.

• Multi-Day Events: After nearly two years of being apart, we crave each other. Couples want to spend as much time as possible with their family and friends and are going to be hosting multi-day events in an effort to squeeze as much togetherness as possible into their wedding weekend.

• At Home Weddings: Estate weddings will continue to be a trend as we move into 2022. During the pandemic, couples invested in their living spaces. Interior decorating became the focal point as our clients sought ways to live beautifully in their homes. Today, this is where many of our couples feel the most comfortable and the most like themselves. Therefore, it makes complete sense that many couples are hosting weddings in their own spaces.

• Interior Design Influence on Wedding Decor: Today's couple is savvy when it comes to interior design and decor. Having spent the last two years investing in furniture, accent pieces, and experimenting with different textures we are now dealing with a highly educated client that has taken the time to develop their own style. Expect to see a greater sense of refinement. Wood, slate, and stone will be featured more centrally in the overall design as couple’s pull inspiration from Restoration Hardeware, CB2, and Z Gallerie.

• Outdoor Weddings: Outdoor weddings provide couple’s with a sense of freedom. No longer landlocked and stuck inside, an outdoor wedding provides fresh air and a much needed escape from the confines of every day life. Additionally, while many cities continue to have mask mandates and social distancing requirements inside, there is a level of freedom and safety in wide open spaces and fresh air. Guests can let their guard down while feeling confident and safe when attending an outdoor event.

• Over-the-Top Engagement Shoots: It's 2022, and we're all feeling a little bit dramatic. Brides and grooms want to celebrate everything, and they are seeking to put their own personal stamp on all of their experiences. Additionally, this year will see more weddings than we have in the last two decades. And over the top engagement shoot allows a couple to stand out amongst all of the other weddings and events that are currently taking place. It provides an opportunity to play with hair and make up, and to get comfortable with a photographer. People are going big and really investing in the experience.

• Live Entertainment: the experience is everything! Couples seeking to surprise and delight their family and friends are investing in live entertainment. Whether that is a cirque-style acrobat that performs in the middle of the room or a 13 piece orchestra, engaging the services of highly skilled artists is more important than ever before. Look for live entertainment during the all facets of the event, from the ceremony to the cocktail hour, through the reception and into the after-party. And don't forget that big-name DJs are actually live entertainers! I expect to see a lot of progressive entertainment where we move through a different combinations of acts throughout the night.

• Photo Opps and Art Installations: The wedding day is here, everyone is dressed up, and people look their best. Everyone is living life, but if it isn't on Instagram did it really happen? Newlyweds want their weddings to be seen and shared. The very best way to ensure that this happens is to create immersive photo opportunities and art installations. Think of a life portrait studio, or piano floating on roses. These eye-catching installs are beloved on social media and will be carried out as we move into 2022.

• Bold Fashion and Jewelry: Sweatpants and athleisure be damned! Both men and women are investing in sartorial style that will set them apart from the rest. People want to express themselves, and there is no better way to make a statement then by wearing some thing that stands out amongst the crowd. And please don't think this is just for brides and grooms! After not being seen for so very long, guests will be doubling down and dressing up. Expect to see a return to formality with amazing dresses, sharply tailored suits, and a ton of glam with piled on diamonds and jewels.

• Video: Did you hear that Instagram is no longer a photo sharing app? That's because the most engaging form of media that we consume is video. Couples will be investing with filmmakers that tell a story. We will see a rise of behind-the-scenes footage being integrated into the clients final video product, along with the shortest of short video clips that can be posted and shared on TikTok and Reels.

What do you think of my trend predictions? Is there anything I've missed? Leave your comments below and let me know. And let's make a mental note to come back and revisit this next year and see just how close I was!

Always…a