Whether you’re newly engaged or planning your post-Covid wedding, there’s a fair chance that you’re already developing a stress rash from all of the decision-making. Is a monogrammed dance floor really necessary? And are donut walls still a thing? Spoiler: The answers to both questions is absolutely not. So read on for seven wedding trends you’re better off skipping what you should do instead.
Chalkboard Signs, Donut Walls and More—7 Wedding Trends We’re Saying Goodbye to in 2022
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Published Apr 1, 2022
Getty Images / Etsy
1. OUT: CHALKBOARD SIGNS
IN: MIRRORED BAROQUE SIGNS
Sorry, boho brides—it looks like the rustic chalkboard sign has run its course (if you care about trends, that is—if not, just make sure not to get chalk dust on the groom’s black suit). Instead, try replacing them with elegant, vintage-inspired accents and baroque mirrors that ooze old Hollywood glamour. Customize it with scripted decals (like the one above), or use it as a glamorous guestbook where everyone can leave a note (that you can later repurpose as a sentimental decor piece).
Unsplash/@flowersliving/Instagram
2. OUT: MASON JAR CENTERPIECES
IN: CANDELABRA VIGNETTES
While mason jars will always hold a place in our sweet Southern hearts, we’re officially ditching them for a more formal, elegant look. Metallic candelabras and moody candle arrangements are the romantic centerpiece we’re coveting in 2022. Go with tall, three-candle holders (think: Lumiere from Beauty and the Beast) with cascading florals beneath to draw some visual interest. The final look should be somewhere between Great Gatsby glamour and Fifty Shades of Grey seduction.
Etsy/Ruths House Event Rentals
3. OUT: MONOGRAMMED DANCE FLOORS
IN: BLACK AND WHITE CHECKERED FLOORS
A wedding would be incomplete without a few customizations, but the days of monogramming everything—including an emblem on the dance floor—seem to be behind us. What to do instead? Black and white checkered floors are making a huge comeback in design, and brides are taking the trend to the dance floor for a seriously sophisticated look. And if you feel a checker-covered floor is overkill, you can try placing a few black and white floor tiles in a corridor or entryway for an understated yet upscale accent.
Getty Images/Etsy
4. OUT: DONUT WALLS
IN: GRAVITY-DEFYING CAKES
Yes, donut walls were ‘such a cute idea’ when you pinned them in 2015—but like most Pinterest fads, what’s chic eventually becomes cheugy. That said, nobody said we couldn’t lean into whimsy. And for 2022, couples are all about gravity-defying cakes that wow guests with an optical illusion: a floating tier. It’s the best tasting magic we’ve seen in a while.
Davids Bridal/Jenny Yoo
5. OUT: SPAGHETTI STRAP CORSETS
IN: SQUARE NECKLINES
You can still get away with flaunting your shoulders on the big day, but spaghetti strap corsets and billowy tulle bottoms are being replaced with modern takes on more traditional styles. This year’s Bridal Fashion Week emphasized square necklines with classic-meets-contemporary silhouettes—from puff sleeve mini’s and lace, open-back mermaid shapes to fitted ballgowns with illusion side cutouts. And ICYMI, this is a direct response to the Bridgerton-influenced ‘regencycore’ craze, which seems to be *the* wedding trend of 2022.
Getty Images/@palacepartyrental/Instagram
6. OUT: TWINKLY LIGHTS
IN: HANGING FLORALS AND CHANDELIERS
Don’t get us wrong: We love a patio lined with festive, sparkling string lights. But after two years of cancelled weddings, we’re seeing people going even brighter and bigger with lights. “We are seeing endless requests for large, ceiling installations of florals or opulent chandeliers to hang above the heads of dining and dancing guests,” writes Jacquelyn Aleece, founder of the Wedding Plan & Co. And if you’re not ready to give up the string lights entirely, you can compromise by wrapping them in a floral installation for a maximum, elevated-boho effect.
Getty Images/Getty Images
7. OUT: WEDDING FAVORS
IN: FILM PHOTO THANK-YOU NOTES
Nostalgic photography is making a comeback—think grainy soft focus or bright flash bulb moments—and many couples are choosing to include disposable cameras (remember them from back in the day?) on tables for guests to document their nights. Then, in lieu of wedding favors, they’ll develop film photos from the cameras and send them out to guests with a handwritten thank-you note. It’s clever, personalized and money well spent.
