The wedding boom is real!
2022 will be the year of weddings! After the last wedding boom witnessed in 1984, this will be the second time when almost every vendor from venues, caterers, photographers and dressmakers to planners and designers are getting booked quickly. While there are still some restrictions, weddings are looking more like what they used to with larger guest lists, destination events, and big design moments.
We are in the business of love, and we all are responsible for collectively making these changes that will help couples pave their path to love. As a platform that constantly yearns to bring together the community in the form of Congress, Blog, Webinars, Roundtables & Marketplace, we reached out to wedding experts from across the globe for their advice and thoughts on the challenges and changes the industry is facing collectively which is aimed to help the brides & grooms make their dream day as smooth as possible. Read on as we uncover the biggest fears, elevate strengths and celebrate love like always!
Photo: @ktmerry / Planner: @mindyweiss/ Design: @revelryeventdesign / Florals: @butterflyfloral
Advice For Brides & Grooms For 2022 Weddings
A wedding planner is always the couple’s best friend! From handling last-minute requests to approaching changing government directions, they have their best interest in mind and can give you some life-saving advice!
Research
Dubai-based event design company Eventchic Designs & DWP Powerlist member Jardel Silva emphasizes the importance of thorough research! “Research is the biggest tool that drives this industry at the moment, staying in tune with all the markets and their latest guidelines is an absolute must – not only for planners but also for couples.
I always advise our couple, now more than ever, to find the right planner/designer. Having the right team by your side plays a very crucial role in the making of your wedding. As a designer/planner, we constantly keep ourselves well versed with the market and its latest guidelines/trends to ensure we navigate our couple in making the right choices throughout the journey, one that is safe, flexible, and defined to meet their vision.”
Celebrate Bigger!
Enjoy the day! ‘Cause YOLO! Beautifully advising couples to celebrate more than ever, Nikki Khan, DWP Powerlist member & Founder of Exquisite Events, USA says- “My advice would always be to enjoy the process and hire a planner you can completely trust.”
Safety First
ALWAYS! “A successful pandemic celebration will always be one where everyone felt safe. Include safety equipment in your budget provisions to ensure the safety of all the guests and vendors.” Advises Teena Barretto, DWP Powerlist member & CEO Teena Barretto Events, Philippines.
Book In Advance
Looks like all the weddings canceled over the last couple of years have found a happy home, and that home is- 2022. South Africa-based renowned wedding planner & DWP Insider Premium & Powerlist member Christina Holt, Founder of Wedding Concepts shares- “Plan well in advance as venues fill up faster (still due to the many Covid postponements) – and remain flexible and positive in the current climate in case of last-minute changes.”
Hire A Wedding Planner
With a lot of uncertainty still around, Mohammed Murad, Owner of TanseeQ Event Organisers, UAE, rightly suggests hiring a wedding planner. “Choose professional and qualified wedding planners even if they seem pricey, they will eventually save you lots of stress and money.”
Picture Courtesy: @myeventdesign
Insurance
It is wise to secure your investments. The concept of wedding insurance gained quick momentum after the pandemic. As Ilse Diamant, Founder of Diamant Events, Mexico says- “Better safe than sorry. Get insurance for your travel and your wedding. We are still in a pandemic so anything can change from one day to the other.”
Be Flexible
Flexibility is the key as suggested by DWP Insider Premium member Mubarrah Khan, Owner of Pixies Dust Studio, India. “Have a plan B, especially in these times of the pandemic when the rules and regulations are being changed depending on the situation of the severity. Even though you don’t want it to happen, be flexible to accommodate last-minute changes.”
Induce Positivity
Always keep your face towards the sunshine and you can never see the shadow! Being positive, especially in the current times is extremely important. Innayat Khubchandani, DWP Powerlist member & Founder of Innaz Communique from Indonesia shares this uplifting sentiment when he says- “Go in with a positive outlook and all things will work out. Plan multiple parallel destinations if you’re looking into a destination wedding. Make sure your contracts with all venues and vendors protect yourself.”
Maintain Patience
Patience is something we need to carry over to 2022. “As more couples move forward with weddings of all sizes, we will still need to be patient as we continue to deal with variants and begin to accept that this is the new normal for weddings and events. We as an industry need to start having these honest conversations in blogs, like your and other social media platforms, so that couples being to see we as an industry are adapting. Then, we can create and deliver weddings for our clients in a safe manner. This is just how we do that now.” Advices Bobbi Brinkman, Founder of Bobbi Brinkman Photography from the USA.
Follow Your Heart
Ending on a beautiful note, Robert Hykl, DWP Powerlist member from Lebanon advises us to be daring and follow our hearts!
Picture Courtesy: @theweddingblissthailand
The Biggest Change From 2021 To 2022 Weddings
Just like the virus, the 2022 wedding trends have also mutated! Safety, intimacy and socially-distant weddings are still the concerns, but we are more prepared than we were in 2021. Just like humans got the vaccines, weddings have also found immunity in the form of new safety methods, testing on-site, appointing health officers and so on! 2022 weddings are bigger, lavish and extraordinary!
More Celebrations!
We never get tired of more parties, do we? Jung Lee, DWP Powerlist member & Founder of Fête Events from the USA lifts up our spirits by saying- “It’s shaping up to be a busy year ahead and with packed schedules, we need to be even more mindful of our partnerships and on point about throwing incredible events for our clients.”
Extraordinary Weddings
The couple’s mindsets have changed. The trends of 2020 are no longer applicable. “Weddings will happen, and clients want something extraordinary this year.” Hints Ali Bakhtiar, a renowned wedding designer and DWP Powerlist member from UAE.
Intimate Weddings
“2022 is more intimate. We saw events being done at home or at their own backyard. This year 2022, it will be more of destination weddings and wedding weekends in an intimate way. Expect a boom in creative digital invites for this year versus the printed cards in the previous year.” Predicts Philippines-based luxury designer & DWP Powerlist member Gideon Hermosa.
Lavish Weddings
“2021 weddings are very modest in a way because of the uncertainty and new normal. In 2022 will show more intimate weddings in a more lavish and festive way. We are already used to having a pandemic wedding and have some experience so we can make the most out of it now.” Emphasizes Indonesian cake artist – Daphne Prananto, Founder of Kaia Cakes & Co. & DWP Insider Premium member.
Fear Diminishing
“We see that couples and families are forthcoming when it comes to planning their big celebration. The fear factor seems to be diminishing. This is due to thousands of couples around the world have successfully hosted their wedding celebrations within the defined guidelines and protocols. 2022 shall see the much-awaited return of the Big Fat Wedding Celebrations in full swing.” Says Rahul Kumar, Owner of Vivaah Celebrations & DWP Insider Premium member from UAE.
Design: @theweddingdesigncompany / Photography: @dhanikachoksiphotography / Planning: @riwaazerishte
Cost Increase
The wedding boom is changing the way the market operates. Demand is more and supply is less. Kuwait-based luxury wedding planner and DWP Powerlist member Bibi Hayat tells us- “Compared to 2021, there will be a significant cost increase because of the higher market demand.”
Return of Big Weddings
“After the horrid pandemic situation and its repercussions, couples and suppliers have come out with vengeance, willing to celebrate like there’s no tomorrow. 2022 weddings will be BIG!” Tells Andreina Borg, Founder of Versatile Brass, Malta.
Pre & Post Event Celebrations
Intimate weddings have brought about a huge increase in the number of pre/post wedding functions and the number of clients who choose to have such events. “Be flexible with planning and designs as we are running an issue of uncertainty. Pre-plan the guest list in order of importance and where to fit each guest if you are planning multiple pre/post wedding functions. Most of all, have fun and cherish the moment.” Adds Mohammad Sadiq, Eventia Event Designers, India.
Wedding Budget vs Inflation
Couples now, more than ever are willing to spend more due to the long waiting period they had to bear. The balance between price and budget is hard to maintain. Adeola Okeshola, DWP Powerlist member & CEO of 2706 Events, Nigeria tells- “Maintaining a balance between wedding budgets & Inflation will be the biggest change. Couples should be prepared to pay more for their wedding. Hiring a planner who can help you get the best deals with some of these costs covered.”
Unique Locations
“Location and dates; couples are opting for locations outside of cities and away from crowds, as well as looking to have their wedding celebration on say, a Tuesday!” Tells. Corrie Elli, a renowned makeup and hair artist from Canada.
Planner: @center_of_attention_events/ Flowers: @moonlightfloral.co / Photo@ @mallorydawnphoto
The Biggest Challenges & Solutions For The Wedding Industry In 2022
Challenges are what make life interesting. Overcoming them is what makes them meaningful. We certainly are living in an unprecedented time, but that does not mean we cannot celebrate before! These challenges in the industry will help us, as a community to overcome them together. There is always a light at the end of the tunnel.
Move Away From Outdated Style
Celebrity wedding planner and DWP Powerlist member Matthew Robbins from USA thinks– “One big challenge for the industry is learning to embrace change and move away from some of the outdated styles and ideas from the past. The industry needs to catch up in terms of what’s stylish, fashionable and timeless. One solution is to look outside of the wedding world for motivation and inspiration. Sometimes the industry Gerard caught up in recycling things it feels comfortable with. It’s important to look outside of what we know.”
Industry Saturation
Lebanon-based DWP Powerlist member & Founder of Caractere Events- Alain Hadife shares the current market sentiments- “The industry became over-saturated. The amount of wedding planners exceeds the number of weddings. It’s a trend now, and like any other trend, the market will regulate itself in the future.”
Staying Up to the Speed
DWP Powerlist member Enzo Miccio, Founder of Italy-based luxury wedding planning company – Enzo Miccio tells- “Being the number of weddings so high it will be a big challenge for people working in the wedding industry to stay up to speed with all the events, one after the other. The solution? Many coffees and if needed more people to be hired. ”
Different Restrictions & Rules Worldwide
The biggest setback in the travel and events industry due to COVID is that each country follows its own rule and restrictions when it comes to organizing events. “As my couples are mostly having destination weddings, individual country’s travel and event restrictions are still a challenge. But it seems that though we may have another problem next winter, summer weddings in Europe will go on as planned!” Explains Heather Jerue, Founder of Rendez-vous in Paris & DWP Powerlist member, France.
Uncertainty
“As we limp in and out of pandemic wave after wave, it seems that the wedding industry will be facing yet another year of uncertainty as the biggest challenge. Any industry must rely on careful planning, timelines, and commitments. With all that up in the air, I believe that the only solution is to adapt our business model to guerrilla tactics, effectively being able to adapt to an enemy with overwhelming power (uncertainty) on any terrain and in any condition.” Beautifully explains Elie Azar, Owner, ParAzar Productions, Lebanon.
Planning: @swalarue / @Photography: @rheawhitney / Venue: @theoakatelier
Maintaining Market Confidence
“The biggest challenge is to maintain market confidence, especially due to the postponed and canceled weddings it’s difficult to keep afloat and maintain your large teams, offices, etc. But if we could float through 2020 easily, we will be able to face any challenges that arise in 2022. We are better prepared for testing and uncertain times now than we were two years ago. The only solution would be to have a positive outlook on the situation and keep your boat sailing continuously. We have better times ahead and 2022 definitely will be that changing year for the wedding industry as the world over we see a rise in weddings this year.” Adds Pooja Doshi, Founder, Elusive Dreams, India.
Worldwide Inflation
“Government’s sudden regulations and price shifting due to worldwide inflation and stagflation which is directly impacting suppliers first and influencing the overall market ratios of weddings.” Tells DWP Insider Premium member Roger A-Smith, Founder, Music-A, Lebanon.
Venue Unavailability
DWP Insider Premium member Shamim Mago, Owner of iCandy Events Ltd., Uganda points towards the traffic when it comes to venue availability. “All the people that postponed their weddings want to have them this year. And remember this has been happening since 2019 so almost all the venues are already booked, there’s a huge backlog. The solution would be for some couples to consider unconventional wedding venues.”
Finding Authentic Suppliers
Unfortunately, the wedding world also faces the challenges of authentic content. Telling us more about this issue, Ireland-based DWP Powerlist member – Franc, Founder of Weddings by Franc says- “The biggest challenge I see is that the World Wide Web is growing so fast. How will couples find real vendors with reputations who care, from fake vendors who don’t? The world is becoming so fake so many great companies I know have had their Instagram accounts robbed and there is nothing they can do! Anyone can call themselves anything nowadays. It is very hard for couples and companies. I am doing consultations with couples and giving them personalized recommendations. This has saved so many so much time and money.”
Dealing With Safety Concerns
Health and Safety being the topmost priority, the biggest challenge according to Rupert Rogers, Principal Photographer, 4 Eyes Photography, USA will be “How to have weddings with in-person guests and keep them safe. On-site testing. Social distancing wherever possible.”
Conclusion
Picture Courtesy: @chloeellisphotography
Focus on the love, start small and don’t worry about what others think. At the end of the day, a wedding is the unity of two in love; the rest is peripheral. Tune in to what makes you both happy as a couple. Lastly, relish in the love that got you to this very day.
To sum it up, Christina Holt beautifully highlights the sentiment of collaboration over competition!
“The legacy of Covid means that sadly some trusted partners are no longer in business. Therefore innovation & creativity can happen by finding new exciting collaborations and joint-venue partnerships in the industry. Perhaps working with people we would have not worked with before and even competitive businesses coming together. There is a real opportunity here to take a quantum leap towards powerful new partnerships!”
Love for the win!
Let’s make connections happen! Let’s make collaboration happen! Let’s make celebrations happen!
See you all from 27-29 September 2022 in DWP Congress Bali!
Feature Image Credit: @laceandluce / Florals: @rosalinda_flowersweddingslab / Location: @marincanto_romantichotel
