While we’re unsure how 2021 has nearly come and gone, a new year is almost upon us. And if you’re one of the 2.5 million couples tying the knot in 2022, it’s time to get planning. NPR reported that 2022 is going to have the highest number of weddings this country has seen since the 1980s. That’s crazy! It also means that there is a lot of saturation in the market in terms of vendors, dates for your preferred venues and more. So, the earlier you start planning for this record-breaking year of weddings, the better. And we’re going to help you do just that. In this blog, we’re going to round up the top wedding trends for 2022. Get ready for dreamy wedding inspiration, actionable tips and a whole lot of excitement for your upcoming nuptials!

Types of Weddings

Due to the pandemic, a lot of couples have been forced to postpone their big day. But sometimes, love just can’t wait—and it always deserves to be celebrated in a big way. That has led to these two major wedding trends for 2022:

Wedding reception room set up by Proof of the Pudding

Sequel Weddings

Couples who had to postpone their wedding celebrations didn’t necessarily want to postpone their vows. Many have opted to get married in small, intimate ceremonies or elopements during the pandemic. But now that it’s safe to gather in large groups, they’re ready to party with all those near and dear to them in the huge reception they dreamed of! They’re calling this a “sequel wedding.” Hey, why not celebrate your love for years?

Multi-Day Experiences & Destination Weddings

With this, those who have waited out the pandemic want to go big. Many couples are choosing Atlanta as a spot for a destination wedding, or local couples are inviting guests into town for a long weekend with lots of wedding festivities to make up for lost time. Plan a welcome reception at Gate City Brewery or the Atlanta Zoo, host a private show for your guests at Whole World Theater for Improv, offer guests the opportunity to create their own Coca-Cola flavor at World of Coca-Cola—the list is endless!

P.S. If guests are coming in for the weekend, welcome them with a curated gift box filled with local items! It’s a sweet way to say, “Thank you for celebrating with us.”

Weddings Any Day of the Week

Due to the demand for this upcoming year, many couples are getting married on non-traditional nights like Thursday or Sunday.

Pro tip: Hosting your wedding on an off-peak day of the week typically makes vendor availability a little easier. Plus, you may even be able to save a few bucks, so many couples don’t mind the shift in dates!

Catering Trends for Your Atlanta-Area Wedding

Proof of the Pudding has been so fortunate to get back to business this year. As we’re in the midst of planning a ton of magical Atlanta weddings for 2022, we’re seeing a few things from 2021 stick around for the new year.

Individually Packaged Catered Items

Safety is still a concern for many couples, so they’re opting for meals that are individually plated. Whether that means stations with covered plates, welcome hors d’oeuvres with one of each hors d’oeuvre plated at every seat for nibbling or pre-packaged cocktails, this trend is staying put.

Decisive Moment Event Photojournalism

Creative Menu Items

While we were always creative with our cuisine, now more and more couples are coming in with some great ideas and wanting something a little different. In response, we created “trend stations” for our menus that are loved by all and are turning out to be popular for next year too. Here are a couple favorites:

DIM SUM… AND THEN SOME
    • Steamed Pork Dumplings + Edamame Dumplings Ginger + Black Vinegar Sauce
    • Char Siu Spare Ribs
    • Fried Shrimp Balls with Water Chestnuts, Hot + Sour Sauce
    • Jasmine Rice (V, Vegan)
    • Served with Fortune Cookies

NOT-YOUR-AVERAGE GRITS BAR

Select One Grit

    • Logan Turnpike Mill Stone Ground Grits
    • Sea Island Red Grits
    • Carolina Rice “Grits”

Select One Main

    • Shrimp + Andouille with Sweet Peppers and Onions (GF)
    • Chipotle Beef, Bacon, Charred Corn, Heirloom Tomatoes (GF)
    • Pulled Smoked Chicken Thighs with Wicked Pimento (GF)
    • Toppings include: Pepper + Onion Hash, Smoked Cheddar, Baby Heirloom Tomatoes, Chopped Charred Shishito Peppers
GEORGIA ON MY MIND STATION
    • Seasonal Salad Peach Vinaigrette (V, GF)
    • Pecan-Crusted Chicken Breast Rooftop Honey, Bourbon Jus
    • Local Vidalia Onion Mashed Potatoes (V, GF)
    • Buttermilk Biscuit
Jack Parada Photography
SMALL PLATES

Everyone loves tapas-style eats. Nothing beats a small serving of all different flavors, so you don’t miss out on anything you want to try! Here are a few our couples love:

    • Grilled Baby Lamb Chop Orzo Pilaf, Grilled Squash, Garlic Olive Oil Drizzle
    • Coffee-Rubbed Wagyu Bavette Eggplant Purée, Salsa Macha, Red Onion-Herb Salad (GF)
    • Cast Iron-Seared Redfish Meyer Lemon + Parmesan Risotto, Charred Corn
    • Smoke-Fried Cauliflower Cowboy Caviar, Carolina Rice, Sriracha Jelly (V, GF, Vegan)
    • Curried Vegetables Herbed Couscous, Mushroom Wild Rice (Vegan)

Trending Wedding Venues Near Atlanta

Outdoor and garden weddings became a popular trend during the pandemic, but it’s absolutely a trend that’s here to stay! Plus, being in a fair-weather locale like Georgia does help when it comes to hosting outdoor weddings. Here are a few of our favorite local Georgia venues for outdoor catered weddings:

Sweet Meadow Farm and HomePlace | Tallapoosa, GA | Seated Capacity: 200

A 100-year-old farmhouse standing on 160 acres of sprawling farmland. This venue comes alive under the stars of the night sky for your perfect wedding eve!

Ponce City Market Rooftop Terrace | Metro Atlanta | Seated Capacity: 250

If Atlanta is part of your love story, there’s no better way to celebrate your vows than with a view of the city skyline as your canvas.

Ponce City Market | Rooftop Terrace
Ponce City Market | Rooftop Terrace

Atlanta Botanical Garden | Metro Atlanta | Seated Capacity: 225

This stunning venue exudes elegance and natural beauty with its carefully curated grounds and installations. It’s also very centrally located in Midtown!

Yonah Mountain Vineyards | Cleveland, GA | Seated Capacity: 300

For winos, there is no better place to tie the knot. They produce their own Chardonnay, Cabernet, Sauvignon, Merlot, Cab Franc and more, right on the grounds.

INOLA at Blue Ridge | Richmond Hill, GA | Seated Capacity: 300

Surrounded by lush forests and greenery, this stunning locale is a charming escape to celebrate your love with friends and family. Located in a historic colonial town with lots of charm!

INOLA at Blue-Ridge event venue
INOLA at Blue Ridge

Wedding Colors for Inspiration

Now for the colors! Everything from the flowers to the bridesmaids’ dresses to the favors—it all depends on your wedding color palette. Here are a few trends we love:

Bright & Bold

Pantone colors for 2022 incorporate a lot of bold colors like teals and blues, with a pop of coral.

The Spring/Summer 2022 NYFW Color Palette from Pantone.com

Dusty Rose

This one color can pull together so many diverse palettes. Think dark options like dusty rose, burgundy and black. Or go for lighter options like dusty rose and sage or dusty rose and light gray with all the greenery accents your heart desires.

White & Green

One way to save on florals? Go green. With a color scheme that features emerald green and a neutral palette, you can do all crisp white blooms and greenery. Add some gold accents to make your décor scheme feel ultra-luxe.

Ready to Plan Your 2022 Wedding in Georgia?

Proof of the Pudding wants to help you. We are the experts in all things Georgia weddings. From culinary delights to show-stopping décor, we will bring your dream wedding to life. Let’s chat about what trends you love and get started!

 

 

by Dina Biondo in Trends, Weddings