A Wedding Boom Is Expected In 2022–
“There will be more weddings in the United States in 2022 than any other year since 1984…..”
The following written content by Tanya Klich
There will be more weddings in the United States in 2022 than any other year since 1984, according to a new survey by The Knot. The wedding planning site estimates that some 2.6 million weddings will take place this year, a boom that follows a record number of cancellations, postponements, elopements–and lots of Zoom nuptials–during the past two years.
“Weddings are, without a doubt, back to pre-pandemic levels,” says Hannah Nowack, Real Weddings editor at The Knot.
While some couples will certainly continue to host small, intimate micro-weddings and minimonies, wedding vendors, venues and planners note a return to traditional ceremonies with larger guest lists. In the second half of 2021, The Knot saw the average guest count climb up to 110. In 2022, the average number of guests is projected to be 129, which is in line with pre-pandemic numbers, when the average was 131. “After so many months of planning, and time spent away from loved ones, these couples are eager to reunite and celebrate with a blowout bash,” says Nowack.
Jennifer McNicholl got engaged in December of 2020, before the nationwide rollout of the first Covid-19 vaccines, but immediately knew she would still opt for a big, traditional Long Island wedding. “I planned a big traditional wedding right from the start,” says McNicholl. “I didn’t hesitate because by 2022 the vendors and I were confident that we wouldn’t be in a state of emergency.”
Last week she sent out invitations to all 250 guests for her July 2022 wedding.
Couples are also ready to once again shell out more green for their white wedding. The Knot found that, on average, couples spent $28,000 on their ceremony and reception, back in line with 2019 levels. And for the sixth year in a row, October will be the most popular month (17% of all weddings), with October 22, 2022, being the most sought-after booking date.
Other trends include the rise of domestic destination weddings and weddings as multi-day events, which hotel venues are ready to capitalize on. Venues and hotels are now adjusting to the return of the big wedding, while still answering to the bride who craves an intimate gathering. Read more from Forbes.
