The wedding industry certainly saw some of the most interesting times in history over the last few years. Weddings in 2021 looked a lot different from weddings in 2020, 2019, and so on. What makes 2021 weddings so unique and fascinating and how will they impact future weddings like yours? The wedding experts and your friends here at Griffin’s Floral Design are exploring these statistics, questions, trends, and more to give you a better idea of how your wedding might compare to weddings of the past.
What Is the Average Cost of a Wedding?
In 2020, the impact of COVID played a big role in the decreasing average cost of weddings. From small guest lists and backyard weddings, budgets dramatically decreased and the average cost of a wedding in 2020 was just $19,000. However, 2021 weddings saw a spike as the average cost rose back to that of previous years. The average 2021 wedding budget was $22,500 which is significantly lower than the steady average of previous pre-COVID years of $28,000. The average cost of wedding receptions alone in 2019 was $23,000.
What Was Trending for 2021 Weddings?
Weddings in 2021 saw a lot of classic traditions, from small weddings in outdoor venues and grand cake cuttings to bouquet tosses and first dances. This year also saw new takes and twists on tradition with more unique venues, alternatives to the classic white wedding dress, and even inspiration from the Netflix hit, Bridgerton. When it came to flowers, warm tones like fall hues including pops of purple, deep burgundy, and rich orange outshined the seemingly popular white florals amongst lush greenery.
How Did COVID Impact Weddings?
In 2021, weddings came back in full swing. Since 2020 saw a major hit in the wedding industry, 2021 did not disappoint when it was safe to celebrate again. Not only did couples experience great relief as they planned their big day, but wedding guests attended with higher enthusiasm and slightly more expensive gifts. Although, this is not to say that health and safety concerns weren’t top of mind. In 2019, wedding guests would spend an average of $430 on travel, attire, accessories, and gifts. This rose in 2021 as 24% of wedding guests spent more on travel, 32% spent more on attire and accessories, and 37% spent more on gifts for the newlyweds. However, before sending in their RSVP, 30% of invitation recipients inquired about health and safety measures before making their decision.
What About the “Wedding Boom”?
If you haven’t heard much about the wedding boom, the 2021 wedding season was just the beginning, seeing approximately 1.93 million weddings. The impact of COVID on 2020 weddings resulted in 21% of 2020 wedding couples postponing their nuptials, 41.5% moving their date to 2021, and 7% canceling their wedding, leaving only 30.5% of couples who tied the knot in 2020. This year, 2022, we are expecting to see a total of 2.47 million weddings, which is the largest number of weddings in one year since 1984. While so many newly engaged couples help create this number, we can also attribute the dramatic increase to those who rescheduled their 2020 and 2021 weddings. The wedding boom will continue through 2023, which is already looking at 2.24 million weddings with an average price tag of $24,900.
How Will 2022 Weddings Compare?
In 2022, it is expected that the average wedding will continue to increase in price, slowly but surely, and reach approximately $24,300. Although micro weddings, small receptions, and socially distant ceremonies were the main trend and continue to be popular in 2022, not everyone has decided to cut back on their big day. As celebrations continue to grow back into what they once were, more inspiration from Bridgerton will influence style and decor and new traditions will be incorporated as old traditions continue to ebb and flow with the times. Greenery and muted tones will go head to head with bold pops of color and multi-colored florals, which will continue to increase in popularity for both weddings and events.
Whether you are planning a small or large wedding, fancy a Bridgerton theme or something modern or boho, prefer greenery or bold, colorful flowers, or want to create something truly unique and out-of-the-box, the trusted professionals here at Griffin’s Floral Design are at your service.