Everything you need to know if you're getting married in 2022

The weddings of 2020 have been postponed to 2021 and those of 2021 are being pushed to 2022. The desire to marry is not decreasing, so count on it being busy next year. And are you getting married? Then wedding planner Valerie Vliet from Blossom Weddings has advice for you.

What should you arrange first if you are getting married in 2022?
‘Take some time to think and brainstorm together. About a week or two. How do you envision that day, in what style or atmosphere? Are you going for small or large, and in which season do you want to get married? If you discuss that together first, you will have the overall idea and from there you can start planning. It’s smart to make a preliminary guest list, as couples often assume too many guests for the budget. So first your guests, then your maximum budget on paper, and then you look at the wedding date, which depends on a location. People often think: oh, we want to get married on February 2, 2022, but a location must be available then.’

And is there something very important that almost no one thinks about?
‘Brides often start very enthusiastically by shopping for a dress shortly after the engagement. My advice is to wait until the location is confirmed. I often hear through the grapevine about brides having doubts because they chose their wedding dress too early. Are you standing in a boho dress on the steps of a castle or in a classic dress on the beach? First choose the location, then the date, and only then look for the dress.’

Do you have an invaluable tip for the day itself?
‘Ensure there are plenty of moments of calm throughout your day. You often see that people without a wedding planner forget this. It’s really nice if you have time to retreat for a moment and tell each other how great the day is. If everything is so tightly scheduled, you won’t have time for that. Before the ceremony, between dinner and the party, those are good moments for at least half an hour together. I schedule that time in and really encourage my couples to take that time together.’

How do you make that day truly original?
‘Always stay close to your feelings and let that come back everywhere. In the styling, in the choice of a DJ or band, in your invitation. Draw guests into your wedding bubble from the invitation. Also invest in a wow-factor: what guests see when they enter a space is what everyone remembers. That could be a beautiful photo of you together, a staircase with decorations or flowers, and immediately introduce your theme or the colors of your day. Originality in small things enhances the atmosphere, think for example of a live singer at your ceremony or someone painting a picture of the ceremony. It doesn’t have to be loud, but it should set the tone. And make a conscious choice in your officiant. Hire someone or ask someone in your circle, that makes it extra personal.’

The trend in weddings for next year?
‘Couples are making more conscious choices about who they want and don’t want at their day. You increasingly see them choosing 50 or 80 people to spend the whole day with. Autumn and winter are also becoming more popular, but especially: the weekend wedding. That gives a bit more relaxation. Often on Friday there is the formal dinner with a dress code, where people get used to each other a bit. On Saturday the wedding with drinks and snacks, because that formal dinner is no longer necessary, and then a party. And on Sunday waking up and chatting over breakfast. A couple is often still buzzing and loves to chat with everyone. It’s a very different way of planning and gives more breathing room.’

And costs that you have but don’t think about beforehand?
‘Shipping costs of save-the-dates, entertainment costs of the clothing, travel costs of suppliers coming to a location, hiring extra furniture, a bar where you serve gin and tonics, meals for people who help like your photographer and wedding planner; these are all separate costs. Afterwards having that dress cleaned. I always say that you should budget for ten percent unforeseen costs. Include that in the budget.’

The biggest misconception about a wedding planner to clear up?
‘That a wedding planner takes over everything. You ultimately decide for yourself, but you buy time, good tips, peace, and no stress during your engagement period. And of course, the perfect execution of your wedding for you and your guests. Planning a wedding is a lot of work and can be stressful. Research even shows that you spend an average of four hundred to five hundred hours on it. I am your BFF and provide structure, we plan everything together. If you choose a master of ceremonies, that person will miss things from your day. With a wedding planner, you invest in peace for yourself and your friends and family. I always stay one step ahead of the program and ensure that everything runs smoothly. No sister or mother is hanging something up in heels and curlers or has to run through a garden in a nice dress to do the balloons. I go through the schedule with my couple a week before the wedding, and after that, they don’t have to think about anything anymore. They also receive their own schedule with their times, which doesn’t specify when the supplier will arrive with the cake.’

Wedding plans? Request a free e-guide from Valerie with 12 tips to avoid wedding mishaps.

Photos are taken by photographer Liselore Stap.