The wedding industry, or any other industry for that matter, could not have predicted the ways celebrations would change over the past couple of years.

From real elopements to being stricter than ever when capping the guest list, the global climate has had an unmistakable effect on even the most intimate of ceremonies.

The one-stop-shop for wedding vendors in Canberra, Weddings of Canberra, shared their insights on what has 2022 brides and grooms twitterpated.

1. Micro-weddings and elopements: “We know that during lockdown, weddings were limited to five attendees: the celebrant, the couple, and two witnesses. What’s interesting is that even after restrictions lifted, we are seeing many couples choosing to keep it at that size or opt for smaller weddings,” says Weddings of Canberra.                

“The best advice for any couple, though, is to have the wedding that you want. Don’t feel pressured to adjust your guest list, whether it’s five people or 500. Sit down with your partner beforehand and have a clear conversation. If you land an agreement from the get-go, it’s a lot easier to keep pesky meddlers at arm’s length.”

• Doing it for the gram: “Social media is now a very popular planning aspect. If it’s important to you, don’t rely on your guests to be a photographer. Just because everyone has a camera in their pocket, doesn’t mean you should cancel the professional who can capture those beautiful, candid moments.

“I always recommend hiring a photographer and videographer if possible. Most videographers will give you all the footage they get, along with a polished video of the highlights – something to sit down and watch again for years to come.”

• Bohemian bouquets: “Dried flowers, native flowers, and even weeds, this trend is mostly about sustainability and reusability. Dried flowers last longer than anything else, and natives last longer than your traditional roses or lilies. If taken care of, a bouquet like that will last forever as a memento. There are still many couples opting for the traditional bouquets but those who don’t want flowers at all get creative, for example, a paper bouquet made from recycled books for a pair of bookworms in love.”

Whether your dream wedding is five people or 500, you can find the vendors you need while supporting the local wedding industry at weddingsofcanberra.com.au

• Instagram: @weddingsofcbr
• Facebook: @WeddingsOfCanberra

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