Planning a wedding in 2026? Here is what’s trending for the year ahead
Ivy Behaviors
Weddings in 2025 have introduced new concepts such as year-round festivities and multi-day wedding “holidays.” We’ve seen couples incorporate modern technology into old norms, like using artificial intelligence to help them plan their special day, opting for a civil ceremony at City Hall over a traditional ceremony, and reinventing film photography and cameras to document the event.
Fashionable details such as flowing decors, all-white color palettes and bold wedding guest attire were also of great importance in 2025.
As marriages improve in the coming year, couples’ desire to connect will not change. according to Knot Worldwide 2025 Future of Celebrations Report97 percent of US-based survey users believe that gathering moments such as weddings provide not only pleasure but also real health benefits.
Here’s a look at what to expect from ceremonies and receptions in 2026.
Special Oaths
Craig Peterman, a photographer and videographer in Phoenix, has seen an increase in the number of couples taking time for private vow readings before the ceremony, and he predicts that trend will continue.
“It preserves a meaningful moment and provides an anchor for the wedding movie,” says Peterman. “Therefore, it will be frequently recommended by photo and video teams.”
Shane McMurray, managing director of wedding industry research company Wedding Report, also stated that couples want wedding day experiences that make them feel like themselves.
“Weddings are no longer scripted ceremonies with predictable rhythms,” he says.
Unusual Places
Loni Peterson, owner of LP Creative Events in Denver, says wedding venues will continue to get more surprising, with sites like historical ruins, caves and airport hangars.
“Couples want their special day to stand out among the noise, and one way to do that is by hosting their guests at a ‘non-wedding’ venue,” she says.
“We also have couples who hold their events in open areas, fairgrounds, ski and snowboard trails.”
Multiple Celebrations
Xin Huang, a wedding planner and owner of Le Petite Privé in New York, says she sees many couples hosting celebrations that span months; whether in a cultural ceremony, a reception months before or after the legal marriage, or separate receptions months apart.
Couples also celebrate in cities or countries that mean something to them or where their loved ones live. “It’s a beautiful way to show your love and share what’s important to you in different settings and cultures that speak to you,” Huang says.
Predicted Videos
“With draping and white color schemes being the two big decor trends in 2025, there has been a natural progression in the use of projection,” says Jessica Ralph, owner and executive planner of Parties A La Carte in Tampa Bay, Florida.
“The draped, transparent white finish creates an effective backdrop for projection and a soaring, romantic ambience.” (Videos can be viewed on a blank wall using rear projection to ensure a seamless installation.)
Some couples use a mix of photos from their relationship, while others focus on engagement session images, says Masha Sakhno, founder of Masha Sakhno Photo in Honolulu. In addition to sharing their love stories, couples also display pictures of their family members. “This is a great way to add emotion and nostalgia to the celebration,” he says.
Unforgettable Entertainment
Wedding attendees can expect to have more fun. Couples welcome guests with musicians and dancers, mix DJs with live bands (or saxophones), and offer unexpected performances during cocktail hour. Many also add other sense-stimulating activities like coffee stations, ice cream trucks or special scent bars.
“Couples are looking for moments of surprise and delight that will make guests feel like they’re part of something personal and vibrant,” says Fallon Carter, event planner and founder of Fallon Carter Events in Washington, D.C.
Love Notes
Pinterest’s 2026 trend predictions predict a resurgence in personalized notes and letters. Peterson says many of her clients add notes for their guests to their reception decor. “I find they find unique ways to connect with each guest,” she says, “whether it’s thanking them for traveling to celebrate their marriage, including an inside joke, or introducing them to the person sitting next to them at their table.”
Heidi Moore, a stationer and owner of Phoenix-based Idieh Design, has also noticed that many of her customers prefer to leave personalized notes.
“Some craft one message per couple, while others write a unique note for each person,” she says. Sometimes cursive style fonts replace cursive to save time.
Dessert Cocktails
Couples can make the moment even better by including special dessert cocktails during the cake cutting, says Koby Morris, owner of Southern Standard, an event bar services company based in New Braunfels, Texas. Delicious, fruity cocktails and espresso martinis are trending favorites in 2026.
Selected Foods
Alice Wilkes, wedding planner and founder of Alice Wilkes Design in London, says there is increasing focus on food as part of the overall design, rather than simply a source of income.
“Planners are seeing increasing interest in the presentation of food, where beautifully designed dishes, canapés and drinks become an extension of the aesthetic and storytelling of the event,” he says.
“Couples embrace elevated dessert rooms, tasting stations, and chef-led interactive moments.”
Deborah Miller, founder of Deborah Miller Catering & Events in New York, is seeing more couples opting for cocktail-style wedding receptions with food stations, canapés with sides and small plates rather than more traditional plated dinners. “This allows for a lot more creativity in the kitchen,” Miller says.
Bold Colors and Stripes
Pinterest’s 2026 trend report also predicts that vibrant colors and stripes will inspire decor choices and influence weddings for event planners. “We’re seeing couples choosing to make a statement with saturated colors,” says Dawn Crothers, president and creative director of Something Vintage Rentals, based in Temple Hills, Maryland. “Shades such as red, turquoise, burgundy and dark green will be strong in 2026.”
“Full-color tablescapes, mixed-toned glassware, layered colorful florals and vibrant linens will be popular for creating immersive, theatrical environments,” says Sarah Farsh, owner and creative director of Olympic Valley Stables, an event venue in California’s Olympic Valley, and owner of Tahoe Engaged, a wedding vendor guide.
Bridal Party Outfit Changes
Second looks are no longer just for the bride and groom. Patricia Voto, New York-based designer and founder of One Of, recently created three looks for the mother of the bride that change from ceremony to reception to after-party.
Bridal stylists like New York-based Anny Choi are seeing an increase in the number of mothers and other family members of the bride and groom doing outfit changes. “It can be a great little moment for family and friends to freshen up together before the party starts,” she says.
This article was first published on: New York Times.
Make the most of your health, relationships, fitness and nutrition Live Well newsletter. Get it in your inbox every Monday.
