“Photo booths are getting an upgrade. Instead of enclosed setups and novelty props, couples are opting for live portrait stations with a professional photographer. Clean backdrops, good lighting, real direction. Guests end up with flattering images they actually want to keep.” —Tory Smith
Nostalgic Celebrations
Photo: Brett Warren
“Couples are drawing inspiration from history, art movements, family heirlooms, old-world entertaining—but interpreting it through a modern lens. It’s about nostalgia without being nostalgic, and honoring what came before while making it feel unmistakably now and unmistakably them!” —Jove Meyer
“There’s something incredibly powerful about celebrating in a place that already holds memories. When a space is meaningful before we ever design it, the event feels instantly authentic. Weddings hosted at childhood homes or family estates, rather than newly acquired or formal venues, are on the rise, rooted in nostalgia, intimacy, and personal history. These celebrations prioritize emotional connection over grandeur, transforming familiar spaces into elevated yet deeply personal settings. The result is a sense of authenticity and warmth that can’t be replicated elsewhere.” —Bryan Rafanelli
“A return to simple and nostalgic cuisine served with a playful twist. As we craft menus for 2026, we are seeing clients move away from the multi-course meal service that was once so sought after. Now, the focus is shifting toward comfort food that offers both surprise and delight. Think: French fries served family style in mint julep cups, served moments after that perfectly dressed Caesar salad hits the table. Bonus points for extra parmesan offered tableside. Entree of choice? Who wouldn’t want a generous bowl of pasta, tossed in rich red sauce? Nothing a (custom) bib can’t fix!” —Lynn Easton and Dawson Mitchell
What’s Out
Traditional Wedding Cakes
“Towering, traditional wedding cakes are taking a backseat to something completely new. The shift isn’t about doing away with the tradition, but about rethinking scale, form, and intention. Instead of oversized, highly formal confections designed to serve an entire room, couples are gravitating toward smaller, more sculptural cakes that feel expressive and design-driven. We’re seeing an embrace of asymmetry and imperfection like low, oblong silhouettes, hand-finished textures, intentionally non-uniform icing, and forms that feel closer to an objet d’art. Often, these cakes are designed for the couple alone, while guests are served plated or passed desserts elsewhere. The result feels more intimate and considered, without sacrificing elegance.” —Jennifer Zabinski
Early Day-After Brunch
“10 a.m. Sunday brunch call time (or brunch in general—it should be a pool or beach party). Grab-and-go breakfast is also acceptable!” —Tory Smith
Social Media Moments Over Guest Experience
“Designing solely for the social media moment. If a detail only exists to be photographed and doesn’t add to the guest experience, it’s losing relevance. Couples are prioritizing how a wedding feels over how it performs online. Do it because it has meaning to you, not because you think others online will love or like it!” —Jove Meyer
Single-Use Details
“Disposable décor and one-day-only pieces are falling away in favor of longevity and intention.” —Michelle Norwood
Overexposed Wedding Destinations
“The most memorable destination weddings now happen in places you haven’t seen a hundred times before. We’re seeing a quiet pullback from overexposed destination weddings in favor of something far more compelling: discovery. Locations that have become synonymous with wedding, however beautiful, are beginning to feel familiar, even expected. For couples with a global perspective, the appeal now lies in places that feel nuanced and less immediately recognizable.
#Wedding #Trends #Inand #Outfor #Year
