2026 Wedding Trend Forecast: 5 New Trends and 2 Disappearing Trends
Anyone planning a wedding knows that trends in the wedding industry are always rapidly changing and evolving! And now with the popularity of tik tok, intsagram, and pinterest, as it relates to the wedding world, trends are being shared even faster! Here are 5 new trends I predict we will see more of in 2025, 3 trends that will remain popular, and 3 trends that will be disappearing:
NEW TRENDS IN 2025
Video Projections:
I personally have been noticing this trend creep it's way back into weddings for the last 6 months or so! With pipe and drape being as popular as it is right now, it is no surprise that video projection is the next fun thing! Couples are executing this trend by projecting (mainly) black and white still photos or videos of their own or vintage films! Another component to this trend is gobos! Gobos (lighting stencil/outline) have always been around weddings, but they were most popular back in the TLC wedding days of the 2010s. However, Gobos have gotten an updated look and couple’s are using them in a very understated way to bring a touch of customization to their wedding reception.
*all images sourced through pinterest. Click on the image for the original source
Tulle Accents
The wedding industry is always playing around with new mediums and textures and in 2026, we are going to see a big rise in the use of tulle! It is definitely on the more of an artistic trend for the couples who aren’t afraid to be different! The most common use of tulle I have seen so far is with stationery and/or signage, this look can be achieved by either embroidering the tool or ironing on vinyl. Another application of tulle that has been popping up lately is layering it over chairs or florals! However it is used, we are excited to see couples incorporate this fun new trend into their wedding design!
*all images sourced through pinterest. Click on the image for the original source
Flower Trends: Lilies and Cascading Bouquets
As we all know, Calla lilies have been everywhere in the wedding industry for the past 2 years (and will continue to remain popular), but there is a new flower taking over wedding design- lilies! Lilies have been popping up everywhere from ceremony backdrops to bouquets to tablescapes and I think we are about to see a lot more of them! Another floral trend that will re-emerge are cascading bouquets. Cascading bouquets used to be huge back in the 80s and 90s, and as always, what was once old is now new again. 2026 will bring a resurgence of big cascading bouquets. The flowers most often found in these bouquets will be: calla lilies, lilies, orchids, and tulips! We love this fun artistic shape for a bridal bouquet!
*all images sourced through pinterest. Click on the image for the original source
Silver Accents:
Move over gold because it is time for silver to shine! In the last few years, gold has dominated as the go-to metal accent for weddings! However, silver and chrome are starting to take over. I personally love the polished silver look on tablescapes and think we are going to see silver as the default metal accent in 2026!
*all images sourced through pinterest. Click on the image for the original source
Innovative Photo booth Backdrops:
In 2026, we are going to see a fun new take on photo booths! When you think of wedding photo booth, you think of a photo flat photo backdrop, typically black or white, but never anything too complex. However, in 2026, photo booth backdrops are getting a makeover! I have seen updated designs include cut outs, draping, or fun signage to give photo booths a touch of whimsy. Think like 80s prom photo backdrop- but cooler!
*all images sourced through pinterest. Click on the image for the original source
Honorable mentions:
I can’t say whether these will turn in to full fledged trends, but I wanted to shout out some honorable mentions for fun things I have seen couples do at weddings recently!
*all images sourced through pinterest. Click on the image for the original source
TRENDS THAT ARE STAYING FOR 2025:
Dramatic Draping:
One trend that we saw take off in 2025 was dramatic draping incorporated into wedding designs! This will definitely continue into 2026, especially with the rise of video projections and gobos- those two trends will go hand in hand! Whether its draping the table cloths, or creating masterful backdrops for the ceremony, expect to see more pipe and drape in 2026!
*all images sourced through pinterest. Click on the image for the original source
Restaurant Aesthetic:
In 2025, we saw more couples are requesting an elevated and chic restaurant atmosphere for their guests- one that creates an intimate and inviting vibe. This aesthetic is very heavily influenced by the Ralph Lauren Polo style of interiors/clothing and can help make a wedding guest feel like they are in an upscale swanky restaurant instead of a wedding banquet hall! Some elements that can help you achieve this look are: leather menus, lamps or taper candles on the tables, and incorporating other elements you would find in any fancy restaurant- custom matchbooks, mood lighting, servers in matching uniform, polished silver, elevated bar fronts, etc! I expect that this aesthetic will carry over into 2026!
*all images sourced through pinterest. Click on the image for the original source
Western Chic:
2024 and 2025 were both huge years when it came to the western chic aesthetic, particularly for rehearsal dinners! This is always a fun theme when it comes do destination weddings that lean more western. It allows for a laid back atmosphere while still giving guests an opportunity to dress to theme!
*all images sourced through pinterest. Click on the image for the original source
DISAPPEARING TRENDS IN 2025:
Overly Orchestrated “events” :
Recently, there has been a burnout amongst couples who feel like wedding planning is all for social media. Moving from one orchestrated “event” to the next can feel exhausting for the couple, and prohibit them from actually experiencing their wedding. In 2026, we will see a decrease in these overly orchestrated photo moments and more of a focus on intentional planning. So be prepared to say goodbye to things like: announced cake cuttings, wedding party entrances, bouquet tosses, wedding exits, getaway cars, etc!
Quirky flat lays:
Flat lays (or invitation detail photos) have always been an interesting topic of conversation in the wedding industry. Over the last few years, photographers and stylists have been expirimenting with fun and different ways to capture couple’s details. Although sometimes it can be fun, we have started to lose the plot on what flatlays are supposed to be. In my opinion, the reason you would take a detail photo of an invitation is so that the couple can remember what their invitations looked like years/decades later, especially if they misplace the physical copy. When we start throwing invitations in the air or in a pool, we have lost the purpose of documenting. However, this is just my personal opinion and the beautiful thing about weddings is everyone can get creative and express themseles as they desire! No hate to any photographer who chooses to shoot flatlays in out of the box ways!
*all images sourced through pinterest. Click on the image for the original source