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The most exciting 2026 wedding trends
Published on 2025-02-21
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By Oli Pyper
Bespoke wedding attire
As with last year, 2026 wedding trends are all about personalisation.
This doesn't mean ripping up the rulebook, necessarily. But it might mean reading the rulebook, scribbling bits out and covering it in glue and glitter.
In other words, it's about bending the rules and making them your own. And nowhere is this more apparent than in the sheer variety of wedding attire we've seen in recent months.
Among the most daring ideas are super-bright, jewel-coloured dresses, wedding-flavoured, form-fitting party wear and even matching tailored suits for the bride and groom.
But there's no pressure to go avant-garde. Instead, you can think of it as an invitation to play with tradition. Want to throw in an unusual accessory or choose mismatched bridesmaids' outfits? Go for it – it's your wedding and you're free to express yourself.
Hyper-personalised menus
'If music be the food of love, play on', rhapsodised Duke Orsino in Shakespeare's Twelfth Night.
Nice quote, Duke. But we beg to differ. Music is great – but food is the food of love.
Perhaps that's why hyper-personalised menus are such a key trend in 2026. Crafting a one-of-a-kind menu means telling your story, course by course, with a feast of tailored flavours.
Perhaps you could serve the dish you ate on your first date. Or a themed menu based on your family's culinary heritage. Or fun foods from your childhood. It's completely up to you.
And we can help make it happen. Our head chef will work with you to craft a bespoke menu for your big day. We can't wait to taste it.
Monochromatic make-up
We've noticed that the major 2026 wedding trends come in two distinct flavours.
On the one hand, you have maximalist weddings. Big menus, big make-up, big everything. However, many couples are pulling in the opposite direction and opting for classic minimalism instead.
Case in point: monochromatic make-up. This technique harks back to the golden age of Hollywood glamour, opting for simple, cohesive palettes that accentuate the wearer's natural beauty.
The result is a confident, unfussy look that's ideal for small, intimate or outdoor weddings. If you want to wear it, start with your natural skin tone and choose your highlights carefully. Warm shades of peach or rich jewel tones work well, depending on your complexion.
Artistic flower arrangements
Don't get us wrong. Flower arranging is an art form. Crafting any floral centrepiece takes skill, creativity and a whole lot of patience.
But take one look at the trendiest wedding florals and you'll know what we mean by 'artistic'. These arrangements take botanic artistry to whole new heights.
For rustic weddings, imagine crisp cascades of dried flowers that frame the altar or trail over dinner tables. For classic weddings, we're talking giant, pastel-coloured bouquets crammed with roses or lilies.
Fashion-forward couples are taking things even further. Think less 'arrangement' and more 'avant-garde floral sculpture'. These centrepieces are all about drama, spectacle and pure, unabashed playfulness.
Want to embrace this trend and go big with your bouquets? We'd be happy to recommend suppliers here in Lincolnshire who can help bring your floral dreams to life.
Candid photography
Modern weddings are more social than ever. Even if you opt for an intimate, family-oriented wedding, you can bet there'll be an army of social media followers waiting in the wings.
Yes – you're not just playing to your guest list anymore. Friends, acquaintances and total strangers will be keen to see your snaps and share your special moment online.
That's why so many couples are pushing the boat out with photography and videography. Posed family photos are still a must for most couples, of course. But some are opting for paparazzi-style photographs instead. Think blurry, behind-the-scenes shots that capture the fun and magic of the day in a whole new way.
This ties into another of the major 2026 wedding trends: guest-generated content. Most of us have seen photo booths at modern weddings. But how about giving out disposable cameras, so guests can capture their own candid shots? You'll be in for some nice surprises when the photos are developed.
Dessert bars
You can't argue with a wedding cake. They're big, they're beautiful and – for many brides and grooms – they're as essential as bouquets and buttonholes.
But what if you want to keep things a little more informal? Well, you might want to consider a dessert bar instead.
This trend sees couples swap the showy cake for a buffet-style arrangement of sweet treats. This means there's more room for personalisation. Think white icing is a bit passé? Serve up colourful cheesecake squares. Or cute, nostalgic mini trifles. Or dainty, fruit-laden tarts.
Another advantage is that it keeps things simple. You can skip the cake-cutting ceremony and let guests help themselves after dinner. Easy.
It's not for everyone. But if you want your wedding to feel fun, relaxed and not too serious, it's a winner.
Interactive guest experiences
More and more modern couples are moving away from traditional, passive entertainment and towards immersive, experience-led celebrations that give guests something meaningful to do.
For example, some couples are opting for reception portrait studios rather than the standard photo booth. Think professional lighting, curated backdrops, and an on-site photographer capturing stunning portraits of your guests. It's personal, breaks away from the norm, and it gives everyone a keepsake they'll want to display.
But the trend goes far beyond photography. Interactive food and drink stations are having a moment – from build-your-own cocktail bars to live cooking demonstrations. Some couples are even setting up guest art installations where visitors contribute to a collaborative canvas or sculpture. Take that, Michelangelo.
The result of interactive guest experiences? A wedding that feels less like a formal function and more like a unique celebration where everyone plays a part.
Bridgerton-themed weddings
Thank the Bridgerton effect. One of the most enchanting 2026 wedding trends is the continued rise of Regency-era romance.
But let's be clear – this isn't about costume parties or theatrical recreations. Modern Bridgerton weddings take their cue from the Netflix series' elevated aesthetic, blending period-inspired elegance with contemporary sophistication.
The hallmarks? Pastel colour palettes in soft blush pinks, lavenders and powdery blues – hues that were actually popular during the Regency era and remain timelessly elegant today. Opulent tablescapes featuring fine china, ornate silverware and dramatic floral arrangements that wouldn't look out of place at a Regency ball. And wisteria – oh, the wisteria.
We're also seeing couples embrace pearl embellishments stitched into gloves or cascading down veils, fruit and floral combinations for centrepieces, and string quartets performing modern songs with classical flair.
Perhaps the most delightful element? The Georgian details of our wedding venue in Lincolnshire provide an authentic foundation that makes Bridgerton-inspired styling feel effortless rather than forced.
Draping and venue transformation
Here's a secret we'll let you in on: you don't need to book a brand-new venue to create a completely fresh wedding aesthetic. Sometimes, all it takes is clever draping.
The beauty of draping is its versatility. Want to soften a modern industrial space? Flowing muslin or chiffon can add warmth and romance to exposed brick and steel beams. Working with a traditional ballroom that feels a touch formal? Rich velvet or silk drapes can create intimate pockets within the larger room. Planning an outdoor celebration? Draped canopies and fabric installations can define your space whilst adding an ethereal, almost dreamlike quality.
What makes this trend particularly clever is how it allows you to work with your venue's existing character whilst making it unmistakably yours. Even our Georgian architecture here at Washingborough Hall can be reimagined with strategic fabric installations that complement the period features whilst creating something entirely new.
It's a transformation without renovation.
Still looking for that dream venue?
We hope these 2026 wedding trends have given you some big ideas for your big day.
But here's the thing. While trends are fun, fresh, and inspirational, they never stand still. That's why they call them 'trends', after all.
A good venue, on the other hand, is timeless.
That's why we're sure you'll fall in love with Washingborough Hall. Our multi-award-winning Lincolnshire wedding venue has stood the test of time for more than 270 years.
Celebrate with us, and you'll write a love story for the ages. It's all here – tear-jerkingly romantic Georgian architecture, beautifully sculptured grounds, and the kind of personalised, premium service that dreams are made of.
Want to see it for yourself? It's easy to book a showround to suit your schedule. Alternatively, you can join us for one of our wedding open days, held every Wednesday from 6 pm.
We look forward to meeting you.
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