2026 wedding trends: What venues and suppliers need to know

As couples continue to seek weddings that feel intentional and expressive, we are also seeing immersion as one of the 2026 wedding trends.

This year is shaping up to be a year of thoughtful design, sensory storytelling, and calm confidence.

We explore the world of Pinterest and trending colours to see the global forecast for weddings, helping you stay on the front foot. From what we know, there are a few things that are clear: weddings are moving away from excess and towards emotion, meaning, and the overall experience.

For venues, planners and suppliers, understanding these shifts early is key to staying relevant, bookable and competitive.

Here’s what’s defining weddings in 2026, and how the industry can respond.

Poetcore

Sometimes it feels like they’re just making up words now, but with the answer to modern romance being poetcore, this movement is set to resonate deeply with the 2026 couple.

What can you expect from a Poetcore couple?

• Handwritten details and calligraphy.
• Soft draping, sheer fabrics and flowing silhouettes.
• Poetic vows, personalised ceremony moments.
• Muted palettes layered with texture.

What this means for suppliers

Couples are craving emotion over perfection. Venues that offer intimate corners, soft lighting options and ceremony flexibility will shine. Suppliers who can personalise, whether through stationery, styling or ceremony experiences, will be increasingly sought after.

Neo deco: Vintage glam with a modern edge

Neo deco is all about art deco, but in a modern world. What does this mean? It’s the “everything old is new again” take on the grand opulence of yesteryear. What can you expect to see?

Sculptural shapes and statement backdrops

• Metallic accents layered with modern neutrals.
• Curved furniture, luxe materials and symmetry

What this means for suppliers

Grand staircases, a focus on architectural features, and statement bars will be all the 2026 wedding trends.

Stylists, florists and hire companies can tap into this trend with an offering of elevated tablescapes and photography that feels editorial, taken straight from the pages of a magazine.

Scent stacking

Wait, what exactly is ‘scent stacking’? It’s about layering fragrances across the day. Earlier, we mentioned that weddings are becoming experiential, a complete sensory experience. Well, weddings are no longer just looking amazing, they’re feeling and smelling completely unforgettable.

What does scent stacking look like at a wedding?

• A welcome scent on arrival.
• Florals that complement the space.
• Custom candles or diffusers for reception areas.
• Personal fragrances tied to ceremony moments.

What does this mean for suppliers?

Venues and planners have an opportunity to elevate guest experience beyond visuals. Thoughtful scent moments can be built into packages, welcome rituals or styled lounges. For suppliers, this trend opens opportunities in candles, florals, signage and even experiential branding.

Laced up

Well, it’s a match made in heaven: weddings and lace. Perhaps the industry where lace never took a back seat, it’s coming out the doors strong as a 2026 wedding trend. But, like any cycle of trend, the 2026 wedding trends have been modernised, and lace… well, it’s no different.

The 2026 version of lace is modern, tactile and unexpected:

• Textural table linens.
• Lace-inspired stationery and signage.
• Fashion-forward bridal looks with layered detail.

What does this mean for suppliers

Texture photographs incredibly well, making it a powerful tool for marketing. Venues can showcase lace and fabric styling in shoots, while hire and styling suppliers can lean into tactile details that add depth without overpowering a space.

The colours of the year

Each year, Pantone announces their colours of the year, which we start to see trickle through homewares, fashion, architecture, and interiors.

This year, blue will be making waves.

• Pantone’s Cloud Dancer (11-4201): a serene, airy white that symbolises calm, reflection and softness.
• WGSN’s Transformative Teal: a blue-green hue representing change, balance and renewal
• Dulux’s 2026 indigo shades: grounding, nature-inspired blues designed to soothe and restore

Together, they reflect a broader shift towards tranquil, grounding palettes.

What this means for suppliers

Couples are moving away from stark whites and bold contrasts in favour of softness and serenity. Venues can lean into neutral backdrops, layered blues and calming tones in styling imagery. Suppliers should consider how these hues translate into florals, linens, stationery, lighting and signage.

The 2026 couple

Across all trends, one theme stands out: intentionality.

Couples want:

• Experiences over extravagance.
• Personal meaning over tradition for tradition’s sake.
• Calm, immersive environments that feel considered and emotional.

For venues and suppliers, this means:

• Flexibility is a selling point.
• Personalisation is no longer a “nice to have”.
• Sensory details can set businesses apart.

To stay ahead, wedding businesses should consider:

• Refreshing imagery to reflect softer palettes and layered textures.
• Updating packages to allow more customisation.
• Highlighting experience-led features, not just inclusions.
• Partnering with like-minded planners and suppliers to deliver cohesive, on-trend weddings.

The couples of 2026 aren’t looking for more, they’re looking for meaning. And the businesses that understand that shift will be the ones booking confidently into the future.

Wanting to meet more 2026 couples? Over 80% of Australian couples will use Easy Weddings in their planning, it’s time to meet them where they are. Sign up today.