New and continuing wedding trends for 2026
Bold color palettes / maximal visuals
Interactive guest experiences
Smaller, more intimate weddings (but big party after)
The biggest trend of the year is PERSONLIZATION
Seize the (wedding!) day
Every couple wants their wedding to stand out from the crowd, but that natural impulse has become a full-on trend that promises to continue full-on in the
second half of this decade. Celebrations are now being carefully crafted, becoming genuine “narratives” in which every element, including décor, entertainment, food and “vibe” that is part of a larger curated experience, but still tells a love story that fully engages the crowd.
Color your world
Vivid, eye-popping colors do more than liven up the tablescape, according to The New York Times. Vibrantly colored place settings, flowers, and linens allow a couple to not only add a spark of energy to the party but also make a highly visible statement about their own personalities. Think ruby reds and bright blues for the cooler seasons, and sunny yellows and tart oranges for the warmer months.
Classy!
Some planners call it the Bridgerton effect, but the hit TV series has inspired more than an interest in highly stylized early 19th-century romance. The show’s soundtrack of pop tunes, rearranged and performed by violins and harpsichords, is being recreated, sometimes in costume, for 21st-century weddings. The look is traditional and elegant, while the sound is up-to-date, bespoke, and romantic.
Made to (re)order
Couples are increasingly rearranging what happens and when at their weddings, and how! The traditional progression of ceremony to cocktail hour to dinner to dancing is being rearranged to align with couples’ own tastes and preferences around entertaining. Sit-down dinners are replaced by cocktail-style parties, sometimes in a lounge setting and with roaming food presentations. Much less formal but much more swank!
Be our guests.
Making a wedding an experience for guests, rather than an event they simply attend, means joyfully acknowledging their presence and participation even before the day itself. An RSVP’d “yes” that prompts a friendly note, perhaps with a detailed itinerary for the weekend and a list of local hotels, events, and places of interest, makes out-of-towners feel welcome before they even plan their trip.
Personally yours
A stronger emphasis on creating a wedding experience that is truly personal for the couple, family, and guests may be a reaction to strict adherence to formality that, while always “correct,” does not create a real sense of unity and warmth. A wedding that reflects the couple’s real-life stories, values, and relationships creates a sense of connection for everyone in the room.
Ball Event Center has the space, services, and amenities any couple needs to create wedding events that are more than custom-made, but deeply personal and unifying experiences. Start planning your Big Day with Ball Event Center – Contact Us Today!
