By Sara Perez Webber
2026 weddings are leaning into “more”: more color, more sparkle, more personalization and more fun. To see what couples are gravitating toward, CFE News asked wedding experts across the U.S. to share what they’re seeing from clients right now. We’ve rounded up their insights into eight trends that can help caterers and event pros plan for the year ahead.
A Kaleidoscope of Color
Look for vibrant hues to enhance wedding décor this year. “We’re anticipating color—and lots of it,” says Meghan Ely, owner of OFD Consulting.
“Many couples are embracing color and have extensive color palettes that span the rainbow,” confirms Kelley Nudo, client relations and operations director at Momental Designs. “Instead of calling out specific shades of color, couples are choosing a value family instead, such as rich earth tones, light and airy pastels, or vibrant jewel tones that they plan to include in their wedding designs.”
Cool Blue Takes Center Stage
When bridal clients do choose one color to highlight at their weddings, icy-blue shades are gaining favor. “We’re looking forward to seeing ‘Cool Blue’ take center stage through key wedding details, from dresses and makeup to lighting and florals,” says Jen Avey, vice president of marketing at DestinationWeddings.com. Avey points to the color’s popularity in the Pinterest Predicts 2026 report, which found searches for “ice blue wedding dress” and “blue drinks aesthetic” are up 55 percent.
Mirrorballs Everywhere
2026? It’s more like 1976 on the dance floor, where disco balls continue to add shimmer and sparkle to wedding receptions. “Mirrorballs are a great way to marry lighting and decor, as they often serve as the perfect addition to any dance floor, especially when motorized to reflect light and add a little glitz to the reception,” says Kevin Dennis, owner of Fantasy Sound Event Services.“We consistently receive requests to incorporate mirrorballs in hanging decor installations as well, with couples opting to pair them with greenery and market lights.”
Live Portraits as Take-Home Favors
As couples increasingly focus on the attendee experience—ensuring their guests are enjoying the celebration—they’re coming up with memorably personalized parting gifts. “We’re seeing a lot of people incorporating live portrait paintings,” says Alex Bovee, owner and lead planner of Vision in White Events. At the reception, guests pose for a photo that gets turned into a painting by the end of the evening. “They are super cute and a great way to entertain while also giving the guests a party favor to take home.”
Vacation Vibes
Even before the honeymoon, many couples are seeking to add a vacation ambiance to their wedding celebrations. “People seem to be craving experiences that let them escape for a moment,” says Ian Ramirez, co-owner of Madera Estates, a Houston-area wedding venue that’s inspired by San Miguel de Allende, Mexico.“Caterers, planners and all wedding pros should watch out for both entertainment and designs that blend a sense of calm and timeless romance, giving everyone a break from their day-to-day life.”
Adding that the hit HBO show The White Lotus probably contributed to this trend, Ramirez points to several examples showing up in wedding receptions:
- the refined aesthetic of a French chateau
- the Italian charm of a roaming cannoli caddy
- the Latin America-inspired “hora loca,” when the music, lighting and entertainment ramp up on the dance floor
“This elevated yet accessible style is making its way back onto mood boards because couples are looking for beauty, connection and a little bit of escapism,” adds Ramirez.
Marrying Pink and Green
Couples are gravitating toward the eye-pleasing pairing of pink and green hues in their wedding florals and decor—which often accompanies a vintage vibe. “We have been seeing a lot of this antique pink and green combo, incorporating the antique green hydrangea with pops of mauve and pink roses,” says Alex Bovee, owner and lead planner of Vision in White Events. Bovee adds that lamp styles coming on the market go well with the antique look: “Some are mixing in candelabras, too.”
More Is More
Understated is out. Instead, couples are gravitating toward bold design statements and culinary flourishes that have guests reaching for their cameras. “Maximalism will continue to dominate,” says Meghan Ely, owner of OFD Consulting. Examples include dramatic ceiling installations and “show-stopping chairs for the ceremony—something to really ‘wow’ guests as they enter the space.”
And while the champagne tower trend is “fading fast,” notes Ely, other tiered presentations are gaining steam. “We’re seeing everything from charcuterie towers to displays of oysters and desserts, such as tiramisu. Maximalist showstopping cakes are also a favorite among couples going into 2026.”
Bespoke Stationery, Elevated Details
Many couples are setting a personalized tone for their celebrations from the moment a save-the-date or invitation arrives in a guest’s mailbox. “Couples want to make sure it is clear that their stationery has a bespoke feel, and will go the extra mile to have their portraits included in their suites,” says Kelley Nudo, client relations and operations director at Momental Designs. “Venue illustrations and landscapes of the wedding locale are still a perennial favorite, but the portraiture adds an additional element of customization that many couples are looking to include.”
The subtle elegance of embossing is also on the rise, notes Nudo, and couples aren’t forgetting to add imagery to their envelope designs: “Envelope liners add to the formality of the wedding invitations, so couples are really embracing this design element for their invitation suites and using it to further support the bespoke feel they envision.”
