Wedding season is here!

As we enter the summer season, the number of weddings on the calendar skyrockets. We may wonder what to expect from these momentous events in the current wedding season. Rather than the typical ‘big white wedding,’ a massive shift has occurred in the wedding industry, with many couples ditching the classic ceremony and opting for micro-weddings or elopement.

Have huge weddings lost their charm? Or can this shift to simplicity be attributed to something else?

Considering that the average UK wedding costs over 23,000 pounds, it’s hardly jaw-dropping that major weddings are going out of style in the current economy. However, despite the expenses, the criteria for what constitutes an iconic wedding have been revised in recent years to favour a more intimate event. Rather than a ‘bigger-is-better’ perspective, the defining theme for 2026, Vogue says, is intentionality. Weddings are becoming all about authentic details: less one-size-fits-all and more tailored to the couple.

We are seeing traditional boundaries being pushed, with a private ring exchange now favourable to prolonged nuptials. Romance, rather than stress, can be the defining factor in the experience, avoiding debt for a much more personal setting. Alongside this, the rise in weddings with under 30 guests opens the doors for destination weddings: couples could live out their Mamma Mia dreams by getting married in Greece at the expense of a few plus-ones.

Despite this, décor is 2026’s key to an iconic wedding, with the shrinkage in guest list not affecting the predominance of micro trends. Overtaking the traditional ‘meringue’, bridal fashion is now all about the styling, with bomber jackets, ballerina flats, vintage veils and sunglasses competing to be the accessory of the season. Thanks to the new season of Bridgerton, the regency-era aesthetic is in, with vintage dresses striking a balance between glamour and simplicity. The contrast between lace and bold accessories is central to creating an aesthetic that fits the times: emphasising freedom in style alongside nostalgic touches.

The ‘big white wedding’ was adopted after Queen Victoria’s wedding in 1840, with the emphasis on white reflecting the importance of the bride adopting the qualities of purity and innocence. The current focus on bridal individuality is therefore important to modernise the big day alongside the changing standards for women.

Following the personalisation of dresses, dramatically tiered cakes are on the decline. The classic feature of food stations has been overtaken by giant tiramisu or doughnut towers. When there are wedding cakes, these are predominantly for only the couple to enjoy, with other desserts passed out for guests. Though this may be a budget-saving measure, it speaks towards weddings celebrating the union rather than tradition for tradition’s sake.

The goal for 2026’s weddings is storytelling; creating celebrations that say something about the couple and their union rather than the old-fashioned perfect event. Bryan Rafanelli, founder of Rafanelli Events, argued that wedding venues are now aspiring to become “a fully realised world where every detail works together”, a “transportive” experience for the guests.

On the flip side, if you are wondering what to gift the newlyweds, you may need to start brainstorming. This season, curated gift lists are out, with a preference for unique gifting. This keeps in line with the personalised wedding trends, although it also means the rise of competitive gifting: crockery may not fit the brief.

If you’re thinking of planning your own wedding this season, take a step away from societal pressure and unnecessary financial burden and do what feels right for you. Though I am not saying to do a Ross and Rachel and drunkenly elope in Vegas, your wedding day can be whatever you want it to be, whether that is a large-scale production or a decision made on the day.