The year 2026 is all about intimate family celebrations with limited guest lists to create a more exclusive and immersive experience. The guests’ experience has never been such a priority. Couples are designing celebrations that tell both their own and their guests’ stories, using decoration, food, and outfits to turn ceremonies in 2026 into unforgettable experiences.
How to organise your wedding in 2026?
The goal is to spend as much time as possible with your guests. Instead of a traditional succession of highlights, receptions are embracing a continuous, immersive rhythm, while couples opt for intimate, personal pre-wedding dinners spread across several days.
Emotions and sincere connections take on even greater importance: intimate speeches, authentic wedding rituals, and spatial organisation that brings people together. Couples want less ‘staging’ and more emotion.
Intimate and personalised decoration
Because every wedding is unique, designers craft the decoration from the couple’s own memories and anecdotes. With personalised details, bespoke illustrations and hand-painted signage, the wedding ceremony becomes a unique event where guests can reminisce about tender moments spent together.
With sculptural LED installations, floating candles and wall projections, lighting has become a central element in creating an immersive sensory atmosphere. As for wall decorations, drapery is all the rage. Luxurious fabrics hanging from the ceiling, canvas decorations and airy canopies transform any space into a dreamlike and elegant setting.
Choices are also leaning towards eco-friendly options such as local flowers, recycled or upcycled decorations, and digital invitations which are essential for couples keen to reduce their impact.Couples are ditching paper guest books in favour of audio versions, using guests’ voice messages in everything from wedding videos to personalised newspapers featuring crossword puzzles and quizzes.
Meals on a human scale
After lavish buffets and extravagant decorations, a new trend is reinventing the art of entertaining: show cooking. This popular activity, where chefs prepare dishes in front of guests, creates a memorable atmosphere and adds a sensory dimension to the reception. This trend allows couples to make their wedding convivial while offering original culinary creations.
At the same time, it’s time to rethink scale, particularly for desserts. Rather than opting for monumental and overly formal creations, couples are choosing smaller, sculptural cakes that showcase expressive design and aesthetics. Asymmetry, deliberate imperfections, low and elongated silhouettes. As a result, cakes are evolving into shapes that resemble works of art rather than traditional cut-out designs. The result is more intimate, thoughtful and just as elegant.
Pastels and a play of textures make all the difference
The key colours for 2026 are pale blue and pale green. Pastel colours are timeless. Perfect for floral arrangements, decoration and stationery, these subtle shades combined with monochrome details bring calm, sophistication and a real touch of modernism.
To enhance the monochrome and pale blue or green combination, the styling tip is to mix textures. Satin ribbons, velvet table runners or light tablecloths added to metallic touches (brushed silver or gold) offer a refined finish. Together, these elements create contrast and a dramatic touch on a soft and elegant pastel base.
A natural and assertive dress code
Textured fabrics and flowing cuts define today’s fashion trends. The wedding dress is feminine, assertive and perfectly suited to the bride’s personality. For the groom, suits are comfortable and natural, favouring soft cuts and organic tones. In this wardrobe, white is nuanced. Ivory, champagne, nude pink, and delicate transparencies define a softer, more modern palette.
Beyond all else, it is also a time to celebrate natural beauty. Minimalism is truly becoming a way of life in the world of weddings. It enchants couples in search of authenticity, who want to experience their wedding as a return to basics. Meanwhile, simple hairstyles are also at their peak in 2026.
Have the wedding of your dreams with us
2026 will be a year full of expression: intimate moments, personalised decoration, culinary experiences and the use of technology will allow you to create an authentic atmosphere that reflects who you are. Ready to write your own emotional story?
The Woodford Dolmen Hotel is the ideal venue to celebrate such an important date. Whether your style is traditional, modern, or a seamless blend of both, by choosing our curated packages, you’ll be able to turn your vision into reality.. We design every detail around your preferences, creating moments that feel truly personal.
From the first course through to the last, and with every carefully considered detail in between, we deliver exceptional service, ensuring an unforgettable culinary experience for you and your guests.
Speak to our dedicated wedding team today on (059) 914 2002 or email [email protected]