Calling all late-2025 and 2026 brides! Keep reading for a leading event planner’s expert insights on upcoming trends.
Cameron Forbes of Forbes Functions has years of experience working in New York planning everything from dinner parties to multi-day events. Now she’s using her expertise to give you an inside look on upcoming trends.
Food as Decor
Gone are the days when florals were the only way to dress a table. This year, food itself is becoming the centerpiece—literally. Think sculptural fruit arrangements, edible flowers woven into grazing tables, and butter boards that double as art installations. Towers of oysters and caviar bumps bring texture, elegance, and wow-factor, making your cocktail hour as Instagrammable as it is delicious.
Pro tip: Use layered textiles and artisan boards to add dimension and style to your food stations.
Content-First Events
Modern weddings are designed with the feed in mind. From bathroom mirrors with cheeky quotes to outfit-change stations and behind-the-scenes TikTok areas, today’s couples are embracing events that look as good as they feel. Expect to see ring light corners, curated photo backdrops, and surprise moments designed to be captured and shared.
What’s hot: Personalized content booths or signage that encourages guests to create and post in real time.
Experiential Entertainment
Forget passive seating—2025 weddings are about doing. Whether it’s a live painter creating guest portraits in real-time or a permanent jewelry artist offering custom-fit keepsakes, couples are investing in interactive elements that leave lasting memories. Expect guests to stay longer—and talk about it for weeks.
Hyper-Personalization
Today’s weddings go beyond monogrammed napkins. We’re talking full-scale personalization: mood-based playlists generated by AI, décor tailored to guest preferences, and performance art customized to tell the couple’s love story. The goal? To make each guest feel seen and each moment feel intentional.
Unexpected twist: A custom scent diffused through the event space to evoke a specific memory or mood.
Wellness Integration
Even the most high-energy parties are carving out time for peace. Enter: the wellness wedding. From meditation lounges and aromatherapy stations to elevated mocktail bars, couples are acknowledging that not everyone wants to go all night—and that’s okay.
Love this vibe? Create a dedicated “reset” space with plush seating, calming sounds, and non-alcoholic craft drinks.
Nostalgia with a Twist
Retro is back, but it’s had a glow-up. Think 70s-inspired disco décor with luxe velvet accents or elevated versions of your grandma’s party favorites—hello, truffle deviled eggs and smoked prawn cocktails. It’s about honoring the past while fully embracing the now.
Bonus points: Blend old-school vibes with futuristic tech for the ultimate past-meets-present feel.
Tech Integration
Tech is seamlessly woven into the wedding day more than ever. From automated cocktail machines that pour your signature drink to synchronized sound-and-light shows powered by smart speakers, tech-savvy couples are raising the bar—and the vibe.
One standout idea: An audio guestbook where your attendees can leave you and your spouse a message!
In 2025, the best weddings don’t follow rules—they tell stories. Whether that story is told through edible florals, AI music, or a quiet space to breathe, the key is making it yours. These trends aren’t about keeping up—they’re about creating connection, sparking joy, and celebrating love in a way that feels uniquely you.
If you are planning a wedding in Roanoke, Richmond, Fredericksburg/Northern Virginia, The Shenandoah Valley, Coastal Virginia, or Charlottesville/ Lynchburg, Virginia, we can help with your wedding planning and ideas.
