2026 Wedding Trends: How Modern Couples Are Embracing Hyper-Personalised Nuptials
In recent years, the traditional wedding format—featuring a ceremony, quick photos, a sit-down reception, and a band or DJ—has been dramatically transformed. As social media continues to escalate, modern couples are rewriting the script in favour of hyper-personalised nuptials. These celebrations now include multiple outfits, roaming canapes, immersive entertainment, and professionals dedicated to capturing on-brand content for almost immediate dissemination.
Rising Budgets and the Pursuit of Individuality
Despite cost-of-living pressures, wedding budgets have significantly increased, even as guest lists have dwindled. Perth wedding planner Vicky Rahmic estimates that in 2016, couples spent between $60,000 and $90,000 on their big day. Today, that figure has surged to $120,000-$500,000. Lauren Rowe, general manager of catering service Heyder & Shears, notes that catering costs have risen from $70-$80 per head to $110-$150 per head, reflecting a substantial increase.
However, Rahmic emphasises that this extravagant spending is not about luxury but individuality. Couples are less interested in standard packages and more focused on designing bespoke spectacles from start to finish. Where once they were concerned with getting the structure of the day right, today's engaged couples want the event to feel deeply personal to them.
The Shift in Bridal Fashion and Aesthetic Influences
Bridal fashion has evolved significantly, with multiple outfit changes becoming the norm rather than a novelty. Lisa Selman, director of local boutique Dion for Brides, explains that this trend has emerged in the last two to three years. Brides are now thinking about all moments of their wedding, from walking down the aisle to dancing and cutting the cake.
Rather than buying entirely separate gowns, many brides opt for versatile designs with removable elements, such as gloves, sleeves, boleros, overskirts, or petticoats, to customise their look throughout the night. Aesthetic influences have also shifted from the sleek silhouettes and minimalist gowns of the 2010s to drama, texture, and transformation. Period dramas like Bridgerton have fuelled a resurgence of corsets, ruffles, volume, and intricate detailing.
The Role of Social Media and Content Creation
Social media has reshaped how couples capture memories of their wedding day. Wedding photographer Charlie Octavia observes that couples now present themselves almost like a brand to the world, with a strong sense of identity, aesthetic, and narrative. This has led to a new niche for specialised behind-the-scenes content creators, focused on recording quieter, sometimes messier moments for social media trends.
Steph Audino, owner of Cin Cin Creative, notes that couples today want authenticity over perfection, with lo-fi BTS content capturing unfiltered, emotional, and honest moments. Influencers like Maxine Wylde and Jacquie Alexander have leveraged their weddings for content, generating millions of views on platforms like TikTok. Couples now block out time specifically for filming trending reels and dedicate more of the day to getting the right photos, with same-day sneak peeks becoming common.
Evolution in Food, Entertainment, and Florals
Trends in wedding food reflect guests' increased discernment, according to Olivia Ledger, general manager of caterer Mi Scusi. Formal sit-down dinners are often replaced with canapes and stand-up service, offering flexibility without sacrificing quality. Signature cocktail towers, interactive dessert moments, and non-alcoholic drink offerings are now centre-stage, catering to a more health-conscious generation.
Entertainment has become a pillar of the modern reception, with walking saxophonists, violinists, tattoo artists, fragrance bars, and illustrators adding immersive experiences. Florals have also evolved, moving away from traditional formulas to create statements through colour blocking, clustered arrangements, and sculptural installations, as noted by Elysia Tsangarides, owner of florist Maple & Wren.
The Enduring Essence of Weddings
Despite these changes, the modern wedding still revolves around the desire to mark something meaningful in front of loved ones. As couples continue to prioritise hyper-personalisation, the trends of 2026 highlight a shift towards authenticity, individuality, and social media integration, reshaping nuptials for years to come.
