Top Wedding Trends for 2025 & 2026: What’s Next in Wedding Style?
As we look ahead to 2025 and 2026, weddings are evolving with fresh trends that reflect modern couples’ desires for personalization, elegance, and timeless beauty. Whether you’re planning a grand affair or an intimate celebration, these upcoming wedding trends will shape the industry in the next few years.
As a Dallas-Fort Worth wedding photographer, I’ve already seen couples leaning into some of these styles, and I can’t wait to see them fully take over. If you’re looking for inspiration for your big day, here’s what’s trending in weddings for 2025 and 2026.
1. Monochrome Wedding Color Palettes
Monochrome is one of the biggest wedding color trends emerging for 2025 and 2026. Instead of mixing multiple colors, couples are choosing one color in varying shades and textures to create a bold yet cohesive aesthetic.
Think all-white weddings with different textures, moody all-black themes, or romantic blush-on-blush palettes. This trend makes wedding decor feel polished, modern, and ultra-luxurious.
📸 Photography Tip: A monochrome color scheme allows for timeless, elegant photos with a beautifully cohesive look.
Want to see how color palettes affect wedding photography? Check out my portfolio for inspiration.
For more color inspiration, visit The Knot’s Wedding Color Trends.
2. Architectural & Minimalist Wedding Venues
Gone are the days of over-the-top ballrooms—couples in 2025 & 2026 are embracing modern, architectural spaces with clean lines, neutral tones, and minimalist elegance. Think gallery-style venues, modern museums, and luxury private estates that allow the couple’s styling to take center stage.
This trend works perfectly with the monochrome color palette trend, allowing textures and shapes to create visual interest rather than excessive decor.
📸 Photography Tip: Architectural wedding venues provide a stunning natural backdrop, allowing for elegant, editorial-style portraits that feel effortlessly chic.
[Internal Link]: Looking for a venue with stunning architecture? Check out my guide to the best wedding venues in Dallas-Fort Worth.
[External Link]: See how Vogue features this trend in their article on modern wedding venue styles here.
3. Editorial Wedding Posing & High-Fashion Photography
Couples are stepping away from stiff, traditional posing in favor of high-fashion, editorial wedding photography. Inspired by runway campaigns and vintage film photography, this trend prioritizes elegant movement, asymmetry, and artistic composition over overly posed smiles.
📸 Photography Tip: If you love the Vogue-style editorial look, choose a photographer who understands fashion-inspired posing, movement-based shots, and soft, natural light.
My wedding photography blends editorial elegance with natural storytelling—check out my portfolio for inspiration.
Vogue features editorial wedding photography as a major shift in modern wedding aesthetics—read more here.
Read more about different photo-style wedding photography from Brides.
4. Private Last Dance Instead of a Grand Exit
Instead of a grand sparkler send-off, couples are opting for an intimate last dance as the reception winds down. This private moment allows the couple to reflect on the day, soak it all in, and have a final special moment together before the celebration ends.
📸 Photography Tip: A private last dance makes for some of the most emotional and romantic wedding photos—think moody lighting, soft moments, and true love captured on camera.
5. Sustainable & Eco-Friendly Weddings
More couples are making eco-conscious decisions for their weddings, from sustainable florals and locally sourced catering to minimizing waste with digital invitations and eco-friendly decor. Some are even opting for re-wearable wedding attire and thrifted decor for a stylish and sustainable approach. In this we are seeing a lot more home / backyard weddings.
📸 Photography Tip: Outdoor and nature-focused venues align beautifully with sustainable weddings, creating stunning backdrops of natural beauty.
Learn more about sustainable wedding planning from Green Wedding Shoes.
6. Weekday Weddings on the Rise
As demand for wedding venues and vendors increases, weekday weddings are becoming a more popular choice for couples looking to save money and secure their dream venue. A weekday wedding can offer more flexibility and availability while often being more budget-friendly.
Bonus? Your top-choice photographer and vendors are more likely to be available!
📸 Photography Tip: Weekday weddings tend to be more relaxed, creating a stress-free environment for the couple, guests, and photography experience.
Thinking about a weekday wedding? Let’s chat about your photography needs here.
7. Statement Wedding Cakes & Dessert Displays
Forget traditional tiered cakes—sculptural cakes, bold colors, and artistic designs will dominate weddings in 2025 & 2026. Couples are also expanding their dessert tables with unique options like mini cakes, macaron towers, and gourmet donut walls for a more interactive guest experience.
📸 Photography Tip: A stunning cake display adds personality to your reception photos and creates a perfect focal point for detail shots.
Want inspiration for wedding detail photography? Check out my blog on must-have wedding photos.
8. Second Looks & Non-Traditional Wedding Attire
More couples are switching up their wedding day outfits, opting for a second look or choosing non-traditional wedding attire like colorful gowns, sleek jumpsuits, and custom suits. This trend allows for personalization and a change in vibe between ceremony and reception.
📸 Photography Tip: A second look offers a new set of fun, dynamic photos—perfect for getting casual, playful shots on the dance floor.
Final Thoughts: The Future of Weddings in 2025 & 2026
The upcoming wedding seasons are all about modern elegance, personal expression, and refined simplicity. Whether you're drawn to monochrome styling, editorial photography, or intimate micro-luxury weddings, these trends prove that 2025 & 2026 weddings will be more intentional, stylish, and timeless than ever.
📸 Photography Tip: Your wedding photography should reflect your personality and vision—whether that's classic, high-fashion, or documentary-style storytelling.
Let’s Capture Your Wedding Story
If you’re planning your wedding in Dallas-Fort Worth and want a photographer who can bring your vision to life, let’s chat!
Book your consultation here and let’s create something unforgettable.