Wedding Trends for 2025 & 2026: Inspiration for Your Dream Day

January 9, 2025

Planning a wedding for 2025 or 2026? Congratulations on embarking on the exciting chapter of wedding planning! 💍 As you start dreaming up what your perfect day will be, here’s some inspiration on the latest wedding trends. 

1. Chic Hairstyles: Tight Buns Are Here to Stay

Say hello to sleek, polished updos. The tight bun, whether a smooth ballet bun or a slicked-back chignon, channels old-money luxury and timeless sophistication. Plus, these styles hold up through hours of celebration and look flawless in every photo.

2. Edible Favors & Late-Night Snacks

Skip the keepsakes and delight your guests with edible treats they’ll love. Late-night comfort food stations—like sliders, pretzels, or breakfast sandwiches—are a hit during the celebration. Consider unique ways to incorporate food into your details like a pasta wall seating chart, or personalized jars of maple syrup. Seasonal sweets, such as apple cider donuts or hot chocolate kits, also make for memorable (and delicious) parting gifts.

3. Wedding Content Creators

Pink Bridesmaid Dresses Surrounding Bride for a photo in the Crossed Keys Estate Playhouse

Capturing those behind-the-scenes moments has never been more important. With the rise of TikTok and Instagram reels, couples are craving authentic content and hiring wedding content creators to document their day in real time. Whether it’s capturing behind-the-scenes candid moments or polished highlights for social media, this trend is in high demand.

4. Bows: Bigger and Better

Bows are making their way into every detail, from dresses to candles and even glassware. While they started as neutral accents, bows are now appearing in vibrant colors, adding a whimsical, luxe touch to wedding aesthetics.

5. Farm-to-Table Florals & Sustainability

Sustainability is increasingly popular, especially in floral design. Repurposing ceremony florals for the reception—using aisle markers as centerpieces or ceremony arches for the sweetheart table—is a simple way to reduce waste and save money while creating a cohesive look. 

Across the estate grounds, we grow and harvest a variety of local seasonal blooms and frequently incorporate them into our designs, to create a fresh farm-to-table natural touch to your wedding day. For an even more meaningful touch, consider coordinating with family members to have your wedding flowers donated to a local nursing home or hospital after your celebration. 

6. Embracing Your Culture & Creating New Traditions

Couples are honoring their heritage and fusing cultural traditions into their day, creating meaningful experiences for themselves and their guests. Whether it’s a tea ceremony, a breaking of the glass, or traditional dances, these elements honor your roots while uniting loved ones in a shared celebration of culture and love.

In addition to incorporating heritage, many couples are forgoing traditional wedding norms to create their own meaningful rituals. Gender-neutral bridal parties, getting ready together, or writing private vows are just a few ways couples are personalizing their day.

7. Vibrant Color Palettes

Muted tones are out—bold, vibrant hues are in. Midnight blue, funky fuchsia, deep orange sunsets, and earthy chartreuse greens are making waves. Incorporate these shades into florals, linens, or even invitation suites for a celebration that exudes energy and personality. Explore the latest trending colors and how to incorporate them into your wedding palette. 

8. Choreographed Dances

Couples are turning their first dance into a fun, show-stopping moment with choreographed routines. Whether it’s a unique parent dance or a custom routine, practicing together creates special bonding moments and adds excitement to wedding prep. Skip the traditional sway and take lessons for a polished, unforgettable performance!

9. Film Photography

There’s something magical about the imperfections and nostalgia of film photography. Couples are requesting photographers to capture their weddings on film, an authentic developing trend with timeless results. Film photos add an extra layer of romance, making these images cherished heirlooms.

10. Champagne Towers & Whimsical Details

Timeless and glamorous, champagne towers are making a big splash as photo-worthy moments. Pair them with whimsical details like bold florals, dramatic draping, and colorful accents to create a magical, modern wedding aesthetic.

11. Personalized Everything

Weddings are evolving into deeply personal experiences where every detail previews a part of the couple’s personality. Custom napkins, bespoke vows, signature cocktails, and tailored decor are making weddings feel deeply personal. These thoughtful touches ensure your day is a true reflection of your unique love story.

12. Bottle Service Bridal Party Entrances

Bring VIP energy to your entrance with a bottle service-inspired twist! Personalize the moment with creative signs and your favorite high-energy song to hype the crowd and kick off the celebration in style.

Pro Tip: Have your DJ or band invite guests to circle the dancefloor before your entrance. This ensures everyone has the perfect view and makes it easy to get onto the dancefloor after your first dance.

13. Pets as Part of the Celebration

For dog lovers, incorporating your furry friends into the big day is a growing trend. Whether they’re part of the ceremony or featured in subtle details like napkins and cake toppers, your pets can add a heartwarming personal touch.

Planning your wedding is an exciting experience filled with endless possibilities to make your special day truly your own. At Crossed Keys Estate, we love helping couples personalize every detail of their special day. Located in beautiful Andover, NJ, our stunning estate makes the perfect backdrop for your unique wedding celebration. From our in-house coordination and catering to expert event decor services, our team is dedicated to helping you personalize every detail, so your wedding reflects your love story perfectly. Whether you’re envisioning bold color palettes or timeless traditions, we’ll help you bring your dream wedding to life with ease and elegance.

Contact us today to schedule a tour of the estate and let’s create an extraordinary experience together!

 

 

Photography Credits

Longbrook Photography

Emerlin Photo & Films

Wild Cotton Photography

Grace Torres Photo

Lauren Allmond Photo

Jenelle Kappe Photography

SJ Del Priore Photo & Film

Pat Furey Photo

Elle Studios