Wedding Trends for 2026: What’s Hot & How to Make It Yours

Let’s be honest, trends come and go, but the best weddings are the ones that feel like you. That said, we do love keeping an eye on what’s coming up, not to follow the crowd, but to spark ideas that help you skip the cookie-cutter stuff and create something truly yours.

If you’re planning a wedding for 2026 (or helping someone who is), here are a few fresh trends we’re loving, and easy ways to make them work for your own celebration, especially if you’re dreaming of a laid-back, nature-inspired or DIY wedding weekend like the ones we love hosting at The Hideout.

1. The Wedding Weekend Is Here to Stay

This one’s not just a passing trend, it’s a total shift in how people celebrate. More couples are ditching the one-day rush and booking full weekends instead. And no, we’re not saying this just because we offer accommodation, it’s because weekends give you space to actually enjoy it all.

Make it yours: Look for venues (like the Hideout!) where you’ve got the whole place to yourself. Spread out the festivities with welcome drinks, long-table dinners, games, recovery brunches, riverside hangs… and time to just be with the people you love. It’s like a mini holiday with your favourites.

2. Sustainability, But Make It Simple

Eco-conscious weddings aren’t just a “thing”, just like with everything else we do, eco is becoming the norm. We’re seeing more couples go for locally-sourced food, reusable or hired décor, and second-hand outfits.

Make it yours: Use native flowers, forage from your garden (or your local park, like I did), and check out op-shops for styling gems. Hire what you can and work with local suppliers, it’s better for the planet and your budget.

3. Unplugged & Present Moments

Weddings are leaning more toward presence over posting. Couples are creating screen-free ceremonies and carving out chill zones where people can actually connect.

Make it yours: Add a friendly note in your invite or a cute sign at your ceremony asking guests to put phones away. Set up a few quiet spots, picnic rugs, benches under trees, or a seat by the firepit, where people can soak it all in.

4. Editorial-Style Photos, Without the Fuss

Overly posed shots are out. More natural, “in-the-moment” photography is in. You want to look back and feel the vibe, not remember how long you were told to stand in that one spot.

Make it yours: If your budget can’t stretch to a pro, we’ve all got those few friends who are amazing with their phones, ask them to help out as their wedding gift to you. You’ll end up with a whole bunch of real, candid moments. Plus, you’ll look more natural since you’re comfortable around them.

5. All the Personal Touches

2026 is all about making your day feel unique to you, from the décor to the drinks to the dancefloor.

Make it yours: Write your own vows. Create signature cocktails. Make your own signage or keepsakes. Add personal notes to your table settings. Use a family recipe in the menu. It’s your day, tell your story.

6. Bold Colours & Playful Styling

Think warm terracottas, deep greens, peachy pinks or even moody jewel tones. And styling? Less matchy-matchy, more fun and free.

Make it yours: Add colour through linen napkins, mixed glassware, or wildflowers in old bottles. Let the area speak for itself and let your wedding party wear different shades that suit them. It’ll feel more relaxed, and the photos will pop.

7. Let the Space Set the Flow

Gone are the days of one big room with assigned seating. Now it’s about moving through spaces, ceremony under the gums, drinks on the lawn, dinner under the stars, dancing by the fire.

Make it yours: The Hideout has a bit of everything, undercover spaces, the treehouse, lawns, a firepit, river access. Use it how it suits you. Let guests wander, relax and enjoy the setting at their own pace.

8. Comfort Food with a Twist

Forget formal sit-down dinners if that’s not your style. Long-table feasts, grazing boards, pizza vans, BBQ spreads, anything that brings people together, fills them up, and keeps things moving.

Make it yours: Work with a local caterer who gets your vibe. Love tacos? Have a taco night. Obsessed with homemade pasta? Add it in. Your food should feel like home.

9. Entertainment That Feels Like You

Yes, DJs and bands are still going strong, but couples are mixing it up with acoustic sets, Spotify playlists, lawn games, karaoke, even mini concerts by muso mates.

Make it yours: Ask friends to add songs to your dance playlist. Hire a local duo to play at golden hour. Or bring in something unexpected. I did a few things but the most popular one was a surprise Flemish medley I had a friend make for me (surprise surprise I am Belgian). Everyone, even all the Aussies went crazy on the dancefloor. Still one of my favourite moments.  

In the End… It’s About You

Trends are just ideas. What matters is that your wedding feels real, relaxed and you. Whether you go all-out with bold styling or keep it stripped back and simple, trust your gut.

And if you’re dreaming of a wedding that’s relaxed, real and a little off the beaten path? Come visit us at The Hideout. We’ve got river access, firepits, stars, space and time, and we’d love to help you create something truly yours.