Wedding Trends Worth Saying “I Do” To

Trends come and go. Sometimes they disappear so fast it’s like they were never here (remember burlap and mason jars in the 2010s?). Pampas grass had its moment. We all collectively decided we hated the 2026 Pantone color of the year…that one lasted about 3 seconds. But some “trends” are really just good ideas that finally caught on. The kind that help you enjoy your day more, connect with the people you love, and take a little pressure off. I asked a few of my favorite wedding vendors (a planner, a florist, and a venue coordinator) what trends they hope never go away. Here’s what they said, plus one of my own.

First Looks

Jacquee Gibson Billups of Powell’s Bouquet, an Alabama-based florist, had this to say about first looks:

I know it can be a hot topic in our industry, but I’ll admit it…I adore a ‘first look.’ Tradition has its place, of course, but there’s something so special about spending your entire wedding day together instead of just a few hours after the ceremony. I often have couples with 6:00 pm ceremonies, and without a first look, they only get about four hours side by side on their wedding day, and that’s just not enough in my opinion! Plus, a private first look often feels more genuine; it gives space for real emotion without the pressure of a crowd. While I’ll always respect and honor each couple’s wishes, I personally believe that tradition for tradition’s sake isn’t always the best reason to hold back from such a meaningful, potentially intimate, moment.

I couldn’t agree more. Portrait time with the bride and groom is hands down my favorite part of the day, and I especially love the moment when the groom sees his bride for the first time. If I could photograph first looks all day long, I would! When we got married in 2010, first looks weren’t as common as they are now, and I never really considered it as an option. One of my biggest regrets from our wedding day is that we didn’t really get to enjoy the day together, and I wish we had more portraits of just the two of us. I wanted that “big reveal” moment, but I didn’t stop to think that I might have actually preferred it to be private. Just the two of us, without the pressure of a room full of people watching.

Private Last Dances

Katy Dismukes of Southern Celebration Events, a wedding planner serving Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, and Florida, loves this trend:

I am loving the private last dance trend! If it’s something you want documented, you can have a photographer or videographer or content creator document it for a few moments, then have them step out and have a truly private moment to enjoy the last moments of a day they worked months and years to be in the making. 

There’s something really beautiful about bookending the day with private moments… a first look in the morning and a last dance at night. One of my favorite moments from the 2025 wedding season happened at the very end of a beautiful wedding day. After the send-off, my bride and groom came back inside and had a quiet moment together in the empty candlelit room. It was the most peaceful and romantic moment of what was already a perfect day. I love being able to document a few moments like that, then quietly step away and let the couple have it for themselves.

Mismatched Bridesmaid Dresses

Kaleigh Barkley, a venue coordinator at Overlook Farms on Lake Martin, hopes this one sticks around:

I’d love to see mismatched bridesmaid dresses stay forever. Letting each person choose a style that flatters them not only looks beautiful in photos, but it helps everyone feel confident and comfortable all day long.

From a photography perspective, this makes such a difference. When bridesmaids feel good in what they’re wearing, it shows. They stand taller, smile more genuinely, and aren’t fidgeting with straps or tugging at fabric. And honestly? The variety looks stunning in photos. Mixing solids and florals, or letting each person choose a color that flatters their skin tone, adds visual interest while still feeling cohesive. I don’t see this one going away anytime soon, and honestly I hope it doesn’t. It lets each person’s personality come through, and that always shows up in the photos.

Private Vows

This is the trend I hope never goes away. Private vows give couples a chance to connect with each other before the ceremony. A moment to slow down, stop rushing through the “to-do” list, and remember what who they’re really there for. It gives them flexibility to see each other or not, but helps with nerves even if they only hold hands around a doorway. And it gives them a chance to share thoughts and promises that might feel too tender or personal to share publicly.

Private vows typically happen before the ceremony, during a first look or first touch. It’s usually just the two of them, plus a photographer and videographer. I try to use a longer lens so they can have some space, which allows their words some privacy while I’m still there.

Just like the other trends, this one is about the couple actually enjoying their wedding day. Exchanging private vows brings the focus back to what the day is actually about and gives them space to feel it together. Sometimes grooms who feel a little nervous about public emotional displays will actually feel a little more freedom to “feel” their feelings in this moment. From a photography standpoint, those are the moments when the most beautiful, genuine images are created.

Wedding Trends That Are More Than Just Trends

When you look at these four trends together, one thing is clear. They’re about creating personal moments of connection with the people you love. Slowing down, being present, and prioritizing what actually matters. First looks, private vows, private last dances, letting your bridesmaids feel like themselves… these aren’t just trends. They’re reminders that your wedding day is about celebrating the people you love and the life you’re building together.

And that? That’s always going to be timeless.

Interested in having these kinds of moments documented on your wedding day? Learn more about my wedding collections here.

Like what you read? Connect with the vendors here:
Katy Dismukes, Southern Celebration Events: @southern_celebration
Jacquee Gibson, Powell’s Bouquet: @powellsbouquet
Kaleigh Barkley, Overlook Farms: @overlook_farms