Wedding Trends We're Expecting to see in 2026

Photo by: Kate Thompson

A Charleston Perspective

Charleston has always done weddings a little differently — timeless, intentional, and rooted in experience. As we look ahead to 2026, couples are leaning into design choices that feel elevated yet effortless, traditional yet unexpected. These are the trends we’re seeing take shape and fully expect to define the year ahead.

Curved Tables & Softer Layouts

In true Charleston fashion, formality is loosening — but elegance remains. Couples are moving away from rigid, straight banquet lines and embracing curved and serpentine tables that create a softer, more natural flow. These layouts feel welcoming rather than formal, encouraging conversation and connection across the table.

Curved tables work beautifully in courtyards, under sailcloth tents, and within historic interiors, where they complement the architecture instead of competing with it. The movement they create adds visual interest without overwhelming the design, allowing florals, linens, and place settings to feel intentional and balanced. The result is a reception that feels thoughtful and relaxed, with an ease that reflects how guests actually gather and interact.

Bridal Fashion

Bridal fashion in 2026 is leaning into clean lines and elevated structure. High-neck gowns, halters, and tailored silhouettes feel especially at home in Charleston, where timeless style has always been valued. These designs are classic and understated, modest in the most beautiful way, and effortlessly chic without feeling severe.

We’re also seeing the rise of the basque waist — a waistline that dips slightly in the front, creating a subtle V shape that elongates the torso and adds a touch of modern elegance. In lightweight, breathable fabrics, this silhouette is especially well-suited for Lowcountry celebrations. It offers ease of movement while maintaining a refined, structured presence, balancing romantic detail with a quietly confident, contemporary edge. The basque waist feels both timeless and fresh, making it a perfect choice for brides who want a look that is classic yet distinctly of-the-moment.

Adding scarves, capes, and detachable overskirts gives couples new ways to elevate their look while remaining practical and comfortable. Flowing silk scarves can be draped over shoulders for a romantic, ethereal touch, while capes offer drama and movement that look stunning in photos without overpowering the gown’s clean lines. These accessories make it easy to transform a look from ceremony to reception, adding versatility, warmth, and a quietly bold sense of style to every moment.

Photo by: Kate Thompson | Dress Designer: Elizabeth Henry Bride

Multi-Day Celebrations That Feel Like Hosting

Charleston couples have always understood the art of hospitality, and 2026 weddings reflect that in a more considered way. Rather than centering everything around a single moment, couples are creating multi-day experiences that feel generous and unhurried. Welcome parties, oyster roasts, and farewell brunches are becoming just as important as the wedding day itself.

These gatherings give couples the chance to truly host their guests, spending real time together instead of rushing through a packed schedule. There’s space for conversation, shared meals, and small moments that often become the most remembered. Each event carries its own rhythm and intention, but together they create a weekend that feels cohesive, personal, and deeply thoughtful — rooted in place and centered on connection.

Elevated Lounge Spaces

High-end lounge moments are taking center stage as couples rethink how guests experience the space. Instead of focusing solely on tables and the dance floor, thoughtfully designed lounges create places to pause, connect, and settle in.

Layered furniture, textured linens, soft lighting, and collected details give these areas the feeling of a well-designed living room rather than a temporary event setup. They feel relaxed but considered — inviting guests to linger with a drink, have meaningful conversations, and move through the evening at an unhurried pace. This emphasis on comfort and atmosphere is a hallmark of any great Charleston gathering, and in 2026, it’s becoming a defining element of the celebration.

Photo by:Aaron and Jillian Photography

Film Photography & Videography

Film photography continues to resonate with couples drawn to nostalgia and authenticity. There’s something about film that feels especially fitting here — it isn’t perfect, and that’s the point. Film is warm, emotive, and timeless in a way that feels honest rather than curated.

In 2026, couples aren’t chasing flawless images or overly polished moments. They’re focused on preserving feeling, movement, and memory. Film allows space for imperfection — for soft focus, light leaks, and unexpected moments that feel real. The result is imagery that feels lived-in and emotional, like a memory rather than a snapshot.

More than anything, film slows things down. Each frame is intentional, which mirrors how couples want to experience their day: present, connected, and grounded. These photographs aren’t about trends — they’re about legacy.

Intimate Ceremonies

We’re seeing a clear shift toward smaller, more intimate ceremonies, often with immediate family only. The ceremony itself becomes quieter, more intentional, and deeply personal — less performative, more meaningful.

By keeping this part of the day intimate, couples create space for presence. Every guest matters. Every moment is felt. Vows are shared without distraction, and the ceremony becomes something sacred rather than staged.

After the ceremony, the guest list expands. More friends and loved ones are invited to join for drinks, dinner, and dancing — turning the evening into a shared celebration. The intimacy of the ceremony gives the rest of the day its emotional foundation, while the reception becomes a place for connection, joy, and movement.

Vibrant Touches

For 2026, Island Citrus has been named the official wedding color of the year — and it’s easy to see why. This bright, sun-kissed hue brings warmth, energy, and optimism, making it a perfect choice for couples looking to infuse joy and personality into their celebration.

As the color of the year, Island Citrus isn’t just a trend — it’s a statement of celebration. Whether used in florals, table accents, bridesmaids’ dresses, or stationery, it creates moments that feel lively and memorable without overpowering the overall design. Pairing it with soft neutrals allows couples to balance vibrant color with timeless elegance, giving each wedding a polished, thoughtful feel.

In Charleston weddings, Island Citrus glows against historic architecture, moody interiors, and lush outdoor spaces, helping couples honor tradition while confidently embracing a color that is distinctly 2026.

Final Thoughts

Charleston weddings in 2026 feel thoughtful, warm, and beautifully lived-in — less about spectacle for spectacle’s sake, and more about creating spaces that feel inviting, intentional, and personal. We’re seeing design choices that soften formality and encourage connection: curved tables that invite conversation, classic silhouettes that feel timeless rather than trendy, and layered textures and palettes that add depth and soul. Multi-day celebrations are becoming the norm, allowing couples to slow the pace and truly savor time with their people, while moody, atmospheric design brings a sense of romance and place that feels distinctly Charleston.

At the heart of it all is a quiet confidence. Couples are honoring tradition not by copying the past, but by reinterpreting it — choosing what resonates, letting go of what doesn’t, and trusting their own sense of style and hospitality. As always, the most memorable weddings aren’t defined by what’s trending. They’re remembered for how they feel: when guests linger a little longer, conversations stretch into the evening, and the celebration unfolds in a way that feels generous, joyful, and genuinely lived in.