New York City Wedding Planners Share Their Point of View

Being a wedding planner is truly a calling. It requires a high level of empathy, clarity, commitment, and a deep desire to help love be celebrated in its best form. Planners spend countless hours talking with couples, exploring their stories and preferences, listening carefully, and then turning those insights into action making them palpable reality. This unique interaction with modern couples, combined with executing ideas of varying complexity, gives wedding planners an exceptional perspective on what’s happening in the industry—insights that are fascinating to understand.

At a recent event for wedding professionals in New York, the brilliant photographer Twah Dougherty interviewed planners to find out which trends or styles they love, which ones they’d like to see less of, and what design or other solutions they recommend couples try and why.

Photo: Freda Banks, Planner: Le Petit Privé

Before diving into their answers, it’s worth noting a fascinating insight about the very idea of “trends.” Xin Huang, founder of Le Petit Privé and host of NYC Soirée, explains: “The word ‘trend’ doesn’t really land with modern young couples. We discuss it more in terms of a mindset, an experiential mindset. It’s about what’s happening more often with this generation. Most of my clients are looking for a feeling rather than a specific item or idea. They’re not focused on, ‘I saw this, I must have it,’ especially if it doesn’t fit their wedding.”

Another renowned planner, Jove Meyer, adds: “I’m not a big fan of trends. I think ultimately, if you pour your DNA into your wedding design, it’s the trendiest thing in the world.”

While the word “trend” may not fully capture the approach of modern couples, and many experts emphasize creating a unique atmosphere and emotional experience, there are still elements that appear more frequently in weddings today, and others that are falling out of favor. Here’s a look at what New York wedding planners see as hot, cool, or in style, and what they’d like to see less of.

Photo: Freda Banks, Planner: Le Petit Privé

Wedding Trends You Are Currently Obsessed With

I’m obsessed with portrait studios. I love it when couples want to incorporate that into their day because it feels very different from a traditional photo booth.

– Ashley of A. Merisier Events

I’m not a big fan of trends. I think ultimately, if you pour your DNA into your wedding design, it’s the trendiest thing in the world that will never go out of style. But one of the obvious ones is color. I think there is more color everywhere. I think white is over, white is gone.

– Jove Meyer

I love to push the envelope to see what couples can do in terms of entertainment. Can we add a surprise and delight during dinner? Can we add a surprise and delight element when transitioning from the regular party to the after-party? I love it when we lean into the entertainment. And even if my couples do want tradition and structure, we still figure out where we can surprise and delight within structure.

– Ani Wolff

Photo: Sebastian Paynter, Courtesy of Art Petrov, Uli Popova

Smaller, more intimate, and design-driven weddings over the same cookie-cutter approach. I feel like that’s been the norm for a long time, but now people are really focusing on creating unique, small, and personalized celebrations.

– Michelle Elaine Weddings

Definitely destination weddings. It’s lovely to see people come together over several days and really get to know each other, experience different countries and cultures, and explore new places. This allows them to step out of their comfort zone, try new foods, and engage in different conversation starters. I’m obsessed with hosting events that are truly meaningful and create lasting memories.

– Marina Luri Events

Using local providers of fruit, produce, and florals to really reduce waste and unnecessary costs. That is a really healthy trend for the world.

This trend is also driving the desire to stay local and true to the design of the specific venue. I see how couples don’t want to be in Miami and feel like they’re somewhere else. They want to feel like they’re in Miami.

– Xin Huang of Le Petite Privé

Photo: Yolanta Birkhane, Anni Graham

We’re seeing more and more of our couples really focusing on the dinner and the dining experience of their wedding, not just the beauty of it, but the actual experience. They want it to feel like you’re at their private home, an intimate dinner party with their closest family and friends. Again, it’s that experience. Maybe it’s a specific drink or cordial that’s important to them, or tradition from their heritage, the menu design, the experience of the food and the presentation, not just how delicious it is, but really making that dining experience the focal point, not just the dancing, not just the party. So that’s something we’re seeing more and more of, and definitely going to continue into 2026.

– Amy of Browne & Towers

The one wedding trend I’m currently obsessed with is a cake and dessert table. So it’s very funny, because cakes were making their way out for a while, and I feel like couples are now bringing back and doing the cake cutting, but not just doing one cake, they’re doing multiple cakes. I had a wedding a couple of weeks ago where the bride literally had 20 different cakes, all beautiful and funky, with different flavors and sizes. And I love seeing that, because it really gives the guests an experience. And it becomes like a cake bar, where they get to go and try different flavors and everything.

– Meena Lee of 5TH Avenue Events

Photo: Courtesy of Sophia Agnella Stolz, Nawaphon P., Nawaphon P.

What I find really fun, cute, and kind of light is Martini towers. It takes a creative twist on the traditional champagne or Prosecco tower. I’m really into martinis right now with tons of olives, or basically just making it your own. So maybe it’s your special cocktail drink or something else that’s unique, like a fun tower decoration, a wow moment, but that’s maybe not your typical champagne.

– Julie Lindenman Events

It’s custom statement bars. So, like, we’re talking tall pergola structures on top of, like Mega bars, like 24 by 12 feet, like big structures.

– Ness McGovern Events

I love it when food and beverages are utilized as part of the design and the immersive experience. I’m really enjoying it and want to see more of that.

At our company, we are more aligned with the sensorial events that can engage all the senses. So I don’t have one specific trend that I’m absolutely in love with. Draping is having a huge moment. Non-traditional florals and shapes are having a huge moment, which I’m loving. The non-floral material design-driven events are having a moment, so I’m here for all of it.

– Pejy Kash Events

Photo: Daniil Nikulin, Courtesy of Mimosa Posy

I love the idea of strategically placed floral decor as art installations, rather than an overabundance of florals just for the sake of having florals.

– Veronica Joy Events

I am loving stripes right now. I think they’re really fun. You can make them really bold, but you can also choose a stripe and color that’s softer; it still adds that element. Perhaps you could add them to the tablecloth for your reception or include them during cocktail hour. Additionally, like the back of your invitation, I think there are numerous places you can have it that are fresh.

– Rachel Behar Events

Color blocking, whether that’s a yellow ceremony to an orange cocktail hour to a red dinner, or color blocking the entire event where everything is red, purple, or green, I think it’s super chic.

– Ruth Emma Creative

Photo: Alexa Curly, Courtesy of Gideon Hermosa, Eline Willaert

Wedding Trends You Think Are on Their Way Out, or You Want to See Less Of

I think that making everything for social media should be out. Your wedding day isn’t for Instagram, TikTok, or any platform, but it’s for the two of you. Couples still have the content creators, and they should let them do their thing and simply live the day.

– Michelle Elaine Weddings

I hope this trend is fading, or at least that I’m advising against it less, but I’d say too many printed branded items everywhere. One example is branded cocktail napkins. Not everything at a wedding needs a logo or monogram; it can feel excessive. Keeping it subtle makes the details feel more thoughtful and elegant.

– Ruth Emma Creative

Photo: Pinterest, Pinterest

I’d love to see couples feeling less pressure to do certain dances or moments at their wedding just because their parents or friends expect it. If it doesn’t feel authentic, you’ll dread it and just want to get it over with. Skip the things that don’t feel genuine. Authenticity rules.

– Ness McGovern Events

We’ve seen a lot of bows, and while I still love them, they may be on their way out. Same about scalloped edges. It feels like we’re moving away from that whimsical style and heading in a slightly different direction.

– Julie Lindenman Events

The green and white weddings. Color is now making its way in. We see more couples experiment with a variety of colors and play creatively with their palettes.

– Meena Lee of 5TH Avenue Events

I’m going to start by saying that my taste isn’t everyone’s, and that’s perfectly fine. Personally, I’d say we could get rid of people in champagne glasses and over-the-top performances. Those trends just aren’t my style. But if you love it, you should do it.

– Jove Meyer

Photo: Courtesy of Olia Meldzikhova, Courtesy of Mach & Mach, J ulia Kaptelova

The overwhelming amount of floral look. Nobody’s gonna say no to a floral, but’s just a ‘more is more’ approach, without reason, just to pour it in there.

I’m also encouraging my clients to consider a different flow for their event that is more like a European style, where the cocktail hour, ceremony, dining, and dancing are distinct experiences. This allows us, as designers, to create movement and narrative throughout the day, and move away from the traditional pattern of getting up and sitting down.

– Pejy Kash Events

People might disagree, but I’d say table lamps. I love the custom ones that have different material, but I think like the metal table lamps. Guess, they’ll still be hot next year, but looking ahead to 2027, I don’t expect to see them as much.

– Rachel Behar Events

I think getting-ready photos with brides in robes are mostly on their way out.

– Ashley of A. Merisier Events

I believe weddings should focus on what’s important to each couple. I’d like to see fewer frivolous trends or ‘must-have’ items. Everything should be personal, meaningful, and reflect the couple’s taste and the things they love.

– Marina Luri Events

Photo: Kristen Marie Parker, Emotions + Math

Sometimes couples add elements just because they can or have the budget, even if it doesn’t fit the setting. For example, bringing pampas grass to a wedding in Hawaii feels out of place because it’s not natural to that environment. On the other hand, in Montana, those overgrown grasses look stunning. Similarly, you wouldn’t bring tropical flowers like birds of paradise to Montana because they don’t match the climate or aesthetic. The key is to design in harmony with the location.

– Xin Huang of Le Petite Privé

If I could eliminate anything, it would be the champagne tower and the typical sparkler exit. Instead of following the same old traditions, why not rethink altogether? For example, skip the formal procession. If you’re shy, why put yourself on display like that? Imagine simply stepping into your ceremony, or even creating a ceremony in the round, surrounded by friends and family. You could bring everyone together during cocktail hour and then surprise them by starting the ceremony in the center. It’s about breaking expectations and creating moments that truly feel authentic and exciting.

– Ani Wolff

Photo: Erich McVey, KT Marry, Bushwhacked

One Thing You Wish Couples Would Try

Design

Playing with the floor plan. Many people lean into what others have done in the space or what has worked well in the space. However, I think couples should try to have fun with the way they lay out a space in the flow of it, and with their floor plan and table arrangements.

– Jove Meyer

I love a good placemat. Not many people use them, but I think they’re such a great design detail. We see a lot of chargers and layered designs, but a placemat really sets the tone for the table. There’s so much you can do with it, like you can choose a unique material, customize it, or even add names to it. It’s such a fun element, and honestly, not many people do it amazingly.

– Rachel Behar Events

I really love paper and invitations, and I wish more couples would give them the attention they deserve. I feel that many have moved into the digital age, but I’m a bit old-school. The thickness of the stock, the beautiful imprint, the colors, the textures… you can feel the craftsmanship.

– Meena Lee of 5TH Avenue Events

Adding a fun, creative twist to dessert. It could be a tiramisu tower in coupe glasses, a gluten-free pavlova, or something super creative that incorporates their favorite sweet or a dessert with special meaning. It’s those little details that make it different and so personal.

– Julie Lindenman Events

Really, really bold tables and chairs!

– Ani Wolff

Photo: Danilo & Sharon, Marcos Sanchez

Approach

I wish more couples would take the time for themselves on their wedding day, such as scheduling alone time or taking solo photos; those photos often end up being really great.

– Ness McGovern Events

I suggest stepping out of their comfort zone. Many couples come to us with hundreds of Pinterest photos or a fixed idea of what they think they want. What I try to show them is that there are other ways to achieve the same result. It really comes down to trusting your vendor, and that’s what I hope clients lean into.

– Pejy Kash Events

I would like them to invest in making that an experience for guests, aside from just hiring a photographer, and an additional photographer to handle that well.

– Ashley of A. Merisier Events

I want couples to focus on the details that feel so authentic to them, so true to who they are, that it seeps into every part of the wedding day. I want guests to leave saying, ‘That was so them.’

– Veronica Joy Events

Photo: Bushwhacked, Norman & Blake, Zakharov Photo

Planning

I wish couples would try more destination weekend weddings, because one-day weddings often leave everyone feeling they’re not having enough. Like everyone’s just getting started, and then it’s over. So I want everyone to get that ‘sleepover’ vibe. It allows people to have time to connect and creates the chance to create meaningful memories with friends and family over multiple days. It’s not about overwhelming design or doing too much, but about providing everyone with a comfortable space to enjoy the details, relax, and truly celebrate together.

– Xin Huang of Le Petite Privé

When you’re planning a destination or weekend wedding, it’s so important to give every moment the same level of attention—from the rehearsal dinner to the farewell brunch. Design each part of the celebration intentionally and thoughtfully, whether it’s the Friday night rehearsal dinner, the main event, the Sunday brunch, or the day after. I’ve even seen people extend their weekend so that the day-after brunch becomes the most relaxing, memorable part of it all.

– Marina Luri Events

Photo: Dias de Vino y Rosas

An Inspiring Note for Couples Getting Married in 2026

If I were to create the wedding of the year for 2026, it would be all about intentionality and pouring your love story and the DNA of you as a couple into every detail. Your favorite restaurants, foods, colors, and places you’ve traveled would all be woven into the celebration in an authentic, thoughtful way. A wedding like that could ever go out of trend or be bad.

– Jove Meyer