2026 destination wedding trends are beginning to emerge as we immerse ourselves in planning more stunning overseas celebrations for our couples, and we wish to allow you to in on the within information. Whether you’re taking considered one of these trends and run with it or need to put your personal unique spin on things, you need to use this as a guide to spark inspiration for the design, details and delights at your wedding. We’ve also included a few of next yr’s hottest destinations, just in case you’re still searching for the right spot to tie the knot.
2026 Destination Wedding Trends: Where’s Hot?
1. A Venue With A View
There are plenty of aspects that go into deciding on the right wedding venue for you, and I all the time tell my couples that once you find it, you’ll feel it. In 2026 though, we’re seeing an increasing number of couples coveting a wonderful outlook at their wedding venue – venues high on the Italian coast with countless sea views, European cityscape backdrops, and visual vistas featuring mountains, vineyards and honeyed countryside…
Hosting your ceremony or wedding dinner in front of an incredible backdrop is all the time a magical moment, celebrating al fresco in front of a postcard you’ll remember perpetually. We totally understand why that is considered one of the most popular (no pun intended) 2026 destination wedding trends.
In the event you are pondering of celebrating outdoors at a destination wedding, read our weather guide for all our advice on tips on how to cope with extreme heat or rainy conditions.
2. Hidden Gem Locations
2026 goes to be all about going beyond, which doesn’t must mean larger and more extravagant – just more intentional. For a lot of couples this implies going beyond the apparent destination wedding locations, finding their chosen country’s best kept secrets. You’ll find all our favourite scenic gems in Italy in our tourist spot swaps list, and discover our alternatives for Lake Como, Florence and Rome – in every country there are more beautiful venues than you possibly can possibly imagine, so don’t be afraid to look slightly closer.
2026 Wedding Design & Detail Trends
3. Color Is Here To Stay
We’re seeing plenty of gorgeous, vibrant colors coming through in our couples’ 2026 palettes, with monochromatic designs becoming ever more popular. In the event you’re searching for a clue as to which tones are taking 2026 by storm, have a look at purples, oranges, the return of wealthy jewel tones and the evolving of pastels into warmer, bolder shades. Minimalist colors and designs will all the time have their place right there beside the classics, but we’re seeing a shift towards the maximalist – slightly little bit of decadence never hurt anyone, in any case.
4. Digital Details
Last but not least in 2026 destination wedding trends, we’re seeing couples favouring digital details over creating plenty of paper waste at their weddings. Digital save the dates, invitations and wedding web sites are having an actual moment, with some couples selecting to have their digital designs bespoke made – we’ve even seen video invitations! Keeping connected is proving essential on the marriage day too, with plenty of couples requesting the installation of charging stations and QR codes for uploading photos, but just about all still choosing ‘unplugged’ ceremonies.
5. Hand Illustrated Items
From bespoke illustrated save the dates featuring cute caricatures of our couples, to daintily decorated fans, menu cards and signage, hand illustration is here to remain in 2026. We expect it’s because couples are searching for something that seems like it’s had the private touch, something authentic and maybe not quite perfect – similar to all one of the best love stories!
Image by People True Love Tellers from considered one of last yr’s Elegante weddings in Spain, with all illustrations designed by the bride herself.
Jewish Destination Wedding Trends for 2026
Elegante by Michelle J specialises in Jewish destination weddings for UK and US based couples, though we also plan interfaith and non religious celebrations for couples of all walks of life.
6. Kosher Catering Adapted To Your Location
While it will probably be more logistically difficult to search out kosher catering at weddings in Europe, it’s entirely possible and we now have wonderful contacts throughout Italy, Spain and Portugal, to call just just a few. In the event you’d wish to get really into detail concerning the query of kosher catering at your destination wedding, visit our blog dedicated to the topic. What we actually love though, is that 2026 continues to see our couples mix the cuisine of their chosen country with their kosher requirements. Being Jewish myself I can advise our couples on tips on how to get the best possible culinary experience that feels authentic to that place, whilst still respecting customs and everybody’s requirements.
7. Fabulous Floral Chuppah Design
Those beautiful backdrops we mentioned earlier make wonderful locations to host your chuppah at your Jewish wedding. Such a meaningful and heartfelt a part of the day deserves to be truly celebrated, and plenty of our 2026 couples are opting to go big and bountiful with florals on their chuppah. While the one requirement for a chuppah is that a cloth or sheet be supported atop 4 poles, it’s possible to get really imaginative and artistic with its design. Saying probably the most meaningful words you’ll probably ever say beneath a shocking, living cover is a very wonderful approach to begin married life together, so we’re 100% sold on fabulous floral chuppahs for 2026.
8. Jewish Wedding Music Your Way
Next up on our list of 2026 destination wedding trends is all about Jewish wedding music. Music is a giant deal at your simcha, playing a job from ceremony all of the approach to the party, with no breaks for dinner! Nonetheless, couples now know that they don’t must select a specialist Jewish wedding band, and that in the event that they have they got the choice of flying their favourite one out from the UK with them. You’ll have guessed it by now, but we wrote a blog on this too which you’ll be able to read here – hopefully helping you to feel assured that your Jewish wedding music might be done your way.
Which of those trends are lighting you up with inspiration in your 2026 destination wedding? Get in contact in the event you’d like an authority hand planning it.
